we are going to nostell priory craft show on 22nd june.there are some companion classes on and i thought i would enter zak for some fun.and fun it will be because zak just wants to play with everything,so i cant imagine him trotting around a ring and doing as i tell him(have never done ringcraft or attended any fun show yet).i will let you know if i fall flat on my face or if he manages to escape to go play.i just thought i would go for a look really because i have intentions of showing my kerry pup when he is old enough.hopefully it will be a fun day and the weather will stay fine.
where did you all start when you decided to show?straight in at champ shows or a little fun first?
mel :)

Hi, firstly excuse me for being ignorant, but where about is Nostell priory? I'm assuming it's somewhere in Yorkshire.
I've only just started showing with our puppy and have been to a few fun/companion dog shows as I think they are a good way getting practice. We've also been to a few open shows although you can find at open shows, depending on the breed and the judge, that you don't get many entries, so you could be the only entry, which is annoying when you've paid good money and travelled, what might be a fair way. However, on the positive side, they are fairly inexpensive - about £3 a class and I certainly, as a beginner, would rather get practice at an open show than to go straight to a champ show, where you could pay @ £15 and have your dog show you up. At the last open show, my puppy was sick near enough at the judges feet - lovely!! - especially as she's been eating cat poo!!!!

However, we have entered a champ show in August so hopefully she'll (and we) will be more experienced by then. I know a lot of breeders go staight for the champ shows because it is here that you can get your champion status, which is important if you're thinking of breeding and of course, you can qualify for Crufts.

It's also a good idea to join your local ringcraft as they usually have training and match nights - whereby they arrange a mini show where they get an outiside judge in.

Most importantly, hope you have fun on Sunday - should be a warm day. Also by doing fun or open shows you'll find out if your dog likes to be shown - some dogs just aren't happy in the show ring. This happened to our other beagle, so we just gave up as she shyed away from the judge and would not show herself when she walked. - She stood perfectly - but that is all I can say.

That's my opinion, anyway. I'm sure you'll get tips from more experienced people - I'd be interested to hear from them as well!

thank you for your reply,
nostell priory is in west yorkshire on doncaster road,there is an admission charge of £4 per adult i think.and each class is £1 per entry.there is a web site with details and directions http://www.craft-show.co.uk it has all other events on as well. we are hoping to use both our dogs at stud when they are old enough so i would like to have a bit of something behind them,even if it is only fun shows.good luck with your showing.
mel :)
p.s is it beagles you have?

Yes, I we have two beagles. One who's 9 months old who we've started showing, and the other is nearly 6 years (who didn't like being shown). We've been doing agility with for the past 12 months and she loves it.

Hi,
I am a member of PADS, The People And Dogs Society that is running the dog shows at Nostell. I will be taking the entries at Nostell Priory on both days so please come and say hello. It was brilliant fun last year. The prizes this year are fantastic and we had two really good days last year. It is just outside Wakefield and is in easy reach of Barnsley, Doncaster, Leeds.
Hope to see you there,
Best Wishes
Amy

we will come and say hi to you,
you cant miss us myself,hubby,3 girls mini schnauzer and kerry blue puppy.what classes are there this year,as the site says it cant guarentee which ones will be on?
i am only interested for fun at the moment though.zak(mini)would be best at something like most friendly dog but i will have a go in the ring with him(maybe)
see you there
mel :)

Hiya,

Exemption shows (before they were re-named Companion dog shows) used to have 4 pedigree classes, Any Variety Puppy, AV sporting, AV non sporting, and AV open. Over here in Wales, we mainly have companion dog shows, as a side show to horse and pony shows, and we still just have the four classes. But, as far as I know, the KC has recently ruled that there can be more pedigree classes at companion dog shows, and there is no restriction on prize money.

I have to say, I love companion dog shows, they are a lot of fun, and there's a very relaxed atmosphere, so they are a great place to learn, for you and your dog. We are going to one this Saturday with our German shepherd, and I'm really looking forward to it!

Good luck, take care

Lisa

Dear Mel,
Looking forwards to seeing you there. Most of the people that enter have never been in a ring before and it is such good fun. There is usually a good crowd cheering you all on and the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed.
The classes we are running on each day are shown below.
PEDIGREE CLASSES

Class 1 Any Variety Puppy (6 – 9 months)

Class 2 Any Variety Puppy (9 – 12 months)

Class 3 Any Variety Junior (12 – 18 months)
Class 4 Any Variety Sporting

Class 5 Any Variety Non Sporting

Class 6 Open




BEST IN SHOW, RES. BEST IN SHOW, BEST PUPPY



NOVELTY CLASSES

Class 7 Companion Dog Class
(Open to KC Companion dog members only

Prizes for all who enter - plus a prize for everyone who joins The Club on the day)

Class 8 Spectators Choice

Class 9 Best Crossbreed

Class 10 Best Veteran (7 & over)

Class 11 Best Rescue

Class 12 Junior handling (6 – 11 years)


Class 13 Junior Handling (12-16 years)

Class 14 Best Condition Short Coat

Class 15 Best Condition Long Coat

Class 16 Best Dog within 20 miles of showground

Class 17 Prettiest Bitch

Class 18 Handsome Dog

Class 19 Waggiest Tail

Class 20 Most Appealing Eyes

Class 21 Judges Choice

Class 22 Dogs not having won a prize today




BEST IN SHOW NOVELTY, RES. BEST IN SHOW NOVELTY

PLEASE NOTE: ALL 1ST PRIZE WINNERS FROM CLASSES 7 – 22 STAY FOR BEST IN SHOW NOVELTY

Best Wishes
Amy

thanks amy
is there a limit to how many you can enter?
also is there a schedule or is it a case of come early and find out the times then?
mel :)

Dear Mel,
There is a schedule on our website, www.padsonline.org, under new events. We open for entries at 10.30 am but the judging does not start until 1.30pm. It is entirely up to you how many classes you enter, most people enter a few, love it and come rushing back to the tent to enter even more classes!
We also have the Horbury show the week after on the 29th June, details of this are on the website, so you can take your pick of three shows in one week!
I just hope the weather holds.
Best Wishes
Amy

we are going to the horbury show as well,thanks for the site address
mel :)