LAKELAND WINTER HAVEN KENNEL CLUB, JUDGE MRS. ANNE MARIE TAYLOR – 02.18.2011

We arrived at the showgrounds really early and not knowing what to expect.  This is our first real dog show and our van was loaded with bowls and leashes, toys and blankets, crates and a suitcase full of doggie gear, smelly “bait” and an eager Cane Corso named Orso.  We found some parking near the building that our handler, Jessie Herzon, told us to set up in, unloaded all of our stuff and made our way into the building. 

What an overwhelming sight!  There were dogs everywhere!  Crates everywhere!  Stressed people, happy people, very unhappy people, people wearing all kinds of shiny clothes and people who had never seen a Cane Corso before!  It was a whole new world for us, to say the least!  We set up near our ring and ran into our breeder, who was also there for the show.  We chatted with her a bit, said hello to her dogs, including Saggio (Orso’s dad) and Carisma (Orso’s littermate).  Within minutes, our handler, Jessie, came over to meet with us and give us the run down on what to expect.  45 minutes later, Orso was in the ring for his first official dog show!  He was in the 6-9 month class alone, so he took first place.  He went back in against Saggio (his dad) & another older experienced Corso named Argento and came in 3rd.  We weren’t disappointed about this result – actually, we expected it – because our goal on this trip is to get Orso in the ring and comfortable with dog show surroundings.  Below are some shots from today and a link to the Cane Corso results from today’s show. 

Today’s show results: 
http://www.infodog.com/RESULTS/2011109004/201110900433500.HTM

Orso with his handler, Jessie Herzon, below:

Orso’s Dad, Saggio, below:

Orso standing behind Argento, below:

As a reward for being such a great new show dog, we bought Orso a brand new show collar and lead, let him take a nap with us for the first time ever (yes, in the same bed) and then took him for a long walk around the neighborhood next to the hotel.