I am just a little curious as to where you find out about shows in your own area.Is it a really expensive hobby to get in to?

Firstly, yes it can get expensive and it involve alot of spending and very little, if any, income! Entry fees, petrol, leads, suits, crate etc etc all adds up!! I'd say every open show I do costs £5-10, and another 10-15 in petrol and the only things you win are rosettes(which I usually sponsor anyway!!), money sometimes(companions shows have more money prizes than opens!), but the fun far out weighs any financial loss! Champ shows are much more expensive, esp. if your breed has tickets, eg. we took the girls up to GBAS in November, 1 entered(tickets offered), 1 NFC and the entry fee alone was about £30 plus about the same, prob. more in petrol so that gives you an idea.
Not wishing to put you off, just don't expect to make any money!!!
We only started showing last July, had only been to a few shows befoe that so I found a local ringcraft class and did a few little companion shows then took the plunge and entered a few opens, and we've never looked back since!! I learn a little bit more at each show and ringcraft I attend, its a great hobby and if I have a weekend without a show, I sometimes find myself with mothing to do, wishing I did have a show to go to!!
Watch out though, its highly addictive and you may even find that you current dog doesn't quite make the grade, perfect excuse to add another!!! I only set out to show our 2 as practse for when I got my new pup but me and Kayla have done quite well and we always enjoy our day, whether we win or not, at the end of it I ALWAYS take home the best dog-mine!!!!
Hope this helps :)
Emily xxx

Would like to second what ER has said and just say...yes it can be expensive depending on which level you wish to show at,how often ,how many dogs etc BUT to me its a day out and don't consider that it is expensive for a full days 'entertainment'....you will also learn a lot and make new freinds with similar interests.
You can find details of shows in the dog papers...'Our dog' and 'Dog world' available at large newsaganets or online at www.prodogs.co.uk
Archer

Thanks

If you can keep things in perspective, and rationalise that (1) it is a hobby, and hobbies cost money, its fine.....it's when it becomes less of a hobby and more of a way of life that it REALLY becomes expensive :D :D D:

Margot

If you limit yourself to how much invovement you can afford then it compares well.

A recent trip to the picturtes for 4 people with Popcorn and a drink cost me £50.  Then add Bus fare or Petrol.

A day at an Open show will cost me about £20.  A day at a Champ show will cost me about £60 when I enter two dogs and pay half petrol.  Without CCs a champ show will cost me about £45.

I do about 10 champ shows a year, and about the same number of 5 Open shows and 5 champ shows without CCs.

To find local shows buy both or one of the dog papers (our dogs or dog world) and shows are listed there.  I will advise you to go nd watch, talk to people in your breed, you will learn so much just by watching and talking.  Also find a ringcraft, get yourself and the dog trained.

Although the shows are expensive, for me they are enjoyable and this makes it all worth the while!, I love going to all shows and although compete regulary at champshows, it's also nice to go to companion shows in the summer for a fun day out, take all the dogs and have a picnic!!!!!

Got to agree with the others it can be as expensive as you want it to be.  We went to all bar two champ shows and did dozens of opens as were chasing a JW but then we are addicts!  My arguement is I dont smoke or drink so I have got to have a vice.  Since I started showing it has opened up a whole new world and have made some really close friends although there are some people I have met who I wish I hadnt but thats a whole new story.

I dont think it suits everyone but unless you try you wont know.