Can anybody please confirm which is the correct side from which to lead your dog in the show ring?

Thanks.

Both!

Basically you have to keep your dog between you and the judge, so you must train you dog to go equally well on either side of you.

If the judge is standing at one side of the ring, and you have to move the dog past him, both ways, you have to 'change sides' when you turn round.

If the judge is in the centre of the ring and wants you to move round anticlockwise (the usual way) the dog will be on your left. If you have to turn and go round clockwise (it still happens!) the dog must be on your right.

Hope this helps.
:)

It does! Thanks. Thinking about it I can't believe I didn't figure that one out for myself - obviously the judge isn't interested in seeing how the humans trot around the ring. :rolleyes:

Doh!

Jo

Just as well, really! ;) I mean, have you seen some of the handlers?

:D

Hehe, no, but I'm going to pay extra-special attention at my first dog show!

Jo

What a treat awaits you! ;)

LOL JG, I am one of THOSE handlers!!!! Make the earth shake :D :D

:D @ Brainless!!
Is that the way to get CCs? Vibrate the opposition out of the ring? :D :D

Right, sod ringcraft classes, I'm hitting the donuts before my first show! 20 a day from now until October should do it.

Thanks for the tip girls!

:D :D

Let me know when and where and I'll bring the camera!!!! :D :D :D

Thanks for raising the question Jo - I just thought that my dog should stay on the same side all the time! Ahh so much to learn!

Dexy

ive done ok, and mine are always on my left, if the judge wants to be looking at the other side they normally cross the ring for you coming back down it,
i think if you watch you'll find most keep there dogs on the same side at all times :)

I expect it depends on the size of the entry to a certain extent, Dizzy - in classes of 20 or so the judge would wear a track across the ring if he crossed over each time! I've always had to get the dog to change sides.
:)
Addition: I remember hearing of the surprise of exhibitors in Oz when a doyenne of the breed here was doing an overseas judging appointment, and wanted the class to move both clockwise and anticlockwise! Many of the dogs had never moved on the handlers' right, and it caused great consternation!

id imagine a class of 20 would be a champshow, not too often found at open shows, so at a champshow the ring size normally allows the judge to see enough movement going around.
i was really meaning at open shows the judges normally cross over the mat :D

Or a breed open show, Dizzy! (Not a general).

No, with us, ring routine is whole class round twice, then individual 'going over' including up-and-down twice, (once to and from the judge, then the judge goes to one side of the ring and the dog is moved past him in both directions, so the dog has to change sides at the far end). There may well be further whole class and individual moving later on, too.
:)