I am very interested in showing I will be getting a pup in a month, But I've heard there are many diffident types of show? I. e open and champion...e.c.t I've no ideal what any of these mean!:-(where can I find information on how to get started.

My thanks
carter

Hi Carter
I think the first thing you need to do is find a local training club or match night as they are known which is near to where you live. Here you will be given advice on how to show your puppy and be able to practise what you learn.

My one piece of advice would be to take it one step at a time and start with a training night and then enter the odd open show when you have built up your confidence. You will know in your own mind when you and the dog are ready and/or good enough to compete at Championship level.

Good luck but be warned it IS very addictive!!!!! :)

Hi Carter, my advice would be to go to shows without a dog for a few months, this will give you plenty of opportunity to watch your chosen breed being judged. Take notice of how the breed is handled, is it stacked ( manually posed) or is it free standing. What pace is it moved at. Is it baited, ( fed titbits to keep its attention ) What kind of lead is being used. Is it stood on a table. Is is weighed or measured. There's loads of stuff you can learn simply by watching. Also ring procedure can seem quite complicated when you're new to it.Enjoy yourself and good luck for the future.

Hi Carter the first thing to do is to tell the breeder of your pup that you want to show. They should help you if they are into showing themselves and if not point you in the best direction. Jackie

Hi Carter
Like you i am very interested in showing.Picking my pup up next week.My breeder has advised i dont go to ring craft
classes,with new puppy.But take my 4 year old mongrel instead.Reason being she said,they get bored and this
show,s in the ring.By taken my mongrel she said,i will learn the technique for the ring..
I have had dogs all my life and trained them myself.But showing is all very new to me.Should i go it alone or do
classes with puppy.Any advice would be appreciated.
linda..
PS.sorry carter for jumping on your thread

Hi Linda, whilst I can understand your breeder advising you not to let the pup get bored by too much showing, I cant understand him/her saying dont take the pup at all! It is important that the pup gets used to eing handled by strangers (the 'judges' at ringcraft) and learns to be comfortable in a place among lots of ther escited dogs. You both need to learn to stack/free stand (depending on breed) and to move correctly. Of course, your basic training should be done at home, and ringcraft used for practice. I take pups shortly after 2nd vaccination, just for a 'look see' and perhaps a quick trot up and down the mat. A little later, when walking on lead and stacking is coming on nicely at home, we go to 2 or 3 more ringcraft sessions, and do the whole thing. If the pup is performing well, we keep on going occassionally up to the time of first show, sometimes joining in, sometimes just going for pup to socialise or watch its litter mates practice,

If you post your breed others on the board may give you a deeper insight into usual training for your dog. Wahtever the reed, I dont think it can be a good experience for any pup to be dropped into the deep end at a show with no previous experience, especially if you are a novice yourself!
Gwen

Hi Gwen
Puppy is labrador.
I agree that both myself and pup need to practice together.As you said pup needs to get used
to being handled by strangers and move correctly.
It just seems odd bit of advice to be given to a newcomer.
many thanks
linda.

Linda

I agree with gwen - get your baby there asap. There's no point taking your other dog as you don't intend to show that one and handling that one will be very different to how you need to handle your puppy. You don't have to stay all night - just go for half an hour or so so your puppy doesn't get too bored or tired. It is a good idea to go on your own, ie without baby, at least once so you can see the set-up etc - makes it easier when you take your puppy.The socialisation is really helpful for a young puppy and will make things easy in the long run.

hth

Pam n the boys

Hi
I started showing Elkhounds 18 months ago and took my first one to ringcraft almost every week from the time he was allowed out.By the time he had his first champ show at 6 months he was like a robot-stood perfectly but there was just no sparkle.I now take him maybe once every couple of months but do attend shows regularly with him.Thankfully he now enjoys his showing and is 100% better.
My second pup I took less often and concentrated more on socialising -made it more fun!!We still did our 'lessons' and learnt to stand etc but I accepted that there needs to be a balance between work and fun.He had his first champ show at Driffield and got a 2nd.
what I guess I'm trying to say is that Ringcraft is very important-you both need to know what is expected- but make sure you both enjoy it and as with all training for pups-a little at a time and make it fun!!!
Archer

Carter, there are one of two books availabel which give an intro to showing, make sure you get one which reflects the UK not USA scene, as things are very different. I think Peggy Grayson has writted one, someone else may be able to suggest others. I agree with the advice to go alone and watch a few shows and ringcraft sessions, you will then have some idea of what to expect from yourself and puppy. Does your breeder know you are intending to show, do they show themselves? It is important that the breeder knows you are looking for a show prospect puppy - no one can quarantee that a pup will turn out suitable for the ring, but you are not very likely to obtain a show prospect from someone who does not show themselves, or if the breeder thinks you are looking for a pet only.

Hi Carter

I also would strongly recommend a good ringcraft/training club. I would certainly say take your puppy along as soon as it has had all vaccinations or is fully protected by other methods. Biased I may be but if you can find a ringcraft club where junior handlers are taught, you will certainly learn to handle correctly and learn the art of sportsmanship. Junior handling is not fancy pattern work or dancing in the ring but quite simply teaches you to show your dog to the best advantage i.e. keeping the dog where the judge can see it best. My training class in Bradford welcomes handlers of all ages and all breeds. We train Sunday evenings and have produced some top handlers.

Did you tell the breeder of your puppy that you may be interested in showing? Often when a litter is born experienced breeders/exhibitors will know whether a particular puppy has what it takes to succeed in the ring, whether another particular puppy is suitable for breeding and whether a third will just make a wonderful pet - the thing to remember here is that they all three have the same parents and pedigree and whilst one may be a champion, another will not. At the end of the day if you do decide to show, please remember that when you enter a show, you are asking for the judges opinion of your dog and if the judge likes your dog, it 'should' win but when you go home you still take home the best dog at the show. You may have read on these boards that sometimes judging is not fair and there are many judges you will always put the handler up who can best help them and then again there are judges who dare not do their own thing and will follow the current trend to put up the current top favorite, rather then the dog which is actually the best in the class. Thankfully there are still many honest judges.

I have written several articles aimed at the new exhibitor and would be happy to help you get started, please contact me direct if you think I could help.