I am just interested as to why you decide to show?   I understand for breeding purposes this is maybe necessary to prove champion lines etc etc etc but is it more for the love of it?   I ask because the last few days I have been thinking about it with Misty but being a complete novice have no idea where to start , why i want to :rolleyes: or even if Misty conforms to the breed standard .   I have already looked at the KC website for the breed standard but have to own up and say I haven't a clue what they are on about which obviously doesn't bode well :D!!!  Unfortunately I cannot call upon the knowledge of her breeder as they have now emigrated down under.  Dont suppose anyone lives nearby??? ;) :P :P

I have no intention of breeding Misty so was planning on getting her spayed after her first season (still waiting for that one ) but am I right in thinking this will affect whether I show her or not?  I haven't decided yet and am not sure if I realistically have the time to show but just wanted to consider the option before I bin it! :D :P

I would recommend joining your breed club. The clubs often hold seminars which will educate you in your breed. It will also let you meet other people in your breed.

Sitting at the ring side is also a very good learning experience , I don't mean just sitting there I mean watching every single thing closely. The judge going over the dogs, movement etc etc   A few years ago when I was waiting on puppies maturing I spent one whole show year sitting ring side, I went to every show I could get to even 400 miles away and just sat and watch everything.  I really believe that was the most valuable year of my doggy years. I learned so much.

I show because I love it, I get to spend the whole weekend surrounded by the breed I love and get to see all my friends from all over the country. You'll find that once you get to know people in your breed, it's more of a social meet, and the actual showing bit isn't so important!

If you get your bitch spayed you will have to get a letter from the KC allowing her to be shown, which you have to show to the judge if they ask (I think), though it's obviously impossible to tell with a bitch and rather more obvious with a dog! You may find your bitch has coat problems after spaying too, depending on breed,  which will cause her problems in the ring. I would also wait until she has matured bodily before spaying her.

What makes people decide to show is a desire for the following lifestyle.

You never have any money to spend on yourself as it all goes on feeding your dogs the very best food, entry fees, fuel, hotels etc. Consequently, unless actually at a show, you tend to dress like a Serbian bag lady.

You never get to sit in your dressing gown in the morning with a cup of tea because the dogs have to be let out and fed.

Your house would be closed down by Environmental Health if it were a restaurant because your time is taken up with making sure the kennels are spotless.

Everything in your fridge smells faintly of tripe.

Everything in your wardrobe smells faintly of tripe.

You never get to attend a social function from start to finish because either the puppies have to be fed or the dogs have to be let out or walked.

Your garden is strewn with more bones than the Vietnamese Killing Fields.

Nobody has ever told you that getting up at 4am and driving 200 miles with 4 dogs, at a total cost, including entries, of about £200 to win £10 in prize money, does not make economic sense.

You don't mind if other exhibitors start a rumour that you must have slept with the judge.

If necessary, you are prepared to sleep with the judge.

ROFLOL! :D :D

LOLOLOLOL 
My son nows thinks I am a complete idiot giggling at the computer!!!

>I have already looked at the KC website for the breed standard but have to own up and say I haven't a clue what they are on about which obviously doesn't bode well

I think this is the most encouraging bit of your post, Kerri - the most important step in learning is accepting that you need to. The number of posters we get on here who after being pointed to the KC website for the breed standard come back and say their dog matches it completely ... :rolleyes: :D

Would echo the other posters - once you get to know people, showing becomes a very sociable event. Perhaps start at some local shows, where people are more relaxed than they may be at champ shows, and sit and watch to get your eye in. The ideal would be to find a breed club show, where you can see lots of dogs, spend lots of time watching, and hopefully start to 'get your eye in' as to what appeals to you.

Be warned though ... down this road lies madness!

M.

As Blue said, nothing beats going along to the shows and watching and learning, a breed club show would be your best starting point.  I don't know what breed you have, but perhaps someone can recommend a good book which often helps you understand the finer points of the breed, some have an explanation of the breed standard in laymans terms.

Why do I do it?  I sometimes ask myself the same question when getting up in the early hours of the morning and arriving home very tired, but It is a good day out and  I have met a lot of new friends.

Kerri
I was thinking the very same as you 'Why Show' I've just started ringcraft with my 5 month old golden retriever.  The reason I thought I might show is that a breeder and a judge asked if I'd thought about showing him!   Not entirely sure if it's for me, or for him for that matter - but at least he's enjoying the classes at the moment.

As some of the other posts have pointed out it is very time consuming, and I think if you do go along to your local ringcraft classes, watch some local shows you'll get a better idea of whether you want to do it or not!   Although it hasn't convinced me either way yet; whatever you choose to do as long as you both enjoy it that's all that matters :p - oh yes and get the odd ch or is it cc??:d

Enjoy
Maria

I'm not sure yet either but hopefully I will find some local shows to go along to.
Misty is a 7 1/2 year old GR and is completely nutty!!! :D :D

Spaying a Golden will almost certainly ruin the coat for showing so bear that in mind. :)

Have a word with your dog's breeder, he or she can teach you a lot. There's a lot more to showing Goldens than you may think, as they need trimming for the show ring -it takes quite a lot of time and is something you need to learn. I must admit when I started showing Malinois it was a relief after Goldens as they didn't need all the work on their coats.  :)

ROFL Saxon!

I agree spaying may well alter the coat, it certainly ruins most spaniel coats in my (limited) experience. I started showing because it looked like being quite fun and interesting in my general purpose breed book. I accidentally bought a dog which turned out to be not just 'ok for open shows' which is what I was looking for, but the best dog the breeder had bred in 20 years, and the following successes at open, Champ shows and Crufts that we had got me totally hooked! Now I have a young bitch as well, who does well at open shows and is trying out a bit of obedience too. :-)

she is 7 1/2 years old and hasnt had her first season

Looking back at old posts it should be months not years :d :d

thats alright then :p

  OOPS!!!!

Sorry, I really should read my posts before sending them.  yes, Misty is 7 1/2 months!!  :D :D