So who are you and what makes you such an expert on dogs  ?

Come and introduce yourself in this thread.

I'll start.

I am Mark, owner of this website and http://www.champdogs.co.uk, so I am probably a good person to stay on the right side of

I don't profess to know a whole lot about dogs, but I have a great team of moderators who do.

I'm Ali, definitely not an expert on dogs but definitely an expert on shopping (and usually on my dog!)  I have a nearly 5 year old staffy and it really doesn't matter if you stay on the right side of me or not! 

I lurked for a bit and then joined CD when I was planning to get my poochy, so been here quite a while.  I have successfully managed to not get banned from the site for any mischief and would rather just ignore people on here than get into any he said/she said and pulling peoples posts to bits threads.  Face to face is another matter though...

obviously not a prolific poster though as I still only have 3 stars.

My name is Caroline and I by no means claim to be an expert on dogs. I'm more found asking for advice rather than giving it, although since getting my own I am finding myself able to give advice on some threads! I have always loved dogs, I have spent my life reading books on dogs, I grew up with dogs and I now own 2 Siberian Huskys Missy and Zak. My dogs are pets and I do not show or breed but it is something I would like to do in the future once I have more free time to concentrate on this. Champdogs is giving me a great insight into breeding and showing as well as being a great source of advice concerning my much loved pets

Hi, I'm Anna.
I don't have a huge expertise in dogs (my first is only 4yrs old) but I think I sometimes give some helpful advise.  I am studying animal behaviour and university in my second year and own 2 dogs.  I love the Hungarian vizsla breed and show my 4yr old on occasion however haven't been able to for a while due to commitments at uni and a student's bank balance!

I love obedience training my dogs along with trick training, heel work to music and agility.  I love reading dog books and I think the only books on my shelves are those relating to dogs (hate any other reading as dyslexic).

I have been on Champdogs for quite a while and don't really get into the big discussions.  I am not a great chatter (3 stars only).
I have learnt a lot here.

All the best
Anna

Hi, I'm Kim, i've had dogs my whole life (mostly bullmastiffs) but i'm definately not an expert! hence joining the site! i'm planning on having my own first dog (rather than a family pet) when i move soon so i'll be needing support from you nice and knowledable people!

i'd love to get into showing when time and money allow, need to find the right dog and the right mentor first to!

I'm in my final year of my sociology degree so stressing about the future... think after a year out i'll hopefully do a post grad in human rights law and gender studies and maybe try and help fix some badness in the world...

er...dunno what else to put

Hi I'm Mel, I have two 4 year old red Chow Chows, a rough coat called Baloo and a smooth coat called Balto. I also have a 7 month old black pug called Luna and a 6 month old fawn pug called Gandor. On top of this I have 2 cats, Midge and Rubin and a goldfish called Dobby.

My Chows were my first ever dogs so not very experienced. Despite an enormous appetite for books and the internet most of what I've learned has been through life experience   ( and Champdogs of course!)

Always ready to learn more.
Mel X

Hi Mark, good to meet you.  Hi everyone!
I'm Denise.
I'm definately no expert on dogs ~ I dont think any of us are. 
I think we never stop learning about them, either medically, emotionally or physically....or even psychologically....LOL
I've had 4 bernese and lost 3 to three different ailments ~ all of whom have left an immense hole in my heart.
I have one Bernese at the moment ~ Chester.
I had the most faithful cross breed years ago who lived with us for almost 17 years until she grew tired and old.  What a beautiful little girl and character she was.  You'll like this ~ she came 2cnd in 1988 at "SCRUFTS".  She was also absolutely amazing at agility.

anyway, rambling now.
this is a lovely thread, great way to get to know everyone.

x

Hi , I'm Sarah. Polo is my first dog so definitely no expert but as my siggie line says I really want to learn. So ditto some of the others the reason I joined Champdogs. I'd been browsing a few years first; it helped me choose and train Polesey! Thanks guys!!! I've had animals all my life; I train my cats to give paw, high five, return to whistle, shake head and stuff- good fun! And also have a rabbit- the little black Cocoa to go with the big white Polo (mint LOL!!) I showed Poles a little (he qualified for Crufts at his first show) but dont any more. I must admit the coat got a bit much for me. But I'd love to do agility and HTM with him. And work him. So sorry to ramble !! You know a bit more about me know!!
                            Sarah xx
p.s. owning Polo has taught me so much, already(I've made tons of mistakes!!!). He's such a lovely dog.

