Hi All

My sheltie has been showing some promise at obedience classes and the trainers have suggested that I should enter her for a single breed show (in February) which has 5 obedience classes.  Does anyone have any idea what sort of standard these classes would be?  Her heel work, sits, downs and stays are all pretty solid.  Also is one bound to enter a showing class in order to compete?

Would be grateful if anyone else has entered this sort of class.

Many thanks

snowflake

You will need to find out if the Breed is limited to Shelties only (which is what I would expect) or whether it is also open to other breeds. The standard in an 'Obedience that is limited to the breed' type show is usually pretty low, especially in the lower classes. You may get one or two outside handlers who come along to do the top classes but it is usually just other breed handlers having a go. (Don't mean to sound disparaging, just trying to be honest lol).

If it were me, I would enter the two classes you are eligible for and ask to be drawn in the higher of the two so you can go in and train it. That usually helps your dog to learn that the ring is a fun place, that you will help her when she needs it and that if she makes a mistake you will help her try again. Again, I would probably ask to train the higher class stays (by being a bit further apart from the other teams in the stay ring), you could have your dog on lead and talk quietly, praising her but not interfering with the other dogs. It's all about giving the dog confidence. Don't forget, she will probably not be used to working amongst so many other dogs, in a strange place with a judge and steward in the ring as well. So I would try and make it as easy an experience as possible for her. The judge is usually really nice and will understand that a lot of the handlers/dogs will be new to competing. I don't know if you have to enter a breed class as well, will leave that to a breed expert to tell you lol. Good luck and enjoy!

I've done Toy only obedience attached to breed shows, and yes at the toy open show the standard wasn't very high. It's not bad at the toy champ show though, and they do run it seriously exactly as if it was an open obedience show. But it's a good way to start off - have a go!

Hi

Yes I believe this show is limited to shelties.  I do seem to remember showing my sheltie once at such a show (before I had got into obedience) where there was obedience and I didn't think the standard was very high.  So I think it would be good experience for us both.  It would be helpful to know what sort of classes they are - Lucy - do you remember what was required?

Many thanks all.

Snowflake

Have you done any obedience? I'm assuming you'll be entering Pre-Beginners and Beginners. They are virtually the same - for both, you will be asked to do heel on lead, you get yourself and dog set up nice and straight, steward asks if you are ready, then says 'handler and dog forward'. You'll have some left turns, right turns, and about turns (turn to the right on an about turn), possibly a halt in the middle and then continue forward again. Then you'll do almost certainly the same pattern again but off lead. There'll be a novice recall where you leave the dog, walk away until told to about turn (to the right again), wait until told, call your dog, wait and finish when told. And for the Beginners there'll be a retrieve, again waiting to do everything until told to by the steward. Sorry if you know all this, not sure how much your training class has done with you! Stays will be done later on and all together with the other dogs, you should be given your stay times when you collect your ring card, which will be at your lower class. Make sure you tick your name off on both classes or they will assume you aren't there and you won't be allowed to work.

When in Feb is it and is it close by? We've got a rally trial on the 12 in Snetterton if you're tempted to try that too!