Some of you who have watched a few shows may be wondering why the husband of the couple who show 4 or 5 Neapolitan Mastiffs does most of the actual showing, and why the wife stands ringside and passes dogs back and forth, only going in the ring when necessary.

A few years ago Arielle who is our spoilt girl had been naughty before we got to the show and as a result had been pulled into line and spoken to sternly. Our teenage daughter had by this time taught her how to pout and sulking also came naturally, Arielle being a teenager at the time.

When our turn for the ring came Arielle refused to stack. As she was over 60kgs at this time I usually walked her into position and adjusted legs if necessary. On this day she would not co-operate and legs were everywhere. Eventually I lifted her up and dropped the front down in an attempt to get her square which of course didn't work any better. The Judge who had of course been watching suggested with a dog this large I would be better walking her into a stack. I refrained from screaming "I would if I could" and said "yes Maa'm". We were then sent out for our triangle. On the second leg I could hear laughter coming from the Judge, Steward and my husband standing ringside. When I turned on the third leg I could see all three doubled with laughter. Arielle had seemed to be trotting correctly - if not willingly and I could only think perhaps she had pouted all the way around or something equally embarrassing.

On returning to the Judge nothing was said and we went on to win Best of Breed. Eventually I got a confession out of husband. When we went out on the triangle the Judge commented to the Steward "there is plenty of momentum there" and Klaus was unable to resist the comment, "and the dog's strong too." Hence the laughter and the continuing reason why I now appear in the ring as little as possible.