4 summer night shows Split

This summer we decided to join vacation by the sea with dog showing and entered 4 summer night shows in Split, Croatia.

We spent two days on beautiful farm in Slovenia near Ptuj and then continued in journey to south. In Split we were accommodated in city centre just 5 minutes from the stadium were the shows took place which was great. The only problem in Split was walking our dogs – not many dogs live there and in most of local parks dogs are forbidden and there is not enough of green place in the centre. But people were very nice and when they saw our dogs they asked what kind of breed it is and wanted to pet them. 🙂 Later we found out that in Split lives only one Italian Sighthound!

Every day we went to a dog beach “Kasjuni” which was amazing and quiet place. In the afternoon we wandered through the city centre. Split is wonderful historical city so there was so much to see.

Dog shows started at 7 p.m. in local rugby stadium which was full of tents, people and dogs. Sometimes is was a success just to reach the ring. 🙂 But the atmosphere was great, night shows are simply something unique… 6 Italian Sighthounds were entered, 5 of them were Czech and one from Slovakia but born in CZ, so it was a bit like a Czech enclave in Croatia. 😀 All dog were in their classes alone, only my Tirion had a rival in her class (Yes, we’re always that lucky…;-) ). One male puppy was from kennel Pikkuneidin, a male in open class and a female in champion class were from Rozárka, young female from Gerri Genesiss and our competitor in open class was from Next Level kennel.

Sighthounds were shown usually late around 11 p.m. There were huge reflectors next to rings so it was stressful for some dogs. Luckily Tirion was completely calm like usual. First we were judged by Mr. Machael Forte, second day by Dalmatian breeder Mrs. Manola Poggesi. Unfortunatelly any of the judges we were showing under wasn’t a Sighthound specialist. Althought there was IG breeder Gabriel Valdez judging other breeds, we weren’t that lucky. So BOB ended in champion class first two days. Tirion won her class both days and received 2xCAC and R.CACIB with nice critique. But the third day turned out to be our worst dog show experience. IGs were judged by Collie breeder Rainer Vuorinen from Finland. The male dog in open class run away from the ring twice during the show but others behaved normally. I even thought Tirion did better than the previous days. She won her class and when we wanted to enter the ring with winner from champion class, we were told that any of dogs receive a title because they were “histerical because of light”. I didn’t know what to say. I understand when a judge doesn’t give CAC because of dog’s poor quality or bad handling but that wasn’t this case…It looked like the judge was tired and definitely not a Sightnound lover so he didn’t want to bother with us. Next day we found out that this happend even to other breeds so we realised the reason…. We wouldn’t come back if we got all CACs for fulfulling Croatian Champion!…

Last day was luckily much better. Our judge Mrs.Carmen Guisado Navarro paid attention to everyone even after judging more than 90 dogs. Tirion received third CAC and then even CACIB and BOB. I was really happy and we stayed for final competitions which were prepared very well. Tirion didn’t want to show herself well in a final ring, she probably reject to work after midnight. 🙂 We were back to our apartment until 1 a.m. and in the morning we sett off for a long journey back home…

Night shows are amazing experience and we enjoyed our whole vacation in Split. I didn’t expect to win all four days but the attitude of the one judge made me a bit sad…Next time I’d go to Split again but add one more week of holidays by the sea. 🙂

Tirion Gil-Endor

CAC Split 28.7. Exc1/2 CAC

CACIB Split 29.7. Exc1/2 R. CACIB

CAC Split 30.7. Exc1/2

CACIB Split 31.7. Exc1/2 CAC, CACIB, BOB