Interview with two
Japanese Spitz
 The
Agility League for Spitz (ALFS)
has been running since May 2018 and what a time it has been for co-organiser
Mark Bunyan. He's watched the League grow and cheered on members who are just
starting out on their agility journey as well as those already competing at a
high standard. It got him thinking what a light-hearted conversation between two
of the dogs might be like - say one of the more successful dogs like Kevin
Bulter's Ice-Baku and his own rehome Snow, who has made slow progress but has
had lots of fun along the way. If dogs could talk, an interview with Ice and
Snow might go something like this...
MB:
Okay so tell me a bit about yourselves, apart from the fact that
you are Japanese Spitz. Ice, you go first.
Ice:
My proper name is Ice-Baku, I was two years old in June. I share my home with
three Papillons so I am not sure why I am referred to as 'Small' but some people
have measured me and declared that I am Small at KC and Toy at UKA. At home,
however, I am still the Big Bear. I am my dad's first agility dog so we've had
to learn everything together from the start.
MB:
And what about you, Snow?
Snow:
My name is Snow, although at the Kennel Club, I am known as
Supersonic Snow Princess - and don’t you forget it. I am three years and four
months old. I live in a mad but happy house with my three Japanese Spitz
'brothers' - Kaspa, Blue and Tino. I must be bigger than Ice as I have been
measured into UKA Midi, and I’m waiting my KC measure but I guess it will be the
same. At home, I definitely rule the roost.
MB:
So Ice, tell me about life before you started Agility.
Ice:
I spent my puppy days watching my mum's Papillions competing and
getting to know lots of people and other dogs whilst getting used to all the
hustle and bustle and noise of an agility show.
 MB:
So you really were destined for the agility ring weren’t you? Snow, how about
you?
Snow: I
had a completely different start. In fact, I’d rather not talk about my first 18
months. Suffice is to say when I was rehomed to my current home nearly two years
ago. I was a quiet and nervous little girl but my family - human and doggy -
have really helped me gain my confidence, even the rather annoying cat, Simba!
MB:
So, Ice, when did you start your training?
Ice:
When I was about seven months old I started my foundation
training with Pauline Jones at Crouch Valley Agility, doing all my homework in
the garden with dad. I spent a lot of time walking along a scaffold board
learning to stop at the end and wait. I also learnt to run through a channel of
weave poles which gradually closed up and made me wiggle without me realising.
We slowly
progressed
and at 12 months joined Burnham Agility club too. 'Auntie Pauline' teaches dad
lots of new things which we have to practice to make me work properly. At
Burnham, I am in a class with other dogs so I learn not to be distracted whilst
I am doing my rounds or other fun stuff.
MB:
Sounds like you had a great start to your training. How about
you, Snow?
Snow:
I spent a few months settling in and then Dad started to train me
as his special project for his 'diploma in dog agility training for fun.' Over
the next few weeks, he concentrated on my foundation work - progressing through
the tunnel, jumping and eventually contacts and weaves. I really enjoyed it, but
I’m more of an action type of girl and just wanted to get out there and have
fun. Last winter I started training classes at Bark2School in Gosport where I
had loads of fun. I think Mum and Dad found it frustrating that I would run
around so much but, hey, you know, a girl has to flaunt her stuff, don’t she?.
MB:
That's interesting, Snow. When did you enter your first
competition?
Snow:
Last year when we were at UKA Quadpaws you entered me for a
couple of Steeplechase and Nursery agility classes. Had loads of fun but didn’t
realise the jumps and obstacles were mandatory. Still I thoroughly enjoyed
running around.
MB:
Right, well, um, can you follow that Ice? What was your first
show?
Ice:
One Saturday, end of last February, we arrived at a show and Dad
was acting very nervous. Then he took me into the ring and I had to do all the
jumps and things first time without any practice first ! I thought is was a bit
strange, but I did my best - not helped at all by dad being so uptight. I was
presented with a lovely Blue rosette at the end of the class. This was my first
visit into the world of agility competition.
MB:
Your first competition and you got a 2nd place? Wow, that is
impressive! So, how did it progress from that?
 Ice:
By
the middle of April, we had got our act together a bit more and I qualified for
the Agility Club Starters Cup Final. I didn't win but had a really great time
trying and Dad got the T-shirt. I was consistently being placed or winning my
classes, and at Colchester I won the CDAC Champions Class after qualifying by
winning the Grade 1-3 Jumping class.
We got a gorgeous trophy and rosette with 2018
Champion on it. The Final was held in the Main ring and watched by everyone who
was camping there Saturday night. No one was more surprised than Dad when we
were called up to receive the trophy as he hadn’t looked at the times because
the electronic score board was facing away from where we were sitting.
