Hello,

At the end of october I will be taking my Jack russell to a dog show. I know she isnt a pure bred so I can't really get anywhere with her showing but since my mum used to do well with showing the wolfhounds I really would like to take it as seriously as I can. With her been a Jack russell my mum now thinks its a waste of time showing her in novelty classes and mongrel ones with them not been serious so I have to do building up to the show and preparation on my own but the feeling of getting a rosette is well worth the whole month I am spending on it (it will be our biggest show yet! hehehe)

In the dog show they have a class for the best mongrel/crossbreed bitch under 18'' which is judged on coat, teeth, ears, eyes, overall condition etc. How do I make her look her best and is there any way of giving her a bigger chance of getting placed in this class?

I also want to enter her into young handler but I am not sure what this involves. What kind of questions do they ask and what should i do in the ring? Im not too sure how 2 stand her up but I am willing to do practise on this.

Also how can I build up her condition as i will be entering best conditioned but i dont know her to make her look good with her been a white dog with brown eears and patches over her eyes.

Oh, nd what should I take with me to the show?

Sorry for so many questions I am just so excited and can't wait to show her at this one as we have only done two before and they were only small ones. Thankyou for your help.

Right for starters CALM DOWN :d   :d

If your dogs in good condition now it doesn't matter what colour or markings she has.  Are her ears clean, are her teeth clean, are the claws short?  These are some of the things that they willl look at.  Having said that, I entered one of my dogs in the best condition class.  In the class there was the fattest Dobe that I'd ever seen, looked totally unhealthy and old and I think it was only 2, it came second out of about 40 dogs!!

If you go out there, relax enjoy yourself and your dog looks as though it's enjoying itself then you more than likely will win. 

Junior handling classes at companionship shows are not like the bigger shows, they don't usually ask for figures of 8, triangles etc. etc. it's just to see how the dog and owner get on.

Good luck and enjoy it :d

If you are interested in handling there is quite a good book called handling the white way by marina white which my daughter has found really useful and has self taught herself.  :)  I think you can get it via her own website or our dogs sell it.  This will also give you lots of basic knowledge on how to present yourself and your dog.

Take yourself, take your dog on a lead, take some money and some food...go and relax!!!!!! and enjoy it!!!!

Novelty classes are for mainly pet people who have no idea about dog showing and go to take their dog out for the day :)  And at companion shows normally even the serious showers only take them as abit of fun :)  I go with ungroomed, un trimmed, non bathed for afew weeks and go to enojy a day out for a charitable cause, don't try to hard because then you won't enjoy it.

If your mum used to show then why don't you ask her how to train your dog to stand? and also what to expect.  Showing is much better then reading :)

I could tell you know how to start handling but it would take me all night.

Also as mentiond if you wnat to learn abit about handling Marina whites book is good for the beginer.  (having finally read it!)  It can be purchased direct from Marina from her website which also holds many tips on handling and how to start.  The address is http://juniorhandling.co.uk