Tuesday 5 November 2013

A faux pas at the Vynor Dog Agility Show


Can you tell that I am feeling embarrassed here?

Really, sometimes one can't take one's owner anywhere. 

You want me to explain?

At agility contests, border collies predominate. You get a fair smattering of German shepherds, spaniels, Jack Russells and poodles.

We have never yet seen another wire haired fox terrier, but on Saturday, at a show near Ellon, we ran into this fellow in the car park, and Gail wondered about his origins.


So the conversation between the humans went as follows:

Gail (thinking to be polite): Oh you have a lovely dog. What breed is he? Or is he a mixture perhaps. (Oh no….)
Other lady: He's a schnauzer (you could hear her mentally adding OBVIOUSLY).
Gail: Oh, so a very pale schnauzer then?
Other lady: (sounding as frosty as the weather) No, he's a white schnauzer.
Gail: How interesting, I didn't know schnauzers came in white. (Why not keep digging Gail?)
Other lady: Well, actually, white schnauzers are a very well known breed on the Continent, and increasingly so here. Actually, this one is has a seven generation pedigree, and he has been accepted into the World Championships. We are hoping that Crufts will soon be including white schnauzers as a breed, they really are widely recognized in most parts these days, actually….

At this point I decided it would be prudent to create a distraction so I started barking and tugging at the lead and Gail, gratefully I think, made her excuses and ended the 'conversation'.

I shall leave you with some images of the agility event, and also a very short video of the opening and closing moments of my final run. I would have preferred to include the much longer version of my entire performance, but Gail said that would be even more embarrassing than her encounter with the very pale white schnauzer owner.
Wendy and Earla, in rosette winning form
Earla won one of these, but I didn't 
Mo, Jo and Gypsy, enjoying the action
Full speed ahead for Bethany and wee Pippa
Yours truly, raring to go

24 comments:

  1. OK. So if Crufts doesn't recognize pale schnauzers as a breed, how is Gail supposed to?? Sheesh!

    Otto

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  2. I didn't know schnauzers were any color other than grey!

    Stop on by for a visit
    Kari
    http://dogisgodinreverse.com/

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  3. Hari OM
    .....am I allowed to admit that a schnarkled at this ground-opening moment for Gail? Sorry but I did. First I ever heard of 'em also. So let's all shrug together.

    Bertie, talk to Gail. I think the beginning and the end is just NOT enough!!!! Was impressed with both of them mind you...

    White schnauzer, my hind leg..........
    Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  4. Bertie you are quite the little pocket rocket. No worries our vet use to make all kinds of stupid suggestions about my pedigree and peeps believed him as she was too dumb to realises he was joking as who knows. Have a terrific Tuesday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  5. Love the video, now I can really see the bouncing Bouncing Bertie

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  6. well it looks like a fun event, i love how energetic you are. As for the whole pedigree bit, I say pedigree smedigree, Weasley has an impressive pedigree that I promptly lost and Tubby and Ping have not at all, both are equally pug like and as for those white schanuzers to be honest I like the grey ones

    urban hounds

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  7. Well, who would've thunk it? All those years of fighting with groomers who thought I was a schnauzer and here the Muzzer could've easily passed me off as a rare white schnauzer!

    We love the video. Would have enjoyed the whole thing ore

    gus n teka

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  8. BRAVO BRAVO BERTIE!!! for many things.
    Well as you know I'm a cat but I thought Schnauzers had wide snouts that Mr. Whitey...one thing for sure he does not have your fantastic tail.
    I loved seeing you flying over the hurdles..was that you barking too?
    hugs madi your bfff

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  9. I enjoyed the video! No need to edit out the bloopers, that's the fun part! I've made my share of "oops" in the ring as well!

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  10. Bertie you are an EXCELLENT trainer... you got Gail to run PERFECTLY along with you while you showed her the way. Sorry that SHE didn't get a Ribbon... butt she WILL get Better with your help.

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  11. Bertie, what fun! And what a trainer you are. My little boy and I loved watching this while Cocco cuddles in our laps.

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  12. Oh Bertie you do look quite embarrassed. The only solution was to scream
    Lily

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  13. Wait, you didn't win a rosette?? But you were OBVIOUSLY the best dog out there. Sure better than any very pale Schnauzers.

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  14. Nice showing, Bertie! Sorry your Gail made you so uncomfortable with the white Schnauzer and his person. Sometimes both feet fit nicely into hooman's mouths. Bol. (Our mom usually recognizes most breed of pooches. but for some reason Schnauzers trip her up too...unless gray and perfectly sheared. )
    Smooches from pooches,
    BabyRD & Hootie

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  15. Hum a white Schnauzer , ok, never heard of such a thing, gotta be new. Hey was that you barking at Gail while you were running and jumping, you telling her to keep up!

    The Mad Scots

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  16. Howdy Bertie, wowza you do actually bounce! Looks like you have fun training your Gail in Agility. We've never seen a white schnauzer either. At least frosty lady let you take a photo to share! See ya mate. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

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  17. We are sure you did a great job. It is too bad our people aren't as trainable . . . Lee and Phod

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  18. Hey Bertie, I bet Gail was not so interested in the Schnauzer woman's conversation as she was to see how many times the woman could use the word actually (ack-shally in American) (ect-ually in Brit) in a few sentences.. I think she did very well myself and I'd have like to heard her pushed a little further, if you hadn't upset things.

    Cheers,
    Jo, Stella and Zkhat

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    Replies
    1. Spot on for a certain class of English person. But in NE Scotland it's more aaach-chelly!

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  19. I have seen white Miniature Schnauzers, I believe the AKC here in the States does not recognize them either. I remember the owner said the AKC believes the white was a result of subsequent genes modifications.
    Bertie you run looked terrific.
    Sweet William The Scot

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  20. Bertie,
    Gail was quite right to ask that hoity-toity white schnauzer lady what sort of dog he was, because I have to admit I thought it was just a moustached and clipped westie! Well, I do hope you beat him with all his la dee da pedigrees in the competition, because your video looked super! Don't be embarrassed, you can't be much worse than me, that's for sure!
    Pippa :)
    P.s. Just read Jo's comment, and my family is certainly more of an aaaach-chilly than an ectually, haha

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    Replies
    1. P.P.S, I'm surprised the lady let Gail take a photo of her dog! Mind you, she would probably be delighted now her special white schnauzer is famous in blogville, seven pedigrees and all...

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  21. BOL to the deep do-do that your Gail almost found herself in with the schnauzer lady!! Lucky I know all about my breed colours …. you know there is also a rusty brown colour popping up!!?? Still tell Gail she is forgiven for not knowing the in's and out's of the schnauzer breed colours and stuff …. who would for goodness sake!!

    I think your faultless video should have earned you a HUGE ribbon Bertie …. you remind me of my agility days!!

    Tail Wuggles, Rubie xxx

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  22. Honestly, I think Gail did fine. "Actually", the other lady sounds like a piece of work. Good job ending the conversation!

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