I have a bit of a quandry here...I have a lovely bitch, in fact outwardly perfect, who has a few show faults. I love going to shows and being involved in all the excietement, but seriously wonder whether I should continue, knowing that she will probably never win anything because of these faults. People have said to me 'its such a shame...' etc and although she has been placed and had a first, I know that when she matures she will not 'cut it'  against stiff competition. So should I continue and just enjoy it for what it is (ie a bit of fun), and never win anything or should I just give up and stop embarrassing myself? There MUST be people out there who show and never ever win anything so I just want to know why they do it and is it worth it? How long should I give it before I call it quits and accept that my girl isnt up to scratch? I have had lots of comments from people saying what a lovely girl she is... She is entered into two shows in May and I think that if she doesnt get placed in either show perhaps I shouldnt enter any more? HELP I dont know what to do! She is nine months old :)

Hi Kerrie, it is difficult isn't it.  My Bailey just didn't come up to 'scratch', although 4 of his brothers have won their classes at Champ Show, poor Bailey never ever got placed at open shows.  I decided to withdraw Bailey from all competition when he was 8months. Although he is a beautiful dog he has very minor faults, but enough to stop the places.  It really depends on the faults though.  If it is really minor faults, there is still time for them to change (maybe).  Baileys Stifle is too straight and ears to small, so they will never change.  But I now have Ellie, from my last litter.  She is now 7.5 months old and at her last show I thought her tailset was a bit iffy, but we took 2nd in breeders stakes and 3rd in minor puppy.  I have decided to take her out of the ring now for a couple of months because her topline is bum high at the moment. But depending on growth rate and maturity may put her into a few small opens later.  At only 9months your pup is just a baby and has another 9/10months of maturing to do. I would maybe keep her out of shows for a few months and see how she progressess and then give it another go.  Also Tia looked all wrong at one point in her growing stage around 9 months I kept her out of the ring until a year old, and since then she has taken BOB 9 times and numerous group placings.  There was a point when I thought she would not 'cut' it.    Dont give up!!!! ;)

It's a really difficult desicion to make. I have been in the same position myself. My eldest girl was bought as a pet as I had no intention of showing. When I bought her the breeder made me aware that she wasn't a show prospect, anyhow when she was about a year old I though I'd give it a try, much to my disappointment she didn't enjoy it, which made the desicion to give up much easier all round. Don't get me wrong, my girl is very nice. I have been told she hasn't any major faults, she just doesn't stand out in a line up as she doesn't have the edge that other dogs have. I still very occasionally open show her as she does better under all rounders. I think it comes down to personal preference, if you are willing to keep spending money on entering shows, knowing there is a good chance your girl will not be placed as highly as you would like plus you enjoy your day out then why not keep showing, it will stand you in good stead for when you get your next dog destined for big things in the showring :D :D :D

Its very disappointing as I bred her myself to show, and had high hopes for her...The thing is, two dogs from the litter are doing extremely well at shows, so maybe I should just bathe in their success ;), and hope that in a few years time I can breed myself a champ?!

You should be extremely proud that you have 2 from a litter you bred out there doing really well. I do however think that some people should be a bit more like yourself and be prepared to admit that their dog isn't quite as good as they thought and cut their loses. We have a litter of puppies at the moment and are having a really difficult time trying to decide what puppy is for us. Its so important to make the right choice, so we have a couple of other breeders coming along to have a look and help us decide. Hopefully we will make the right choice :D :D :D :D What Kay was saying is true as the one puppy we had last year went completely wrong at about 7 months old and has only recently graced the showring again and as sods law dictates she has just started her first season the other day  :( so thats us out for almost another month.