Hi i am Hayley, i am definitely no expert on dogs, only joined CD recently due to my interest in showing , which i hope to get into when my next dog comes along in a few months time, i own 2 nutty labs, who have are a complete joy to live with, they have taught me so much and keep me on my toes!!

hi all,
Im mel, no expert and always willing to learn more from experienced people. I have 5 golden retrievers, Oscar, Lennon, Peaches, Star and Razzle. The eldest is 9 this  year and the youngest is 15 months. Ive been showing quite seriously for the last 4 years but got into it about 7 years ago.Hoping to do more working this year with my dogs which i found was something i really enjoyed at the end of this season. Bred 2 litters and planning the 3rd for later this year. Joined champdogs originally for the great advice and interesting opinions on the forum. Im a dog groomer so its good to be in touch with other breeds and not just my goldies.
mel.

Hi, I'm Linda. Mother of 3, grandmother of 2 (and I'm not telling my age.... )

I'm owned by 4 Large Munsterlanders, but have owned several of the breed since 1990. Before that I have had mongrels (none of this fancy new fangled 'breeds') and Spaniels. Some of the dogs were jointly owned by my 2 ex's who worked them. I show 3 of my dogs, but the oldest is retired from the ring. I am always learning new things, but think I am an experienced dog owner. I've bred a few litters, but don't call myself an experienced breeder. There is always something new to learn.

Oh, and I have inherited (adopted?) my oldest daughters cat when he decided he didn't like lliving in the town.

This is a good idea!

I'm Marianne, (Swedish but have lived in the UK for the past 20 years) and I am not an expert but do have various experiences. I have had my own dogs for the past 27 years, but had dogs around me in the family from the age of 2. My first own dog was a rescue Golden  and I have had a total of 10 Goldens since. I've also had 4 Malinois, 4 Cavaliers, 3 Papillons, 3 crossbreeds, 2 Border Collies, one Cocker and my mother in law's Labrador lives in my house! I've also had foster dogs.

I have worked as a vet nurse, dog groomer and kennel maid. I first showed a dog in 1984. I did not breed my first litter of pups until 2001. (But have been breeding, showing and judging other animals since 1981.) I attended my first training class in 1981 and have been going regularly ever since to a variety of classes. I have (and do) shown dogs at all levels of shows in the UK (i.e companion show up to Crufts), have competed in obedience but only at companion and Limit shows. I'm a breed note writer for one of the dog papers, have written for several magazines and have had a number of books published, a couple of which were about dogs.

Hello all, my name is becky. i have 3 dogs, a wonderful 6 year old labarador called woody, a gorgeous 5 year old cocker spaniel called buzz, and a (testing but fabulous) american cocker spaniel called slinky. i had a chihauha (sp?), family pet when i was very young, and she died when i was about 7 i think, so my labrador was my first own dog, and then i thought he needed a friend and i dunno how i managed to aquire the last one! i also have a rabbit called rex and a hamster called sid. (has anyone noticed the pattern wih the names yet?hehe). i do agility with my 2 spaniels (the lab isnt very interested in it), and im hoping to start doing shows this year with the yank as she is getting quite good and she absolutely loves it. i did have a horse up until july last year when unfortunately she had to be pts at the grand old age of 29, i had her for 12 years, and havent felt like getting another since. well thats enough rambling from me, nice to hear about everyone though

becky x x

Hello I'm Steph, and I am owned by my wonderful breed the Boxer.  I live in Sunny Wales and love nothing best than showing and learning more about my breed.

My name is Garry Mason  I grew up with Racing Greyhounds as my grandmother bred and raced
them in the mining valleys of South Wales; the care and training of the dogs were the daily chores of the family's children.

