Hi all,
in the event that Driffield is hot - looks like it may be! is it ok to let your dog pant in the ring and on the table or should you attempt to cool your dog in the ring so that she/he presents a tidier non-panting outline, and if so, how. 

TIA :-)

I don't know the layout of driffield but hopefully they have in and out rings so you can stand in the shade - while in the ring and also before going into the ring.  Keep your dogcool as you can - refreshed with water etc. before going in - and if necessary have some water to take in with you in a spray bottle.  People will use cool coats while in the ring (when not being judged) to keep their dog cool.  So hopefully your dog won't feel the need to pant but I certianly wouldn't stop my dog from panting if it was doing so - and if your dog is they more than likely so will everyone's else.

When you're in the ring try and stand so that the the shadow of your body is shading the dog.  It was so wet at Driffield last year that we were in the wet weather rings by the benches. Unless they've changed it for this year there's no in/out rings, it's all outside.  I use a cool coat, whip it off just before going in the ring and as said above stand the dog in my shadow (or at least the head of the dog).

As previously been suggested & depending on the size of dog & it's co-operation, I always stand my dog in my shadow whilst waiting for others to be gone over.

No in and out rings, been there today and it got very hot.

Many dogs had cool coats on in the ring while they were waiting to be seen and other people on standby with bowls of water or water sprays. There was very little shade to be found..

with our breed (irish Setters) we tend to stop them panting when the judge is looking, especially if they are looking at the head, it would only be for a matter of seconds so should be fine.

I always stand so that my shadow is over them too, but with how hot it's going to be I really wouldn't worry about your dog panting.

We've got a cool coat we use in the ring (especially with a black dog) and a cool mat if needed in the crate.