hi, iv never shown a dog before but its always something iv been interested in finding out more so i was wondering how you get into it. are there any shows that you must go to or someting? any help or info would be appreciated.
Thanks Liz

Not difficult at all Lizzy, take your dog to ringcraft classes, and there you will not only find out how to show, but pick up schudules (the things that tell you where and how to enter a show) and meet other people who show, most of whom will be friendly and helpful.

thanks! do these ringcraft classes take place in all areas?

Hi Lizzy
Yes these classes take place in most areas, let us know what area you live in and then someone may know of a class near you :)

Alison:)

i live in the midlands near stafford

Have a look Here there may be something near you! There's loads more clubs listed on that site aswell

Alison:)

thanks there's one in S-O-T that i might try! by the way your good at this link thing!
Liz

Believe me I wasn't a while ago, but it's easy when you know how:D;)

Hi Bob
I am also interested in finding out about showing, and ringcraft classes etc. Are ringcraft classes widely available, generally? Its just that the nearest one to me seems to be about an hour away - am I just unlucky or are they fairly scarce?

Thanks

Jo

Jo
the Kennel Club can usually inform you of any in your area . There are mixed breed and breed specific classes so maybe you could look at some boxer sites and have a mooch around to see if any ringcraft classes are listed .
Good luck :)
Lesley

Thanks Lel - I already got the list from the KC, there's nothing near me it seems. I really don't want to have to travel an hour or so to a class - kids and workaholic hubby make that impossible. Its a shame, as I really would like to think about showing Dylan when he is old enough, and I don't expect to get to great heights, as his markings aren't quite what judges apparently look for, but I want a new hobby, and I thought this could be it - fun for Dylan and fun for me. I don't really know enough to have a bash without ringcraft, and I also thought it would be a good way to find out about local companion shows, which seem to be a bit thin on the ground, unless I am looking in the wrong places!

I'll keep looking out, and if anyone knows of any in the Thanet area of Kent, give me a shout!

Ta!

Jo

I live near Stafford too - have got a number for a training class somewhere, I don't think they do ringcraft, but they will know someone who does...? Whereabouts are you?

Chloe :)

there is a ringcraft at Sandon in Stafford on a Monday night,
if you would like the details email me and i will let you know,
I dont go there but i do have some friends that do.

Just had a squizz at your site - its very good. Beautiful dogs. Would love a rotti, but have a huge Dane... maybe in the future.

:)

DON'T WANT TO GIVE TOO MUCH INFO IN A POST BUT I LIVE VERY CLOSE TO ALTON TOWERS. THANKS FOR ANY INFO YOU CAN GIVE ME!
LIZ

You're so lucky living so close to Alton Towers! A big group of us travel up each year - it takes us three hours! We normally set off at 6am to catch the park just as it opens!

Have you got hounds? Did you know that the big Hound show is being held at Stafford this year?

Lady G

Oh Lady G if you can you must come to the Houndshow. It is probably one of my all time favourite shows. Watching the parade of Hound Paxcks is also fascinating, and may be something that we may not have too much longer.

It usually has one of the best entries in most breeds of all multibreed shows, other than perhaps Crufts.

With parades of hound packs, I'm always so impressed at the way the packs can intermingle and there's never a cross word between any of the hounds, who'll most likely be complete strangers to each other. What stunning temperaments!! If only all dogs were bred/trained/socialised to be that good!
:)

yeah were only about 10 minutes away and we get free tickets bcos were so close! he he! :). i didn't know it was the hound show but it sounds ace so ill definately try and go if i can!
Liz

The Houndshow - it does look fantastic doesn't it?! Will you be entering your dogs Babs? I'll certainly try & make it but I don't think I'll subject Bert to the three hour drive, he doesn't like the car too much so he wouldn't be in a good state when we got there.

Plus I'd like the freedom to wander about & watch all the displays without worrying about him stuck in a cage or in the car on a hot day. Anyone got a space in their car for me or need someone to share the driving with? One advanced driver available for 2nd August if you wish to make use of my services!

i don't think so because only got a cocker and shes pregnant at the mo any way! v excited! anyway like you said would probably prefer to walk around and watch. hope i can go tho and i don't end up working instead because shud be a gud day!

