Hi
I would like to find someone to show my well bred Malamute bitch.  I am prepared to pay entry fees and petrol money, ideally person with experience of large breeds, perhaps someone who likes to show but currently lacks a dog?  She is a lovely dog but like all Mals, she is a big strong girl.  Her father has won the malamute classes at crufts and I would like to know what show judges would make of her.  We are in East Anglia.

Its very exciting showing your own dog, can i ask if there is a reason why you can't show her - don't have to say i'm being nosey..

Would the breeder or owner of the sire being interested in handling or i'm sure someone in your breed(through the breed clubs) would be able to assist?

Ha!  I'm too nervous to do it myself and as she is inexperienced the same as me, I thought it would be a bad combination.. her breeder is across the other side of the country sadly.  I would come along and watch but I just don't think I could do the showing.. I don't have the competitive streak...

Wrong group!!  I'm currently show dogless as my gundog has decided that he doesn't like shows!

Jill

> I don't have the competitive streak...

To be honest that is an advantage when you start out.  Showing is primarily about spending time with like minded people and enjoying the company of the dogs.

Get yourselves to Ringcraft classes which will give you the knowhow you need and then you can enjoy showing yourself, and be happy with steady progress.

Many people start late in our breed with an older puppy or adult and soon get the hang of things, and your breed is not shown much differently.

Also your breeder may well be at the same shows and may handle a class or two until you feel more confident.

My husband had to take one of mine in at two shows never having handled before, the first he got placed in the group and an Open show and the second time won Best bitch from the challenge.

And at ringcraft you can make friends, they will help you handle better, and if you're really nervous at the first few shows they may take the dog in for you until you feel confident to do it. Why not try some companion shows come next spring? Good place to start off showing, as a lot of the time there's quite a few people there who don't know what to do either! :-)

Would of nominated my daughter who does Junior handling and is desperate to try other breeds/groups but unfortunately you are too far from us. 

I would of thought there would be Juniors in your area who would snap your hands off to have the opportunity though.  Try any local ringcrafts with juniors or around the ring side of any junior Handling classes perhaps.

Before we had our Alaskan Malamute and Canadian Eskimo Dogs we had never,ever shown a dog - desipte having a particular lovely GSD in the very early eighties and being badgered by the owner to show him.We were young and nieve and thought that as we were complete novices we would be laughed at and humiliated at how totally pants we would be.
How wrong were we!!!! We started to show Dems at local open shows,went to ring craft (which was a bit rubbish tbh).We managed to have some good placings and even a few BOBs and were thrilled when we qualified all our dogs for Crufts.The Mal people are mostly lovely,very helpful and chatty.Like all breeds there is some back biting - but this is thankfully in the minority.
Why don't you bite the bullet and have a go at showing?You would get loads of advice and support from Mal owners.Ring craft is a great place to start.Full of useful tips and helpful hints.I used to get quite nervous before a show,but now I am more laid back and relaxed and enter just for the fun and a good day out.If I am placed then this is a welcome bonus.There are good breeders/peeps who show in your area,why not contact them for advise and help.The majority of Mal owners would talk for hours about the breed.Why don't you go to a couple of local shows - either enter your dog or NFC and have a chat with some owners. Good luck.Jude

Hello, thank you everyone for the advice and kind words of encouragement.  We did some ringcraft when she was younger (she is now two) but I am currently unwell and I would much prefer to cheer from the sidelines....!

How friendly are you with her breeder? My boy is generally shown by his breeder for a few reasons, I can't run properly due to dodgy knees and so can't get the movement right, he mucks me about whereas with his breeder he knows to behave :-p

Having said that, I have been in and done my bit. If you're adamant though, I can put you in touch with a couple of people who will handle other people's dogs if you send me a PM :-)

As Joan said breeders are more than helpful.There are also junior handlers who handle Mals  and other breeds come to that- and generally much better than me.However some Mals are alittle headstrong and dertermined to do their own thing at times.

breeders location shouldnt be a problem as undoubtedly will go to ch. shows all across uk and meet you there.