Hello all, after dipping my toe into the showing world with our Frenchie, our 6 year old daughter has decided she wants to try it. We have bit the bullet and she has her first show this weekend.
We went to ringcraft tonight to see what the main differences were between handling and the breed classes, and we came across a stumbling point - she was unable to lift her onto the table, and also the table was quite high, she struggled to hold the lead up as her arms didn't go high enough. One person said she would have to lift her onto the table herself, another one said that the steward would be able to help....

Any advice/suggestions would be most gratefully received - as she is now booked into her first show this weekend, and there must be other children with small, but stocky/heavy dogs??

The steward can help. If she is keen on handling I would recommend the DVD by Marina Scott, there is a book also but the DVD is a great starting point. Joint the YKC and watch for any handling days near you. I hope she has fun.

If you are only going to the 'minor' shows, not Champ shows, I'd suggest there's nothing to prevent YOU going into the ring to lift the dog up onto the table.   Out in Canada where we occasionally had a judge that wanted my main breed up (not often!) and for my own convenience at home, I trained mine to put their front legs up on the table which with their length, was possible, so I could just heave the rest of them up.  Yes stewards may be prepared to help, but some won't (the potential for being bitten?).   Your daughter may have to wait until she is able to totally handle her exhibit herself, sadly?

In lower level competition, I can't see anyone objecting to the dog being lifted onto the table by someone else. However, I would be worried how safe your dog is going to be. If your daughter is not tall enough to reach the table, how will she be able to stack, and hold him steady for the judge to assess? It would only take one fall to destroy his confidence.
I wonder if any junior has ever brought a plastic stepper into the ring?

As Goldenmum has said the steward can and will help just ask before the class starts.  It often happens where they get help.

I would suggest she skips the table and shows the dog on the ground - extra training will clearly be needed.

> I would suggest she skips the table and shows the dog on the ground - extra training will clearly be needed.

If the judge will allow this, I'd go with this - show the dog on the ground..... much safer all round.

In my table breed there are quite a lot of elderly exhibitors and the dogs are pretty heavy a, So it is usual at all shows to have a helper/ friend who lifts the dogs on and off the table. No problems even at Ch shows. This is no different to having a runner for the dogs.

Thank you everyone - I will speak to the steward before we go in, if not, I'm quite happy to go in and just lift her on the table. It's a local open show this weekend (would have preferred a companion show really to begin with, but not massively popular in February!), so will be using it as a bit of a trial run.
She has signed up to YKC and JHA, so it's just the getting in the ring and getting experience she needs now. Fingers crossed it's not a disaster!

Good luck to her and hope she goes on to enjoy her new hobby

She will be fine, if you are anything like me you will be nervous for her.

> I would suggest she skips the table and shows the dog on the ground - extra training will clearly be needed.

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There is nothing to say any dog must be tabled.