I went my first show dog in the late '60s with an Afghan hound, and have a great
passion for the breed to this day, I  am a life member of the Afghan Hound Club
of Wales and has served on its committee in the past, And with my wife Annette and our  two children helped run the Afghan Hound Club Rescue in the late '70s early '80s, kennelling and caring for abandoned Afghans, Have  judged the Breed since 1974, and awards  Challenge Certificates in the breed, also challenge certificates in Norwich Terriers,
At the present my main breeds we are  exhibiting are the Norwich and Norfolk Terrier,
Norwich since 1995, we have  bred two UK champions Ch Glenhafod Arizona and Ch Glenhafod Texas, who was best Bitch at Crufts 2002 & 2003, Have also Bred an American Norwich Champion, Glenhafod Kansas. At Crufts 2005,  the Best of Breed Dog was Ch Drakesoak Envoy to Glenhafod,  sired by Ch Glenhafod Arizona, bred by Gill James of the Drakesoak kennel but owned by us.
Over the last few years, I was privileged  to  co-own and handle  Norfolk Terriers for the late Mrs Joy Taylor of the famed Nanfan Norfolks, and through MY  close friendship with Joy,  Nanfan Norfolks have now joined  the home of the Glenhafods in Wales.
More recently My wife and I have fallen for the charms of the Borzoi and have begun showing a young bitch with some success, recently taking her first Reserve CC with limited showing.

Hi, I am Bekki and I have been a member of Champdogs for a few years.
I don't post all that much but I am on here every day reading the posts. I'm not much of a talker really, but I come out of the woodwork when there is a discussion that interests me.
I own a Toller named Felix, who is nearly 2 years old (where has the time gone!?) and we also have a 10 year old family dog, a crossbreed named Holly. Tollers are my favourite breed and I hope to own more in the future, however I am going back to college in September so there will be no puppies for a while! I show my boy and he has done quite well (although we'll probably take a break after Crufts) and I train him in agility and obedience.

Hi I'm Mary, I'm Irish but have been living here for 13 yrs, I have Skye my two yr old Rottie and Piper one yr old Staff X Ridgeback. I would never describe myself as an expert.
Mary

Hi, I am Melody and I (like a few others) am a permanent fixture here and have been for the past 6 and a half years

Mother of 5, Grandma to 3 and a half, Cover Supervisor at a girls Grammar school and working towards a Foubndation Degee at Bishop Grossteste Uni lIncoln one day a week

I have 3 Alaskan malamutes, Hudson (6) , Delta (nealry 4) and Maddy (nearly 3). Used to show but really don't get a lot of time nowadays We regularly run all three Mals on a rig for recreation and exercise.

I am one of the Moderating team here on Champdogs and will try and help if I possibly can, feel free to pm me if there is anything you want explaining here

My name is Kay Cook... I began showing back in 1965 with my fathers Border Terriers... but fell in love with Labradors.. and have had Labs since 1974 (although a couple of years without) I also owned and trialed working ESS...I do breed but only 8 litters in 34 years.. I have only been back in the showring since 2004 after an 18year break,  and my nearest claim to fame is a challenge for RCC..  I help with Lab rescue in Scotland, teach ringcraft and obedience (hides Ollie ) I now have 9 Labs.. 3 are retired from the ring the rest are all shown.. and 3 of them also work..

I have judged Irish Setters, Irish Red and White Setters, Flat Coated Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers and of course Labradors..

I am a member of the Labrador Retriever club, The Labrador Club of Scotland, a couple of Regional Lab clubs, and I am Chairman of Dumfries & Galloway Canine Association..

I am also looking forward to the possibility of owning my 1st FCR by the end of the year...

Expert?? nowhere near it..

I'm Gillian  mother of 2 and grandmother to 2.
I am owned by Border Collies and Rough Collies(my daughters fault) which I show. I have also bred a couple of litters. I am a member of the Border Collie Club of GB, a regional BC club and Secretary of Whitehaven and District Canine Association. I also help out at one of our local ringcraft classes. Other interests include card making.
Not forgetting I'm also a member of the moderating team here and as Mel says feel free to ask  if you need any help.

