and we are really looking forward to it We are going to meet new friends, see people in person that we've only had an e-mail friendship with, and to gain valuable experience in regards to showing etc..
Whether it's a small turn out or a large one, it makes no difference to us. We are just happy to have it close enough to BC, that we can drive down. We know it will be years and years before we ever see it this close to our home again!

from NJ..
People are always going to have something to bitch about. Location, time, etc. It's hard to keep everyone happy. Also the schedule for the week sometimes gets drawn out very long..short days of showing and nothing to do the rest of the day..Most people go to a dog show for the dogs..and to hang out with friends..Not go on tours and such. Especially because the cost factor of the week..and then if you add in cost of tours or whatever else off the show grounds..It gets expensive.



Just-LoneStar Bulldogs

"Interesting. So way back in the late 1940's was it? They decided to hold them due to Hotel availability? Not sure but did they hold them in hotels even then? all the time?

I've been involved with numerous National shows over the years and the date usually involves time off for the majority to be able to attend. If a club could not secure a hotel then I do not believe that the National Officers would allow them to host.

Sure wish we all had been around back then so we would not have to guess!

Randy"

No need to guess. A National guidelines committee was formed in the late 70's or early 80's (not sure exactly when) to make the National show weekend more uniform. Prior to that it was really "anything goes"
If you were involved with all these Nationals you surely have been all through the National Guidelines.
e

I loved that hotel. Very nice setup, and cheap. Good work Ward!

Last year was my first Nationals and I loved it. We made it a family vacation and while I was enjoying dogs, seminars and new bulldog friends, my husband took our daughter to all the attractions in Orlando. We had a great time.

It also made it much easier to be during Thanksgiving week. My husband only had to take a couple days off and we were able to spend more time at the show. You can always plan a big family dinner before or after the show and call it your thanksgiving. It shouldn't take a federal holiday to get family together !!

I'm disapointed that I won't be able to go this year but I'm already making plans to attend 2008 and getting information on all the attractions in that area so my husband and daughter can start getting excited about going too.

flying from DFW to Spokane for $224.00 Round trip that is including taxes and fees.
You cant drive for that amount!
Ward>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

That is 100% the truth!!! likely could not go one way on that in this day with gas so high!!

great rates,, cant beat them, hope everyone attends and has fun!

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Division weekends are in a way "mini-nationals". The problem is that there are now so many specialties that they are not so "special" anymore.
National is a convention. Many conventions last a week or more. I like it that way and you can choose to show only the days of the actually show if time is an issue (depending on the schedule, Wednesday to Saturday or Thursday to Sunday). Many people look at it as a vacation and the week-long event is something many of us look forward to every year.
e

Nationals are held during Thanksgiving because it is the easiest time of the Fall to book an entire hotel and more times than not cheaper too.
BCA did not pick Thanksgiving as the most ideal time. The guidelines provide for National to be held in the Fall and Thanksgiving seems to be the most cost-effective time frame to do that.
The reason why they chose Fall as the time is because it is cooler (temperature-wise) and one time in particular we did have a National in the Fall (in 1982) and the 1983 show was held less than 6 months later in March. (Dallas in 82.. Newark NJ in 83).
Talk about many angry people. One National a year is hard enough.. try two in one years time not to mention sweepstakes eligibility is compromised if the times become scattered. I have had dogs that were never able to be shown in Sweepstakes due to fluxuations in National scheduling.
I personally have no problem with Thanksgiving, but then, I would attend no matter when it was, but I realize I am fortunate to have that luxury.
e

I dont know about what went on back in the 40's, but I do know having been Assistant Chair for the 2005 Nationals in Dallas that Thanksgiving week is the most affordable and that Hotels are more apt to want our business, we had hotels bidding for our business, because of there historical low room bookings for that week. Individual Room rates were more than double the price on other weeks in comparison to what we were able to offer for Thanksgiving week. That was a big part of the decision in selecting a host Hotel and why we made the decision to hold it on Thanksgiving Week.
Cost is a huge part of making any and all decisions for Nationals week. Remember all the money for the most part is raised by the host club and the Division. Mostly by fund raisers and auctions.
Ward

I dont know why there has been such a big deal made about flight availability, we are flying from DFW to Spokane for $224.00 Round trip that is including taxes and fees.
You cant drive for that amount!
Ward

Good points but ones that are heard every year along with "Why is it usually held during Thanksgiving? that's when most people are home with family"

....that's generally why it's held during Thanksgiving. Most people already have a couple of days off and people who don't have 8 weeks off can still attend.

