hello to all..
my name is emma im a 26yr old dog lover with 3 of my own,
i have been around or involved with dogs since the day i was born and have a real passion for our four legged freinds.
im on here to engage in peoples help and advice about the showrings, as this is something that has interested me since the age of about 14
currently all my  girls and boys are not as desireble to the show world as there more attractive counterparts but what they may lack in looks they certainly make up for with heart.
none of my three are eligeable for the show world...so my first place to start would be obviously finding a new addition for the clan and taking it from there.
Im hoping to aquire helpful infomation on this especially with up and  coming events i just feel at 26 if i dont do it now i never will..any advice is much appreciated look forward to chatting some more thank you for your time.
emma

Oh dear! I'm still wondering about showing for the first time and I'll be 62 next month! So I must have left it a bit late! Don't worry, Emma, I think you've got some time yet. :) :) :) I hope you find the right dog and have a wonderful, long show career.

sorry no offense ment i mean for me if i dont do it now i dont think i will its taking the scary first step for me.
emma

Seriously, find a local ringcraft class to attend, it will enable you to practise in a safe environment and give you confidence. They're usually very social, too, lots of opportunities to meet like-minded doggy people. By the way, I'm not in the least offended - you probably won't believe me, but in many ways I don't feel any different to when I was 26 - inside I'm just the same!

lol thanks very much im in kent so shouldnt be to much prob finding some classes and talking to breeders,

Hi Emma! Don't worry, you're never too old to start! Your best bet is to attend a few shows as a spectator and watch the judging of your favourite breed, studying the catalogue at the same time. That way you'll get a feel for which breeders are most successful, and they're the ones to approach to hopefully go on a waiting list for a puppy. When they understand you're serious then most likely you'll be welcomed with open arms, because all breeds need new 'blood' to carry on the lines when the older breeders retire! They'll also help you decide which is the best puppy to go for, because everyone likes to see 'their' puppies doing well in the ring, especially with newcomers.

So start with the very best puppy you can get and you're less likely to be discouraged early on - though of course even the best dogs don't win all the time!
:)

im considering a rough collie have owned 2 previously and still have one to this day along with a labrador and a springer, all three of mine are what i call raggie dolls (i use this as a term affection) like the old kids show. they are those that no one else wanted, because of bad health or deemed unattrative, to me they are the most beautiful dogs anyone could ask for.
having already previously having the rough collie breed several times i think has influenced that desision though.
thanks emma

Hi Emma - there's a member here (Val) who has Rough Collies, so she should be able to help you. I'm sure she'll be along before too long.
:)

thanks very much for letting me no that
emma

Hi Emma, If you can find a post from Val click on her name and you can then see her homepage with her beautiful rough collies.,(sorry if you already knew this). You could phone the KC and ask for a list in your area Best Wishes

I was 32 when I started showing properly....so go on...give it a go!
Archer

I only started two years ago and I love it :)

If you dont have a go you will never know :)

Hi Emma I have rough collies and started showing 2 years ago, I was a late starter (much later than you) I love it, we started with 2 bitches and now have 2 dogs as well, we only show 2 (1girl& 1 boy) of them, 1 girl does agility and the other boy is my son's pet who will start agility later this month.  We have been quite successful in the ring and as newcomers have been welcomed by most all of the collie world and have learned so much about the breed as well as showing.  We show our boy on Sunday my first time showing at Crufts so I am looking forward to it.  But beware showing is very addictive.

Excellent choice, Emma ;)

Feel free to ask any questions, Val and I will chip in.

Marina