*stands up*
My name's Dee and I'm a CDholic


My names Delia and I live in Coventry with my hubby.  I have 3 sons (2 still at home) and one daughter (not at home) I have two grandchildren - boy (2) and girl (3) - and three lovely but manic leonbergers.
I used to be an Education Assistant but 'retired' to look after my grand-daughter so my daughter could return to work. I now work one hour a day as a lunchtime supervisor just so I don't get too bored LOL
I have had dogs all my life, growing up with various breeds, and the first dog I acquired when I left home was a barmy Irish Setter.
I'm certainly no expert on dogs but I am doing a Canine Studies course at the moment to learn more about them so I might be lending my 'experience' to others soon (whether they like it or not ha ha)

I 'show' two of my three dogs and have done for 3 years now but have been a 'spectator' at shows for much longer. We also go water training when possible, and they go swimming weekly which they really enjoy.

That's about it really

Hi I'm Fran
Currently have 3 Golden Retrievers aged 9 1/2, 1yr and 9 months, used to have a crossbreed but had her PTS last sept aged 17.

Started showing last year, still getting the hang of it, but enjoy learning.
By no means an expert but have learned loads from CD over the last couple of years.

Also have 4 kids aged 22, 20, 19 and 6, oh and 1st Grandchild due end of May

Well I'm Diane and I've been on here for a few years also.

Parents had Rough Collies and Shelties and then when my brother was seriously ill and I had to live with family members for a while, for being a good girl my parents bought me a Pomeranian.  Almost 28 years later my parents still have Pom's and I trim them, go to shows etc. with my mum as we are like best friends rather than mother and daughter.

I then went to the World Dog Show in Spain 16 years ago and fell in love with the Perro de Agua Espanol, or as we like to call them here in good old blighty, Spanish Water Dogs.  My eldest is 14 and youngest nearly 3!  With the Pomeranian's I have shown them and done obedience with them.  With the Spanish, well what haven't we done?  Agility, obedience, water training, search and rescue training, showing and the the main thing at the moment is doing gundog work with my youngest girl who has done really well.

I'm definitely not an expert in dogs.  I'm still learning every day about Pomeranian's and Spanish Water Dogs and always will be learning new things.

Hi, I am a regular 'looker' at C.D. dont comment all that often, leave that to others.  I have three F/C's have been in the breed since 1981 (yes I am that old)! I also have a lab x golden and a working cocker pup. I work my dogs in the season, love it, dont get the same 'buzz' out of showing these day, but I still get a 'buzz' from my dogs. I also run pet dog training classes + cl;icker classes, and my day time job involves dogs as well so I am pretty lucky!  I wish I was as clever as some of you guys with my computer. I am an I.T. numppty.

Hi, I'm Colleen and have recently joined. Our family is owned by a little dumpling of a French Bulldog called Louis who is 4 months old. I havent had a dog since '98 when I had to have my darling lurcher Bracken PTS aged nearly 15...hadn't really wanted another dog until hubby and youngest daughter persuaded me The in between years have been filled with the childrens pets. We've had snakes (2) rabbits(2) a rat, guinea pigs and I've lost count of how many hamsters....all buried in the garden to keep Bracken company. We've also had a horse and a pony on loan and I worked for 5 years in a riding school that had to shut cos of the foot and mouth in 2000/2001.The girls are grown now (this year they'll be 26, 23 and 21) just the youngest at home. We had the pleasure? of my daughters akita for 6 months last year and she was the prime reason we chose a short coat small doggie LOL. When akitas 'blow' their coat boy do they blow it!!! We havent decided whether we want to show Louis - not even sure if he ( or we, hee hee ) have what it takes - we are just enjoying him right now.

Found CD to be a mine of much needed information and helpful advice.

HI everyone

I'm Kerry, I just joined today & introduced myself on a seperate thread (I'm not dumb - honest - it's just that my fingers type quicker than my brain works !!)

I have a 14 year old lab-cross, a 7 month old Mastiff pup, 1 tiny evil cat, 1 'rescue' lop-eared rabbit, 2 hampsters (well, they are the kids hampsters) and a pond full of Koi, tench & a sterlet. I am pretty much an all-round animal lover, but after over 18 months of research into dog breeds and traing methods (in order to find which puppy would best suit us), I have pretty much become totally addicted to learning as much as possible about dogs & dog behaviour.

Oh - nearly forgot - I also have a husband & 2 boys!!! My boys are 9 & 10 years old. (lol maybe my husband's on to something when he moans I put the dogs first?!!)

