When Holly's litter was born, we were not planning to keep a puppy. We wanted Holly to go to a show home but could not find one for her. After a couple of months, Holly and I were good buddies and I asked my parents if I could keep her. They said I could if I showed her myself because they did not want to pay a handler. Since I was listed as a breeder on the litter, I decided to try to show her in the bred-by classes. After getting my first bred-by major at Rose City in January, I decided that I was going to finish her myself from the bred-by classes. This last weekend, I got a specialty major under Laurie Malucci and the last point to finish Holly on Sunday under Lourdes Carvajal. I also got a bred-by group one on Saturday! It is so cool to know that I have gotten every single point on her myself. Holly and I have always worked as a team and the experience has been awesome!            DJ Smith



Jordan: Why did you decide to show from the BBE class?

DJ: I wanted to qualify for Eukanuba from the BBE class. I also thought it would be cool to be a kid and have my own champion from the bred-by classes..

Jordan: How does competition differ from Juniors to the Regular Classes?

DJ: In juniors, you compete against your peers with many other breeds of dogs. In the regular classes, you compete against mainly adults with the same breed of dog.

Jordan: Do you have a preference to show in Juniors/Reg Classes.

DJ: I prefer the breed ring because I like beating adults. :) I also think it's harder to compete in the juniors ring with a Dane because they don't show themselves as well as as some of the other breeds.

Jordan: What advice would you give to other Juniors who are interested in showing from the BBE class?
 

DJ:  Having a dog in the bred-by classes is awesome because you have had that puppy since the day it was born and you have a special bond with that puppy. It's such a good feeling to have bred and raised the dog that you are showing.

Jordan: Now that Holly is finished what are your plans for the future?

DJ: I am going to special her and do juniors with her off and on just for fun until she turns 2 at which time we will do her health tests and hopefully breed her. Hopefully you will be seeing me and my next bred-by puppy in the near future!!

Jordan: Thank you DJ for taking time to answer our questions.

DJ: You’re Welcome

DJ Smith and “Holly” Ch. Double D Daynakin Gold Digger