Leo's First IABCA Show!

This past weekend, October 4th and 5th, Zak, Leo, Kyrie and I attended our first IABCA dog show in Oklahoma City, the 2008 Sooner Sieger. But what is an IABCA show?


The International All-Breed Canine Association was founded in order to provide American and Canadian dogs with the chance to earn an International Championship title without having to travel overseas. IABCA partnered with an organization in Germany (UCI) to make this possible, and the shows are run in the format of a German Sieger show. What this means is that every dog that shows gets a personal critique and rating from the judge after they show--so you actually know *why* your dog placed the way he did!


Leo did incredibly well--you can see him in his flying trot, above--and obtained an SG-1 rating in every one of four shows (from four different judges). SG-1 is the highest rating possible for a puppy to get! Because Leo got four, he has earned both his National and International Puppy Championships with the IABCA in only four shows!

Because Shilohs are a giant breed and take a long time to mature, Leo will be in the Puppy class (9 months to 14 months) until December, and then in the Youth class (14 months to 18 months) until next year April. After that, he gets to compete against the big dogs at the IABCA shows! Kyrie, unfortunately, could not compete as her ear is in a brace and that is not legal at dog shows. I will put more about that when I catch up in her blog!


Here is a picture of Leo and Zak and Christi and Brandy just after they've come out of the ring! Christi and her whole family came up just for the second show on Saturday. She did very well her first time in the show ring, earning an SG-1 rating as well! Congratulations, Brandy!

Little Bruno came along too! Unfortunately he could not compete, as he turned three months the day AFTER the show! We just know he will be knocking judges' socks off in no time, though--what a lover boy! Below are pics of Bruno, one being ultra-cute and one with Leo--he crawled up to touch noses with Leo through his X-Pen!




We hope you are enjoying Leo's blog, and you can expect a lot more dog show pictures in the future! Leo's next IABCA show is in November in Houston. Wish us luck!!