I will be entering my Dobe bitch in her and my first show soon I hope, and we will need a crate that I guess will have to fit on a bench space. I'd like it safe, light to carry and of good quality. Could one of you that are far more experienced than I give me some ideas, tips or pointers as there is to much choice on the web and I don't want to wish that I had chosen a different one later. I bought a show lead at Manchester so that deed is done, be it good or bad, but what else do we need please? Your help would be much appreciated.

Hi
My breeder uses a Bench Guard which goes across the opening of the bench..acts like a gate. I've been meaning to order one for the past couple of months but haven't got round to it..I will have to get one fairly quick as my dog doesn't like to be left on the bench and I've been told he will feel alot more relaxed if I have one of these.
I don't think they bench the dogs at open shows I think it's just the Champ Shows..not sure as I'm new to all this myself

Where can you order them from?

This is what i used too for my dobe, they are generally made up of two puppy pen panels, so if you go to a champ show have a wander round the stands, a couple of them do puppy pens etc and ask them if they also do the bench guards, if not if you join the dobermann forum some of the members on there used to make them to order.  these are lighter to carry than a cage also.

Hi there, a good website to look at who sell (IMO) the best quality crates is www.croftonline.co.uk. There cages are tried and tested by my boxer and english bull terrier who are regualry carted to and from shows. They have a good selection of cages to suit different budgets. Cages aren't the lightest to carry though so you may need a trolley to make it easier to wheel into shows otherwise having a extra pair of hands is fine. Croft also sell these at a reasonable price.
Sometimes at champshows you can't always be sure that your cage will fit the bench space so I would buy a benching chain just incase. Another option is the soft crate that is light to carry and fold up but aren't the best for boisterous dogs and those who are great escape artists!
other essentials you will need on showing day:
dog!
bottled water
bowl
treats
treat bag/bumbag
blanket/bed
ring clip/safety pin to hold card number
show lead
packed lunch
passes(depending on show)

I have probably missed a few things of the list but this should get you started. Hope this  helps. Kind regards, Clare

Thanks for the replies everyone, it has helped. I did see at Manchester that some were in crates and some not. I think now that I will probably get a soft crate and crate front as well as I'm more likely to use them. She's not used to being crated anyway and unless we are at a championship show, she can stay with me most of the time I hope.

Hi
You can order the bench guards from www.trystorme.co.uk. These are the ones I have been looking at and I have seen alot of the Dobe breeders with them at the shows.

Isn't there an on-going discussion at the KC about doing away with Benching?? Or have they made a decision??

newfiedreams are you thinking of the KC's new rule of dogs need not be on benches unless told to be by the management of the show?

Nope, I think they had a committee meeting a couple of months ago....where they discussed the pro's and con's of keeping the benching? I think they decided to keep it, but just wondered if anyone knew anymore, maybe they will review again in a while? I think it was prompted by the amount of people that DON'T use the Benching(except maybe at Crufts!) I certainly don't! I want to watch what's going on in the ring and certainly wouldn't leave any of mine on a Bench untended! But don't tell the KC that! LOL

Adding that....if you are going to get a crate/bench guard...I would go with a soft crate, easy to put up, light to carry, and other uses other than the Shows...you can take on holiday etc.

Trystorme are excellent, they do car cages etc as well i got mine from them and they are very helpful.

The reason I have my dogs in crates on the benches as opposed to being on the bench directly is that if you're unlucky enough to have one that's split (where two floors of the bench meet eachother) they can move and paws/tails can get pinched in between them.  Seen this happen many times unfortunately. I now always use a soft crate.

Debs

I also have a nice comfy dog bed which fits the whole base of the bench..he tends to get hold of the corner of it and gather it up and he will suck it.

Debs where do you find out minimum bench sizes for your breed, as I have the large 42 inch soft crate and not sure if my breeds benches would be too small.

Your best bet is to ring Bannerdown (01225 852157).  They'll be able to tell you :)  It's the width you need to know.

Thanks