Hi my name is Julie

I own a 6 year old Rottweiler and I am now about to embark on bringing up my second, however, this time, I would like to explore showing this dog.

I have never done this before and I am sure the best way to go about it must be to join a dog club get the basic obedience grounded and go from there and this I will do.

If there is anyone out there who is willing to spend some time replying to this message what I would like to know is just where do I start when it actually comes to showing, at what age should I expect to be putting my Rotti into his first class? Should this class simply be for his attitiude and looks, I don't know can you help me? I want to do this right and I'd like to get a grounding before I take him to puppy classes.

What do all of these abbreviations mean and is there a comprehensive list I can get acces to via the interent?

Any constructive advice would be very much appreciated.

Thank you in anticipation.
Julie

Hi Julie, Welcome to the Forum,

The best thing to do is join your local dog training club - they will probably run ringcraft classes as well as obedience, agility etc. You can take your pup along as soon as his injections are complete. They will teach you how to stack (pose) your dog, how to freestand him, how to move him up and down, and teach him to accept strangers running their hands all over him, looking at his teeth, his feet, his 'bits' etc.

He can be shown from 6 months of age, but not all dogs are ready at this age.

If you let us know what abbreviations you don't understand I'm sure we'll be able to help. :)

Hi Julie

Welcome to the forum :)

A good place to start is with a local ringcraft class. You can start with your puppy as soon as it is clear from its vaccinations. The people there will help you with all you need and explain all the terms and procedures. Your dog would not be able to enter its first show until it is 6 months old.

I'll do a search on here and post you some links as much of what you need to know has been covered previously and I'll also do you a link to a book about showing.

SaraW :)

Below a link to a past thread which in turn has links to 3 other threads ;)

Here's some info

A decent book to buy is Good Showing - Peggy Grayson

SaraW :)

Hi Julie
if you go into the top right hand corner - go into search and enter "showing" it will bring up lots of past threads on this that you can read .
I too am an apiring first timer and have recieved lots of advice.
First things first : your pup HAS to be Kennel Club registered to show him/ her .
I would take pup to classes as soon as possible after his last injection . Go to puppy socialisation classes ( sometimes vets arrange these too ) and find a ringcraft or handling class . The Kennel Club will normally give you information on the nearest in our area if you contact them .
There are lots of different abbreviations - the easiest to remember is CH standing for Champion and if you come across any others dont think twice about coming back on the forum to ask as I have found everybody really helpful whenever I have needed advice .
Your breeder should be able to provide you with lots of information especially if they show too - but if not there are always helpful people at the classes or even at shows . Thats another useful tip too - try to go to some shows beforehand so you can get a feel for the atmosphere and you can see what is expected of the dogs entered etc .
Hope I've covered some points anway - ther are a million and one things to ask and to cover and I would be here for hours .
Anythin else you need to know just come back and ask
Good luck
:)
Lel

Wow Guys,

Thank you all very much for taking the time to reply.

The Stud which Ted (my pup to be) is by has won a number of things and there are abbreviations such as CC and RCC CH stuff like that he's also won his best in breed at Crufts I'm not sure which year I had a good look at the breeding lines but to be honest I didn't take it all in I was so excited.

Okay so first things first, find a good Ring Craft School, is that correct or do I just do puppy classes first. Anyway I shall have a look at all the links and get that book mentioned.

I don't mean to seem dumn but I'm not 100% on the net so I don't find it easy to use sites I'm sure after this I will become more accustomed though.

Thanks all very much and I'll be back in contact again very soon.

Julie

You can do Ringcraft and training classes at the same age Julie.
If you go into Google and bring up Apdt it should bring up a number of registerd trainers in your area . Normally start off with socialisation or Puppy Foundation Classes for which pup receives a small rosette and certificate for successful completion and basically teaches them simple things like "sit , lie down , stay " etc as well as meeting strange dogs and people .
Ringcraft will teach you how to "stand" your pup as mentioned earlier .
Most poeple with the same breed as yourself are only too willing to offer help and chat about their dogs .
I'm sure when you bring pup home and u are on Champdogs at every free moment ( a bit like myself :) ) you will be a whizz on the PC in no time :D
Good luck
Lel

Hi Julie,

Can't add much more to the good advice everyone else has posted!

I'm usually tripping around the shows with rotties, I'll be at Birmingham Show with Doris. Let me know if you are going to any shows and we'll say hello.

Feel free to email me at volsungrotts@aol.com if you want some information and moral support and I'll give you some good site links to get you going.

That was great, thank you, I have just found a member of the Apdt in South Petherton which is just down the road for me.

Things are looking good, thanks guy's and I shall make sue to let you know any shows Ted and I may attend you never know who you'll meet.

Thank you

Julie

My advice would be to go to some shows-both open and Champ since they are very different ,watch and speak to some rott owners.
But my biggest advice would be to not take it too seriuosly,have fun and remember you always take the best dog home!!(Well after me that is!!LOL)
Archer