I want to start showing Holly and I haven't got a clue how to start :( :( Does she need to be 6mths before she can be shown, she's not quite 5mths now? What sort of shows are the best for a 'virgin' handler and dog of a popular breed? How long before a show does the entry list close?

HELP!!!!!

Fiona
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Sorry haven't got a clue - Just wanted to wish you luck:D

Good luck and enjoy........:)

Anita

they need to be 6 months and pre-entered, not just turn up on the day, was she bought as a show dog, if not you might not be doing the breeder any favours showing her, id have a word and discuss wether or not the pup has show potential-has it got a scissor bite, top teeth closely overlapping the bottom, ask someone who knows the breed what your chances are of her going in the ring, theres a lot more to it than you think??? ,good luck either way :) they also need to have a very steady temperament around lots of people and other dogs etc, they have to be handled by a perfect stranger-the judge-!!! who'll look in her mouth, run their hands down her body, perhaps cup her head and look at expression, do you think holly would enjoy it?

The best place to start even if your dog isn't of show quality is exemption shows, they are really good fun and light hearted. Everbody has to start somewhere, just hope you don't get as hooked as some of us old veterans.

Hi Diane,

Where can I get lists of the exemption shows???

Thanks,

Fiona
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It is difficult but look in local papers, vets notice boards, pet food shops, ringcraft and other training classes and open shows. Sorry no one single list available although they have to be licensed by the KC one would have thought it should be possible for one to be published, perhaps we should all write to the dog press asking for such a list should be published. Jackie H

Hi Linda,

I think Holly would enjoy it, although I won't really know until she's done a few shows. I'm going to give it 6 shows and then if she's not settled at all, admit defeat and retire her from the show ring. She likes adults and is getting a lot better with children and crowds

We saw the breeder of her dad today and she thought that Holly had potential, I'm not sure if she was just being nice though :) The receptionist at the vets judges Cockers and she was impressed with Holly, apparantly she stands very well :D

Holly is going to the vets in a few weeks for a full health check and I'll be able to talk to the receptionist then. So far as I can tell she's breed standard, but I'm far from an expert. :D :D :D

Thanks,

Fiona
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Fiona, You could try and find a ring training class nearby. That will show you if Holly doesnt mind someone going over her as a judge would, without wasting entry fees. My local class also has match evenings once a month which are very low key shows that puppies under 6 months can join in. Hopefully there will be other cocker people there willing to help you with the handling, grooming etc. Good luck, showing can be great fun.

I would not even contemplate starting to show her until you have both been to ringcraft classes. there Holly will get used to being put on the table and gone over by a Judge, and you and she will learn how to move her at the right pace to show her movement off to advantage.

shows tend to have entries closing some 4 to 8 weeks before the event. So you would need to be entering them now for when she reaches 6 months.

You will need to get either Our dogs or Dog World Newspapers ordered at the Newsagent, these have all the show adverts, show results, and breed notes and doggy articles!

Hi Fiona

Have you still got the contact numbers for the ringcraft classes near to you that I sent you a while ago? Ringcraft classes are essential if you want to have a go at showing - you'll get taught how to handle Holly & you'll also get a good idea whether she will enjoy showing or not. If you fancy having a go at showing, start going to classes for a while & then when you have learnt the basics & once Holly is 6 months old, you can think about entering some exemption shows (charity events, very informal, pay entry fees on the day) & some Open Shows (closing dates for entries usually a month or so before the show) Details for these shows can be found in the weekly dog papers (Dog World or Our Dogs) which you can order from your newsagent. Don't even think about entering the bigger Championship shows for a while - many novices get put off showing all together because they throw themselves in the deep end & enter Champ shows straight away. This isn't a good idea as Cockers are numerically popular & very competitive - it's going to take you a fair while to learn how to handle & also to trim to a high standard & until you do have these skills, you won't be able to compete with the experienced exhibitors. You also need to know whether Holly is in fact good enough to show - if you didn't buy her for show, then she will not necessarily be show quality, even if she has a reasonably good pedigree. Very few Cockers bought as pets end up good enough to show at the higher levels of competion but you can have a lot of fun at the smaller shows where competition isn't so intense as at the Champ shows.

Good luck!

Jane

Thanks Jane. We've got a Ringcraft class in Camberley and I've spoken with her breeder this evening. She's happy for us to show Holly as she was debating which puppy to keep Holly or her litter sister to bring on for show.

I've started trimming her up properly and her coat is nearly ready to pull. Does it matter if she's not been properly stripped, because of her age, when I start to show her?

Fiona
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Oh good - glad you've got a ringcraft class sorted :-) It's not expected that a 6 month Cocker pup will be fully stripped out (though some are, not necessarily by hand though :-) ) but they should look reasonably tidy, feet neatly trimmed, head stripped out as much as possible etc. Once you start going to ringcraft, you'll meet other Cocker breeders who'll be able to give you guidance on the trimming - I know a couple of nice Cocker people who go to the Camberley classes so you should be ok there :-)

Jane

I showed buffy for the first time on sunday, and although i have only had her for about three months, i took her to our ringcraft club straight away to get her used to being handled, and also learn how to stand her as i am a gsd person, she still needs to body up and grow her coat, but once that comes she should be up with the rest of the dogs that are on the show circuit, luckily the breeder doesnt live to far from me so he did her coat for me, and at least now i know how it should be kept, good luck with your showing, and when you start to do open shows we might be up against one another one day, you never know, buffys proper name is velderbee misty lady, so if you see that name in the catalogue you know i am there:D