Hullo everyone :)
I have my first breed show (Paignton Champ) next month with my pup. I've done a bit of ringcraft but it's all still alien to me. He's entered in puppy dog, will be just over 6 months, and is a bit of a wriggly chap. To what extent does he need to be statue-esque? I am working on it but what can I say, he enjoys himself bless him.

So I was just wondering what to expect on the day. There is no minor puppy so do we go in first? Will they make it pretty clear where to stand/move or should I hang back and go towards the end so I can see others go? Will it be obvious when they're placing dogs rather than asking them to move again?

Sorry these are slightly stupid questions, and I have more that I've forgotten, but I don't want to have to worry on the day! Don't be afraid to be too basic in your responses, any information is useful information to me, even stuff I haven't asked about! I hope to have a look at a show this weekend to get a feel for it.

Thanks!

Jess

The majority of judges will forgive a puppy for acting like a puppy, much better than a cardboard cutout and you certainly want him to enjoy it. Yes if there's no minor puppy you'll go in first, if I were you I wouldn't go first, best to wait a bit so you can watch what the others do. Yes it should be obvious when the dogs are placed, just remember to keep one eye on the Judge to save them shouting "madam" as some judges just point at you.  Just remember to enjoy it. Have a lovely day.

I forgot to bring a pin/clip to apply my number with, luckily a friend took pity on me and gave me her clip to borrow.

The steward at my first show wasn't very helpful, I had been told to let her know it was my first time and she placed me first in the queue, we managed but was told afterwards I should have moved faster, I didn't know what pace was expected and if I had been farther back could have followed the pace set by others.

Have a good time,remember you take the best dog home at the end of the day.

Don't worry just enjoy, puppies should be puppies and I would be upset if a judge did not accept this, your pup may wriggle, behave like Zebadee, pee or worse but he will not be the first nor the last. Most stewards will help you and it is worth saying you do not want to be first if they try to put you there but most would not do that. Put a poo bag in your pocket the steward should have some but it is best if you have your own and just make sure your pup enjoys himself.

Remember to get your number from your bench - l felt a complete fool at my first champ show as l expected the steward to give me my number! :O... Best of luck & have fun :)

Have fun, that is what it is supposed to be about!  Try to get to some shows to watch, to see how they proceed.  Most stewards are helpful, let them know that it's your first show, also ask another exhibitor if you can follow them in.

I'm sure that you'll get lots of support from others in your breed.  Enjoy!

Is your breed first in the ring that day?  I ask because often one judge will do more than one breed so you may see that judges style before you get in or where they are tending to line up the dogs.  Never had a judge do anything but appreciate a puppy for being a puppy so don't worry about that.  Judges and stewards are generally very clear in how they want things to run so they will let you know where you need to be.

Also you will be nervous no matter how much you try not to be the first couple of times, just breath, relax, you have paid your money just like the rest so enjoy it. And remember stand and present proudly after all they are getting the privilege of meeting and going over your dog not the other way round ;)

Lots of good advice here--just to add *take your time*

Don't rush your puppy. I found the hardest thing was to slow down--you see others who are far more experienced making it all look so easy, but don't feel you have to do rush round. At the risk of repeating what you've already learned at ringcraft, take the time to position your lead properly before you go into the ring, make a good entrance further down along the line, watch the judge while you're waiting your turn (as opposed to chatting--can you tell this was me?) and don't worry about your puppy being playful, he is allowed to act his age :-)

All the best for your first show--let us know how you get on!

Great advice from everyone, you will be fine. Just relax, remember it's supposed to fun. Go further back in the line, don't get suckered into going first by the more experienced people who will also be trying to avoid it, just politely say 'I don't want to be first as it's our first show'. Don't get stressed if your puppy is misbehaving, most judges would far rather see a puppy having fun than be overtrained into a living robot in the ring. Make sure he has fun, and you will have fun too - better behaviour will come gradually, as long as he stands and moves nicely for a few seconds here and there he will be fine. Keep us posted - I love hearing about people's first show experiences. :-)

What lovely advice, thank you all :D

Malibu- I didn't think of that, my judge is doing another breed as well having looked at the schedule, presumably we'll be after them since we're after them in the schedule. So I can watch that!

He should move ok, I just can't promise he won't love the judge up! But I feel a lot better about it having read the replies, I don't want to dampen his enthusiasm so will just go with it.

So is the general consensus to tell the steward it's my first show?

Thanks for all of your advice, I'm looking forward to it now- I think... I'll definitely let you know how it goes :)

Haha Ellie still tries to turn on the table and kiss the judge and she's 7.5 years old! :-D

Like you I started with a male puppy which means that you have no chance to watch the judge with your own breed, however do watch the breed in the ring before you.  Even if the judge is different it'll give you an idea of where you'll be expected to stand and which direction the triangle will be - as most judges will follow a similar pattern and indeed the stewards may remain even after the judge changes.  A little nearer the time you'll be able to look up judging order, and number of entries, which should help you calculate your arrival time and to see who/what is in the ring before you.

Allow plenty of time to just stand and watch a while, it'll steady your nerves :)

Yes - do tell the steward it's your first time.  If you're lucky he/she will keep an eye open for you and ensure you are pointing the right way, some will also take the time to explain a little of what is happening.  One of your fellow competitors may well do the same although some might not, or will be managing their own nerves!  Open shows are generally a bit more relaxed than Champ Shows but Paignton is far enough into the season not to be too stressy.  Does your breed have CC's at this show - that's usually an indicator of how relaxed your ring will be :)

Lots of luck, and I wish you good weather.  It's a lovely showground when the sun shines although traffic can be pretty horrible on the M5

In addition to the above,

If you're nervous, don't be afraid to check with the judge what they have asked you to do, or repeat it back to them (my ears don't work well when I'm nervous )  That way you'll give yourself a little time to get it straight in your head ;)  the judge won't mind.

Take a moment to settle yourself and your pup before the triangle (or whatever the judge has asked for)  You have paid your money and it will help you not to rush, most people rush when they are nervous ;)

And remember, whatever happens you will take the best pup home with you :)

An update as promised. My little chap won his class! Didn't get any further but being that I didn't expect to get anywhere if there were more than three dogs in the class I'm chuffed with him. And his lovely brother got 2nd. Not bad for a couple of 6 month babies really :) I didn't know what was going on, I still don't really :)

He was quite uncontrollable, haha, I moved one bit of him and he moved another bit out of position and he wriggled around being examined (but surprisingly didn't mug the judge). He was very much hindered by me and it was more terrifying than I feared :D But I guess we will be getting ready for Crufts now! The judge was lovely and gave me a few tips too. Good to know that even with all his wriggling and my errors he still did it :)

So thank you for all of the advice, I did keep it all in mind! And I did have fun seeing a lot of lovely munsters all in one place. I mean, the thunderstorm wasn't ideal but hey ho that's Devon! So there you go, a first timer's experience. Be back for the obedience on Wednesday in my comfort zone!

Hoping this will be me in a few months+ time.  Went to ringcraft for the first time in the week, with a very wiggly puppy but everyone was friendly and helpful so made me not feel quite so silly even tho' everyone looked like they knew what they were doing!!

Well done too.

Woo hoo, that's a fantastic way to start off - clever boy and very well done to you! :-)