We had intended to show our pups... but we went to the local RIngcraft class with our first pup last year and it seemed to have no structure. Just lots and lots of friendly peope with lovely dogs sat round tables smoking and showing their dogs when they instinctively knew they should be doing so ... and all knowing what to do and when to do it and no one teaching them.  The biggest put off was the heavey smoking. Great if you smoke... but not so great if you don't! Or have kids who want to show. It was nice and friendly if you like to go oit to a club for a social smoke and drink a nice night out. But we really need teaching... we are total beginners.

It might be a fault of mine but I really can't stand cig smoke... especially intensive smoke, and I won'y take my kids oir dogs to a place so full of smoke.  So That's us excluded from going to Ringcraft. 

So are there other ways to learn. Unfortunately my pups are growing up so we've missed learning the puppy class .  Are there any good Videos or books.  Ideally something that is also interesting that will be good for juniour handling.   Because if we brave up to taking the plunge I nee to know how to find shows, what we can enter, how to enter, ettequite, how not to irritate people, basically how to at leat show we are trying hard to get it right and so on. 

lol... and that is before we even get onto how to make my dogs look right! And grooming and so on.:rolleyes:

I have not wasted the yeaar... we have been to obediance class, done all the Good Citizen awards and I have studied many aspects of the breed as well as just going out and having fun with the dogs and oir family. I groom to the best of my ability and taught them to stop un a stand as well as a sit. But I had intended to show last year and it is upsetting not to at least have given it a go and to find i still feel so iin the dark! 

Thanks.

What brees do you have Tenaj and what part of the country are you in?

Someone in your breed or area may be able to help

Not all ringcraft classes are smoky - ours isn't or I wouldn't go. So is it possible to look for another not too far away?

No-one smokes in ours either, it's not allowed in the hall :d

lol!  Oh how lovely for you all!  I think there are three here and that was supposed to e the best for instruction. The other ones apparantly give no instruction.

Maybe I will try to find someone who is both helpful and who shows their dog ... and I can watch at Crufts and see if it looks fun to try out.