Hello everyone,
Sorry if this post sounds stupid to all you show experts, but we are complete novices!
We are hoping to start showing our 20 week old pup when he is old enough and have already entered him into a couple of open shows, before we attempt a Champ show!!
My question is, will it be obvious where we have to go to say we have arrived and collect our number? and if we have pre-ordered a catalogue, do we collect that at the same place?
Very excited now, but wish that our puppy would slow down in age as the time we have left to prepare OURSELVES (pup is doing great, it's just us) is quickly running out!! LOL
Also, how much time would you give yourselves to be there before it starts, we don't want to be waiting around and have the nerves building, but want to be well organised.
Thanks for any advice, (if you can stop laughing at how virgin we are to reply!!)
Paula

I did my first 'proper' show (a Champ one too!) on Saturday. I was so horribly nervous I almost didn't go, but everyone on here was extremely encouraging and supportive, and if anyone thought I was stupid, they didn't say!

I will try and answer the best I can.

If the show is benched, the number will be on your bench. if the show is not benched, I think the secretary has the number, as well as the catalogues.

Our class started at about !2.30pm and we got to the show at about 8am. I felt this was just right for our first time. Space can be limited around the rings, so you can get a 'spot' and it gave me enough time to walk puppy about and get her used to everything. She had a little snooze and was fairly relaxed when we went in the ring. I would probably try and get there early again next time, as I felt better knowing I had plenty of time.

Most people won't mind if you ask them where to go for things when you get to the show. Try not to worry! I felt sick ont he way on Saturday, but had afab time and it was all over too quickly. Now I can't wait until the next one!

Good luck!

Firstly, we have all been novices you know.
At an Open show, find the Secretaries table for you catalogue. You can look up your breed and then your number. You will get your number from the steward in the ring as you enter your class. I would get their well in time of your judging time and look at what others are doing. It will also give yourself time to settle yourself and your puppy.
At a Champ show you will normally have your tickets to get in. Normally the catalogue stalls (or stall) is set up just inside the show. You then make your way to the benching for your breed and find your number. There will be a ring number and a bench number left on the bench. You need to have your ring number on when you enter the ring.
At unbenched Champ shows (mostly single breed Champ shows) you find the Secretaries table and get your catalogue and ring number together.
Always leave enough time to be able to get to the shows in plenty of time and just enjoy, you will always be taking the best dog home with you.

Have you found yourself a ringtraining class?  It will help a little with the nerves if you have had the opportunity to practice a bit.

Hi Jackson,
Thanks for the info, the first show is not benched, so I will just look for the secretary. The Champ ones that we are entering are benched so how do you know what your number is? do you get sent it in the post or collect it from someone on the day?
Thanks
Paula

The Champ ones that we are entering are benched so how do you know what your number is? do you get sent it in the post or collect'
You get passes sent to you a couple of weeks before the show -one to get in to the show, one to get out -and your dog's number will be printed on that.

Yes we have been going to ringcraft classes and puppy is doing great, OH is showing him and I am his admin clerk LOL (thats what it feels like filling in all the show forms!)
OH needs more work than the pup so I'm taking care of all the info so he can just worry about the triangle!! LOL
Paula

alphadal

Cute pup ( avatar ) :-)

Good luck with your shows, Im a novice too! Im going to my first open show in october......Im so excited but scared too.

Thanks all, we are looking forward to showing him in November.
We are taking him to 2 breed club shows entered "not for competition" before he is six months just to spend some time with him at a show before we have to actually take him in the ring. So we are very excited about that too.
Paula

i might be wrong, but i thought a puppy under 6 months old couldnt be in a show area at all? im new to all this as well, but thats what i heard.

Breed shows often offer the oportunity to take pups from 4 month NFC as a socialisation aid..... best to check with breed club schedules to see if yours offer this.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy yourself and the pup thinks is all good fun.

My easy method for new comers, park the car and say to the first person you see this is my first show and I don't know what to do - with luck they will take you and show you where to get the catalogue, show you where the ring is and may be hand you over to some one in your breed, if they don't then say to someone in your breed, I don't know what to do as it is my first show, they will help and you should tell the steward too. Steward is the person in the ring that is not the judge, tell them and if they are any good at their job they will make sure your experience is enjoyable.

So to recap, all you need to do is admit you are new and enjoy yourself.

Hello,
Yes Tooolz is right, it is his breed only shows that we are taking him to before he is 6 months just to have a look around and get used to the noise and atmosphere etc. They have to be over 4 months to go and they are not shown but you still have to fill in the form as though you are showing but put NFC in the place where you would enter the class number.
Paula

Hi Paula, good luck with your showing, your boy looks like a sweetheart on your avatar :-)

Sounds like you're doing everything right so far - I think the breed show is a good idea to get him used to a show - I know one of the clubs in my breed allows pups over 4 months to attend. Once you start to show I am sure you will make lots of new friends as I did when I first started...I think as long as you and the dog enjoy yourselves, you can't go wrong! And you have a wealth of experience on this board should you have any questions. Keep us posted with how you get on !!