I am hoping to start my BC at ringcraft next week, but when she is 6months what sort of shows do i start entering in her and what class, i want to read up as much as i can before she is old enough to go. Are there any good sites explaining how to show your dog?

You need to bear in mind that entries for Championship shows start to close TWO MONTHS before the show so you will be thinking of entering shows from the time she is 4 months.

Open shows are less competitive generally than Chasmpionship shows, and the best ones to start at if you can  find some are the Companion/Exemption show.  the judge may or may not know what they are doing at these but it is the practice for the dog that they are usueful for not gauging it's relative show merits.

No reason why you can't enter Championship shows right away also if you ahve been attending Ringcraft and learnt to handle well by then. 

Always read the schedule definitions of classes adn rules section.  Enter the lowest breed class available, and something like Puppy stakes or any Variety puppy.  If it is an Open show perhaps enter the lowest two breed classes. 

When your pup is older you might want to enter Puppy and Junior just to see how it will fare against older competition before it has no option but to go in that class.

I hae always found myself less nervous in the mixed classes because you don't feel fellow exhibitors are chaecking yoour dog out in the same way that you might feel self concious in the breed classes.  It is also good for the dog to learn to show well among it's own breed and against other breeds.

Talk to the trainers at your ringcraft.  they shoudl be able to advise you on which local shows are coming up and can explain how to fill out an entryform.  They will be there to teach you how to show your dog.  A good trainer will never teach the dog!

I personally find reading is not the way to learn, it's to generalised, you have to be shown how it's done and then practise. 

The best thing you could do is go to ringcraft and ask as many questions as you need, don't feel silly, your tainners were new into the showing world once.  At our ringcraft I have been asked some questions before and the person who asked them admitted to being scared to ask, untill they asked and found out they wern't the only one's intrested in the answer!!!!!

Good luck, have fun.

Always enter her into puppy, or if avaliable minor puppy while she is of the young age.

Thanks, also what kind of lead do i need? Where is best to get it from?

For your puppy I would say a cloth slip lead for noe that is cheep and easy to replace!  For when his older you would either want a leather slip or a half check all in one, or a slip chain and lead, leather is me personal fav as lead!

If you are going to any local show's to watch soon (highly recommended) have a look for leads there.  Or try Luxway canine supplies.  You will be looking at the first slip to be about 1CM thick, I say this because it's not to fine to cut into a puppies neck.  Same as I will never put a puppy on a chain and I feel their necks are too delicate.  I wont use leather leads for a puppy because they are too expensive to replace! :)

Which ringcraft are you going to hannah?

sarah xxxxx

going to start the one in Albrighton, got to get me dad to ring up at some point. As i cant remember the times.

Not quite sure where the albrighton one is. I got to the one in shenstone village hall run by south staffs dog training. What day is the albrighton one on?

sarah xxxxx

Hello Again
Is this little Eva we're talking about again.
If I can help at all then contact me. I admit I've only shown my bcs for the last few years and bobby who you saw at the show is only 10 months.
A good ringcraft is good for general rules etc. Does your breeder show? I was lucky that my breeder shows and is always there to answer questions or give advice.
In terms of what lead, I can only tell you what I use and what i see mainly used. A flat check chain with a slim leather lead, or rolled leather half check seems to be the most common. Generally these are used from six months.
If you want to email me then I'll quite happily send you my phone number and give you any advice that i've been given.
Come to think of it I have a nice little half check and lead all in one which I had for my bitch. You are welcome to it. I don't show her anymore and it's too small for Bobby. Let me know and I can send it to you. It's only sitting in the draw. Rather someone else have the benefit.

Yup little Eva, albrighton is on a Friday its quite far but its the only day i can fit in, That lead would be great, are you going to any companion dog shows to save you posting it? Evas breeders done a bit of showing with hers just to make sure they were good standard dogs but thats about all she does.