If you enjoy it and so does your dog keep at it.She may never do any big winning BUT most of us do it for a hobby regardless of win or lose.
When I brought my first show dog I told the breeder that she would see him in the ring even if he ended up with 2 heads....thankfully he didn't :D
Enjoy it for what it is...a socail occasion...a day out with like minded people!
Archer

I was really keen to enter the world of dog showing and travelled around the country quite a bit with my future crufts champion ;)
I don't think we ever got placed higher than 4th and that was when there was only 4 in the class !
I eventually discovered the reason - he was just a bit too tall for his breed.  Once I knew this I lost heart and jacked it all in. I just couldn't cope with the rejection.

I spent the first 12 months of showing coming last or being thrown out with Asa...we still loved it and had a great time.I wouldn't have given it for the world....I never got into it for the winning(although its nice when it happens)...we just love the atmosphere
Archer

I originally started showing with Chloe as I has been meaning to do it for years and we had jsut 'booked' our wire puppy, who I wanted to show so I thought it would be a good idea to get some experience then I wouldn't be clueless with the puppy :D
We did a bit of winning, mainly as we were often the only ones in the class but it has stood me in good stead and when she went off showing I continued with her niece, who is slightly too tall for a bitch, and we seemed to do better, a few BOBs/BNSCs and 2 group 3 placings. I put this down to her confidence in the ring and the fact that she wants to please me, we always have a good time, win or lose...although its always nice to win!
So now that we have Idõ, our first show is in about 5 weeks, I have no real worries as I know what I'm doing so I can jsut concentrate in him rather than all the other stuff!
Showing is meant to be fun, its not all about winning, but I know it can get disheartening when you keep getting thrown out etc etc but if you have that 'bug' then, if I wasd you, I would keep at it :)
Good Luck
Emily

LOL If I gave up showing if I wasn't placed or didn't win I would have stopped showing years ago. We go to shows for the day out & my two younger boys love showing off & if we get placed fine & if we don't so waht the best dogs in the world come home with me.

Whne I get my new BC I will show him at a few breed shows, but he will really be for obedience but breed shows are great for socilizing & also letting the public who go to shows that not all dogs are robots on the end of the lead.

If you & your girl enjoy shows continue & maybe you will get another dog that will win at shows & you will have more confidence & experience to show him/her to his/her best advantage

Hi, its really disheartening when you keep getting thrown out "like me" . I was so eager to join the world of showing, and went to one of the top breeders in my breed. She sold me a "Top Show Pup" (her words not mine)for which i paid £200 more than the ones that where going for pets. We did not do to bad in puppy classes for a while. Them we started to get thrown out every time we entered a show. I was getting more and more disappointed and wondered why i was putting myself and my baby, who by the way would show her little cotten socks off in the ring everytime.  I saw the breeder at a show and asked her advice, she told me " well she is not going to be a champian is she".I felt so demoralized.   We hav`nt been to any shows since, because i thought if her breeder did`nt like her , then whats the point of putting both of us through all this disappointment, and coming home fedup everytime. So now i just go and watch. Sometimes  i think shall we start again , mybe one day.....

Jackie

P.S by the way i was coming hone with the best dog everytime.....and we would not change a thing about her.

If you both enjoy showing then why not.  You will learn a lot more by attending shows then staying at home.  Your handling will improve and you will see what type of dog you like for your next one ;)

Just think what an expert you will be for when your next puppy comes along ;)

If you and your bitch enjoy it then I would carry on :)

If you win a hundred rosettes it doesnt make her any better a dog in your eyes does it  :)

My first two dogs were also rans, but I continued to show them for the pleasure and the odd better day until I had something better, in fact my second dog did less in the ring than my first :(  I was really pleased if I got s third place.

Then I got a lot od 2nds with my next one, as like yours she was lovely BUT (in her case she needed more substance and coat).  She has won out of Post Graduate and Mior/Mid Limit and at full maturity (5 years)got a RCC.

Her daughter has been my first top drawer winner *Ch show Group placer and winners of 9 CCs).  My youngest shows promise, but whether she will ever reach her mothers heights I do not know.

At 9 months she coudl be a late bloomer.

