AKC PARENT BREED CLUB FOR THE ENTLEBUCHER MOUNTAIN DOG

Entlefest in the Poconos ~ September 2008 
By Amy Starost
Photos by Tim Loveridge

This year's winners are: Fun Match - Gustav of Wildhorn, Owners Joe & Amy Starost, breeder Kathleen Kinney; Best of Specialty - Natessah von Adhem (Tess), Owner/Breeder Jan Vincent and Best of Specialty Puppy - Padméé Amidala von Adhem (Kalani) Owner - Monique Bocock, Breeder - Jan Vincent.    Personally, I learned a tremendous amount due to helping both inside the ring and outside as Debbie took me under her wing and taught me how to be a Steward for the ring.  I had so much fun and couldn't help giggling every time I had to yell out, "Bitches, 3-6 months", etc., as each time I did, my 8-year old daughter's mouth would drop open and her hand would cover her mouth and she would shout, "Mommy!" 

Best of Specialty: Natessah von Adhem owner: Jan Vincent
Best of Specialty Puppy: Padmee Amidala v. Adhem owner: Monique Bocock
Reserve Best of Specialty Puppy: Kosmo Kermit v. Brunswick owner: Melissa Gugliotti
Reserve Best of Specility: Braveheart Bombero v. Wildhorm owner: Melissa Gugliotti
Judges: Deborrah Anthony, David Anthony, William Hossler

The CEBA committee put together a two-part workshop to Evaluate Our Breed.  This is similar to the Ankorung in Switzerland and it's a tool to help us all learn more about our dogs.  Those who participated enjoyed the different tests and evaluations.

Obedience Trials

The obedience trials were a huge success and all attendees had a great time. Fran Fleming and Mookie earned NEMDA Novice Obedience legs Saturday and Sunday, finishing Sunday's trial with their final leg and now his dog, Mookie of Tucker has his title N-CD; NEMDA Companion Dog.                                

Every person who attended was able to learn from our judge, Diane Stout and compete with confidence.  The Rally Obedience seminar was also conducted by Diane Stout. She provided handouts and lots of hands on demonstrations. Diane was very patient, personable and really added so much to both events by sharing freely her own stories, tips, vast experience and knowledge about competing and training for both events.

Getting to Know Each Other (and our dogs)

Friday night's dinner was delicious and afterwards Jan Vincent, President, gave a short speech on NEMDA and got us all to participate in "Hi, my name is…."  We went around the entire group and each person introduced themselves and their dog (or spoke about their dog) and told the group a story about them.  It was a fabulous opportunity to meet everyone, learn about them and their dogs and to hear all the great stories of their dogs in therapy, agility and obedience as well as fun tricks and just everyday stuff.  Everyone really enjoyed the stories and it brought the group to the next level of friendship.

More and more people arrived on Saturday and it was a jam-packed day of fun and activities.  With so many people and their dogs, there was something for everyone!  I cannot remember all the times I saw groups of people playing ball or Frisbee and how wonderful it was to see 20 dogs flying through the air catching the ball that was thrown by their owner when there were so many tennis balls flying around!  Every dog certainly got their exercise this weekend!  I know mine slept well at night (bed hogs!)

Entle Olympics

Entle Olympics was a blast!  We had 16 dogs attend with their owners and what fun it was to watch these dogs at their best…working together with their owners!  Some of the games that were played included musical chairs, my dog's faster than your dog, the great water race, egg balance, catch the treat, name that tune and of course, the dress up race (which is always so much fun!).  This year each dog needed to put on a brightly colored Tutu and matching fuzzy cape, boy's underwear (and the tale must be sticking out) and a sock.  Once the dog was dressed, they had to walk to the finish line without loosing their clothes.  There is nothing like seeing an Entle dressed in boys' underwear with a Tutu while walking with a sock on that they don't want to wear.  With each event, a gold, silver or bronze fun metal was presented and our overall winner was announced at the dinner on Saturday evening.  Congratulations to the Radner's and Buster for a job well done.  You were great sports and your victory march with the hand-made torch was terrific!

 
Raffle and Auction Tables

Our raffle table, auction table and EUS auction tables were filled with wonderful goodies!  Jan Vincent made another outstanding quilt (which was very lucky to make it to PA since it was sent to my house) as well as beautiful pillows which were both auctioned and raffled.  I was lucky enough to get one of the winning bids on a pillow!  The auction definitely rocked the house.

Due to our generous attendees and of course a little pushing from the wild redhead to dig into your pocket, our raffle and the EUS raffle raised lots of money.

Canine Good Citizen/Therapy Dog International (TDI) Testing

On Sunday, Judy Endo conducted the Canine Good Citizen (CGC)/Therapy Dog International (TDI) testing.  Those who wished to test were able to do so and I know we have a number of newly qualified CGC/TDI Entles out there.  

Want Photos?

Tim Loveridge was our professional photographer this year and he was constantly running around snapping photo's here and there.  His great "eye" and friendly personality was a great complement to this weekend.  Tim took so many photo's and these are available for viewing/ordering at www.saltcityphotography.net.  Please be sure to check out Tim's website - you'll definitely be impressed!

Thanks for a great time!