Dexter’s Show Ring Career

As I’ve mentioned before, Dexter (Bullmarket Absolut Darkly Dexter) has gone off to Michigan to concentrate on his show ring career. He’s being shown by his co owner, Sue Simon of Epic French Bulldogs.

We’re so proud of how well Sue is doing with Dexter. Anyone who has met him knows that good behaviour is not the norm for this little bad boy. He’s bratty, bad and bold – not necessarily in that order – and up until now, shows have been of interest to him mainly because they give him a chance to try to pick fights with his nemesis(es)*, long haired dogs of any breed. Shaggy dog = squeaky toy for Dexter, and his only interest in squeaky toys is in getting the squeaker out of the middle as ruthlessly as possible.

Sue, however, has managed to tame my favorite wildebeest into a reasonable facsimile of a sophisticated show dog. He’s gaiting beautifully, standing patiently, and hanging out on the table without trying to launch himself into the neighbouring ring. Way to go, Sue! And way to go, Dexter – in his third show out, he took his second major, meaning he’s now free to single himself to a championship** (although we’d certainly like more majors, please).

**A note about that – In very simple terms, an American Kennel Club Championship requires a dog to take a total of fifteen points. At least six of these points must be ‘majors’ – any win which awards a dog three or more points is a major. These two majors must be won under differing judges. At least one or more of the remaining points must be won under judges other than the two who awarded majors.

Since Dexter has already been awarded two majors, from two different judges, he can now finish without getting any more majors. Majors are more difficult to achieve, because they require much higher entry numbers (in other words, you must defeat more dogs to win them).

* what the heck is the plural of ‘nemesis’, anyways?

Videos of Dexter showing at the Ingham County Kennel Club Winterland Classic, in Lansing. Michigan, after the cut.

Dexter, on the table

Dexter and the other entries for Winners Dog/Best of Winners