There is a show coming up locally to me (Cornwall) next month and I am really undecided as to whether I should give it a go?

I showed her mother once when she was a puppy at our county show and won the AV Gundog Puppy class (beginners luck perhaps)?!

I have a homebred Hungarian Vizsla bitch pup (9 months) - she was bred / kept for working but while we are not in the shooting season and I was thinking perhaps I could do a bit of showing. The thing is I have no idea about it and feel a little bit silly turning up as everyone seems to know exactly what they are doing.... I don't even know which class I would enter. There is no breed class for her but there is an AV Puppy which I assume would be the best option....

Any advice would be great!

first you need to be entered in the show. perhaps the show you are thinking of going to has gone past its entries cosing date. Ringcraft class is a great help to dog and novice owner, there you should find people to help you and answer any questions you might have. good luck.

Hi Gema, Which show is it?
And where abouts in cornwall are you? (pm me if you want)

Id just give it a go its not all about winning a rosette, its about meeting like minded people, one on one time with the dogs and some training for both of you oh and the picnic. If there is not a breed class you are right enter AV or AVNSC as she is a puppy the judge wont mind some wiggling, go a bit early and watch how others do it and ask them to show you. Oh and tell the judge its your first time they are usually great in giving tips.

The show is the Bodmin and District @ The RC Showground. Entries close this weekend so I still have time.

I'm not overly worried about winning a rosette (yet lol) - I'm more concerned about making a fool of myself OR more likely the dog making a fool of me!!

AV Puppy would be your best bet then. Im entering Bodmin, but wont be there till lunch time. I was going to say if it was the St.Austell show the weekend after give me a ring! (secretary) There are some nice gundog exhibitors down here so dont be worried about asking them for advice. There are several ringcraft clubs running on a regular basis in cornwall, so you can always go along for a bit of practice and advice before hand. Also a couple of companion/fun shows coming up.
Everybody has to start somewhere so dont be afraid to have a go.

I'm more concerned about making a fool of myself OR more likely the dog making a fool of me!!

I'm sure you can't do worse than me the time I fell over in the ring -at a big championship show. :) And I still won the class!!

As a working Vizsla may be docked does this show charge an entrance fee or am I way off the mark? Apologies if I'm teaching my Granny to suck eggs

She is not docked - I decided late on to keep a pup and no-one that had their names down on my waiting list pre-birth wanted docked so the whole litter were left with tails.

That's not an issue then :-D

Gema,

Personally i'd give it a go, why not, you've got nothing to loose.?...Also Vizzies tend to bounce around the ring anyway that i've seen, so think you'll be fine on that front ;-)
You can get yourself some quick ringcraft sessions in over the next few weeks too..

Come and dip your toes in, you'll love it :-)

I'm more concerned about making a fool of myself OR more likely the dog making a fool of me!!

I wouldn't worry too much about that, it can be a self-fulfilling prophesy. We started showing about 8 months ago. My dog would love for me to stop showing him up, but he still loves me and that's all that matters :)

Be brave and go for it, if i can do it anyone can.  First time i thought i thought i was going to pass out.

Have you got some who can video you up and down with the dog, that way you might be able to see what pace to take them in the ring at.  I find it helps loads and you can see how the judge will see them move.  i had to speed up to get correct leg extention, i was going too slow.

you'll love it and meet plenty of nice people.  it becomes quite adictive.

if you enter, and want some courage.....come over and see me on the Dog World stand at that show and Ill introduce you to a few hv folk or help where I can :)

I'll see if Dexter on here is entered with her Vizzie..

Thanks Sam - I will do that!

Take the plunge and enter :-) I was the same about entering an agility show for the first time. I went to several to watch and what persuaded me to finally put an entry in was watching a young black labrador doing his round - did really well until he came out the tunnel and then he grabbed the jump number and did several laps of honour around the ring before presenting his owner with the jump number. Everyone watching thought it was hilarious and the dog was having a wonderful time. He got a huge round of applause when he exited the ring :-)

go on and enter,its good fun and we all have a laugh,great meeting people and getting tips on your dog,oh and if you see someone dragged past you screaming stanley at their newfie,its me :)

And if you're at an open show and see a chubby woman galloping around the ring shouting 'steady, steady!!' at her Cavalier, who just barks in reply, it's probably me!! :-D

> And if you're at an open show and see a chubby woman galloping around the ring shouting 'steady, steady!!' at her Cavalier, who just barks in reply, it's probably me!! :-D

It never ceases to amaze me how wonderfully normal dog people are.  I always feel so reassured by all the gang on CD!  :-)  :-)

We happily give away our secrets.

Right so I have sent my entry form and fee..... I can do a few ringcraft classes before hand so watch this space.

I had got the impression that everyone takes showing very seriously but to be honest after reading this thread my mind is changing!!

good on you my love,nope,we all love it,for me its a day out with my boy,good old yap,lots and lots of dogs to cuddle,great socialising for the dogs and us,and if i get placed its fab,if i dont im still coming home with my best in show :)
hope to see you there,well thats if i can get stan to stay still,he will be the huge black newfie with a red bib on saying im stanley X

>I had got the impression that everyone takes showing very seriously but to be honest after reading this thread my mind is changing!!

I take doing right by my dog reasonably seriously, ie try not to trip over him, try and point him in the right direction and make an effort not to show him up!!  But I hate to see owners/handlers who look cross with their dogs when they aren't placed - always seems really uncharitable.  Sadly I saw a bit of that today at Crufts :(

In fact if my boys do well it's because they are good dogs; if they aren't placed it's because I didn't show them to their best advantage   ...cos after all, they're perfect aren't they??! :)

Good luck with your first show, I've always found perfect strangers to be very helpful and friendly, particularly when they know you are new to it all.  If you tell the Steward it's your first show too, they are generally pretty good at keeping you facing the right way and make an effort to explain what happens next.