Hi everyone

We are attending our first show on Saturday (Open) and was wondering what is the most appropriate clothing? I know it sounds silly, but should I look really smart, (do not usually when doing anything doggy) or what. What do others wear? Any info would be gratefully received.

Thanks

Fiona and Saffy

Hi there,

I am quite new to showing so have watch closely at what others wear. I would say think Tidy and comfortable.

Some dress really smartly in trousers and jacket, tie etc which is nice to see.

Some dress smartly but in a casual way which is also nice to see. ( I try to elect this one as I wear a suit all week and love to get it off at the weekend)

I think what everyone will agree on is you should not to be untidy and scruffy.

Most important is to enjoy yourself and try to be calm ( ME I am terrfied still LOL)

Good luck)

PS for all ,

Alexanders sorry to stick this at the back of your thread but thought as we were on clothing it would be OK.

I have been trying to find a casual but smart waistcoat for showing (size 20/22) I never said that did I LOL any suggestions?

Pam

Pam, Kanopy have one or two things that might be useful or alternatively Maria Donati. I am always on the look out for things to wear in the ring that will be comfortable and have pockets and I am larger than you are. The other problem I have is that with small dogs that are predominately black (actually they are black and tan) I cannot wear black trousers and shoes or anything too dark as the dogs don't stand out against them.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

Thanks Joan, Off to have a nosy at the site.

I have westies as you know and I am addicted to black clothes..I need to seek help for my addiction.

I have managed to stop the black top/blouse in the ring but not the trousers yet or shoes or stocking or undies..LOL enough said.

Pam

I'd go along with Pam and say tidy and casual. My clothes vary slightly depending on the type of show. I tend to be smarter at an indoor club show than I would be at other shows and I try to look as smart as possible at Crufts. I was at an open show at an Agricultural show the other week where the only seats were bails of hay. A smart suit would have looked totally out of place there.

The important things to remember are to wear something you are comfortable in so you are not worried or having to adjust your clothes and to make sure that whatever you wear does not flap into the dogs face and does not detract from the dogs appearance. In both obedience and show I have seen dogs whose movement is spoilt because they are leaning away from the owner in an attempt to stop a skirt or a long jacket from hitting them in the face.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

Right, so considering for my breed I have to move quickly in the ring would trainers be inappropriate. By the way the show is at an equestrian centre but I don't know if it will be indoors or outdoors.

Thanks for your replies so far.

Fiona and Saffy

Trainers would be absolutely fine. Some equestrian centres have peat surfaces indoors and trainers are probably the best footwear for those. I don't actually like the surface myself. Even if the show is outside the ground is unlikely to be totally level so once again trainers would make sense.

Where is the show and what breed do you have?

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

I bought dark (navy blue) trainers with the intentions that they'd look better with trousers than say white ones;) I'd go smart but casual:) Plain trousers and a nice fleecy/woolen top:)

Stacey x x x

The show is at Wix, near Manningtree in Essex and Saffy is a fawn Briard. So going by what has been said I think I will wear black trousers and trainers (only have white ones at the moment though unfortunately) and a warm top (plain). Hopefully, I will get some dark trainers for next time.

Thanks for all your help everyone.

Fiona and Saffy

I'm sure both you and Saffy will look extremely good. Let us know how you get on and good luck.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

For your info Last time I went to Wix EC they have a sand/PVC mix indoors.

HTH

Tracy

My advice is based on my experiences as a professional photographer & its something that comes up time & time again when i am doing pictures of handlers & their dogs. DO NOT wear trousers/skirt that blends in with the colour or your dog (unless you have some hideous fault on your dog you wish to hide of course! :D )There is nothing worse than trying to look at a picture of, say, a handler in black trousers with a black Newfoundland, or (another favourite!) a Viszla handled by someone in rust coloured trousers......go for contrast....pale dog, dark trousers or vice-versa....and definitely not animal print tops....did some pics for a woman @ WKC with zebra stripe top......HIDEOUS....DON'T GO THERE!!

Sam I've a cracker pro pic of me with Cal (very black deerhound) wearing black jeans & shirt, and an ancient, grubby dark green barbour waistcoat. Hard to say where the dog ends and person begins :-)

On trainers, I avoid them like the plague - they slip on wet grass. I have a pair of (fairly) neat Ecco boots with good cleats on the soles and a fully waterproof lining. Now if I could only find the boot polish ...... :-)

Hi Sam, could you please give us some tips on how to take a decent photo of dogs who`s tail is constantly wagging! Nearly all mine look like the tails been chopped of cos of the wagging. Thanks
Christine2

And of black dogs please Sam

PS - have booked two riding lessons over the weekend :D!

Basically, black dogs need more exposure, so if you are using a 35mm manual camera then stop down by 1 or maybe 2 f-stops. If you are using one with all automatic settings then I guess all you can do is try a very small amount of flash, or, another trick is to put dog so that light reflects off a white wall in front of it (but out of shot!) :)

As for riding lessons...that will all go out of the window on Saturday.....just grip like hell & kick on!

Thanks Sam. I use a Minolta Dynax 9, so the f-stops are no bother. I'd been using background flash without much success, but thanks for the tip about the wall.

As for the riding, I'll kick, but can I strap myself on in some way :D? Or has anyone ever hunted on a donkey .....

Christine,
go to your local angling shop & buy 2 yards of fine fishing line....tie one end to the end of the tail & get someone to hold it in position.
The other alternative which I resort to mainly with fc's (what a nightmare) and labradors.......take about 20 pics & one will have the tail just right. No fee for top-tips!!! :D

Lol Sam!! :) Can just imagine the performance with the fishing line & all of us tied up in it & the dogs wagging even more! Only 20????? How about half a dozen rolls of 36 & one with the tail just right........shame the dogs front wasn`t. :) :) My feller got fed up & bought me a digi so I can click away to me hearts content but still can`t get the perfect one so guess I`ll leave it to you professionals eh?
Christine2