Troll, we're not in Canada anymore!

In May 2025, I did something truly unexpected. For the first time, I participated in the Great Pyrenees Club of America National and Regional shows! Previously, I had only shown my dogs in UKC and CKC events, never at an AKC event. However, a series of motivating circumstances led to these spontaneous decisions and their incredible execution!

It all began with a show in Sudbury that I attended with my friend CJ Dyment – and I didn't even have a Pyr with me! We brought her wonderful dog Donnie, met our friend Hilary with her Wire Haired Griffons, and for fun, I had my Silky Terrier, Tiny Tot Hilda. During the drive, CJ and I caught up on our lives, including CJ and her mom Sandy's (also a good friend of mine) plans to travel to Lisle, IL for the GPCA National. CJ jokingly mentioned that they thought I should bring my dogs because Dr. Pat Princehouse would likely appreciate them. I had previously spoken with Dr. Princehouse and shown my veteran Impy (CKC BVIS UKC MBISAlt. MCC RBCSWO Ch. Glenire Imperial) to her at the GPCC National in 2015. Following judging, we had discussed our shared views on the type and correctness of the Pyrenees. I laughed off CJ’s suggestion, as the event was closing the following week, and I was hesitant to organize everything on such short notice.

After we finished the show and were driving home, the topic came up again. We discussed it briefly, and I mentioned how I had checked the premium and noticed that class dogs (which all my dogs qualify as) would need to be there on Friday, while specials (which CJ and Sandy’s duo are more than qualified for) would be on Saturday. I didn't feel brave enough to tackle such a new venture alone; I was worried about the drive (America is intimidating) and the prospect of meeting new people and being in a new place, along with other overwhelming concerns.

Blithely, CJ suggested that her mom might drive down with me. I declined the offer, not wanting to disrupt their schedule and be a burden. She reassured me it would likely work out and encouraged me to message her mom as we drove home—Sandy was trying to figure out a plan! Meanwhile, I asked several other friends with Pyrenees if they wanted to join me on this crazy adventure, but unfortunately, they were all already booked. Not surprising! The next message I received from Sandy was about her efforts to adjust her hotel stay to ensure she had a place to sleep on Thursday night! 

Initially, it was a challenge to figure out how to book the hotel. The rooms in their block reserved for the GPCA were not available for all three nights, so I had to use an alternative booking system – www.hotels.com came to the rescue. This hurdle was overcome.

By Monday morning, I was researching how to enter the show. It seemed straightforward; I found the show secretary's website with a simple online system. However, after entering my bred-by exhibitor (BBE) classes, I re-read the premium list and discovered that “entries must be fully AKC registered by the show’s closing date”! I had assumed you could show with a CKC number and register within a certain period after the show if you wanted to keep any points won. I learned this rule applies to all classes EXCEPT BBE! I had a minor panic attack. Frantically, I went to the CKC website to order certified pedigrees for my two BBE entries (my male was already AKC registered). Then, I had an online chat with them to expedite processing to ensure I would receive the certificates by email the next morning. When I got home from work, my husband and I quickly took some (not great) photos of the two dogs to ensure I had everything needed for the next day.

The next morning, with pedigrees freshly arrived in my inbox, I began my foreign registration process. My American friends had assured me it would only take a few hours, as the AKC is quite efficient! However, after four hours, I called the AKC to check the status. Initially, they reassured me it would be processed soon, until they realized it was a foreign registration, which, unfortunately, takes longer. Remember, this was the Tuesday before the show closed on Wednesday. The representative quickly checked the status of their foreign registration team and found they were working on Saturday's requests (which seemed impressively prompt compared to the CKC!) but was unsure if mine would be processed in time. She suggested I leave a detailed message in their mailbox and call back first thing in the morning. I followed her instructions and waited anxiously.

The following morning, while on my way to work at around 8:28am, my phone rang: it was the AKC foreign registration department, informing me that my completed registrations would be in my inbox that morning! By the time I reached my office, they had arrived!

I immediately emailed the show secretary to update my show registration, ensuring the AKC numbers were correctly associated with the entries. The show secretary was on the West Coast, three hours behind my time, and the show was set to close at noon their time. By 11:45am, I received confirmation emails from the show secretary that everything had been updated correctly.

The significant oxer the universe had placed before me was successfully overcome.

Now, I just had to deal with the anxiety of preparing for and attending one of the largest Pyrenean events in North America.

I am incredibly thankful for having Sandy and CJ by my side to support me and keep me calm. We organized our departure plans, sorted out the Friday (class dogs) schedule, and coordinated a neat convoy to get there. We had our CDC forms ready, although the border guards seemed more interested in commenting, "They look like Polar Bears!" than in checking the forms. The drive was long but thankfully uneventful, except for when Sandy generously took over driving since my night blindness made it challenging.

Upon arrival, Sandy was warmly welcomed by her American friends, while CJ and I focused on checking in and unpacking the vehicles efficiently—it was 11:00 pm (midnight at home), and we were eager to get to bed. CJ acknowledged greetings as she pushed the luggage trolley past, and I enjoyed being unnoticed as I settled in. We agreed to meet in the morning and hot the ground running.

The next morning, my trio (yes, in for a penny, in for a pound) were my main focus. I had a BBE dog (Ichabod), an Open dog (Felipe the Troll), and my BBE bitch (Cloud). CJ and I worked on making sure everyone was plush and puffed, ready for Dr. Princehouse's examination. Once we arrived at the show and got familiar with the surroundings, everything felt normal again – although I have NEVER seen so many Pyrenees in one place at one time! If our National here was even a fraction of theirs (from the people, the dogs, the items for sale, the variety of auction and raffle items…), I would be overjoyed.

