she is totally amazing..
you are soo lucky to have her..
great pics
and great story
she is for sure one of the great bulldogs on BDW...
beautiful bulldog...

look at all those ribbons..
yea the nationals would be really cool to go to ..
likely see many more bulldogs there then the Westminster show..

thanks for sharing

Dixie and I have shown obedience and rally in 2 national specialties so far and hope to make it to 2010 this year with Twister & Dixie - there is simply NOTHING like it!!

2006 Nationals - High Scoring bulldog in obedience


Dixie after to 2008 parade of rescues....



Dixie's loot from 2008 nationals - rally (1st rally advanced & 1st rally excellent)



how a bulldog princess rests at Nationals

that was originally named for Andrea Is my "Beefeater's Amazin' Grace of SBK,CD,CDX,UD,UDX"...she earned High in Trial as well as High Combined Score in Open & Utility at the Portland Nationals, qualifying in both of the advanced level OB classes the same day & earning her 4th leg towards her UDX title.



















She was one of the good ones, for sure!

when it was in Northern California, and Otis and I competed in Obedience which was a real hoot! I loved seeing some of the conformation judging, and of course the vendors are "to die for" with all the neat stuff (and I am a figurine collector). Our rescue group even had a small both of fundraising one day and that was neat too. I remember well that I was having trouble with a damaged knee, icing it overnight before my dog and I went into the novice obedience and team obedience rings, I was limping pretty badly and hoped the judge would not 'disqualify ME' but he was very understanding...and I had my knee surgery a couple weeks after I returned home. One really should try to go to at least one...and get a couple roommates to share the cost...makes it like a college dorm event.

country in the world, but it must be and AMERICAN CHAMPION. there is a system whereby the top 5(I believe it is) are INVITED TO ATTEND. After that, you go on line on a certain date and try to enter with the rest of the masses.

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Andrea, Ruby, Lola and Jigger
XXOO

Well, Ida ended up close enough to follow the rest of the Bulldog Nation there! Thanks!

Perserverance isn't a long race.
It's a series of short races,
ran one after the other.

-In memory of Casper

Bella says PUGS are a must..lol to be with a bulldog. she is totally pug obsessed..and they are bulldog obsessed too.
I really can not say that I have many photos without the pugs in it with Bella. she is outside running with the pugs 3 times a day. they are always together.
Gus puts up with the pugs..hahahahha but not the same as Bella..she lives for the pugs..instead.

I started off with 2 rescue pugs. then I got My now 3 pugs from a show breeder here in Ontario as pets. 2 I bought and the 1 of them was returned to her as rescue and that is how I got Max. so Max is the third rescue for me here.

it is truly a zoo with 3 pugs and a 1 bully in a case of the zoomies too..
good for laugh each day with the two breeds..love them all

Our son wanted more of a lap dog type dog...he really wanted a Boston (but I was worried a Boston would bark too much)...so, we decided on a Pug. Coco was our first and only other PUG...she was a dearheart and lived to be 12 ...died very suddenly of congestive heart failure.

Pugs are such an awesome compliment to the Bulldogs...she really 'stirs the pot' and gets the big guys going every day. Ruby and Lola are the very best of friends.

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Andrea, Ruby, Lola and Jigger
XXOO

I have 3 pugs but curious how you ended up with a pug..
I have always had a pug for many many years...like the last 12 or more..
only just got my first bulldog in the past 4 years..

you pug is true cutie as well

the crazy thing is that it seems just like the other day! sheesh!

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Andrea, Ruby, Lola and Jigger
XXOO

appreciate your input and knowledge Don
thanks again

and is truly an inspiration for those that feel you can only pursue showing or performance events by beginning with a puppy.

I remember a story a while back of a top winning German Shepherd that was found tied to a tree.

and I see Winn holding the award. Don't ya just love old pictures. I like to look at all the people in the background ringside.

Andrea you haven't changed a bit.

great minds think alike - huh?

In Veterans Class

The 2010 BCA National will be in Kentucky, not Indiana.

Nationals this year will be Last week of October in Ft. Mitchell KENTUCKY, not Indiana. It is 5 miles from Cincinnati Ohio, just across the Ohio River.

n/m

Agility, Obedience, and Rally have different rules; but Conformation, or the judging of a dogs conforming to a written standard, is geared towards proofing a breeders stock. So, Conformation is for intacted dogs. I believe the only exception is Veterans class. Correct me if Im wrong. The experience alone is worth it though, for sure.

Perserverance isn't a long race.
It's a series of short races,
ran one after the other.

