Hi, wot are the general opinions on getting someone else to show your dogs for you? I only ask as I perhaps am interested, but myself have 3 young children who are not interested and I'm not sure if this is ok and how you go about finding someone reputable in your breed etc. Your comments appreciated. Thankx.

Is there no-one who could have the children for you while you are at a show?  Its a lovely way to recharge your batteries with other grown ups :)

It's rarely done here in the UK. Me, I get my husband to do it -he turned out to be better than me anyway. :) You could always ask your dog's breeder.

Marianne

Hiya what breed do you have?  In some breeds it is frowned apon to have a handler, in other's it is seen as OK!

Maybe you could contact your breeder or if you belong to a ringcraft ask someone there if they would like a handling job. 

Professional handlers are not as common here as other coutries.  Infact it is very rare but still very expensive.  Ontop of the entry fee's you will ahve traveling costs, handling costs, possibly accomidation costs etc etc etc.  The price goes up the higher places your dog gets.

You can also ask around if there is anyone in your area with your breed if they are willing to show your dog, but don't forget they will have their own dogs!

I think you will find it cheeper to get a babysitter for a day! :)

Also I don't feel there's the satifaction when your dog does well if someone else is handling.  But thats JMPO!

I prefer to take my own dog in.  Have been advised to let well know people take my Pomerainian's in before now and get them made up but if they can't do this without me on the end of the lead then I don't want to know.

I know that I just wouldn't enjoy it as much if they won with someone else showing them.  I hope that we don't go all Americanised with handlers outweighing everyone else,  I think it spoils the enjoyment of it all.

Agree -and in the US all show dogs and show cats too are EXPECTED to get their titles or they aren't any good, people say thing like "I'll breed a litter after she's finshed" -makes the titles cheap and worthless IMO.

Marianne

I don't think I would like to "buy" a CC.  However on the other hand with doing a little bit of semi-pro handling I enjoy showing other peoples dog for them.  But still never understand how you get the satisfaction of winning.

The nice thing about WKC BIS and a majority of group winners were they wern't well known dogs and handlers.  I Was looking at who made it into the group places and it was not many of the multiple group winning dogs...But dogs which (I hope) won on their quality! :)

I think it depends on the dog whether they will let themselves be handled by other people.  Tigger will not show for anyone else but my husband.  Thomas on the other hand will show for anyone who has food in their hand.  I dont show but still have the satisfaction of knowing its my dog that has won.  I just hate going into the ring.  I am a crap handler although I did take Tigger to BPIS at her first show so decided to retire on a high. ;)

Regarding the judging at WKC we sat and watched all the group and BIS judging and I must be getting better as I picked out a lot of the winners.  I loved the Tibby and the hungerian Visla was a stunning mover but then so was the BIS.

TTS the BIS has a lovely movement and is a lovely dog.  we own his half sister and neice, if only they were of the same quality!!!!!!!

I am sure they are every bit as good.  The lady looked so pleased to get it and we both felt the longer the dog moved the better it got.  I still loved the Visla the best but I prefer short haired dogs!  I became a bit of a anorak over the last few days and have thoroughly enjoyed it.  Charlotte won her junior handling class which went on for a hour and half, Tigger got a RCC and Molly came 2nd out of 12 at only her 2nd class this year.  :)  I thought the camping at Builth was excellent as well but we did feel slightly outnumbered as we were the only ones with dogs above knee height where we were perched.

Oh wow a wonderful day for you then!  Bet Charlotte was Pleased. Must have bben a big entry.  Or did the judge just take her time?

She was amazingly thorough.  She told them every fault they made and there was 9 of them but IMVHO and obviously I am her mum so am biased I think if she can get a first under her she could win under anyone!  She had them do shapes and every now and again when she thought they wasnt paying attention she would go back and do something.  We nearly killed her as she kept chatting.  ;)