Hi everyone waves- I'm Yvonne - I have a passion for Belgian Shepherd Dogs and have owned, bred, shown, worked and judged them for over 25 years ( yikes !!). I work as a teacher in a school for children with profound and severe learning difficulties and in the past 10 years have used a couple of my dogs in the  therapy programmes of some of the students - the more I work with my therapy dogs the more interested I am in their potential to 'unlock' some of the communication difficulties that very autistic youngsters have . When I retire full time ( 2 more years !) I hope to do more research in this field and collaborate with other special schools to increase the use of dogs and other animals in intensive interaction programmes for students with ASD.

My other half Trevor is a director for an international animal charity ( WSPA) and travels around the world working with a huge range of different kinds of animals - this can lead to some 'interesting' situations such as when he got stuck in Beirut and had to be airlifted to safety !- in the past he was the chief executive of Pro Dogs - and it was whilst working with Leslie Scott Ordish ( the founder of Pro Dogs and PAT dogs) that my interest in therapy dogs began.

I'm waffling a bit but anyway that's me - I don't claim to be an expert but i do know a bit about my wonderful Belgians ( I hope !!!)

Yvonne

I am Lucy and have been on CD for a few years now. I have learnt alot thanks to CD and have made some very good friends and I often tap into their knowledge banks if I am stuck 

I have owned Labs now for 20 years, purely as family pets.

I am just about to venture into the world of showing and hopefully working ( total novice in both ) after may years of waiting for the right time. I will hopefully be getting my first bitch pup later on in the year ( two pet bitches currently in the family ) which will hopefully be the start of my line but foremost will be the next new member of our family.

I have good knowledge of HD as have a Lab with a severe case of the condition and ventured into raw feeding two years ago and have never looked back

I also work for Lab rescue .

I am an IT Consultant oh yes we also have two cross ( not in temperament ) exotic short haired cats who rule the house !

Hi, I'm Jules and I've been around for a few years...pretty much since I enrolled myself in the scholl of 'Dog Ownership - How Not To Do It'   Yes, I was that person who took on an untrained, unsocialised, adolescent crossbreed (Chow X Rottweiler)...entirely unsuitable for a novice owner on all counts... and then added a Newfoundland puppy to the mix soon after.  Oh how niave was I??   Luckily I found CD around the same time and, with the help of the good folks here, am now able to begin weaning myself off the valium sandwiches

CD has developed my interest in showing and I will hopefully be embarking on my new hobby some time in the next 12-18 months (whenever the puppy I have booked decides to put in an appearance

Hi!
My name's Maggie. I'm single and share my home with two Patterdales. I've always had terriers or hounds, and sometimes show at Working Terrier shows. I work with horses, so don't get a lot of time off, but maybe one day I'll have another breed and show at 'proper' shows!

Hi. I'm Zoe and i have a gorgeous 3 year old Mastiff called Tyson. He has completely changed my life (for the better) and i can't imagine what i ever did without him. I also have 2 kittens called Charlie and Ginger. Oh......i do have a hubby and 8 year old son too.

Hi! I'm Debs - I live in Somerset.  I've owned dogs all my life and have been showing for 30 years.  I also did a bit of obedience and working trials years ago.  I don't consider myself to be an expert on dogs but (in the truest sense of the word) I do consider myself to be an expert in Pharaoh Hounds, having owned them for 25 years, owned and/or bred Champions/Ch show BIS and group winners and been top breeder.  I've had various breeds over the years including Hamiltonstovare, Chinese Crested, one Borzoi, one whippet and currently live with two Pharaohs, two Border Collies (my sensible dogs!)and one GBGV.  The only competative thing I do with the dogs now is showing - other than that they're your everyday pets.  I also judge and award CCs.  I have the pleasure of judging Pharaohs at Crufts this year which I'm looking forward to very much   I judged Hamiltonstovare there 10 years ago.  I also have ferrets, cats and a bearded dragon.  I now work with people with severe learning difficulties and challenging behaviour (as does my husband) although I spent most of my life working in hunting and NH racing yards.