After the puppy dog classes, I started showing my boys. First up was Ichabod (CKC UKC Ch Cidwm’s Ichabod Crane) in a class of three lovely male BBE dogs. We showed just like we do at home, with a loose lead, me talking to him, and him naturally stacking, enjoying the dehydrated beef treats I had brought along when offered.

We won our class.

MBBE BPIG Ch. Cidwm’s Ichabod Crane

CJ was fantastic once the National began, ensuring my next dog was ready to go when I finished in my current class, allowing for a smooth transition.

Next in line was Troll (CKC GrChB UKC Ch Shanlimore Cidwm Glenire, CGN, NTD, NS), competing as an open dog in a class of six. Approaching eight years old, he was the oldest in the class. Troll has never particularly enjoyed showing, so I let him present himself naturally now—no fuss, he self-stacks for bait, and moves with his head and tail level in an energy-efficient, business-like manner. He owes me nothing.

He placed fourth, and I am absolutely thrilled with that result.

I brought Ichabod back for the winner’s male competition, but unfortunately, we weren't considered. That's okay, though, as we won our class and were set to compete in Best Bred-by In Show, which made me happy.

We watched more classes of beautiful Pyrs until CJ had to handle Moose (CKC GrCh AKC Ch Pyrview’s Legend of Oneida) in the veteran's dog class, where they won!

There was a short break for the handlers to prepare their girls, and then we were back in action.

There were no puppy bitches, so the BBE bitch class kicked off the girls! Cloud (CKC GrCh Cidwm’s Evry Cloud Hasa Slvr Lining, CGN, NTD, NS) and I entered the ring as one of five females and just did our usual routine. I love showing Cloud, and she gives her all for me – she is such a momma’s girl. Once again, I suspect I had the oldest entry in this class, with Cloud turning five in August, but hey – you only live once! I was proud of my Troll Princess, and she looked fantastic – evidently good enough to secure first place.

GrCh. Cidwm’s Evry Cloud Hasa Slvr Lining, CGN, NTD, NS

We re-entered for winner’s bitch but didn’t have the luck to be selected there. However, I was now a strong contender for Best Bred-by in Show!

After all the female classes concluded, the specials were brought in, and what a spectacle it was! Approximately forty specials were lined up when called, and then the winners dog and bitch, along with the veteran winners, also had to enter. I was asked to handle Moose because CJ was busy with her boy Donnie (CKC GrChS AKC Ch Pyrview’s Don Julio Blanco). Once everyone had had their attendance taken, we were all sent out and then the real judging began.

The method of organizing the judging into clusters with eight to ten specials per group proved to be an efficient way to determine who would advance to the best of breed ring. Each group underwent cuts, and those who made it through would return for the final best of breed assessment.

After this process was completed for both males and females, everyone was called back in. Donnie had made the cut, so Moose and I returned as well. I have been in the best of breed ring before, but I don't recall being there when there were so many dogs—or more accurately, when there HAD been so many dogs competing for best of breed at the specials level. The cuts to the groups of specials weren't as drastic as they could have been, so the number of dogs in the ring remained impressive.

Moose and I were third from last, and since he hadn't been shown in six years, his attention span was somewhat limited. We spent our time moving around a bit, which likely annoyed those nearby, but it kept him content, as did the bait I managed to stretch throughout most of the event. When Dr. Princehouse came down the line, we were evaluated, and Moose did a decent job of staying still for her further assessment. As she made more cuts and rearranged some dogs, she eventually selected Donnie and Moose, which was ironic since they are half-brothers. She had us move them together, and that was the highlight for Moose, as he was much happier in motion than trying to stand still! We returned to the line and awaited her final decisions. She called several dogs to the center and then pointed to us, saying "veteran dog here," and we got into line as instructed. She called a few more dogs and then, addressing the audience, announced her best of breed, best of opposite, best puppy, and SELECT DOG for Moose, followed by the rest… at that point, my mind had drifted off. I was just so thrilled for the ADHD boy at the end of my lead!

After the awards were handed out, we had to quickly prepare Cloud and Ichabod to compete against each other for BBE in the show! CJ was fantastic and took care of Ichabod for me, as I knew Cloud would be displeased if I handed her to anyone else, while Ichabod is comfortable with anyone. We returned to the ring, with Sandy ready to fetch Troll for the brace competition (because just regular showing wasn't chaotic enough). Dr. Princehouse evaluated both half-siblings, had us move them around, do a down and back, circle them again, and then selected Ichabod as the winner. When CJ congratulated me, I laughed, and Dr. Princehouse seemed a bit puzzled as I explained, “I bred them both!”.

Finally, the brace competition took place. Troll, Ichabod, and I were one of three triads vying for a spot in this potential Circus act. My team performed well; Ichabod was a bit worried, but Troll remained calm like Cool Hand Luke. All the sets looked impressive, and I believe we were the only males. In the end, we secured second place, which was entirely understandable given how synchronized the female pair behind us was; Dr. Princehouse commented on how the girls had moved as one, even with the same legs mirroring each other, but she had loved how alike my boys had looked. I was incredibly proud of my boys.

Father and son, double trouble.

Participating in the 2025 GPCA National and Regional shows was an extraordinary and transformative journey that pushed me beyond my comfort zone. From navigating complex registration processes to handling my dogs in a highly competitive environment, I faced numerous challenges. With the unwavering support of Sandy and CJ, I managed to overcome logistical obstacles, embrace new challenges, and connect with a vibrant community of Pyrenean enthusiasts. Throughout the experience, I celebrated my dogs' achievements and growth. This spontaneous adventure not only boosted my confidence as an exhibitor but also deepened my appreciation for the sport, the breed, and the incredible camaraderie that makes these events so meaningful. Ultimately, it demonstrated that taking a leap of faith can lead to the most rewarding and unforgettable experiences.