The problem seems to be when the decision to hold Nationals is not during the Thanksgiving time frame. Then people can only attend if they have enough time off from work.
This years National show is not only "not" during Thanksgiving but it is also in an area that is not easily accessible for driving or flying.
Prediction? Smallest National show in 20 years.
Many that I know are not attending or their flying in for a meeting but without their dogs.

Randy

I have very limited involvement with dog shows, comparitively, so this may be a "novice" opinion.

I think that Nationals should be referred to as "Nationals Weekend", not "Nationals Week". It seems that the trend is to make the whole event longer, and more drawn out, with more things to do.

I would prefer a more efficient, compact Nationals event. I for one, cannot dedicate 10-14 days to going to a dog show, which is about what it would take for most people to travel to this year's event and participate 100%. I would imagine that attendance at the Nationals show varies depending on the location.

The other problem I have with the Nationals schedule is that it does not take advantage of the weekend days, forcing people to take off a minimum of 3 days from work, because the "guts" of the event is smack dab in the middle of the week. Again - if you are retired or have 8 weeks of vacation at your job - good for you.

I think it would also be nice to have an additional, more centrally located event to be considered a "mini Nationals". I wonder if other breeds do this?

Nationals is a great event, no matter what it's format though, and if you can accomdate attending the whole event, I would do so. If not, you just have to pick either the front end or the back end, depending on what you are showing.

Interesting. So way back in the late 1940's was it? They decided to hold them due to Hotel availability? Not sure but did they hold them in hotels even then? all the time?

I've been involved with numerous National shows over the years and the date usually involves time off for the majority to be able to attend. If a club could not secure a hotel then I do not believe that the National Officers would allow them to host.

Sure wish we all had been around back then so we would not have to guess!

Randy

I have not yet attended the US nationals(we are in Canada). We have 4 teenagers and this time of year is not the best for weeklong trips.....the kids suck all our money up for school LOL as soon as they are on their way, a few more years yet......I will always try to make it. I think it will be a blast no matter where it is or how many attend, so if you get the chance go go go!

http://www.ThunderBullies.com

My "kennel help" will be there, but I plan on using the shuttle.
I cant wait!

i will be in Sunday to Sunday with 2 cars.

:D

Vicky,
Bosco, Bella, Breve' & Holly

http://www.rubarbsoap.com/
Bulldog Club of Greater Seattle
PHOTOS ARE PROPERTY OF LANGAGER BULLDOGS, YOU MUST HAVE WRITTEN PERMISSION FOR ANY USE OF THESE PHOTOS FROM LANGAGERBULLDOG.

where nationals is this year, we had other great locations but they were not choosen. I believe now some who were against the other locations have 2nd thoughts.

Regardless, we will have a great nationals. Big or small it will be great.

Vicky

Vicky,
Bosco, Bella, Breve' & Holly

http://www.rubarbsoap.com/
Bulldog Club of Greater Seattle
PHOTOS ARE PROPERTY OF LANGAGER BULLDOGS, YOU MUST HAVE WRITTEN PERMISSION FOR ANY USE OF THESE PHOTOS FROM LANGAGERBULLDOG.

regardless of when, where or how much.



I think it will still be a tough competition!



http://www.pbase.com/bullpooches

I live in No. Cal. I can fly non stop directly to Spokane for 170.00 round trip. Show site, I believe is within 20 mins of airport with a free shuttle, to and from.

Smallest turn out in 20 years. Someone was loaded when that location was decided. The outcome is clear. A few of my friends won't be going. Paula

I stay the whole week.
Cindy

I spend the whole week . Also bring lots of money you will need it for all the neat things.