I have 2 dogs neither of which i think will be suitable for showing but I would like in the furture to get involved with showing. At the moment I feel my 2 dogs are too young for me to add a 3rd but perhaps in a couple of years it will be a different matter. In the meantime what books would you recommend to showing for beginners?
Is there particular breeds that are easier when it comes to showing or is it just down to training?

Thanks

:-)

I never read a showing book, I just went along to shows and got thrown in at the deep end ;-) so can't help with books, I'm afraid. Why not find a ringcraft in your area and ask if you can go along and see what is happening regarding training? That way you might find someone who is willing to lend a dog for the night and you can get some hands on experience. You can also see the different ways that different breeds are shown. Go to a few shows and see the breeds in action, speak to the owners about their dogs and find the right breed (and mentor) for yourself. I wish I'd had someone to help when I first started out. It's all so strange until you start to realise that you do things without thinking.

Is it possible to train with a dog to show even if that particular dog won't be shown?

I am thinking out loud (lol), my eldest is calm and good at everything except recall and my youngest is good at walking off lead and his training has been very easy but he is quite a nervous dog. I want to invlove them as much as possible whilst I am learning without taking them to a show if that makes sense. It may be that i decide to stick with my exisiting breed and get my breeder to be my mentor (although difficult whilst i live over here) or I may decide that I want show another breed but this would obviously mean me deciding on a breed and spending more time researching it from scratch (but i will have this time as I don't want to add to our clan yet).

What bought you into showing, were you able to show your existing dog/s or did this prompt you to add another?

Thanks :-)

Is it possible to train with a dog to show even if that particular dog won't be shown?

Yes and I would recommend it.  Go to ringcraft and train yourself and your dog then you can compete at a couple fo opens as they dont cost much to get a bit of practice also there are companion shows as well.  Most people start by having a pet and showing it before getting a better dog.  Also good to start getting your face known in a breed you like so when you can get another dog you can get one from a breeder you really like.

Breeds that have less dogs being shown are easier to win in but I would say always go for a breed you love regardless.  But make sure that you can fit about 6 in your home as once you start you will end up with loads of dogs. :)

As for books there are loads of them out there but none are as good as talking to breeders/handlers that are doing it already.

Emma

There is nothing to stop you from showing your dog at open shows or the breed club shows even if you don't think they are show quality, the smaller shows need the support. When we were showing, our first dog was never going to be a champion and our second was in import register so no big trips to crufts for him :-D although we did take our Bernese to Crufts as he did qualify. Depending on the breed you have you might pick up some rosettes and you can have fun at the same time. There are a lot of snooty show people out there but there are also a lot of nice folk and any practice you can get in now will stand you in good stead for when you get the right dog!

Thanks for the advice :-)

I am going to enquire about showing at our local dog club and go from there. I am going to take my youngest as I think he will be easier on me lol

:-)

I show my rescue Staffy and she's far from show quality lol!  She loves it although we don't get anywhere we treat it as a social occasion and have heaps of fun!

Find a good ringcraft class and go along with one of your own dogs and explain that you want to learn as much as you can before you get your next dog which will hopefully develop into a show worthy dog. As most people who go to classes are either training a young puppy or trying to sort out any problems it is not very likely that they will loan you a dog to work with if you are a beginner. But you will usually find most people will be generous in spirit and encouraging. There is more to a good class than running up & down a mat and having your dog gone over by whoever happens to be free at the time, put a note in at your vets asking for people to reccommend classes, chat to your local pet food store they will probably know others who Show. If you post a rough area that you are in others on this site may know of ringcraft near you

I agree - I have a couple of friends who haven't really got 'show quality' dogs, but they enjoy the day out meeting up with friends, they enjoy their lovely friendly dog being clean and pretty and showing off, and so what if they don't beat other dogs, it's not the end of the world. My Yankee isn't much of a show dog, he's never beaten a dog at Open level and I would never waste the money on a Champ show for him, but just occasionally I like to bath and blow dry and take him out all clean and fluffy. Get to open shows with your dogs and learn how to do show handling with them - much better than having a top dog that doesn't win as much as he would have with a more experienced handler (no I don't just mean a 'face' either). And do some companion shows - even if your dogs aren't the best example breed standard wise doesn't mean they can't do well in 'handsomest dog' or 'waggiest tail'!

