I would love to show my pup - however she is missing a toe on one of her back paws - the breeder told me she was missing a nail and I never checked before taking her home and subsequently have been far too much of a wimp to say anything (I do think its a genuine mistake!) - my vet thinks Mum chewed the toe off when pup was tiny weeny, its the outside toe and theres a bare black scar where the last joint should be, whereas I think (and the vet agrees) that had she been born without that toe joint, there'd be no mark and it would be fully furry, no bare patch at all...

What would you do (asides from putting on big girl pants and talking to her breeder, obviously) - can I show her, can I get permission from the KC so that if I show they know its not a birth defect, and its not been amputated because it was 'wrong' or something?

I can very well understand you wanting to have a go at showing your puppy, it's an exciting time for new puppy owners. There is no rule that would prevent you from showing her either and in my opinion you wouldn't need to apply for permission to show because she hasn't had any surgical procedure done. Whether or not you would win anything is a matter for the judge to decide on the day of the show.

Showing is an expensive hobby and if your puppy isn't  a successful show dog you might feel there isn't the fun to be had that you thought there was but you will always love her and never swap her. There's nothing to stop you trying, just to see what happens. Good luck.

I have shown before but quite some time back - sort of wondering if I show, if anyone notices will I pee off her breeder? I should really talk to the breeder I guess - this is a numerically relatively small breed in the UK so it would be quickly figured out who bred her!

We almost certainly wouldn't win anything - am under no illusions there but I found it incredibly good socialisation for my Deerhound when she was a pup and a bit of fun for us so I would like to do the same with her, but I don't want to commit any sort of faux pas - as I say, numerically small breed, small world etc etc!

Well yes, of course maintaining a good relationship with the breeder is always best, so if you think they might not want your puppy in the ring for whatever reason, then a conversation is going to have to happen.

I don't think you need any permission from the KC - it might be politic just to ask the breeder if she thinks your puppy is show potential other than the toe?

First of all I think I'd find the courage to have a chat in a non-confrontational way, with the breeder.  As a breeder (retired) I know I'd appreciate the chance to see the puppy and how he's matured before he goes into the ring.   And for sure, it costs to go showing these days, so if this is a situation where a judge might penalise him for this, there really isn't much point.   And I think I'd also phone the KC and ask about 'permission to show' which I doubt is needed as the puppy hasn't been operated on for this.

You do NOT need permission to show, that is for dogs who have undergone procedures.
More likely your success will be quality/type dependent rather than her number of toes...enter some shows....suck it and see.

Also if you decide to show, I would get a letter from your vet stating the missing toe and reason.
Just on case you end up doing very well and somebody nice decides to try get your awards off you based on dog being operated on and kc not been told before hand.

Speak to the breeder though :-) I'm sure they would like to know. Easier told now than later when she/he will probably wonder why you did not mention it ages ago! I would want to know if I made a such mistake as a breeder, neither would I be upset you told me ( why would I be?)

I have known of dogs being shown when a  toe has had to be amputated (broken an not healing right) you'd be surprised especially on a hind foot how easily it is not noticed.

Personally I would just go and show him, Unless feet are of particular importance to a breed then I suspect more than 50% of judges will never notice at all. He was born like it and you are doing nothing wrong at all.
Aileen

> I would just go and show him, Unless feet are of particular importance to a breed then I suspect more than 50% of judges will never notice at all. He was born like it and you are doing nothing wrong at all.

Agree, no need to draw attention to it.

Mmm so ... yeah... breeder is under the impression they told me at the time I bought the pup.. (no. really, no. missing NAIL is what I was told. Not a fully missing lowest joint and corresponding pad)... Not interested in making an issue of it, but without going into too much detail it's apparent they were aware of the missing joint and decided to 'fluff' that area of conversation when I picked up the pup... ho hum, live and learn i SHOULD have looked! I've been talked to rather 'firmly' and told not to tell ANYONE (and yes they used capital letters)... mm.

I'll just show and see how we go, doesn't affect the pup's movement at all so if no one looks for themselves well, thats their issue!

Good for you! As others have said, unless the feet are a particularly vital part of that particularly breed, eg huskies, then if the movement isn't affected and the rest of the dog is quality, she should hopefully do ok. And at the very worst, you can have fun, make friends, and learn how to handle at shows with her. :-)

If he was mine, and you can go into the show ring with the intention of enjoying the experience and learning, you may find the bug bites and you look for a good dog to show next time (should this toe p[roblem mean you don't hit the heights with this puppy.  This is basically what I did after buying our first and thinking for sure we had the next Crufts 'In Show'.   I quickly learnt what I had, made friends within the breed, joined the Breed Club and the local Branch and ultimately booked a puppy from one a by then friend was planning, after seeing the super puppy she had out showing.   I persuaded her to do a repeat mating, and to let me have pick male.    He was good enough to take his Canadian title after we left the UK, but he wasn't really like the puppy my friend had!!

To be fair, I want to show because it amuses me to do so rather than any serious desire to win BIS all around the country, and because showing my Deerhound girl was bloody good experience for her and I really enjoy the sense of occasion and the people watching.

I also live really near a big show ground so I can easily attend a fair few shows without much hassle (though they are as far as I know, all champ shows which is expensive, would rather Opens as you get nice rossettes LOL <--- see where my priorities lie, rossettes, pretty pretty ribbons HA!)..

So yeah if she doesn't do well its not the end of the world for me at all!

Sounds like you have the right attitude and showing can certainly be a huge amount of fun if you don't take it too seriously. Might see you around! I do love my boards full of pretty ribbons and rosettes. :-D