Its my dogs first ever show next week......AND MINE !!! Imagine I'm going to be quite nervous, so I just hope I can remember everything we've done at Ringcraft. Anyone have any tips for first timers ?
Dave

Make a list of the stuff you will need and double check you have everything on it ;)

Show lead
Titbits
Wipes
Poo bags
grooming stuff
water bowl
etc etc

Relax , watch what everyone else does and listen to the Judge

ENJOY!

Melody :) - Good Luck! I remember my first show last June ..sooo nerve wracking ;)

... and don't forget the dog!! :D

Good luck - enjoy yourselves!

Margot

It is nerve wracking .
We have only been in about six shows and its still scarey .
Make sure you take a pin to hold your number on with when in the ring . This is what we forgot when we first went .
And plenty of water for your dog .
Hope its cooler by then . We are in a Champ show on Saturday
Good luck :)
Lel

I always take a towel, ok it may not rain, but when you fill the water bowl and put it on the floor, guess where your dog will sit. Some small change so if you want a coffee or to buy a catalouge you don't have to change a £20 note. If you are going on your own, take only the money you may need, stealing at shows is not common but it does happen. Most shows have water taps but some dogs will not drink strange water, I found a small amount of milk will encourage them to drink which they should do.

edited to say don't forget the most important thing, enjoy

Thanks to all for the advice. One thing I did forget to ask was what clothes to wear. I know blokes wear trousers, shirt, tie and jacket at the Champ shows, but what is permissible at an Open show ? Is it OK just to wear a decent pair of trousers and an open necked shirt without a tie ? Don't want to get their and look stupid !!!

Sorry to be so naive !!

PS. If anyones at Newark next Wednesday, look out for a nervous wreck in the Weimaraner pup class. ( Me...not the dog...hopefully )

Dave

Yup , thats fine ..just as long as you look tidy :)

Best of Luck , Newark is nice we do quite a few shows there

Mel :)

I'm at Newark on wednesday, well I have dogs booked in. Cloths this applies to Open and Champ shows anything that is comfortable and you are not going to think about. What ever you choose should be clean and respectabal. You can wear shorts, but not too short and the same goes for skirts. Tops should cover your modesty.

Some breeds do wear 'special' sorts of cloths but if yours is one of those you will only know that when you have been to a few shows and it is usualy to Champ shows. What ever your breed you will see all sorts of cloths and people in the ring an you will be just another so relax and enjoy.

Well, TODAYS THE DAY !!!! Our first show at Newark. Went to ringcraft last night. At least hes consistent.......7 matches.....Won 0....Lost 7.

Hes definitely a lot better recently. I was told last night that someone in our club ALSO never won at a match night, yet won everywhere in Open Shows.

Lets just hope this runs true for us as well. Everyone who sees him says what a lovely dog he is and that he should do his fair share of winning. I'm not going hoping for anything today, just to learn and enjoy myself. Lets face it, anything better than last is a step in the right direction. This at least will be his first show in a breed class.

FINGERS CROSSED.......and thanks to all who have answered my questions over the last month to help.

I'll let you know tomorrow how we got on.....( Hope we're not the only Weim there )....just our luck !!

Dave

Good luck p we've got fingers & paws crossed for you!!

First in ring 2 ahh! will keep a look out for a lovely pup and a nervious handler, all the best and enjoy.

Well Dave how did it go, I came along and had a look but did not know which you were, but it was a large class of lovely pups, so who ever you were you have a smashing pup.

Hi Jackie ( and everyone who helped me through )

We came FOURTH but for our first ever show, but the feelings inside me when we were actually realised we were fourth...wow..it felt as though we had won. It felt absolutely fantastic. If you were standing at the entrance to the ring, we would have been standing on your far right, as we were the last in the line. It was very nervewracking but we came through OK. I don't think I'll be quite as nervous next week ( Newark on Wednesday again ) now we've done it once. I think my wife Elaine was more nervous than I was. At least we know what to do now. If you are there again next week, it'd be nice to meet you. I'll more than likely be wearing black trousers and a blue short sleeved shirt.

I'm still under no illusions that just because we came fourth this week, we'll do better next week. I'll be just happy if Ozzy behaves himself in the ring. Whatever place we get then I'll be happy with, even if he doesn't get placed at all.

Everyone who we met yesterday for the first time were so friendly, a great bunch of people. I think I've definitely caught the showing bug.

Oh, by the way Ozzy is Cavalmist Chief if you see him in the schedule.

Once again, thanks to EVERYONE who has helped me over the past weeks, by answering all of my queries on this site. You have all helped so much and I owe my FOURTH place to you all.

THANKS !!!!!!!!!!!!

Dave

PS There were 7 in the Puppy Class

WELL DONE !!! :D
Ist it a fantastic feeling when you are placed ??? I always wonder why on earth I get so nervous as I love Gus to bits and obviously think hes the best dog there even if hes not placed -
Well done again and big fuss for Ozzy :)
Lel

Glad you had a good time and did well :)

Congratuations!!

Isn't it a lovely feeling ... then you start thinking - mmm - Crufts ..... getting placed .......maybe winning ...after all, you KNOW you have the very best dog that there is!!!!:D :D :D

Margot

After all, we have to dream!!

Dave. Well done, that was a nice class and not small, that is a really good result. You must have done OK I only saw one pup who would not be handled and that was not yours.

To be honist, daft bat that I am, I had forgotten you were a male and stood paying attention to the ladies in the ring until the last moment when I remembered that women are not normaly called Dave.

Have not entered next week but may go along if I remember it's on and this time I will know what I am looking for.

Jackie

Well Done, glad you enjoyed the day and Ozzy did really well, there's no escape now, you have been bitten by the bug and dog shows will be taking over and of course the dogs!!!
Karen.

Well done - and from what sounds like it in a very strong class as well! It's a great feeling!

Wendy

Well done Dave!!

....and may you continue to enjoy your dog shows!!!