Have Maltese will travel!  At the shows in Harrisburg, Pa. a couple weeks ago, I kept running into this adorable little pup being pulled along by his/her owner in a rolling bag.  The front was unzipped like in the blog image, but most of the time I saw the dog sitting up with it’s paws over the front edge of the carrier, just watching the world go by on her travels around the show.  It was just the cutest thing!  I don’t know if the dog was attached on the inside, but I kept thinking, “You stay in there!”  I didn’t want to hear an announcement over the PA system about a dog running loose in the show hall!  Later in the afternoon, this dog was sound asleep on his/her owner’s lap sitting on the sidelines at the Group/Best in Show judging.  Being chauffered around all day is very tiring!  🙂

Best in Show at the Harrisburg Kennel Club show a couple weekends ago was Scottish Terrier Phoebe [GCH Lomondview Clementina].  Phoebe won best in breed at Westminster in February and is a beautiful little terrier, but a bit tough to photograph.  All black dogs usually are, especially when you aren’t using a flash.  When I photograph Phoebe head on, it is actually difficult to see her eyes, so I find that the best image of breeds like this that have bushy eye brows and beards is from an angle.  See her cute little pink tongue?

Following up on yesterday’s post about the different reactions dogs have when approached by a judge in the show ring…..here’s another look.  The judge always approaches the dog from the dog’s left side.  Here’s a Welsh Springer Spaniel in the Group ring looking just a little bit apprehensive as the judge comes toward him/her.  Not quite the happy, smiling look of the Keeshond from yesterday, but such a sweet expression nonetheless!

I always enjoy watching the expressions of the dogs in the show ring when they are approached by the judge.  Some dogs look very apprehensive, sort of like I do when I’m at the dentist, thinking, “What are you going to do to me?  I’m nervous!  Will this hurt?”  Then there are other dogs, like this Keeshond, who give the impression that they are happy to meet a new friend!  They are probably thinking…”Do you have treats in your pocket?  Maybe a toy for me to play with?  Will you scratch my ears?  I like you already!”