Hello, I have decided i would to get into showing and heard ringcraft classes are the first step , I have just booked to start ringcraft classes with my girl in febuary. My dog breed is a Pug and she has just turned 13months old. I was a little concerned i had left it too late to start showing with her but was assured it wasnt, does anyone also think the same and has anyone started showing later on with a dog and how did it go ?  Do i need to take anything with me on the night or just me and the dog? Do i need a showing lead or can i just use her general collar and lead? Sorry for all the questions i am a complete beginner so just trying to cover all the bases,, Thankyou for any help and Advice ladies and gents xx

I have two very successful showdogs that went nowhere near a showring until older -one was 11 ½ months at her first show, the other was 19 months old at her first show. :)

The most important thing to bring to ringcraft is a good supply of really nice treats for your dog -not boring dog treats but something like sausages, hotdogs, cheese, liver, ham, chicken -that sort of thing. Something your dog will REALLY want. You are best off using a show lead so your dog gets used to it (many will realise the change of lead means they are going to do something specific) but don't worry if you haven't got one yet. I'm sure the Pug people on here can tell you what type is used for your breed.

Good luck and have fun!

You won't know if it is too late to train her till you try.  Pugs are great individualists so it is hard to generalise on possible behaviour.  Have never tried ring training an older pug, but my veteran ex show and retired brood bitch  Pug started Agilility Training aged  8 and took to it straight away.  Definitely a show lead set and tasty treats, as already advised.  Have fun.

Never too late to give it a go. I took my first show dog into the ring around 11months old, it made no difference to him going in that much later.
I have seen Pugs on a half check, not the ones you find in pet shops. Gwen could you provide the OP with a link to what they should consider for showing regarding collar and lead? I don't want to point out the incorrect thing.

OP get yourself to ring craft and have fun. It may take a few sessions before you and your dog have an idea of what to do, so don't give up at the first hurdle!!
Let us know how you get on.. What ring craft ate you attending, maybe someone on here attends and can become an initial friendly face for you :-)

I didn't show my foundation bitch due to the children until nearly two years of age.  I also sold a pup to a couple who didn't show their dog until he was over two and the went on to become a champion.

Thankyou for the replys ladies.  Im starting in Febuary at a class in broughton North Lincolnshire. I have looked at the show leads but not sure to which one to get or is suited to the Pug breed so any help on that would be good. I have been getting her more used to been felt all over and using a little nibble to keep her attention and she is getting better each week and a quick learner, so hopefully with the help when we get to ringcraft we should get on ok.

> I have looked at the show leads but not sure to which one to get or is suited to the Pug breed so any help on that would be good.

Are you able to get to any shows? If you re ringside when any Pug classes are on, you'll be able to see (and ask!) what kind they use. Or, have you looked at any of the Pug breed club websites? Most breed club websites have photos taken at shows, so you might be able to see what kind of show lead is preferred that way.

Are there any UK-based Pug-specific forums on which you can ask?

Is this the brigg one? I'm in need of ringcraft but have to travel quite a way I shall also be bringing my pug.

Hi, The club was listed at brigg but is run at Brougton Village hall (north lincs) first class to start on is in Feb x Are you local then Louise?
Will have a look through the pug club site and see if any info on about local shows think most are march onwards that ive seen so far, but i may have overlooked some and i will have a browse through galleries to see about the show lead x

Im Metheringham which is an hour away from this ringcraft, whats the date and times? Are they being run now or starting in Feb? We have a show in pontefract 3rd Feb my pup will be 6 months and a day, they have puppy classes. I entered my frenchie in junior and was competing against huuuuuge 18month oldish males and just no comparison so sticking to puppy classes really for a while. Few other ringcraft around a similar distance but will try them out and see which is my fave and where i make friends with pug and frenchie owners. Saves the pennies if we can car share etc. I want to go to uktoydog with her but we shall see.

Good luck with it all Louise, We go in two weeks to our first ringcraft, got a half check show lead (training one) from dragon leads for now and i shall now just wait to hear and see what they think of her and if she has the potential to go into showing.
Thankyou

Its abit far this one for us, were going to stick with newark once a month and partney ringcraft every tuesday. My girl at not 6 months won best in match (as you already know) and her first ever ringcraft/matchnight. Very proud of her, first show on Sunday she turns 6 months on the sat. Going to look for show leads at shows as i would like a 3 tier ruby diamonte leather half check, lol rather specific but shes a fawn and i think it would go nicely. Want something girly to show in as just shown boys in the past. Were going to enter retford, newark and worksop which are all at the show ground so if you can get to any of them let me know and ill say hi.