SoFreshSoClean Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 I guess this is a 2 pronged question from me. I'm interested in anyone's experience as a spectator at the National Sheep Dog Finals. What was it like? How many people were there? What was the general vibe? In addition to going, we're thinking about vending. My sweetie's company makes leather leashes, collars and slip leads. So folks that were there - did you buy stuff from the vendors? What kind of things have you seen in the past? What's popular? I'm really excited to have the opportunity to attend with only a 5 hour drive from our neck of the woods. But it's not something I've ever been to before - so anyone's advice, impressions, thoughts or feelings would be very appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 I don't know this year's venue, so can't speak to that. I have been to a couple of finals as a competitor and I did buy stuff from vendors. How spectator friendly a finals is would depend in the location (proximity to cities or towns from which spectators might be drawn) and announcing. The latter is usually quite good, but I can't speak to the former for this upcoming location. Maybe someone who has been to the site can provide an answer to that question. Handlers do tend to buy nice collars and leashes, so I would think you'd have a decent chance of making sales. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloria Atwater Posted July 17, 2015 Report Share Posted July 17, 2015 I guess this is a 2 pronged question from me. I'm interested in anyone's experience as a spectator at the National Sheep Dog Finals. What was it like? How many people were there? What was the general vibe? In addition to going, we're thinking about vending. My sweetie's company makes leather leashes, collars and slip leads. So folks that were there - did you buy stuff from the vendors? What kind of things have you seen in the past? What's popular? I'm really excited to have the opportunity to attend with only a 5 hour drive from our neck of the woods. But it's not something I've ever been to before - so anyone's advice, impressions, thoughts or feelings would be very appreciated! I worked as a volunteer at Finals 3 years ago, the last time it was in Klamath Falls. It was a very fun event, low key but amiable, lots of folks and lots of vendors. The vibe was good, the handlers intent on their runs but everyone having a good time. As an aside, it can be hot out there in Modoc County/Alturas, so come prepared to provide your own shade and bring extra water. (And also come prepared for possible thunder showers or rain, just in case!) The vendors sell a little bit of everything, from dog stuff to art work to T-shirts and things. The only items that might not sell as well are the more toy-play-cutesy-pet type things. Folks there will probably more apt to purchase useful stuff - like leashes and collars and bowls and handy things for dog travel. Vendors I believe will be given tables under a big tent, if they do like last time. You'll want to contact Geri Byrne or Amy Coapman to confirm those sorts of details. The location this year is pretty rural, just outside of Alturas. Klamath Falls is the next big town, about an hour and 45 minutes north. Again, Geri and Amy are the folks to contact for specifics. I plan to be volunteering again this year, so see ya there! ~ Gloria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airbear Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 I shouldn't admit this, but I totally bought cutesy toys at the Klamath finals! It was a plush log thing that had little plush squirrels in it. I also bought a couple collars, a really nice leash, water dishes for the crates, some jewelry ... I bought a lot of stuff! I've only been to two finals, both in Klamath. There were great food vendors, obviously I found lots to buy and it was really fun to watch the big dogs doing their thing. We'll be running at Alturas, and looking to buy more things! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoFreshSoClean Posted July 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 Thank you all for replying! It sounds like this could be not only a good vending situation but a fun adventure as well. My wife's business is used to vending but I usually hold down the homefront. This time we thought it could be fun for me to tag along. It also sounds like our agility teacher has qualified with one or two of her dogs so it would be fun to support her other sport. Plus all of her dogs wear and use collars and leashes from Paco - so it will be good to have the product out there on dogs at the event! My general idea is that herding folks are sensible dog people as well? We will have to bring three of our dogs. They are used to be dog events but none of them are fans of rude off-leash dogs (really, who is a fan of rude off leash dogs!?!). We will keep them all on leash. But I assume it's not all willy-nilly border collies gone wild ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz P Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 I stayed at a camp ground and saved lots of money on lodging, so I spent quite a bit at the vendors. Too much in fact. Came home with a new dress crook, metal artwork, shirts, dog toys, etc. I would have purchased a new leash but the vendor was never at