Ok, I have my open bitch entered in a show this weekend (Nov 30- Dec 3).  I was hoping to get Championship on her, as she only needs 4 points and has her multi and three judges (so technically she could go point by point to get it, but it would be nicer to have her finish with a bang)

I have a problem though, as now I have to hand off my dog to a handler, and it could have to be someone she doesnt know. 
There is a conflict with the Doberman judging and Min Pin judging, and so the person that I have handed her off to a couple times may have to be in the ring with her Dobe puppy. 
I cant show her myself as I have severly sprained my foot, and am on crutches for the next 3 weeks, no weight bearing at all. 
Has anyone had experience in either handing a dog off to someone that the dog hasnt worked for, or handled a dog they didnt know all to well?  I am concerned that she may not work for another person, and was wondering if it was better to scratch her than risk a bad looking dog in group?

Any advice would be great!!!!!!!!  (also if any tips could come out on how to adjust her to a person she doesnt know, that would be great too, but I only have 4 days to do it in.  )

In the UK we tend to show our own dogs, or get a friend to help out if the need arises. so I don't think many of us would be in the situation you are in. Is there a way to get someone to come to your house and meet the dog before the show? I know distances in Canada are far greater than here, but even someone who shows locally would let you know if your bitch will handle for someone new. (I was going to say strange, but thought that might sound a bit iffy ;) :D )

The only other thing I could suggest is to take the dog and see how she reacts on the day. You could always pull her from the ring if she isn't happy, couldn't you?

Not much help. I'm afraid.

I think it depends entirely upon your dog and her nature. Some dogs will happily work for someone new and many won't.

A few years ago a friend and I took someone elses dog to Belfast, they had arranged a handler for the dog and we were only delivering her. We both knew the dog well and she showed very well for my friend, but the bitches owner wanted this handler to show her. It was a disaster, the bitch did win her class but got no further, she was very spooky - tail tucked right up and crabbing on the move.

Another time I picked up someones bitch and took her to Leeds to show for her owner. She was really spooked too, I'm sure she thought I'd kidnapped her! She crept round the ring and I was worried the whole day that she would slip her lead and run off. So from my experience it hasn't worked well, but then again we're talking about sensitive sighthounds here. On the other hand I've shown someones westies and they went very well for me even though I didn't know them.

She is a very friendly dog, sometimes a little to eager to go with someone.  I know though, she is better working with females, as a man tried to stack her on the table and she renched back, as if you were killing her and she was scared to death.  She did not look pretty at all.

My mom hasnt got a bitch entered, as we were expecting pups, so I think if no one else can handle her for me, then my mom might be able to.  (Although my mom is an obedience person, not a conformation person, but she could wing it well enough I think)

We will just see how the weekend goes!

If she's friendly and happy to go with people, it shouldn't cause her a problem. My boy is totally happy to go into the ring with any total stranger! My girl is fairly happy, though it usually only happens if they both win a class, then she has the problem of seeing me handling my boy, so she wants to get to me. She'll go pretty well for the other person though. (ps I handle my boy even though he's better for a stranger to take because I feel he's the better dog and could win the challenge more than she - not always right though! :-D )

Being a handler myself and some one who ask uses handlers i know what its like from bothe sides.
Most good handlers will try and get the best out you your dog a good handler has experince with the breed and will always do their best. I use a very well known handler in my breed if i am away showing the hounds, he does his best and always makes what eva dog i give him look fab its just having the trust in the handler and well there is always the next show and another handler to try!!!!

My aunt, who is also showing her Dobe, said that she will talk to the ring steward to see if they can move the order around a bit.  Sometimes they will do that, since Min Pins dont have a time call, and she is the only one entered.  If that works, she said she would be able to show both, unless we have a problem at the Best in Show line-up (we can dream cant we?)

She also said that when she talks to the steward, that I should go with, as I was the one supposed to handle the dog, and not being able to (obviously) it might make them more sympathetic to the situation.

Things are really laxed in Canada, and sometimes they will let you do things like this.  Only a couple days to go, and I have been asking strangers (to her at least) to work with her.  She isnt bad, but not great.  We will see though.

(praying to finish her!)

she is working real well for my aunt, and almost got group 4th yesterday (which is amazing, not only for the breed, but for my girl) but she was moved to 5th spot after she went to the washroom in the ring.  Stood there for a poo in the middle of the roundabout.  How embarassing!

Today, she got dumped, but it seemed to be a handlers day, and no one that wasnt a pro made it to the BIS lineup. 

Tomorrow is the last day there, and then a break until Spring I think.  Probably not really that long, but with the weather during the winter, who knows.

Good about the results! (but not about the poo!) My Yankee always used to do that to me. :rolleyes:

Last day she didnt get anywhere in group, and if you ask me she was showing her heart out!  The weather was really lousy, and not a lot of people showed up for the show itself. 
One judge commented on her, saying she was so beautiful, only wish he was the one judging - got to make sure I enter under him at the Markham show in February!

Got a picture coming to me though, they take candids of dogs in the ring if the show photographer isnt busy at the time of group. 

Looking for the last 4 points is horrid!!!!!!!!!!! 

Best of luck.

Try having a dog of 9 years old on 2CC's and getting the RCC this year behind the Crufts group winner 06 and third in the group this year. 

If he doesn't get his title his owner is pleased that he has done so well against such hot competition.  Sometimes it is more about the quality of the competition and holding your own than winning.  (you need 3CC's under different judges to get the title).

that would frustrate me I think. I know it is frustrating enough working for top dog, and getting beat out the last show of the year.  Or sitting on 9/10 points for championship, or BIB by defaults. 

But yet we keep doing it to ourselves.  I totally agree that it is about quality rather than quantity of wins. 

I am just really happy about getting through this weekend with her, and her showing so well!

Agree with Brainless - I would have loved my boy to get his other 2 CCs, but he's been 2nd behind one of other of the breed record holders more than a dozen times in his career, so has done me proud. :-)