-In memory of Casper

This past years Nationals was held in Kansas City MO. At the Crown Centre Westin Hotel. It was a beautiful venue with around 300 Bulldogs there. We came in on Saturday prior to the upcoming weeks festivities. The classes began Monday morning with two rings running simutaneously, dogs in one ring and bitches in the other. Two screens were on the walls behind the rings, so that you could watch the action in one ring and the screen showed the action in the other. The Sweepstakes were first with the classes 6-9,9-12,12-18,Open, Novice,Am Bred, AOH, Bred-By-Exhibitor and Vetrans. The classes were rearranged in the dog ring, so that a person who may have litter mates could handle them in the seperate rings at separate times. The Winners Dog and Bitch were selected, and they got their chance in Intersex, which is Nationals version of Best of Breed. Intersex were held the next day, as there were around 80 Champions! Another special class is Stud Dog and Brood Bitch. These are Dogs and Bitches who have offspring entered to represent them. The Parent and offspring enter the ring together, and then the offspring are judged, as the Parents look on. The Parent are awarded the ribbon, based on the offsprings adjudication. After the judging is over, there are usually some social events, P-A-R-T-Y. During the week there was also scheduled a costume party for the dogs/owners, a Rescue Parade, and closes with a BCA banquet the night before the last show. There are 3 seperate shows actually, one held by the BCA(Nationals), then there is the Division Show(area that the show is held, Div 6, this past year), finally the host club, The Heart of America Bulldog Club, this past year. The Nationals rotate through the BCA Divisions each year, so the upcoming Nationals 2010 will be held in Ft. Mitchell IN. Vendors abound, a whole bunch of Bulldoggers, lots of chances to see the best of the best, and meet the dogs and the owners. Its a gotzta-do thing to put on your schedule, with or without a dog to show. Bet I left something out!

Perserverance isn't a long race.
It's a series of short races,
ran one after the other.

-In memory of Casper

she is a very dark brindle...
love her colour
did she ever turn into a great looking bulldog
very pretty
very flashy against the snow...great pics of her

cute pugs..lol in the background too..

And some Pugs showing in the background for you

as well as other countries
that is really cool
being from Canada..it would be neat to see some Canadian dogs as well..as all the rest of them.
I am imagine there are some really nice international dogs out there too as well to see. I was reading soemwhere..not sure where anymore..about a big bulldog breeder that had many show dogs in Brazil...
that makes it all the more interesting at Westminter
thanks for sharing
tons of great info

that is interesting
sounds like it would be really great to go to then at the Nationals
thanks for posting

this response was for the Westminster show.
Any Bulldog can enter the BCA Nationals as long as it is Registered with AKC (and intact with Full Registration). Each year there are dogs from Canada and Mexico at Natl's and they do very well there.

As long as the dog has an AKC Championship, it is eligible to enter. The top 5 dogs of each breed are pre-invited, then the entry is opened up to any AKC CH. There is a number limit to the entries (2500 or about) and the limit is usually reached within 1 hour of when entries open.
There are quite a few Canadian dogs entered - the black Standard Poodle is from Toronto I think, last year's Sealyham Terrier is Canadian bred, the Norwich and Kerry Blue Terriers that won a few years back were from Europe and I think there was an Australian dog there too.
But the show with the better International flare is the Eukunuba event in Dec. in Long Beach, California. There they invite dogs from around the world to compete, and this past year it was opened up to non-Champions too. That way it would be possible for a foreign dog to attain an American title by winning at the show and those leading up to it.

my bulldog vet was the vet for the 2006 Nationals and he was amazed at how many health certificates he had to issue so dogs could fly back to their countries, etc..

Where do I sign up?!

or do they show Canadian bulldogs as well and other countries..

what a sweetie
she sure looks older then 6 months in the pic though
very very pretty bulldog
love her colour and her markings

thanks for sharing
she is really cute..
need to see an up to date pic of her..

I'm sure those are great memories for you!!

at the backup show. She was 6 months and a day, not old enough to show on national day.




She didn't place but she got a kiss from the judge.

CA in 2003; Spokane, WA in 2007 and Kansas City this past year.

It was exciting this year to see a friend from our area win BIS.

Never to Westminister but my sister went and showed as one of the top 2 Jr. handlers in the northwest back in the 70s. She owned a Best In Show winning English Springer Spaniel and made the cut in the breed ring with him but was very sick and didn't do anything in the Jr. ring.

I've shown at the BCA nationals twice (actually the backup shows) because it was with MacKenzie and Ester when they just turned 6 months old. Kenz actually made the cut (top 6) in his class.

This year I flew back with 5 gals and had a great tiem although after 3 days for dog classes I was ready to come home.

Most of the national competitions I have been too was showing my horses and I've been to more then I can even remember. For me these were much more exciting and rewarding as I've been lucky enough to have national wins and numerous top 10 placements.

very well written
such a great story of a great dog
and a wonderful couple that adopted her..

to be able to go to utility in obedience and you being her 4th home is amazing. how someone did not adopt that beautiful bulldog must have been fate for sure.

rescues have a huge desire to please.. I have a rescue pug here that I am planning on putting on the the therapy program here in Ontario. he is tested the end of April. they are looking for a dog to therapy work with the chronic ill people at the hospital here and so far have not got a dog to do it. Max should be able to pass. he was beaten everyday for his first 6 months.now a great pug.. much of that is due to Bella..he is raised as a bulldog..lol in a pug suit.

thanks for sharing your story
can feel your love for Dixie in your post and threads
but the way YOU HAVE a fantastic smile...
Dixie is lucky to have you and you her

I rescued Dixie from our local SPCA - I often say God saved her for me, I used to pray before I went into a shelter that I would be able to be level headed and choose the right dog, not get too emotional and take something home because I felt sorry for it.

