My gsd puppy is 4 months old and last week we went along to the Welwyn Garden City ringcraft class for the first time.  However, it was a general class for any breed of dog.  Does anyone have any advice?  Is this a good idea or are the showing techniques very different for gsd's.  As you can tell I'm very new to this - got to start somewhere - any advice would be very welcome.

Make sure that the instructors know abit about the way GSD's are shown!  Although I have heard some things about this ringcraft however will let you decide if you like it :)

It's not common for breeds to have there own ringcraft and if they do you may have to travel. 

Did you enjoy it?  and did you feel welcomed?  and did the instructors sound like they knew how a GSD should be shown/handled.

If you are willing to come to stevenage area (aston) for a ringcraft that does have some experiance of GSD's then PM.

Hi, we are having similar discussion under G.S.D.'s on the showing forum. Is your G.S.D. English or Germanic? Germanic type are shown differently to the English type. Germanic are encouraged to pull out at the end of a long lead, with outside encouragement. Usually they are handled by professional handlers as there is a lot of gaiting. English type usually run on a loose lead, at the side or slightly in front of handler. Usually the 'standing' is different. The positioning is the same, but 'English' type are usually walked into the stance, whereas Germanic like to 'freestand' where possible. General Ringcraft is good for socialisation and getting used to people going over them as a judge would, but for the Germanic type, you would be better finding a training club specifically for the breed and type.
Debbie

>Germanic are encouraged to pull out at the end of a long lead, with outside encouragement

Remember that 'outside encouragement' contravenes the KC's regulations on double-handling. At present a blind eye is turned ...

Debbie, are the english type less likly to have professional handlers?

The UK GSD owners use professional handlers & most of the top winners are professionally handled

Hi Debbie, her pedigree goes back five generations and all of the fourth and fifth generations are german.  Since then they look English - I'll have to speak to the breeder perhaps. How much of a novice does this make me look.
Lynn

I did enjoy it and was made very welcome. 
The two people doing the 'training' seemed very knowledgeable but there were no other gsd's there. The 'trainers' were aware of the gsd standing position but bearing in mind it was our first week, we were just concentrating on getting my bitch to stand!!!!  She did better than me running round the floor - I think I've got more to learn than she has!!! 
Do tell me what you've heard.
What evening is the stevenage class?  It may be possible for me to get there but I have other commitments on Monday, Tuesday and Friday evenings and sometimes Thursdays.

It's on a wednesday (same as WGC)  Will PM you :)

''are the english type less likly to have professional handlers? ''
Ice Queen....no, the English type are not less likely to have professional handlers, and I don't think I said that they were!! ...but I do know a lot of owners of the English type who prefer to handle their own dogs in the ring, especially as they are not on the outside of the ring attracting their dogs. Of course there are handlers for the English type, but not everybody uses them, whereas with the Germanic type, the majority use professional handlers. I personally used to handle my own dogs, as they were mainly shown in 'all breed' shows, in a smaller ring, but my youngest bitch is only shown in 'Germanic breed shows' and I always use a handler, as she is far more alert when I'm outside the ring rather than inside the ring.
As for the outside attraction breaking kennel club rules, yes we know this, but it still happens, and if the Germanic way of showing is the route people choose for their G.S.D., then this is the type of training they need to do to encourage their dog to pull out. I am lucky in that my bitch will pull out without me calling her, all I have to do is show myself outside the ring then hide again...without any verbal attraction.
I'm not trying to say what is right or wrong, or whether English is better than Germanic, or Germanic better than English....I'm not going down that road, I am simply trying to offer some advice as to which type of training is most suitable to the 'type' of G.S.D. they have and want to show!
Deb

You never said anything about it.  I was just interested and thought "I know I'll ask a GSD person who knows more then me"  I only was wondering

However I am now more confused because you have said:

"no, the English type are not less likely to have professional handlers"

But then said:

"lot of owners of the English type who prefer to handle their own dogs in the ring, especially as they are not on the outside of the ring attracting their dogs. Of course there are handlers for the English type, but not everybody uses them, whereas with the Germanic type, the majority use professional handlers."

I also never said anything about doubling handling because IME and IMO GSD people don't care about that rule like you have just proved!  The same as poodle people don't care about using hairspray!

I appologise for my misunderstanding your question about the handlers! I thought it was implying that I was saying only the Germanic type use handlers. As I said before the majority of Germanic 'type' exhibitors use handlers, very rare do they handle their own dogs, but with the 'English' type, some use handlers, some prefer to take their own dogs in the ring, but yes there are handlers for both types, but a different style of handling. The section about the double handling was in response to another reply in the posting, and not aimed at yourself.
Like I say, whether right or wrong, it is part of the Germanic way of showing, and I was just letting Lyn know about the different training for the different way of showing, and I didn't want to go down the road of the battle between English and Germanic types. My preference is Germanic, but that's my choice, it doesn't mean my choice is any better than the English preference. Freewill. I was just offering advice from my personal experience.
Is your breed Poodles?...just wondered because of the comment about hairspray.
Deb

No my breed's not poodles!!!! My best friend however does and I just mentioned it because hairspray is a no no and doubling handling is also a no no but both breeds who commonly do it don't care!!! IE GSD owners and poodle owners!!! :D

Good for you not wanting to argue which type.  I know in the shepherd which I prefere but understand those who prefere the other! :D

Thanks Debbie, I need all the advice I can get.
Lynn

Many thanks that would be great.
Lynn