Dog shows are ... interesting.  We participate for a variety of reasons.

• Social.  More Deerhounders participate in dog shows than in any other organized activity, so you can see all your Deerhound friends at dog shows.
• Perspective.  Since this is where the dogs are, it's a good place to go to find out what is out there, whether for breeding, or just to keep an eye out and make sure that one's own breeding program isn't wandering off into left field.
• Diversity.  You get a diversity of opinion at dog shows, from judges and from other exhibitors, Deerhounders and non-Deerhounders alike.
• Visibility.  Since this is where all the Deerhounders are, it's a good place to let them see our dogs.
• Outreach.  We have met a lot of folks serendipitously at dog shows who have gone on to become Deerhounders themselves.  The same thing happens at Highland Games.
• Legitimacy.  You can divide breeders into a number of categories, with only slightly blurry lines.  We find that two categories suffice: those who are breeding to preserve or improve the dogs, and those who are breeding for other reasons.  Usually those other reasons are financial, but we include in this category folks who want another dog just like Bowser, those who think their bitch needs to have a litter to be fulfilled, and those who want the kids to experience the miracle of life, along with those who want to recoup the investment in the dog and puppy mills (or large-scale breeders, or whatever other euphemism is being used.)  If one is breeding to preserve or improve the dogs, then one should be eager to bring those dogs to where they can be compared with others of their breed, whether in dog shows, lure coursing, race meets, obedience or agility trials, or elsewhere.

Over the years we have had various successes in the show ring.  Here are a few of which we are especially proud:

• In 1997, Lillie was something like 14th in breed points, and had a Group 2, owner-handled, under Judge Roy Stenmark.
• In 2000, Tip was tied for 10th in breed points, and was Best of Opposite Sex at the inaugural Eukanuba Invitational dog show under Judge Dorothy Macdonald.  Hoosie made it into the Top 20 standings as well, and was Best Bred-By at the Invitational, also winning an Award of Merit.
• At the 2002 National Specialty, Ghillie won the Bred-By Dog class.
• At the 2003 National Specialty, Huw (Pibroch's Vetiver, sired by Tip, owned by us, and shown by Charlie) was BOS in Sweepstakes from the 6-9 month class; Ghillie won the Field Champion Dog class; we swept the large 6-9 month bitch class, with littermates Brad Nelson's Henna and our Hallie and TeeTee going 1-2-3 and half-sister Penny (Huw's litter sister) taking fourth; and Robbie made the first cut for Best of Breed!
• Also in 2003, Ghillie finished the year in fourth place in breed points, and earned a Group 1, breeder-owner-handled, under Judge Robert Indeglia.
• At the 2004 National Specialty, Tip won the Field Champion Dog class, and Ghillie won the "Best Front" class, after the judge spent a considerable time debating between Ghillie and his sire, Tip.
• Also in 2004, Ghillie was Best of Opposite Sex at Westminster, and finished the year as the number 4 Deerhound in the country in breed points, and the top dog.
• At the 2005 National Specialty, Jynx was Winners Bitch, Best of Winners and Best Bred-By.
• In 2005, Hallie finished the year in fourth place in breed points; Ghillie was 11th.  At the Invitational in January, Ghillie earned an Award of Merit.
• In 2006, Jynx started off with a bang, going Best In Show, breeder-owner-handled, at Ashtabula Kennel Club on January 15, under Judge Murrel Purkhiser.  She went on to take several more group honors, always breeder-owner-handled.
• At the 2006 National Specialty, Jynx earned an Award of Merit.
• At the 2007 National Specialty, Bertie won his (large) puppy class, and Hallie, Jynx and Beau all made the cut for Best of Breed.
• In 2007, Beau won the Saturday supported entry at Louisville and went on to a Group Three.  He took several other group placements in the course of the year, including a Group One.  Jynx also took some group placements, including two Group Ones.
• At the 2008 National Specialty, Jynx and Beau both made the cut for Best of Breed, and Memsie was Best Opposite Sex puppy in the Futurity.
• At the 2009 National Specialty, Ghillie won the Stud Dog Class on the strength of Beau, Jedburgh, Jynx and LeLe, and Beau and Jynx again made the cut for Best of Breed.
• In 2009, Jynx took a supported entry BOB, with brother Beau taking Best of Opposite, and LeLe went WB/BOW.  A couple of months later, LeLe won a group.
• At the 2011 Specialty, Jynx was Best Veteran and Select Bitch, in the process earning her second Award of Merit.