I'm Jan and I live in a village in South Warwickshire. I've had dogs in the family all my life, but I wouldn't call myself an expert (but I'm working on it!). I'm married and have a grown-up son. I've owned dalmatians since 1974 and currently have three, two of which are great-great-great-grandsons of that first bitch! I used to show and breed but nowadays have neither the time nor the money to do either. I work for a vet so I pick up quite a bit of animal medical information there - very handy! And I'm reputed to be the gobbiest person on CD!

im Claire, I live in hampshire.  I have had dogs all my life (thats 30 years) grew up with 3 Afghans and a Bichon, I started showing the Afghans aged 5 when I was about the same height as them.  I studied animal science for 3 years which included all manner of subjects like biology, vet medicine, training, behaviour ..... after managing a pet shop for a few years and also being a dog walker/house sitter I now work as a medical underwriter.  I own 2 Irish Setters, one of which I show and has also been used at stud a couple of times, I also compete in agility and this year ive started up caniX (canine cross country running) I also have two cats and a snake.

I am still learning about my breed, and probably always will be.  I know a fair bit about showing (having done it all my life) but wouldnt call myself an expert.  Im open to ideas on training and have tried many methods over the years.  I have been present (and assisted) in a couple of matings but would not call myself an expert on breeding. So although I know a bit about alot, I wouldnt call myself an expert on anything

Hi
My name is Carol and I live in the South east.
I am owned by a 4 year old Yorkshire terrier named Demeter, and a 3 year old stupid and really funny Basset hound named Despina.
They are both just pets and love their walks in a near by forest.
I read the forum a lot but don't post much.

Hi, I'm Karen and only joined CD last week (have been visiting the site for ages though).

I own two Rhodesian Ridgebacks (2 yr old male and 4 month old female - no, I'm not going to breed them - it's a question everyone asks).

So, fairly new to the world of dog ownership, however they have taken over my life!  I've made it my mission in life to try and read everything on my breed because of their size and also train them to a good standard.  I might add they're not perfect, but I think they're the best dogs in the world!

Would like to enter the showing world with my girl when she gets older, however after reading the 'Showing' forum over the past year or so I am more than a little nervous!

I'm Sarah,
I own 2 Belgian Shepherds, 2 SBTs and a x-breed.  I enjoy showing, a bit of obedience and agility (all for fun).  I'm nowhere near an expert despite owning dogs for over 20 years.

My name is Maria i have had Cavaliers since 1983, I do not post much but like to read  so i can learn.

Hi everyone, good idea to introduce people!
I'm Lucy and have grown up with dogs all my life (i'm 25 now) my mum used to compete in competition obedience so from the age of 18 mths I have been involved. I started training an old ladies Shelties when I was 3 yrs old as our GSD's were too big for me!! 
Have grown up with an Old English Sheepdog, 3 GSD's when I was young, then we introduced the Rottweilers.  In my 25 yrs I have had the pleasure of loving and growing up with 13 different dogs, some we lost to old age some unfortunately died younger from cancer. I currently I share a house with my mum she has 2 GSD's and a Rottie bitch pup who I co-own with her (will be showing this April yay!) And I own a 5 yr old Staffie (rescued at 12 weeks) - called Squidge (don't ask!!) a 2 1/2 yr old Akita - Loki and my nearly 17 mth old male Rottweiler Odin.  I show both my Akita and Rott.
I have always taken part in obedience training and agility and 3 yrs ago myself and my mum branched off and started our own pet obedience training group.  Currently I am studying for an Advanced Diploma in Canine Behaviour Management and would then like to continue with a Diploma in Canine Nutrition.
I don't think anyone is a complete expert on dogs but with a place like this to visit I think we learn more and more everyday!

Lucy

Hi all,

I'm Mick and with my wife Terry we have owned, worked and shown Siberian Huskies for 15 years now. We are also Secretary and Chair (respectively) of the Siberian Husky Welfare Association (UK) which we formed early last year in response to the welfare crisis in the breed. Between us over the last half century, we have also owned livestock guardian dogs, Shibas, Akitas and crossbreeds.

Having been "in the breed" for 15 years now, we hope we are just about beginning to "get a handle" on the husky and are constantly amazed at individuals who come into the breed, accumulate dogs rapidly and are instant experts! The more we know about Sibes (and indeed dogs in general) the more we realise that there is still to learn.

I've always had dogs and could not imagine life without them. My interest in northern breeds began when, as an 11 yr old child, I read everything Jack London ever wrote, including, of course, "Call of the Wild" and "White Fang" - that was it! - I wanted my own team of huskies. I had to wait 35 years or so, but I got there in the end.