Hi LadyG,

I know I've 'spoken' to you before about our favourite topic ie Beagles! I didn't realise the Hound Show was quite so interesting. I thought it was just a champ show (although that is quite daunting in itself), although it appears there are other things going on - is that true. Have you been before?? It is true though, that hounds have such wonderful temperments.

The entries are lower than most champ shows, and there is a Special Begginners class in each breed. This class c an only be entered if the dog, owner or handler have never won a CC. In beagles I would imagine there may also be a Novice class (not having won more than 3 firsts at Open or chap shows outside of puppy classes).

I wouold say it is the friendliest champ show I attend.

It seems as if I may have picked a good champ show to enter for my first one. Special beginners will definitely be required. Is there anything nervous owners can take to calm nerves??
Only problem is that we're on holiday for two weeks and the dogs are in kennels, then a week later we've got the hound show. Hope they don't eat too much in kennels. One thing's for sure, a good bath will be in order!!!

Yep will be entering at least one. Am hoping that jozi comes in season before entries close, though I may still have to enter her as I may still be unsuccesful trying to get her mated.

That is the bugbear with Bitches and the entries closing so far ahead. I hate throwing away good money, but if you don't enter then they aren't in season, or don't get mated/in whelp. If you do, then they are bang in season or whatever.

I think I will have to enter both my show girls, and enter one of the Veterans also, as I like to take two.

Sarah, I'm looking at the programme now, there are 26 rings (!) that day, all with different hound breeds being shown. For Beagles, there are two Special Beginners Classes, one for dogs, one for bitches aswell as plenty of puppy classes (Minor Pup/Pup/Junior pup/Special yearling). There is also Imported Register Breeds (Hound) classes which should be very good & attract some interesting breeds - hopefully I will get to see an American Beagle! I thought Bert was one for two years!

Also there are Brace classes, Team classes & it then goes onto the Parade of Working Hounds Class, trophy for best turned out pack! I would HATE to be a kennel assistant on THAT day! Imagine washing, drying, trimming, grooming 20-30 odd dogs! I'd be sorely tempted to chuck 'em all through the car wash with drying, polishing & waxing all included!

Entries close Monday 16th June & it's quite expensive (£15.50 first entry per hound, subsequent entry £2.00). But admittedly, it does look like a fantastic day out & worth the trek just for the Special Beginners Class. If I can get rid of his tear stains before 16th June then I might have a re-think about entering Bert & perhaps travel up the day before...

Lady G

Lady G,

What's the best way of getting rid of tear stains? Willow's eye's are quite runny at the moment, I think a lot of it is to do with digging in the garden. When I asked at one of our ringcraft clubs, someone just suggested wiping the eyes with cotton wool everyday, or trying something, she thought was called Diamond white (I thought that was a cider).
Incidently, when we went to America last year I was really surprised at how many beagles we saw - they're very popular in America

'Diamond Eye' is the product she's thinking about.

It didn't work on my dog.

Oh Sarah, you are SO asking the wrong person! I've been yapping on about tear stains & asking how to get rid of them for the last week!

I've tried a specific tear stain removing product I bought from a champ show for the last 10 days, you're supposed to mix it with very hot water then using cotton wool, stroke it upwards against the stain every day & within a few days, the stains are supposed to 'miraculously' disappear. WRONG!! I've been using it every day for the past 10 days & they are no different whatsoever.

Someone else has suggested bicarb of soda mixed with water, I've bought some today so I'll try it & let you know how I get on. Also, a 'top beagle groomer' recommended to me by the Beagle Club advised getting a pair of very small, sharp nail scissors & simply trimming the hairs right back, which I've done. (Very dangerous though so take your time & do it when they're half asleep lying down in bed, less likely to jerk away & end up with scissors in the eye) You then use the tear stain remover after this on the stubbly hairs then daub baby oil over them once you've finished to stop fresh tear tracks forming. The idea is that the old stained hairs will eventually fall out & the new hairs are protected by the oil & stain removing product. A laborious process but I shall give it a go & use the bicarb solution instead of this naff product.

I noted all the beagles at the show had nice clean eyes with no stains so I'm determined not to let Bert down & ruin his chances at those all important rosettes!!

Lady G