I know there's no substitute for getting out there and trying--I have done a bit of ringcraft with an older dog of mine and took him to a breed champ show, but he hated showing and loves working, so guess where we went!--However, I wouldn't describe myself as confident. We have a new pup in the house who is now 16 weeks and who looks like he could have potential (worth saying maybe that he is from a repeat mating and his older siblings are doing very well here and abroad). Is there anything I can read up as well as get along to a good ringcraft session. I am based near Burnley. Thanks for any advice!

Just get out and start going to shows, once your out there talk to people and ask for their advice, most judges will give feedback if you ask and they would say oh maybe stand like or maybe your dog would suit this sort of pace.

You need to put what breed as all breeds are shown slightly differently i.e. side on, head on, 45 degrees. Holding/ not holding tail, type of lead etc.

Infact I asked on here last year if somebody could give us some support and a couple of people met us at our first show and gave us a quick master class.

thanks Triona, he is a welshie--grateful for any advice!

Springer or Terrier?

I found going to shows and just watching the breed being judged and handled was great, plus lots of Open shows.
My girl won 1st time out at a breed champ show at 6mths, then went postal at all her next outings. So I decided to give her a break - she had a season and is seemingly more calm now, so I've found a good ringcraft 30 mins away. I think that environment is so supportive and you can take it at your and your dogs pace. Last night for instance I sat ringside and the judge handled Zo for me just casually as he walked past. She took 2 hrs to calm down but then she was fab.
You cannot overrate that for helping you out.
good luck, I've met some lovely people already in a short time, find show people on the whole are really nice!

sorry, springer!

Ah then you will need to learn to do the praying with arms outstretched thing ;)

thanks JaneBUK, that's encouraging. I still have sweaty palm moments when I remember the one and only (WSS) champ show I attended--a four hour plus drive, arriving with minutes to spare thanks to taking a short cut, a highly grooming-averse dog (the canine equivalent of when I used to cut my son's hair with a bowl over his head...suffice it to say the dog was not one of the elegant elite that day, but the judge and steward were both exceedingly kind) and me clutching my number to my sleeve with an extremely elegant rubber band...I'd like to think it could all be so different one day.

Would that be hand by jowl and under tail, so to speak?? Or do you mean literally!

Yep, but the other might appeal to the more powwer crazed judges.

I was thinking the latter might help with my distinguished (so far, not in a good way) performance--the dog's fine, it's a handler problem!

;) LOL

Hi JAY15,
I don't show your breed, so can't help with the "arms outstreched in prayer"-bit ;-)
But, one thing must be the same in all breeds. Keep it fun! Fun for the dog, AND for you.
I've seen too many promising dogs ruined for the showring, because the owners take it too seriously. And that's such a shame.
As long as you have a great time together, and the dog learns to enjoy ring-craft, you'll be fine.
Good luck in the ring!
Karen

Showing should come with a warning like ciggie packets have but saying

'Can seriously damage your bank account' lol, its highly addictive and you meet so many new people who normally are only to happy to give advice on what you need to be doing, go have fun and see where it takes you.

Good luck

thanks RRfriend and justme, there is no way I would get intpo this if the puppy didn't enjoy it. I took my oldest dog (then maybe 6 or 7 months) to ringcraft, and on the second time out he absolutely refused to come out from under the table to take a turn. Others sat round told me not to take no for an answer, but I've never seen him so unwilling before or since. He only went once into the ring and did well enough, but that was it for him. This young pup has a lovely confident manner, a nice gait and isn't afraid of anything--playing lions and tigers with the other two, the only problem is that he wants to the the lion and the tiger. I'll start taking him to ringcraft and see how we get on. As for the "can seriously damage your wealth" warning, this is something I had noticed...

lol that sound better than mine seriously damage your wealth but well worth it, keep us updated on how you do x

Both your, and your boy's attitude seems to be exactly
the right one for the showring :-)
Happy, confident and energetic!
You'll have a great time!