Hi My fourteen month old german spitz mittel has just started her second season,spotting noticed a week ago, (1st in Sept 05) I had entered her in shows in January and was wondering when it would be safe and courteous to other exhibitors to go along. Any advice appreciated
Angela

Well she will be finished by the end of the first week of January so no problem.

Depends on the breed!  I know that many dogs would show a lot of interest around 4 weeks of the initial season no matter how much I'd bathed them, but there again in my breed a lot of them have been mated at days, 18 up to days 21.  Other breeds really only show their season for around 2 weeks.

I keep my girls away from shows for a month from the first day of them showing to be in season. but there are a number of people who still take their dogs to shows.  This is one thing that I wouldn't do though myself.

If her season has finished the three weeks then I would bathe her as normal but dab a little dettol on a piece of cotton wool and pat it around her rear end of her coat (not on her bits of course) this is a tip given to us at dog training! just to mask the smell slightly it does work.... but for showing I would keep her crated soft crate preferably as nothing can get through the gaps!  then take her out for the ring then straight back into the crate.
I personally wouldnt take a in- season bitch to a show but I know people do... strangely enough it seems to be the more professional experienced showers that do it .

Roni

And quite often these are the same people who moan loudly if anytone else did it :rolleyes:

to true :)

Thanks for the replies
I think I will leave it to the 15th (Clitheroe) I was hoping to get more in prior to that but nature scuppers the best laid plans. Hopefully she will have some coat for Manchester on 22nd!!:rolleyes:
Thanks again
Angela