Hi,
Like most people who go to shows, I go to ringcraft for socialisation of my puppy. I also go to practice with an older dog if he/she has been out of the ring for while. At most ringcraft classes, the dogs are gone over and that is pretty much all it is. While in Cinderford some time ago I attended a ringcraft class, which was very popular, and it left me wondering, can we improve general doggy knowledge through the ringcraft classes.
Just to give you an idea of what I mean, some of the stuff they did at this ringcraft, involved handling tips, not just for your breed but for other breeds as well, general confirmation, and movement in dogs was also covered. They had a "guest Judge" every so often and usually asked the guest to give some pointers to the class. They also had an extra time every so often in the class in which they asked either a member of the class or somebody reccommended to go and give a short talk on their chosen breed and handling it in the ring. Condition, coat and nails, for the dog and what not to wear in the ring for the handler. They also gave every member of the class the chance to go over and place the dogs present, or steward a mock class or two.
So my question is what would you like to see included in a ringcraft class? Is there anything you would prefer not to have?
I went to one ringcraft some years ago and asked the person going over the dogs "please do not touch my puppies mouths as they were teething at the time. The instructor insisted saying they had to get used to it, needless to say I left there and then!
What do think would make the ideal ringcraft class?

Hi Polly,
I vary between 3 different ringcraft clubs and all are basically the same - just the usual triange/up and down and 'going over' of the dogs.  No one really knows much about the breed I have, so if I was a complete newcomer I wouldn't even know how to stand my bitch properly.  One ringcraft club that I've heard of do different things, such as making you stand your dog in so many seconds, but I think the club in Cinderford does sound a really good idea.  I would like to know more about confirmation of other breeds and would be  interested in stewarding.  It's one thing reading the breed standards but a lot of the time, it would help if someone pointed this out on the dogs.  One of my clubs has asked for any new ideas so I may bear this in mind (unfortunately, though, at them moment they are unsuccessfully looking for new premises since being chucked out yet again).
sarah

The Ideal is difficult to cater for within the dog world, what suits one dog and owner will not suit another. I too attended 3 different ringcraft clubs, and I go to whichever I think suits my needs at any given time.

The first one is more of a coffee club for show people to meet and chat, there are mats down and you can do and work on what ever you feel is needed, ask anyone to go over your dog, practice on your own, just let the dog socialise or discus problems showing or grooming or anything other you are having over the table with a cup of coffee and a sausage roll. They do not hold matches. This is the one I use first with a puppy because it has a relaxed atmosphere and everyone is happy to give your pup a cuddle.

The second could not be more different, it is crowded, noisy and everyone lines up for their turn, they have two instructors and I guess they would answer questions if you asked but it is not encouraged. They hold matches once a month. Only take experienced dog to this one.

The third also has two instructors, but has a better atomsphier, you usualy only get one session with each of the instructor but if you need help it is given, so one week you will get more than your moneys worth of attention and the next your will give way to someone who needs more help. They hold matches 4 times a year.

I am a complete novice to showing and for the first 5 lessons at ringcraft  I stood my dog the same way as all the others (he is the only staffie there) I placed him sideways to the judge in front of me, it was not until some weeks later I learnt that you had to face them to the judge.

The Cinderford club is closed now, the owner living in Spain where she is running an equally successful club. I agree that it would be impossible to be all things to all people, but if you can get most of it right, then I think it is worth the effort.

I like the sound of your ringcraft clubs, the one Jackie mentions for experienced dogs..... I think that might even frighten me! lol

Anyway I am just back at ringcraft having not had a puppy for showing since 1995!!! I was expecting the ringcraft to be pretty much a case of having your dog gone over, and that is about it. The one I am going to at the moment every member of the club takes a turn to do the instruction so there is not a regular instructor.

As I have shown dogs for years, I do know what I am doing. However I do know what Bosun means, about not knowing he should have been standing his staff facing in to the judge. All breeds are different and to some extent the way they are handled is different. Flatcoats for example, always were shown "free standing" bait if it was used was kept out of sight in a pocket, they were not stacked or put into position, and certainly never were allowed to eat bait in the ring in front of a judge. This is now changed. So even within breeds things are always changing. At one time there were many people showing flatcoats on a fine show chain and black lead, before that it was just the black (or brown) lead, which fashion is now back and you'd never see a fine chain.

When the Cinderford club had a guest judge, but this was not a serious match, it was pretty much as an ordinary ringcraft class, except the judge would tell each class member how they and their dog performed that night. They'd offer tips and equally ask questions, so it was as much an exchange of information as a "match". They did have competitions against other clubs, but this was also as much a social occassion as anything.

