Hi Everyone,
New to showing (& the site). Currently have a border collie dog ho will be 6 months next week so we have a few shows coming up. We have been going to ringcraft twice a week but no one there seems to be able to answer my breed specific questions. I am planning on going to Clacton on Saturday to watch and learn but in the mean time can anyone answer me these questions:
- What sort of lead should i use, i have bought one of these leather leads with the chain half check type collar built in but is this correct for the breed?
- Is there a web site or a book anyone can recommend on trimming Border Collies (i have looked but cant find one) as i'm sure i should trim the fluff from round his toes and backs of his legs but obviously dont want to until i'm sure!
- I want to enter the ladies kennel Asc champ show at NEC in dec, my puppy will be 9months + 3 weeks does he still go in minor puppy? his date of birth is 18th february and show date is 13th december, Minor puppy says 6 and not exceeding 9 months, does this mean as in not reached 10 months or not exceeding as in not a day over 9 months?
Sorry for dumb questions but we're learning!

Can't help you with the breed specifics but can with the showing dates. Your puppy comes out of Minor Puppy the day after he is 9 months old. So will be able to show him in Puppy and Junior and if he hasn't won too much by that date Maiden and Novice if there is a classification for it. However, as he is only a puppy i wouldn't put him in too high a class as he will be outclassed in maturity. Enjoy and hope you do well.

As for what lead to use i dont think there is a right and wrong answer for any breed its a case of what both you and your dog feel comfortable with so its just a case of trial and error in getting the right lead which to start with will cost you money and you will end up with all different sorts of leads (we did) untill you find the right one.
As for the trimming i cant help you out there as we have bullmastiffs but i will say if you going to the clacton show on saturday look out for me as we will be there with both my daughters and my 2 just look out for a couple of bullmastiffs.

Hi Carinag
The lead you have bought sounds fine most people use what they find comfortable for themselves (not to bulky in hand) and the dog.
As for trimming, yes around and under his feet his back pasterns up to his hocks and depending how wispy his ears are they may need a little tidy.
Does his breeder show can she show you or point you in the direction of someone near you who can?

Trimming Border Collies ? Good grief whatever next ? So glad I don't show my Border Collies as I would never trim them-why around the ears ? My Rjj doesn't need trimming, but then he wouldn't have a chance in the ring being a smoothcoat in hard dry condition & with perfect semi erect ears & not the fashionable Rough Collie type tipped ears.

Mind you my lot would tower over the dogs in the show ring, both the boys being spot on 21" & Jessie 20" !

Wouldn't be much point in trimming a smooth coat would there Dyane :-P
Gone are the days of chucking them in the river and then leading them round with baler twine lol
Ears are trimmed if wispy nothing to do with set or lift.
Edited to add bathed my boy last night after he'd spent the afternoon rolling in silage spread on the fields

Your Border Collie will need trimming for the show ring.  I wouldn't worry too much for his first show as he is only six months.  The long hair on his hocks will need cutting back with thinning scissors, his feet will also need trimming.  The ears should only need the dead hair plucking from the base.  If they are tipped you may need to trim the edges of the tipped bit, some need it some don't.

You really need someone to show you how to do it correctly. Don't try and do it yourself. Does his breeder show, she would be a good person to ask.  Failing that the Richmond Champ show you are going to will have a lot of experienced people there.  If you get there early you should be able to find someone there to help you. They will all have scissors with them.

Don't worry about the lead and collar at this stage, at Richmond have a look at what others are using, it is usually a fine leather lead with a nylon or leather half check.

Good luck and enjoy.

> Wouldn't be much point in trimming a smooth coat would there Dyane :-p

LOLOL Nope that's why the farmers/shepherds prefer them ;-) Quick rub over with a shammy cloth & they're ready to go !

> Gone are the days of chucking them in the river and then leading them round with baler twine lol

? Never chucked mine in the river & never used baler twine, that goes better with the funny colours LOLOLOLOL. I can remember when the tip ears would have been chucked out of the ring ! My Wu's wispy bits are part of his character along with the ying yang facial marking !! & the girlie knickers !!!!!!!!

Oh wouldn't be the same without the girlie knickers. LOL

Pup would also be out of minor puppy and in the puppy classes.

Thanks for all your replys, thanks AlisonGold for explaining the minor puppy - puppy classes too, i shall be heading for puppy then!
Denny4274 i shall look out for you, i'm sure you'll spot me a mile off, i'll be the rather lost looking one with the rather over excited red merle collie! I'm taking him along as there is a companion show there too.
Thanks for all your replys information taken on board, i'll be off to find a river to throw him in, in preperation for next weekend our first show is Kent County CA, anyone whos there and wants a lugh we're in Puppy & AV Minor Puppy! lol!

Good luck - I'll be at Kent County too with a pair of mad Cavaliers, let us know how you get on!

I just wanted to add that i had a great day at Clacton, bumped into my puppys breeder and watched all the breed classes and got all my questions answered! Thanks everyone here for your help. My first show next Sunday at Kent, fingers crossed we remember everything we've learnt! x