I had an
amazing KCI Festival and came home with seven 1st place rosettes and trophies. I
also qualified for the KC Starters Cup which takes place in October at Discover
Dogs. I nearly did not qualify as I fell off the seesaw and got 5 faults, but
luckily I was the fastest 5 fault round and scraped in. So far this year I have
had 23 first places and 25 other placings, and I am now
Grade 4.
Snow interrupts...
Okay Ice, so clever, aren’t you? But, you are such a slouch
compared to me. I just want to entertain everyone who is watching. After all, us
girls just wanna have fun... and get noticed.
Ice:
I am not the fastest dog but I am no slouch. I thoroughly enjoy myself, often
having to grump at my Dad to make him run faster, but I am consistent and I try
to go where I am told.
Snow Interrupts again... I
see, so all that running with us and shouting commands etc, is all about what
they want us to do?
MB:
Finally Snow, the penny drops. So, Ice, what’s it like? Do you
feel the nerves?
Ice:
I get a little excited at the beginning of the round and Dad is
going grey trying to get me to sit and wait before the first fence.
MB: So
Snow, how about your nerves at the start?
Snow:
Nerves? Moi? Oh come on, don’t be daft. I think it's you who is the nervous one
as you never know whether I am going to be good Snow or mad Snow. If I want to,
I can do it but hey, where's the fun in that?
MB:
Oh Snow, I’m sure you are just saying that. How about you Ice? Do
you string your dad along?
Ice:
I can do it perfectly when I want to and mostly do at home, but
like Snow, I like to keep him on his toes. I can also forget to stop at the end
of the contact, but I touch all the yellow bits so I cant understand why he gets
so particular. On the whole, we make a good team and have both had an amazing
journey learning together. I hope we can continue to progress.
MB:
It does take a lot of concentration and experience. We humans get
nervous, too. Everyone is so supportive though, aren’t they?
Ice:
I guess it
helps. We have made some great friends and I wouldn't be the happy, consistent
and focussed worker that I am without all their love, help and encouragement.
MB:
What about you, Snow? Have you made lots of friends?
 Snow:
Everyone wants to know me, don’t they? Goes without saying really
when you're as gifted and beautiful as me.
MB:
Perhaps, Snow, if you spent less time thinking about impressing
people,you might perform better in the ring.
Snow
interrupts (again)...
Rude!
Nothing wrong with my performance. No one zooms around the ring quicker than
me….
MB:
But it’s not about zooming aimlessly. That’s why they call you the 'unguided
missile.' Perhaps you need to set some goals, Snow. How about that?
Snow:
Well, I guess, looking back on this season, perhaps I have, been
a bit too ‘showy’ and maybe a little unfocussed. You have to admit that I did
get better as the season went on even completing a couple of runs with just a
few Refusals 'cos I zoomed around in between jumps. So, I think I ought to set
my goals a bit more realistic. How about I try to remain focussed and aim to
complete a clear round in Steeplechase before the year is out?
MB: I
think that would be a great start, Snow. Now Ice, tell me a bit about your
goals. After all, you have already achieved so much this year.
Ice:
My goal for
this year is to have a successful KC Starters Cup. Dad's dream would be for us
next year would be to qualify for Olympia and / or the KC Novice Cup. We have a
long way to go, but I am sure we will enjoy every minute of our time together.
After all, we are only in the ring for three or four minutes a week at most, but
we are together 24/7 always and my Dad is my best friend.
MB:
Thank you so much for your time, guys. I hope you both have a fab
future in agility.
 About
the author
Mark Bunyan is
a Quality Assurance
Trials Officer Engineer for the Royal Navy. His hobby is competing in agility
and training agility at grass roots level. He has a diploma in agility training
and attends as many training courses as he can to stay current. He is looking
forward to taking The Agility Club Instructor course later this month.
Mark runs three Japanese
Spitz in competition, mainly at UKA as he prefers the jump heights and really
enjoys the friendly, fun atmosphere. One of his dogs competes at Champ level ,
one at Champ Steeplechase and Senior Performance and then there is little Snow
who is just starting out in the ring.
Mark
helped run Opals Spitz
League for a couple of years until the founder decided to retire. Then he and
Danielle Walker decided to start ALFS Facebook group to make owners aware that
Spitz breeds could take part successfully in agility as well as to provide a fun
league for those handler who want to take part in a friendly but competitive
way.
For
more news and information about ALFS or to join, go to
Agility League for Spitz (ALFS)
First published 7
October 2018
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