I do think ringcraft club instructors, whether a guest or regular instructor, should try to help novices, and classes should instruct in more than going over the dog a few times. I am always interested in learning about other breeds and do attend club seminars. I have also been stewarding for years, I started this as I was interested in other breeds, I always put on the letter to a club secretary that I'd steward any breed except my own breed. I have learnt a lot from this. It made me start to look at my own breed and think for example, "Wow that dog has excellent movement" or equally "Mmmmm How did that dog manage to cross the ring?" or "What a beautiful elegant dog that is" or "Oh dear......" This is because I understood how and why other dogs were the way they are that I started to see my own breed with a fresh "eye".

Ringcraft should be a place to get information, an example of this, is my friend did not know about the ShCM award introduced by the KC, when she asked at ringcraft nobody seemed to know about it. When she rang me to ask if I knew about it, I was able to point her in the direction of the Kennel Club, since I had spotted the thread on this on Champdogs. I knew the award existed but no more than that, and since I didn't have a dog to show basically let it slip by me.

Many years ago I had a young Cavalier bitch (she is nearly 14 now) at her first show the judge (a Gundog specialist) inisted on looking at her mouth, even after I had asked that I show the mouth (she was still teething).  He yanked her bottom jaw after telling me she had to learn.  The pup leapt off the table in pain and fear and to this day has never shown with joy again.

I personally don't go near puppies mouths but ask the handler to show me.  I also do this with other classes from a hygine point of view ...... think about it back end of one dog, straight to the mouth of the next .... a sure way to pass infection on.

I train handlers of all ages but particularly junior handlers (the Yorkshire Juniors), my classes are in Bradford on Sunday evenings and all are welcome.

Well done at Redcar .........  very important indeed to discuss all areas of showing and what to wear is a major point.  I have trained Junior Handlers (Yorkshire Juniors) for many years and believe me the juniors know how to dress in the ring (well most of them do).  I always say jeans and trainers for TRAINING but please not in the ring.  Many of our handlers, particularly the kids do find it hard to afford smart show wear but one answer is to check out the charity shops ..  we have had some superb, top quality jackets from this source and never cost much.  Shoes can be everyday school shoes or simply a pair of cheap plimsolls.  Always use a lead to compliment either your dog or your outfit (being involved with juniors, I have leads of almost every colour available).  Hair should be fastened back neatly, many girls use the nets which horse riders use or french plait.  I don't like perfume in the ring, this can distract your own or other dogs.

Please when you have finished a move and the judge dismisses you, do say thank you, it will help the judge remember you.

And remember you entered to ask the judges opinion, if judge doesn't like your dog or your handling, then fine, you don't have to enter under this judge again .... but you did ask for an opinion.

Many people will ask what the judge disliked about the dog or handling, I really don't like to discuss my placings when breed judging, but will tell juniors where they have gone wrong or why I placed in such and such way, this is the only way they can learn and improve.

Competition is or SHOULD be the name of the game, we all enter to win but taking part is more important.

Enjoy your day, a rosette is a bonus not essential.

One more point which I like to stress is ....don't come back and tell me you won the class, but you were the only one in the class .... it is not your fault that no one else was there AND there could have been 20 in the class and you may still have won.

Keep going to ringcraft ... not just when you have a puppy, one day you will have a puppy but the class won't be there ...SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CLASS.

The one ringcraft classes I went to was great for a pup a little like Jackie's everyone pup friendly but like Bosun's they did not have a cue how to show a Stafford the "2 judges" both asked a man who was there with three Bullmastiffs how to show Staffords, buthe wasn't to sure.
We went a couple of times after that, to get Sal used to people going over her but didn't bother when after 4 weeks no one had made even the slightest effort to find out about how Stafford are shown insisting I stand her side on to the judge! I got fed up with trying to explain.

I agree with the clothes though, and only today brought a beige trouser suit, thinking I can use the jacket on it's own and the trousers, also hoping that Sal doesn't jump up with dirty paws before I can get into the ring :)

Karen

   

Juniors always look well turned out, a good ringcraft is worth every penny for both dog and handler what ever age. As is often heard, "there is always something new to learn about dogs" and likewise the show scene which is changing all the time. I was stewarding on Sunday at Henley-on-Thames which is now a premier show, speaking to friends about this, they didn't know what the difference between an ordinary open show and a premier one is. Equally they had not heard of the show certificate of merit, yet both friends regularly attend ringcraft classes. I really think that ringcraft should cover more than just going over the dog two or three times.

I wish they would it would be nice to learn more, and about differnet breeds especially in your group for me that would be terriers.

Karen