Well this particular weekend we (hubby & I) had visited 3 other shelters (humane society, animal services, and a private one) the SPCA was our last stop - so at 3pm on Saturday we pulled into it's parking lot and began to look at the dogs....I went ahead of Kevin and saw Dixie sitting in pen #37, she looked so sad but she was just what a wanted a girl and a bulldog...I grabbed Kevin and we got a tech to show her to us outside. Well, she was the most energetic bulldog I had ever seen - she was so excited and jumped up on the concrete benches in the courtyard and she wanted to be with us more than being loose - most shelter dogs was so excited they were free, you didn't even exist, let alone try to catch them, but not Dixie, she ran to us when we called her (at that time she was named Maddie). I say God saved her for me because she had gone unadopted all day on a busy weekend that to me is amazing, because we all know how everyone LOVES the bulldog and she was a pretty girl too!

So of course we fell in love and took her home, later to find out we were her 4th home - her 1st had her chained outside to a pine tree, which I notice there are areas on her that she has scares and hair has not grown back, maybe from pine sap?...her 2nd home was with a girl who kept her 2 months and then surrendered her to the SPCA and said she was aggressive towards her male bulldog, her 3rd home kept her 2 days and returned her to the SPCA and said she was woman possessive and nippy with children..that's when I got her - I didn't mind those last comments because she was going to be MY dog and we don't have kids (and quite frankly I can't say I blame her) LOL

Dixie was 4 when I adopted her - I signed her up for pet obedience classes because we noticed she seemed to be dominate aggressive towards other dogs and the rest is history, I got hooked on training and set my goals for the competition obedience ring and Dixie enjoyed it too...so we just kept taking classes and growing with each other - she'll be 11 this August (if her adoption age was correct) and other than arthritis...she's doing great and totally does not look her age!! Dixie is trained through the highest level of obedience (utility) but I have her semi retired at this time because her limping from arthritis would often flare up and Id have to pull her from a show....so enter Twister into our lives, my new project, Dixies little brother and who she is a mentor for! LOL

the day after I brought her home....


Some Mommy & Me pics! LOL

I guess there are lots of dogs at Westminster though ...
and every breed of dog. there are lots of them.
so can see where the amount of dogs would add up..

I can see going to Westminster if the interest is there to see all kinds of breeds.
but wander if the Nationals is not more fun to see just the bulldogs and informative about the bulldog as well.

My interest is really in the bulldog
but the pugs would be cool to see, as well as the bostons too..
lots of nice show dogs in all breeds..

giving it some thought
really appreciate your input

how did it all start with Dixie
I know she is a rescue and such..but something got the ball rolling with her ...
just curious how you got started ...

also the two of you must share an awesome bond.

Westminster (twice as kennel help with friends showing bitches) and BCA Nationals every year but 3 from 1994 to 2009. Either showed, had a dog there being shown for me or spectated at those Natl's.
While the BCA Nat'l is huge and amazing and you see lots of really nice Bulldogs and lots of unique vendors, it is nothing compared to Westminster. There are great dogs of all breeds wherever you look. The crowds are 5 and 6 deep around the rings and in the benching areas and there are vendors with lots of different wares. Of course just being held in NYC makes for it's own challenges.

best of winners....what a joy that was.....they no longer allow class dogs which i think is a real shame....its a real thrill to be their....what you learn from watching others is incrediable....its about the only benched show around...so you get to see everyone you have heard about in person....
i always tell people if you can make it a trip...the education is great....

everyone was taking pictures of them and posing with them! LOL

you can read about past nationals and also the link to the 2010 Nationals page which will have the schedule of events each day

She is SO amazing - as is her mom for all the training they did together.

I loved the pics of you guys at the fair - I would have been all over them!

I thought they might all go into classes depending on age..ect.
makes sense that the Champions would be on one day too
maybe some other show breeder can add some more info on this thread as well..

always nice to see win photos of the bulldogs on BDW...

great pic
beautiful bulldog
bet that pic brings back good memories..
must be a totally awesome event to show a bulldog like her
love the name too

so she's got an ILP # from the AKC and is spayed

oh, how I love the "stuff" that comes with those wins.....wow! silver tray - that's gotta be cool! big congrats

Christiane& Meatball

I showed her at THE NATIONALS too

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Andrea, Ruby, Lola and Jigger
XXOO

that's the great thing about Nationals - finally meeting those friends you've chatted with on the net and email all the months leading up to it...

Sue, I have your win photo from 08 nationals - would you like for me to post it?!