Its all too much!  :-(

Whilst I'll only ever go to charity fun dog shows, it would still be nice if Millie had a proper show lead rather than a big red collar and lead.  And when I say proper I don't mean professional, just a basic simple show lead that will get used approx. twice a year.

However, there's so many kinds of show leads that I don't know where to start. 

In what way do they all differ and what kind of basic show lead would you recommend for a numpty like me who only wants to use it twice a year on their little Scottie in a charity show? :-D

P.S., I know you CAN use your old red collar and lead in a charity show, and I have been doing so, but since Millie won a first at her second ever show, I feel I should be putting in more of an effort on her behalf so as not to embarrass her :-D

Snob ;)

A tartan one would be good for a scottie

LOL :-D

But EVERYONE with a Scottie or Westie has a tartan collar!

Also because she tries to trip me up and doesn't really heel, or stand, or lift her head up, or anything (basically she sits, facing the wrong way, with her head down!) I'd like to do a bit of practice with her - but if I got her normal lead out she'd start doing somersaults because its time for a walk and she'd never concentrate so I was also thinking that a proper show lead that I could put on just for in the garden for doing practice in walking nicely might be a good idea. 

Has anyone got any tips for me, pretty please! :-D

I want to buy one asap and I don't understand the difference in them :-(

Hi Jess, Sorry about being flippant and suggesting tartan :) .  I show labs so a bit different but would imagine show leads would be similar. I use a simple slip lead the same colour as my dogs. ie brown for chocolate lab, black for black lab and a sort of creamy coloured on for yellow lab. Try to get a lead that is as close to the colour of your dog as possible, this way the lead will not detract from the dog, or split it in two :) . Show leads come in different thicknesses so you will have to judge which would suit your dog best. Am I right in saying that scotties and westies have their heads held high, if so you would want a lead that would hold her in the correct position but does not cut into her neck if she pulls. Hope this helps.

Kay

That's fab, thanks Kayc!

I don't know too much about showing Scotties (well, nothing in fact!) but from pictures of show dogs, they do have their heads up (trying to think of the Scottie that came 2nd in Crufts, Raglan Rose) but Millie definately does need encouragement in lifting her head up.  in fact, she's so lazy she needs encouragement in everything including standing up for more than 2 seconds! :-D

sounds like my max at puppy training max is top of the class at stay work basically because when I tell him to stay and back off from him I can tell he is thinking thank god for that! he is quite happy to stay still while I walk backwards and forwards!

Yes!

Millie was best in her puppy training at staying, the only one who actually did it on the final (prize) night, and I thought how good she was, but you're right, she was just enjoying the sit-down! :-D

max is just bone idol unless he is with his sisters then he is like a puppy possesed!! ;) He really is a character and has us in stitches every day. His thoughts and opinions are always plastered all over his face. He does a look of disgust perfectly!

ahhh now for getting the heads up you need something they would sell their soul for, eg. strong cheese, liver cake, sausage, the list is endless but make it something you are happy to have in your pockets :)  then all you have to do is put the treat by your face and say "watch me" or similar :D if they know you have something scrummy around you you've got their attention.  Of course its easier said than done, it all takes practise :) :)

I'd decided to go for the slip lead, but when I looked on pets etcetera, they came in all different sizes.  Waaaaaaaaaah!  I pondered for a day or so, then decided I needed to ask a Scottie owner but didn't know any.  In the end I emailed the Secretary of the Scottish Breeders and Exhibitors Association to ask for her advice.  Firstly she suggested going to a breed or champ show to talk with other Scottie owners but when she realised where I lived and that was not possible, she emailed me back to say she had gone through her box of show stuff and found a lead that she had two of, and she sent it to me free of charge, which arrived this morning.

How nice is that?! :-D

Must send her a pic of Millie wearing it to say thanks. As soon as I can get her to stand still in it.  And her post-op leg hair grows back lol. 

I still can't get over how nice that was of her though!