A male I have bred and handle in the ring did not ahve any major wins,a snd then last year at nearly 6 won his first CC and in January won his 2nd.  We doubt he will get the thired, but you never know, and Champions have been made up in our breed as late as 10 years old :D

Hi,

I feel for you, I really do.  It's very disheartening, but I wouldn't give up yet, your girl is still only a baby and things can change.   I'd give her some time yet, and if you and she enjoy doing what you're doing, then carry on with it.  Even if she doesn't end up doing well, you'll still have had valuable experience with her.
We have a young girl now, who started off, being 3rd of 3 or 4th of 4 in everything she was entered in - very disheartening, but we persevered with her and she's since started doing well, having an Open show BIS, qualifying for crufts and having VHC in her class there, she is our first home bred bitch so I'm very proud!!

Don't give up - keep at it, and keep enjoying it, as everyone has said, you come home with the best dog at the end of every show.

Very best of luck for the future,
Lisa

I would say at 9 months old it is slightly premature to write her off just yet.  It depends on what faults she has, there is no 'perfect' dog, even top Champions have their faults, it depends how much a judge will tolerate a fault over another.  If it is a mouth fault then I'm afraid you will rarely find a judge who will place a dog with an incorrect bite.

A season or 2 may make her blossom or because she has 2 siblings that are doing well, she may be a good brood for you if you use her wisely in the future.    My first 2 bitches are nice specimens of their breed, not too much wrong with them but no 'wow' factor - both mated to the right (IMO) dogs have produced me a Sh.Ch. each & RCC winners.

Thanks everyone for your replies and support, I am going to keep at it, though deep down I know that she will not be a champ-she is a champ to me! Her bite isnt perfect, and at least I know what her faults are, rather than thinking I have a perfect dog and wondering why she isnt doing well-its good experience and will give me confidence as a handler when I do finally get a champ ;) The best thing about it is, me and Molly get to spend lots of quality time together and I know she absolutely loves it! And thats what its all about isnt it? So wish me luck for sunday (lets hope she wakes up with perfect teeth :D :D :D )

LOLOLOLOLOL Best of luck I too know my boys faults but wouldn't change a hair on their heads

Amazingly we got placed 4th out of 7, she played up something chronic, and has a scab on her ear, so I couldnt believe it! Maybe I'll keep at it a bit longer then :D

Well done Kerrie :) see, it is fun isn't it?! :D
Stick in there,
Emily xx

Wouldnt say it was 'fun' goodness me Ive never been so nervous/stressed/excieted in my life :D:D 'spose it was fun really, now im home and relaxed! Only four weeks till the next one ;)

I'm the same sometimes Kerrie, most show days I can't eat a thing until I'm driving away from the venue!!! I used to get really nervous ringside but once I was in there I was concentrating on the dog and my handling, everything else just seemed to dissappear...apart from the judge of course :D !!!
I see the excitement and anxiety as all part of the experience, if I didn't get a few butterflies I would wonder why I'd bothered!
I bet you can't ait for your next one, me and Idõ have our first show 5 weeks today and I'm already feeling the nerves a bit but I'm excited more than anything, I just wanna get in that ring!!
Good luck in the future, I'm glad you've decided to stick at it as it really is fun!!!
Emily :)

For the first year of showing we got BPIS at her first show and 2cc's by the time she was 2 and 17 firsts at champ show but last year we did wonder whether it was worth while carrying on.  She only had two firsts but after we have taken a break from showing on puppy duties I realise just how much i miss it.  In fact we went today just to watch.  I know loads of people including my best friends who rarely get placed but it doesnt matter as they just enjoy meeting up and having a good time.

Well done Kerrie :)

Thanks everyone See you at crufts next year :D !!

I will be spectating only Kerrie, Tia, my pride and joy got kicked out in her 1st class today :P:

Bad luck kayc, perhaps the Judge was unwell that day :P Im sure you've gpt more chance of being at crufts than me!