I actually think that my youngest might do well at shows, he is beautifully marked and has a fantastic coat and is in great shape the only thing that lets him down is his nervousness but perhaps he will come out of this when we are showing. His brothers and sisters have done very well already in the show ring as it was a fantastic litter so fingers crossed.

Thanks for all the advice it has been really helpful :-)

A big plea, if your dog is nervous Please don't let anyone force him to do anything. Take your time, make it a fun enjoyable experience for you both and your dog WIll come to enjoy it too. I have had far too many dogs come to me that are really nervous of being handled because some bright spark has thought they were So clever, and managed to get their hands on a dog , only after having wrestled with it for ages. That will only re-enforce any fear your dog has, be patient be firm, be king.

Thanks, I will make sure he is comfortable :-)
We are going to practice at home for a while before taking him to training class :-)

If you decide to take your youngest then I would let him take it at his own pace. Let him see the other dogs from a distance and see how he reacts. Remember, though, that most dogs at ringcraft are young ones learning their trade so may be a bit naughty ;-) If he isn' thappy then don't take him up for a turn. Even if it means you sit at the side all night watching. After a few nights he might come round and see what the fun is all about, once he gets used to the place.

Companion shows are fun to start out at. It's for anyone, no matter what their dogs are like. It's just a bit of fun so a good place for you to start.

My first time at showing was with a bitch that was bought as a working gundog She actually was good looking, but wouldn't show. She would shake in excitement and wouldn't stand. I kept a daughter, but she wasn't good enough, so kept another one from the next litter. She hated it :-) It was like taking a sack of spuds round the ring :-D I now have her grandson, and he loves the attention. He's done quite well too, so I'm having a lot of fun with him.

> Companion shows are fun to start out at. It's for anyone, no matter what their dogs are like. It's just a bit of fun so a good place for you to start.
>

What are companion shows?

:-)

They are local shows that are run by local charities usually. You enter on the day, so check local papers, vets and pet shops for adverts. There usually a few pedigree classes: best puppy, best sporting, best non-sporting and open are the usual ones. Then you get the extras. The best 6 legs, prettiest bitch, handsomest dog, waggiest tail, etc. It only costs a pound or two to enter so is great to try it out for the first time. There will be a few people in the know, and a lot of local people out for the day to have their pet showing just like on the telly :-) Great places to have a bit of fun, and to see how things are done.

I thought I would just add that we have people coming to our ringcraft with crossbreeds.

Two young handlers own crossbreeds/non pure breds and do handliing and training with them aswell as training and showing our dogs for us.  one young handler started handling our dogs and then started bringing her corssbreed to socilise him.

Afew years we had a couple of more mature lady's who watch crufts and wanted to give it agao with their crossbreeds and came for many months and one couple have one pedigree they show but got another dog, a crossbreed to keep their other girl company and the bloke trains the crossbreed whilst the lady shows their pedigree. :)  There have also been many more crossbreeds or working types.  They all mix well with the top breeders who also come to us to socilise their latest puppies!

Just thought I would share this to show that even if you just do the ringcraft training side of things with afew companion shows you can gain so much information.

Yep seriously good fun.

Our ringcraft club organises one in with the local carnival/festival each year.  Great way to socialise dogs with people dressed in massive costumes, not something you see every day.  One of mine wouldn't leave a peacock person alone last year he kept trying to pull to get close enough to pull her feathers out.  Never seen him so determined in my life.

They also advertise a few companion shows in the back of our dogs but the local paper, the vets and pet shops will usually have the most adverts.

Emma

If you look on the prodgs site there are lists of shows and also links to articles for newbies. http://www.prodogs.co.uk/