Hi my name is Jenny and have been on here for 2 1/2 years. I am currently living in Germany (hubby forces) but hope to be back in the UK this time next year (missing the UK shows). I show my dogs here in Germany and have been so far very successful with my male who only requires 1 more CAC for his German title.
I have had dogs all my life (32 years) as I come from a dog showing family. I grew up with Basenjis & Norwegian Buhunds as my mum has had both of these breeds since the 60's. I went into co-ownership of my mums affix in 2002.
I started doing junior handling when I was about 7 with the buhunds and won numerous awards including Scottish Junior Handler of the Year. When I married in 2002 I decided to go with the Basenjis as my breed.
I have 3 Basenjis Cali 5 years, her son Kwame 2 1/2 years and now a German bred bitch puppy Belle who is 9 weeks. I decided to get a new puppy while living across here so that I have some new blood to take back to the UK with me as our blood lines a very limited. It was also because it is easier to introduce a puppy rather than a nearly adult with my breed.

Jenny

Hi everyone,

My name is Debbie, same as quite a few of the champdoggers i have had dogs all my life, first German Shepard, various cross breeds in need of a good home ( including one who decided to whelp a litter eight weeks before i was due to give birth to my first son!! on my bed, good job i was on maternity leave so could move her to make shift whelping box as she was deffinatley not pregnant, as we were told when we took her in, seven pups later!!!!!!!). Various jack russell terriers, one fabulous parson russell, sadly departed July last year. All of these alongside the breed (apart from the one i have now of course) boxers, that my mother owned and bred a houseful of them throughout my childhood and who will always have a special place in my heart, such a wonderful breed, but such heartbreakers. Hence a  complete change of breed to the faboulous breed i have now and could never live without, I currently own and show  two spinoni girls ( soon to be three if all goes to plan). And i always enjoy this site as it is always informative, with some lively debate and varying opinion.

Hi Everyone.

Im Laur, Im 22 and live in Devon. I've got Freddie, a 1 year old black miniature poodle. it's a breed we have always owned in the family but this is my first dog. I admire lots of different breeds partiucularly the weimeraner and GSD but at the moment im just sticking to the one dog and doing all i can with him. Have done puppy and training classes and continue with lots of training as much as i can. Would like to take part in agility at some stage depending on time and circumstance.
Come here to be with like minded people and to listen to different points of view and advice. Think im doing really well with the training but am always open to suggestions and new ideas. Where possible i will share my experiences and what i have found to work well. As i've said in posts before, dog training is like bringing up children;we all do things our own way but it's nice to know what others find effective to maybe try out on our own. Would never criticise what works well for one person, but am aware that certain training methods just wouldnt work on my dog and there are some mehtods that i favour more than others. At the end of the day each and every dog and owner is different and we should all respect each others different ways.

Nice to meet you all

Hi.  As my user names suggests, my name is Kerri and I live in the East Midlands with hubby, 4 children, (9 year old twin girls, another daughter 7 and son 4).  We have Misty who is 2 (golden retriever) and Bob, a 16 year old moggy.

I joined CD a couple of years ago when I put my name down on a waiting list to get Misty.  Previously owned by one mad lab/spaniel cross Marmaduke when I was 11, so quite a few years ago!!  I dont tend to post that much as I really have no experience or expertise in owning/showing/working dogs.  Met a couple of good friends on here and know a heck of a lot more.  I am hoping to add to the doggy numbers next year but still undecided which breed yet so no doubt I will call upon the "experts" to help!!

im michelle, im 30, live with my partner james, and my son who is 7. we have 6 dogs at present, a working sheepdog, now 11, my golden retreiver, also 11 a collie x retreiver ( from a mismate jab that didnt work!!) who is 7, and 3 border collies, aged 6,5 and 3, and there will be a new addition soon staying from my recent litter. i also have other pets, 2 cats,rabbit,hamster and tropical fish! my passion is training and agility, im hooked completely. ive competed in agility for 9 years now. i occasionally breed, my first litter was in 2000.
my dogs are first and foremost part of my family, i love them to bits, 3 were owned by my ex, but when he left he decided to have nothing to do with his dogs and said i can "either keep them or rehome them", shows how little he thought of them

anyway nice to meet everyone!

