Borrowed Kindness

[JanS]

This is one of the things I love about the UKC atmosphere.

If you've spent any time at a UKC event, you've probably experienced it. Someone you've never met offers you a chair because yours broke. A fellow exhibitor hands you the bait you forgot to pack. Someone watches your dog while you run to another ring. A stranger lends you a leash, a brush, a crate fan, or even the last safety pin they have. No one keeps score of these small acts of kindness, yet they happen at every event, every weekend, all across the country. These moments may seem small, but they say something big about who we are as a community. In UKC, we're competitors—but we're also teammates. We celebrate each other's successes, help each other through the challenges, and understand that sometimes the best way to win is by making sure someone else has the chance to step into the ring. Many lifelong friendships have started with a simple question: "Can I borrow...?" The answer is almost always, "Of course!" Those borrowed leashes are returned. The borrowed chairs get folded back up. The borrowed bait disappears into a happy dog's mouth. But the kindness behind those gestures stays with us long after the weekend is over. As you head to your next UKC event, look for an opportunity to pay that kindness forward. Offer someone a helping hand. Share your grooming table. Hold a dog. Lend a crate fan. Welcome a newcomer who looks a little lost. You may not remember every ribbon you've ever won, but you'll always remember the people who helped you when you needed it most. That's the spirit of UKC. That's the kind of community we're proud to be a part of. And that's why, no matter where the next event takes us, it always feels a little like coming home.

 

[remy]

I’ve really enjoyed showing in UKC. In my experience, there is more sense of community there. Or at least it comes more easily. I think partially because there is more down time in between shows, and also because everyone is an owner handler they have time to hang around and chat. It’s definitely been harder for me to form friendships at AKC shows when I’m mostly showing with professionals who are being going from dog to dog and breed to breed.

 

[BGpa]

Being a people and dog watcher,

I can imagine the dynamics of the DPCA pro-handler show world are fascinating, especially as to how mentoring works, the higher end of conformation world, the business, politics, etc.

As a newbie who is more interested in dogs doing functional jobs and making friends as a younger starting out and learning to DIY to train my own dog the UDC world is more useful.

At the total noob beginner starting at bottom end it seems to come down to which organized group is putting on events closest. Is that a fair conclusion, for someone looking to dip toe on the water, first time?

 

[remy]

Being a people and dog watcher,

I can imagine the dynamics of the DPCA pro-handler show world are fascinating, especially as to how mentoring works, the higher end of conformation world, the business, politics, etc.

As a newbie who is more interested in dogs doing functional jobs and making friends as a younger starting out and learning to DIY to train my own dog the UDC world is more useful.

At the total noob beginner starting at bottom end it seems to come down to which organized group is putting on events closest. Is that a fair conclusion, for someone looking to dip toe on the water, first time?

I would say in terms of the overall amount of events, AKC is most accessible, with UDC being the least. In some areas though, UKC events seem more frequent than AKC.

Location is, unfortunately, a big determining factor in what sports you can train and compete in, especially without prior experience. There are so many things I’ve wanted to try but just don’t have classes in my area. I started IGP with Remy, and he loved it, but after a few sessions determined the club was not a great fit for me (for several reasons) so we stopped going. That is the only club within reasonable distance from me, so sadly it doesn’t seem like IGP is an option for us anymore.

If you’re interested in competing, I’d narrow down the sports you’d like to try and first see if there are any trainers/clubs/etc in your area. You can teach things like scent work or rally on your own, but other sports like agility or IGP need to be done with the help of a good trainer.

 

[BGpa]

Thanks @remy that validates some of what I've found/read elsewhere:

Here is a summary of the SoCal dobe scene:

"Additional notes

• UDC events in California are relatively infrequent overall compared with stronger concentrations in the Northeast, Midwest, and other regions. Nationals and major championships are typically held elsewhere (e.g., New York, Illinois, North Carolina).

• Related working-dog activity (such as DVG events) has also occurred in places like Merced, CA, but those are not UDC-sanctioned."

I've made up a couple nose work games and BYB Bonnie loves that, and

having taught her to be a Newfy swimming out past the breakers for her floaty kong,

Now I need something more challenging...
BYB Bonnie has one her own transitioned to bloodhound by using her skilz to find any ratty old tennis ball in the bushes, her latest obsession...

probably watching dogpark dogs...while BW is yakking with friends at her happy place.

Unless I throw it for her like a common golden. "Fetch" really???
Where is the dignity?

So I may have to get on youtube and come up with some more demanding stuff, to keep her from being bored and chewing balls to bits when not watching.

She has upped her game to stealing from other dogs who fail to recognize the hidden ball hog/borderline GSD with possession issues dark side to her...

Never an easy day...
Who is training who here?

 

[Ravenbird]

• UDC events in California

Are we talking UKC or UDC events?

UDC is the United Doberman Club - Doberman club with focus on working and sporting Dobermans plus conformation and temperament
UKC is the United Kennel Club - All breed club with conformation and sports events, very similar to AKC.

Jans opening post is referring to UKC.

 

[JanS]

I would say in terms of the overall amount of events, AKC is most accessible, with UDC being the least. In some areas though, UKC events seem more frequent than AKC.

That's what I've heard about AKC being more accessible in states to our south but in MN and WI there are a ton more UKC shows. There used to only be one AKC show/year in the area but now there are a few more clubs who have started having shows.
I don't know of any UDC shows within a few states of here and when there are, they are few and far between.

 

[BGpa]

Are we talking UKC or UDC events?

UDC is the United Doberman Club - Doberman club with focus on working and sporting Dobermans plus conformation and temperament
UKC is the United Kennel Club - All breed club with conformation and sports events, very similar to AKC.

Jans opening post is referring to UKC.

UDC and I've noticed the once active San Diego Chapter of DPCA is no more. There was a SD Doberman FB group but I havent been since asking for advice on dobe smart vets a couple years ago.

The dobe showdog scene in San Diego has shrunk/aged out, is my impression from talking with a couple breeders.

The UKC and AWDF working dog folks are farther north of LA to Bay Area.