On the road again
Published 11:41 am Thursday, December 11, 2008
Olmstead and Mick headed to Tampa for big dog show
By Kevin Hanson
The Courier-Herald
One day last week, Mary Olmstead sat down to talk about one of her favorite subjects - a bright, perky, licking machine that goes by the name of Mick.
Mick is all dog, bouncing around the room one minute before curling up on a leather sofa next to Olmstead, giving off a nasal snore as her eyes droop. But Mick is in elite company, among the most highly-regarded Boston terriers in the country.
Due to fine breeding, perfect physique and innate ability to catch a judge's eye, Mick has qualified for the invitation-only AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Olmstead and her four-legged friend will leave home Thursday, bound for Tampa, Fla., and the international event.
The two-day show begins at 8 a.m. Saturday.
In Florida, they'll be among 2,648 contenders, representing all breeds, competing for top honors. To get an invitation, dogs had to be ranked in the top 25 in their breed nationally, based on year-long competition in a variety of American Kennel Club events. Dogs will travel to Tampa from all 50 states and 20 countries.
Olmstead's award-winner, who turned 3 in December, carries the formal, AKC moniker Champion Happy-O On The Road Again. Around the Olmstead's rural property, however, she's just Mick.
The Boston terrier, Olmstead maintains, “is the friendliest dog in the world.” Mick does her part to maintain that image, wiggling excitedly for a visitor. “They're just really sweet,” Olmstead said, noting the breed is particularly good around children.
Olmstead, who has kept Boston terriers since 1980 and bred her first litter in 1983, entered a dog show for the first time in 1981. “I showed sporadically as the family matured,” she said, adding that she now turns up for 20 to 25 shows a year. It was tougher when the family lived in Utah and AKC shows were few and far between. Now, she can pack in quite a few shows without traveling more than a few hours along the Interstate 5 corridor.
In Tampa, as in all shows, Mick will be examined closely by a judge before trotting with Olmstead for a quick “up and back.” The three-part process also includes a run around the ring, which allows animals to stretch out a bit and show off their gait, Olmstead explained.
Boston terriers must weigh in between 10 and 25 pounds, but most are between 13 and 20, Olmstead said. Mick is in the middle at 17 pounds. Appearance is huge, as “the standard for the head is very spelled out,” Olmstead said, noting that's not the case for all dogs, most notably the sporting group, where other factors take precedence.
The key to success in the show ring, she said, is to “make your dog look better than the rest.” The animal is the focus, she said, adding, “the handler should disappear.”
Mick apparently has what it takes to be successful in the judges' eyes. “She thinks a lot of herself,” Olmstead said, explaining that her pet adopts something of a take-no-prisoners approach at show time.
Whether its inherent intelligence or simple habit, show dogs know when they're being judge, Olmstead said.
Olmstead breeds her Boston terriers - Mick had a litter a year ago - but is picky about where her pups wind up. She's been contacted by people outside the country, but insists on knowing her animals are gong where they'll be loved and not seen simply as a commodity to be shown.
And, while admitting Mick's success might enhance the value of her pups, Olmstead is adamant that competing with her dog is reward enough.
“If it wasn't fun, I wouldn't do it,” she said.
Kevin Hanson can be reached at khanson@cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/courierherald.