I am Sandra.  I have a Dalamatian and a Border Collie.  The Border Collie is a Show Champion and I also work her in obedience, currently working classes B & C.  I wouldn't call myself and expert in either, but am willing to offer what advice I can.  I used to do agility with another Border Colle and have competed at Olympia and Crufts.

Hi i'm Pauline,
             been a CD'er for a few years now,dont post that much but visit at least 3 times a day! i'm Married to Leigh and have 2 grown up children who dont live with us  now [ phew!]
i started in dogs with mini dachs and have owned pointers, gsd's and weimaraners in between my formative years and now.At the present time we have 6 dogs 3 beagle and 3 american cockers, only one of the beagles i dont show [ she hated it] but as i type i am whatching her for the first signs of labour!...the americans are my first love though and i will be showing my youngest sable / white girl at Crufts on friday.
I have done everything academically possible canine related and have my judging diploma [ not that it means anything nowadays!] i have owned my own grooming parlour and take ringcraft classes locally and judge a bit..judging beagles weekend after next. i dont profess to be an expert but like to think of myself as fairly knowledgable?
great thread to get to know people Mark....well done!
Pauline

Hi I am Rachel - I live in sunny Sussex (well it is today!) with my husband, 2 daughters age 10 and 8 and five mad setters; 3 Gordons, 1 English and an Irish.

By no means am I an expert on dogs but I have loved and learned about them over the years I have lived with them - I don't think I can remember when there wasn't a four legged furry tail wagger in my life!

I grew up with Greyhounds, an English Springer and a Heinz 57.

I first got to know the Irish through my husband who had 2 lovely Irish gals when we started 'going out' over 20 years ago (gosh feeling old now!)  Since then we have always had a setter in our lives!

Our love of the Gordon and the show scene started with Maxy 4 years ago - and since 1 Gordon is never enough we took it to extreme!

Over the years I have also done some obedience and agility (well as much as you can with a Setter!)  I am very interested in dog training through reward based methods and clicker training - but never seem to have nearly enough time to do it!

Daughter has just started junior handling so we are learning more again and she hopefully will take up agility later this year too!

Have been on CD not as long as some but a few years!

Met a few of our fellow CD'ers who I would class as good friends now!

Sorry have rambled on as usual!

So nice to learn more about others!

Hi,
I'm Lisa and lurked around for a while before joining. I am more of a reader than a writer, hence my one star.
I've always loved dogs and knew that I wanted to work with them. When I left school, I went to a Bellmead (kennel staff training) college. After finishing my course, I went on to work in various breeding/ boarding/ rescue kennels and catteries around the country.

I now live with my husband and our 3 dogs and 6 cats, a guinea pig and a chinchilla, in the south east. My eldest dog is an 11 year old GSD, then there's my nearly 3 yr old  Shih tzu. At the end of last year we adopted a 5 month old French Bulldog x Pug who needed a new home due to a change in her owners circumstances. She looks more Frenchie than pug. She is 9 months old.
In the past I've had a Greyhound and a B.Collie x lab.
My dogs are pets and our family. We have no children.

I'm definately no expert and I'm always learning and love to read about everyone's experiences, opinions and advice , which is why I joined CD.
Nice to meet you all x

I am Candy, I don't post very often, but I am always lurking.....

I have Dalmatians (currently four!) my first Dals were rescue and over the years I have progressed to showing with some great successes with the three that I currently show. My Dals are Hugo, Flora, Vegas and Caesear (Hugo is the one that is not shown, he is about as motivated in the ring as a wet lettuce! - though he proudly wins spectator of the day award for each show we attend)

I purchased my two girls from a very reputable breeder, she in turn has become a true friend and mentor, I work part-time and also volunteer for British Dalmatian Welfare and serve on their committee.

I have a husband (no kids!), though we "lend" two of our Dals to two children so that they can compete in Junior Handling as their own dog is not "bomb-proof".

I grew up with my Mum & Dad's St Bernards and Shar Pei's, and started showing in Junior Handling when I was (much) younger with my Aunts American Cocker and my Nan's Great Dane!  Though I was always determined to have my own Dal...

Life would be rather dull without them...