her booth. You would get a lot of business if you offered a service of adding ID plates to the collars right there at the trial. Sheep dog people hate dangling tags so tend to go for collars with a name plate, or even the phone number stamped right into the leather. Had I seen a vendor with fancy leather collars with that option, I certainly would have bought some. I think one vendor had those coated, center run gun dog collars with ID plates. (Or maybe that was at the cattle dog finals???) They shipped the orders to people after they got home. Generally the dogs are under excellent control, but occasionally you do run into someone who is clueless and let's their jerk of a dog run loose. I am not sure if the vendors are allowed to camp in the handlers camping area or not. That would be something to ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amc Posted July 21, 2015 Report Share Posted July 21, 2015 Greetings! I'm one of the organizers of this year's Finals and am happy to address your questions! Sounds like you've seen the vendor page on our website already, and Geri Byrne can answer any specifics there. We do try to keep the vendor fees reasonable because of the uncertainty. Alturas is a first-time location for us (first time to bring the Finals to California at all!!) so we too are unsure about how many spectators we'll get. The town is solidly behind the event so we do expect plenty of community support. The trial site is just a few miles outside of town and many of the evening events will be held at the Niles Hotel in Alturas itself. Your mannerly dogs are welcome! You may also camp for free at the site; no hookups but plenty of beautiful open space. Camping will be limited to handlers, VIP pass holders, volunteers and vendors. This will be the sixth time our group has staged the Finals in our various locations, and we do strive for a harmonious and welcoming experience for all involved. It would be wonderful to have you be a part of it! Feel free to reach out if you have more questions! Looking forward to seeing folks in Alturas - "Where the West Still Lives"! Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted July 21, 2015 Report Share Posted July 21, 2015 Another one of the fabulous State of Jefferson National Finals - going to one is on my bucket list but until (and if) then, I will be there in spirit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alchemist Posted July 21, 2015 Report Share Posted July 21, 2015 I've never been to a Finals out west (only twice in Virginia, and only as a spectator/volunteer), but I'm another who buys things (lots of things!) from vendors. In fact, I got my favorite leash from a vendor at the 2010 Finals, and subsequently ordered two more. Am constantly being asked by people WHERE I got these from and where they can get them (they're nice leather leashes, with built-in martingale collars, swivels, and a clip and ring for tying dogs out briefly), so the impact of that one sale in 2010 has gone WAY beyond that of the initial leash. I would LOVE to have some nice collars with flat tags on them - I keep taking their tags off when I work my dogs, and I'm always at risk of losing a collar somewhere or forgetting to replace the tags. Even a service that would rivet an engraved tag on an existing collar would be a huge draw for me! Oh, and my dogs have too many toys already, so I probably wouldn't be as interested in those as I would in more practical (but nicely made) items. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcv-border Posted July 21, 2015 Report Share Posted July 21, 2015 I would LOVE to have some nice collars with flat tags on them - I keep taking their tags off when I work my dogs, and I'm always at risk of losing a collar somewhere or forgetting to replace the tags. Even a service that would rivet an engraved tag on an existing collar would be a huge draw for me! flat collars with riveted tags - gundogsupply.com Excellent, everyday wear collars. I think they are 'nice', but definitely not 'going out on the town' collars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoFreshSoClean Posted July 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2015 Thanks for the welcome, Amy. My sweetie is out at SuperZoo this week but I know getting in touch with you is on her to-do list for next week. It sounds like this could be a fun time for all of us and introduce some folks to Paco Collars! Sadly, we don't have an RV (now that's on my bucket list) and staying in a tent with a Malinois is not an adventure I'd like to repeat! But looks like there are a handful of rental cabins that accept dogs. Alchemist - something like this: http://www.pacocollars.com/product/over-the-shoulder-rover-holder/ or the Lazy Lasso could be right up your alley. And they'll do totally custom work out of their shop in Berkeley. So if you want something very specific - they can make it. Everything is made by hand in Berkeley and the latigo leather comes from Hide House in Napa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartful Posted July 22, 2015 Report Share Posted July 22, 2015 I am quite excited that this event is close to where I live (4 hours) and hope to be able to get some time off to be a spectator!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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