hi guy`s I have a 2year old Ridgeback who is expecting pup`s in the next 2 week`s  she`s starting to look like a barrel I have just had her checked out at the vets and everything is ok.The reason I am posting this message is that I want to find out more about showing I visited crufts this year and talked to a lot of Ridgeback owner`s and gained a lot of good advice does anyone have any advice or information about when they first started showing and at what age do you start to show your dog/pup, I have read books and have checked out the internet.
I would really like to hear from other Rhodesian Ridgeback owner`s but would like to hear from anyone who has experience in showins or training a dog to show.
Thanks in advance for your time and advice.

Hi i've only just started to show myself, usually dogs can enter shows at six months old no younger, and if you want to show, it's a good idea to take your dog to ringcraft where they learn you how to handle your dog for the judge.

Warm regards susan

Firstly, and most importantly, is your Ridgeback KC registered?   If she is, then you can show her at Open & Championship shows.   If she isn't, then I'm afraid that you are restricted to Companion or Exemption Shows.

Regards
Margot

She is KC registered I am going to take her to some ring craft sessions would you say 2 years was too late?
and at what age would you start to train a pup ready for show?

I wouldn't say 2 is too old - you'll just have to concentrate on ringcraft with her for a while!  As for the puppy, you could start taking it to ringcraft classes as soon as all the vaccinations are done and in order - get it used at an early age to going round, and having a judge go over him/her.  Some ringcraft classes have match nights, and often there will be underage puppy classes (your puppy will have to be 6 months before it can be entered in an open/champ show).

Regards

Margot

I would definatley say 2 years is not too old, I started showing Kayla when she was 2 and at her first show she went Best of Breed and took her first group placing a couple of months later! I did work really hard at her ringcraft tho as I only thought about showing her a few months earlier as my older girl decided she didn't like showing but I still wanted a dog to show :D
We used to have a great ringcraft class that I took her to and I practised with her at home, in the garden, at the park, anywhere really and she didn't mind strangers touching her so I knew that wouldn't be a problem but she can be a bit fidgety still but thats something we can work on when I start ringcraft with her in a few months(she's having a break over the summer while I concentrate on my pup!)

I started training my pup as soon as I brought him home, standing him on the table for a few seconds then rewarding him with a game or a treat, gradually building up the time, but always making it fun when he did what I asked of him. I started ringcraft with him at about 13 weeks to get him used to people going over him and being with strange dogs in an enclosed environment, you can start as soon as your pup is allowed out after his/her injections.

Hope this helps, best of luck with your girl

Emily :)

thanks for the advice

I just started showing my girl and she's 2 and a half!
I would even say its been easy as she's more calmer(with age) and responds to commands more.

We have had some success but need to do more work at ringcraft. (Not her but me!!)

Hi whistonridge,
I too have 2 Ridgebacks, Leo is 3 this month and Lexy 7 months. I will be showing Lexy and our first show isrichmond on 10th sept.
I think we are the only Ridgeback owners on here...i have messaged before many times asking for other ridgie owners to get in contact to no avail? Where abouts are you? I am a member of a great Ridgie group. My email is jodidavies69@hotmail.com id love you to get in touch.
Jodi

Hi Jodi,  I haven't seen any of your notes before,  I thought that I was one of the only Ridgeback owners on here.  I have Amber who is 4 and Jessie who I bred and  is 6 months.  My email is kfrancisg@aol.com,  I would love to hear from any ridgies

Two is definitely not too old.  I started showing my first Spanish when she was nearly 8, only because the breed wasn't allowed to be shown before then and she won many best imports and best bitches in the 3 years that I showed her.  So they are never too old :d