Hi, I am new to showing and have a 36" cage for Bramble, my cocker bitch. I have got her entered into some open unbenched and some championship benched.  Does anyone know if this would be too big for the benches at shows. If it is, would I be better buying a smaller cage or just use a benching chain, although I'm not sure about keeping her chained up for too long.  Thanks.

That'd be far too big for the benches. The benches are only 30" deep, and the width allowed varies according to the size of the breed; dalmatians usually get about 24" width; my 24" x 30" crate has been a tight fit at some shows.

I have this problem with our dogs--only one of them will tolerate benching, so I bring a crate which sadly is too big for the pitifully small space we are allocated for our breed. I am not the only one that has to position a crate in front of the bench, either.

If you are only showing one dog, I wouldn't bother with either cages or benching chain. I just sit on a chair in front of my bench and let the dog sit on the bench on the lead or next to me or whatever they want, and if I walk around, they come too. Personally I wouldn't want to leave a dog unattended at any time anyway, whether caged or not. They only problem could be if you are on your own and have to leave your dog to go to the toilet.

Hi Jeangenie,  thanks for letting me know.  I guess the cage will only go to unbenched shows then.  I wanted a cage that would do for home and shows so went for the slightly bigger option.

Hi JAY15,  I'm not sure how Bramble will be with benching as this will be her first show. She is a pretty calm girl considering her age, so I think we will be taking it as it comes on the day.

Good luck with Bramble at your show...going cageless is not an option for me because I have no one with me and so if I'm in the ring with one or other the rest could get into difficulties. And since two of them now have learned to open the crate, I use benching chains to secure the doors :-)

Hi Goldmali, I think Bramble would be happy just on her lead sitting on the bench.  So long as she is with us. What is the score with walking around? Can general walking around be classed as exercising or is there a certain exercise area to take them. Where in general can you take your competition dogs during the day? I've read that they have to stay on their bench if not exercising or in the ring etc.  Is this ruling strictly adhered to?

Oh my goodness. I hope Bramble doesn't get that clever. Thanks very much for your help.

>I've read that they have to stay on their bench if not exercising or in the ring etc.  Is this ruling strictly adhered to?

No, it isn't. :-) People take their dogs around the stalls etc without a problem.

Oh okay thanks for letting me know.  Its all so confusing when you're first starting out isn't.

The best thing is to sit with them on the bench until they are used to it.