Hello,

I would really appreciate any advice on showing my dog. I have a 5 month male french bulldog that is KC registered and from a line of cruft finalists. I never thought I would be interested in showing as this is my second frenchie but after encouragement from others I am thinking of taking the plunge!

So, where do I start? I looked on a few websites but the terminology confused me a little! Do i need to start at local shows first? absolutely any advice would be fantastic! Thank you!

Sarah

Ideally a mentor in your breed, ideally your dogs breeder if they show.

Have a google for ringcraft classes in your area. Most doggy obedience places have a night or two a week devoted to the art of showing. Good practice running around in circles with strange people pretending to be judges and looking into mouths etc....  plenty of experienced folk to teach you how to present yourself and your dog.

Good luck, I'm sure someone a lot more experienced than me will be along shortly.

Could go along to a local open show if your lucky enough to have one in your area as a spectator and the schedule on line will tell you when your breed is in the ring. Only need to chat to those showing your breed. Most are very friendly and would be happy to give you advice. Your breeder would be the best.

Thanks for getting back to me Kenny. Your reply about the classes really made me laugh!! A mentor would be a good idea. Our dog’s dad shows but I’ve only spoken to his owner a few times - do you think they would want to help if they show too?!

I’m definitely going to look into the classes. But if you hear of any experienced French bulldog showers that would like to offer any advice please send them my way!

Would I learn at those classes which shows to go too?

Good idea, thank you. I'm in the North West, is there any particular websites you would recommend to find "respectable"/good shows?

Have a look at Fosse Data & Higham Press websites - shows are listed on there. Best to go along to an open show to see what it's all about. Visit a championship show too, to see the difference.
Talk to the people in your breed at the shows and ask questions.
Be aware that you can't take your own dog to a show unless it's being exhibited. Some champ shows will allow spectator dogs on the day for a fee. You can go find that info out via the schedules listed on Fosse & Higham.
Good luck, prepare to be bitten by the show bug & kiss goodbye to having a lie in at the weekends!

Great thank you - i'll take a look now!

Oh I'm not too worried about the weekends, I have two young children so it's been a while since that happened!!

Dog Show Central lists most of the shows

Our dog’s dad shows but I’ve only spoken to his owner a few times - do you think they would want to help if they show too?!

Reflects well on them if you show and do well, the reverse is also true if your dog is more Shrek than Crufts Champion standard.

Ring him, maybe try an informal chat asking for advice before going for the big mentor word. Whats the worst that can happen ? they say no.

They might even get  a certificate if he makes champion, but that might only apply to the breeder / Dams owner.

Isn't Higham Press now called Dogbiz? And there's also Showlife formerly ADP.

That's very true. His dad was a finalist at crufts - not that i think that means we could get to that level, but from what i can tell he is the spit of his dad and I think it would be a nice pastime to do with him (or is that incredibly naive?!) I think I'll take your advice and get in touch with his owner and the breeder that we got him from as they were incredibly helpful.

That's a good idea, the breeder and stud dog owner are a good place to start. If you can get anyone to take a nice profile picture of your boy and a nice head shot that will help them to have a rough idea of whether he's turning out nicely or not. Then ringcraft to teach yourself how to stand and move him in the ring. It's a great hobby and very addictive!

Thanks LucyDogs!

Yes we have some great headshots, but need a profile one. Who would i show them too? The breeders or other people? x

Higham Press is the website with schedules etc, Dog.biz is their site where you make the actual entries.

Fossedata is still operating..... http://www.fossedata.co.uk/     As is Higham Press.

I'd agree that you should approach whoever bred your dog first - he would have a 'vested interest' in your show aspirations.   Showing isn't cheap these days (entries and travel, and food) so it's really not worth venturing into, unless you have something that stands half a chance of being successful - and you do need a thick skin..... always remembering that you bring the 'best dog' home with you afterwards.     I don't know about your breed specifically, but some judges can be facey, looking at the wrong end of the lead first!   Whoever bred your dog should be more than willing to give you an unbiased assessment of what you have, and tips re presentation, stacking, grooming etc.

And much as most these days jump in at the deepend and go to Champ. shows from the start, it is a better approach to go to some Open Shows, if only to test the waters.   And your dog must be ring-trained before going anywhere near a Champ. show, for starters.   Good judges would allow for puppy shortcomings re behaviour, but you can't disrupt the class with an unruly puppy!

Good luck - but be prepared, if you do some winning, for it to become addictive. 

Your breeder. Other people might actually not know what they're talking about, I have a few friends who talk total rubbish about the dogs they see in the ring bless him. Or (though it's not all a den of iniquity) they might even try to put you off if your boy is promising and they don't want the competition!!

Ring craft classes are another good way in to showing. You will meet up with other beginners and most have rally nights which are mock shows to get your practice in.