Good Bloggie!

This weekend, Vivian earned points at the Bee-Tex show under judge Bettie L. Krause. Mrs. Krause graciously bestowed Vivian with the Winners, Best of Winners, and Best of Opposite ribbons. We’d like to thank judge Krause for recognizing our girl. It was great weather for this show (as it’s held in a pole barn, so semi-outdoors) and winning points made it even better.

Unfortunately, no picture on it’s way. I was too busy doing dog paperwork and just as I got back to the ring, the photographer was leaving and missed our chance to take photos with the judge. So here’s a fun one of Vivian and her mom Cocoa, sleeping on top of the couch cushions at home. (In case you ever wondered what a show dog does during their off hours.)

Cocoa has a new acronym to add to her name: AOM.

AOM stands for Award of Merit and she was selected from the Best of Breed class at The French Bulldog Club of Dallas-Fort Worth’s 12th Specialty Show by Judge Michael Loller for this prestigious award. She was one of 20+ Champions and 80+ Frenchies in attendance March 20, 2008. A total of four Award of Merits were presented and Cocoa walked off with one, along with a very nice rosette and certificate.

What is an Award of Merit ? To quote the Westminster site:

AWARD OF MERIT: At the discretion of the judge, an additional award made to outstanding entries that are not judged to be either BOB / BOV or BOS.

The number presented at a show is based on the number of entries. A minimum of 20 entries is needed for one AOM. If the show had had over 100 entries, five AOMs would have been available.

A big thank you to judge Michael Loller for recognizing our girl, and to the FBCDFW organizers and members for yet another successful round of Dallas/Fort Worth Specialties. It’s really quite amazing to see so many top Frenchies in one place and at one time. And being included in that category is quite a “special” thing, as well.

(Photo of Cocoa’s win to be posted when it arrives.)

Vivian followed in mom’s pawprints last week by winning points at the San Antonio Specialty on March 8th.

Vivian showed her little heart out that Saturday night, against some very competitive girls, and was awarded the coveted, purple Winners ribbon. Cocoa won this very same specialty last year and guess Vivian didn’t want to let mom or me down.

Extra thanks to the organizers of the Specialty: The Heart of Texas French Bulldog Club, for setting up this show and to our judge Mrs. Murrel Purkhiser for pulling our little girl out of the lineup.

This weekend Vivian earned an International title from IABCA (International All Breed Canine Association). She got a UCICB - International Champion title from the Open Class (Offeneklasse). Thank you to all her judges!

The IABCA is sanctioned by the UCI (Union Cynologie International) which is based in Germany.

Vivian attended these shows last year, bringing home three Reserve Best in Show Puppy awards (two in Bred-by and one in Open). Read about it here and more on the IABCA.
Link to last year

Well this year, not only did she bring home another Reserve Best in Show Bred-by Exhibitor rosette from the Adult class, she topped it off with a Best in Show Bred-by Exhibitor rosette!

But more than the ribbons, she had a great time. She loves the attention and especially the kids who come to pet her. Think she was looking forward to another day of it this morning. She looked a bit sad when we didn’t load up the car.

Pictures were taken and will be posted once they arrive.

If you are interested in what makes a Frenchie look like a Frenchie, or what a judge is looking for in the show ring, enjoy reading and viewing this page with descriptions, photos, and illustrations.

Analysis of the French Bulldog

And you just thought they were cute, snorty dogs, didn’t you?