I knew as soon as I saw the line up :)  and have to admit, that the judges lineup was exactly how I would have placed, so can't complain. :)  But I did enjoy my day.  The dog who Emma is going to, took Best of Breed and his daughter took Best Puppy.   

Oh! and well done to Alli who took 2nd with her Setter :D and I apologise for Tia rumaging your bag and pockets for food lol :D

My dog isn't a tip top boy but he and we simply love showing and get to as many shows as possible.  If that is the same for you then carry on.  We do occasional champ shows in our area, lots of opens and lots of companion shows.  What about doing some companions as well - not the same I know but they're fun and we have done really well at them with all our dogs - lots of first which bolsters you up if you aren't winning at other shows.

Are companion shows the ones where you can turn up on the day? I've only ever been to breed specific Staffy shows, so I dont know much about other types of showing. How do I find out where these shows are? Is there a site I can go on? I think it would be good for Molly to socialise and meet with other breeds :)

Yes, you just turn up on the day and entires are usually taken almost right up to when judging starts. They often have pedigree(such as puppy, sporting, non-sporting and open) and novelty classes like best six legs, prettiest bitch, hansomest dog etc etc) and most have a BIS and BPIS for all class winners, and I believe the unbeaten dog does NOT apply at compnaions(used to be called exemptions for this reason) someone can correct me if I'm wrong :D

Wherabouts are you coz there will no doubt be at least one person in your area who will know of some near you. We tend to do the ones that are run along side agricultural shows as we don't get many that are run on their own but it means there plenty to see apart from dogs! And great socialisation too for the dogs.

I'm looking forward to doing some fun shows with Idõ this summer as they are more relaxed than even opens and of course champs and they are really cheap to enter!

Emily

I am in lincolnshire, there are a few agricultural shows but no info about any dog shows yet.. I'll will try the dog papers and local news :)

Just looked at your picture of Ido, he's gorgeous, good luck showing him this year!

I think you would enjoy these shows - yes they are the ones you just turn up to - they usually start around 12pm - 1pm taking entries an hour before.  They are usually in parks or recs during the summer and have pedigree and novelty.  Pedigree classes tend to be puppy, sporting, non sporting and open (although the KC allow more classes now) and novelty usually includes prettiest bitch, best condition, dog the judge would most like to take home and often best movement - so some more serious others less.  The level of the shows vary - often the pedigree classes are mainly dogs that are used to showing, other times nearly all pet dogs or a good mix of both.  Usually there are two rings  and the classes are run in tandem - but they are used to classes clashing and allow for that.  The KC site has a list of companion shows but I think these are just the ones with companion club classes.  Also Dog World paper has plenty listed and we have a free advertising paper that has the ads on the web too and you can search the surrounding area.  If you want to PM me and tell me your area I would be happy to keep an eye open for any shows for you.  Hope this helps.

Thanks dachsie, thats real nice of you :)

Thanks Kerrie :) I can't wait to get out there with him, after all the looking and planning and preparation over the past year(nearly!)
They have alot of open shows at Newark, so they must have some companions too, Idõ's breeder lives in Lincs so I will ask her for you too :)
Emily

We have a "Fun Dog Show" every year in aid of rescue its a great day people turn up they go into the novellty classes join in everything that goes and and the dogs enjoy it too, they get so excited when they win rosettes and specials the wonderful thing is they are just having a great time.
I often think it is so different to Proper dog shows where there is often people there who take it so seriously it is no longer fun.
When I first started showing in the 80s I had a nice lab bitch but she wasnt really outstanding but if I got a third or fourth I was over the moon if I got a first I was exstatic :) I continued for years with what I suppose were mediocre dogs but it was fun and in those times you would stay most of the day and join in the varieties etc.. and watch best in show nowadays your lucky if a hanful of people are there to watch BIS at an open show.
When I am judging Ive noticed people  can very disapointed to get a second or third its very sad really I think if you cant take being beaten you should think seriously about it.
I would try some of these fun type show with your dog which you can both enjoy.