Hi!

I have already posted about getting a cavvie puppy in the summer (fingers crossed). I did say she would be a pet, but was wondering if it very hard to get into showing? I have never shown before, and only ever gone to funday dog shows with novelty classes. If I did want to get into showing would this affect the type of puppy I should get, I think markings would be more important??(I'm not brushing aside health issues, as I would never have a puppy from parents whose hearts and eyes hadn't been tested and were healthy, so that would be a requirement regardless of showing). Also wondered if it very difficult to get into showing??Just soe general advice would be very welcome. Thanks

HIya MrsB

Getting a puppy for show will change the puppy you get.  You will want one of show qulity and marking will have to be correct (Not totally sure what markings, if any should be on a cavvie.)

To get into showing is easyish.  You will have to find out about shows, this can be done from the dog papers (our dogs and dog world).  Also it is a good idea to find a local ringcraft in your area.  The kennel club will have a list of all the registared clubs.

Talk it thu with the breeder of your pup, she/he should be able to help you with the ins and outs of showing a cavvie and find you a show qulity one.   Plus they should know of any cavvie breed shows coming up that maybe you could go to and just watch and talk to different people.

Rox

If you can go to a Championship show on Toy day watch the showing see which dogs you like and when the person has finished showing their dog go and tell them you really like their dog and want to get into showing and need to find a breeder of puppies who are show prospects. Now if the person breeds you are in, if not they may well take you to some breeders who you can talk to, pick one or two you feel you can get on with and ask to be put on their puppy list for a show quality puppy.

Now please bear in mind no breeder can guarantee you will have a winning dog, but as they know you will be showing something that has there Affix so they will be keen to make sure you have a pup with potential and be prepared to help you as much as they can.

Thanks for the replies. I think it's a good idea to try and speak to someone at a show...am going to crufts this year, and I think you have made my mind up as to which day I'm going!!

Also, is it right that if one wanted to show a dog they can't be spayed or neutered, and does anyone prefer what sex they show?

apparently they can be spayed/neutered nowdays, you have to send off a letter to the KC informing them about it.
Gina
PS If you definately wanted to neuter/spay, some say that judges can be biased against neutered dogs as they can tell whereas you can't tell with a spayed bitch. 

Dogs can't be spayed or castated unless for medical reasons, and then you will have to get permission from the kennel club.

Normally in the ring  dogs will do better then bitches as they are bigger and flashyer with more coat, tho this is not always the case.  Also with dogs you will not have to worry about seasons with a dog.

In the end it is all personal.

Saying that once you have had one dog to show will will proberly end up with another one so in the end you could have 3 of each!!!!!

Rox

Sorry Icequeen you are not correct there, you can neuter for reasons of avoiding procreation you just need to tell the KC that the dog is neutered before you show.

Dogs are at a disadvantage and coated bitches may have a coat change the will count against them.

Sorry my mistake.  Thank you for correcting me and I apolagise for giveing out incorrect information:(  Well know I have been put right (thanks to Jackie H:D ) I will not get that one wrong again!

Rox

Ice Queen your first statement is incorect.  The kennel club formerly allowed neutered animals to be shown as long as they had registered progeny(had been bred from).  About 15 years ago now they changed their attitude on this matter, and dogs or bitches that were neutered are allowed to be shown providing the Kennel Club is informed. Nothing to do with health reasons.

Mrs B :D

If you have a Cavalier spayed it is unlikley to grow a coat that would hinder it's chances in the ring, as sadly most spaniels coats change for the worse and become untypical.

Manchester Cahmpionship show is on next weekend at Stafford County Showground.  You might care to go there on toy day which is the 17th January.  It won't be quite as packed as Crufts, and may be easier to find breeders to talk to.  Of course you can go to Crufts also :D

I would advise doing it that way, as Cavaliers being such a strong breed in numbers quality really varies an awful lot from real pet quality that would look out of place in the ring (usually these breeders don't show), to top class exhibits who can place and win in the large classes at Championship shows, and should be able to do well at Open shows.

At Crufts also there's the Discover Dogs stand where you can go and meet up with some of the owners and breeders of Cavie's and ask them questions and they should also be able to give you information on the breed.  GOod luck in your search.   Just have to say though, that this breed usually have one of the largest entries at shows :d  Still if you are like me you would enjoy just going to the show and meeting people who have a similar interest, winning isn't everything!!

Hi Mrs B
when we were looking for Gus our Staffy we were looking for a pet only but he has a decent pedigree and after talking to a number of people who showed , we decided to give it a go.
We visited shows when he was tiny to get an idea of what went on etc and took him to handling classes as soon as he was old enough.
We only started showing in May of this year and already he has qualified for Crufts :)
Crufts has its ups and downs , its frustrating , its brilliant but its damn addictive and even when you arent placed you always think ... maybe the next time
Good luck :)

ok ok ok brainless I had apolagised after Jackie H had corrected me.  I now know and I feel that you message was rude  (aswell as sarcastic).

Rox

rox-----not taking sides  :D    but i dont find brainlesses post  rude or sarcastic   :rolleyes:

Rox, neither I nor Barbara meant to correct you in an unpleasant way we were just trying to make sure the poster was not misinformed. Apologies are not needed, you said what you thought correct.  Barbara, Brainless, may not have read my post before answering yours, we all make mistakes so don't get upset, that's my job.

Ermm Jackie I wasn't getting at you.  Your post was just correcting my misunderstanding of the KC rules.  It was the fact that barbara carried it on, ok so maybe she didnt read your post but shall we leave it as this?  I really don't want to make a big deal about it, I just got onto the high horse again!

PLus this bored could really do without me making a bad atmosphere:)

Rox

Rox
sometimes two posters can post at the same time - thus making it look like someone is repeating the same information. :)

No sarcasm intended Ice Queen :D  I hadn't seen Jackie H reply at time I posted as I use the unread posts, and by the time I get from top to bottom new posts may well have been added before I will have seen them.

I fail to see where I have been rude or sarcastic????  but appologies if I came across that way. :D

My mother and i have recently started showing cavs after years of showing irish setters and must say that we have felt really welcomed into the breed, people are always willing to give advice at the shows and are really friendly. We did have a long hunt for our dogs, with my mum finally getting an 18 month old bitch from a breeder downsizing her kennels who had already done well in the show ring. I originally wanted a bitch puppy also, and ended up with a little boy instead who is gorgeous! The one point that might be useful for you is if the breeder is a member of the CKCS club rules do stipulate that they can't advertise a puppy as being show potential till it has reached 6 months of age, many breeders run puppies on till they are 6 months to see whether they'll be of the right standard.

Hope this helps!

Erin

Thanks Erin, can I ask where abouts you got your cav's from??