I am collecting my latest addition on 23rd April a beautiful Blue Merle BC bitch. I am intersted in attending ringcraft classes as I have tried/am involved in lots of other doggy things but have never had a go at any sort of showing. I know that coloured Collies don't usually do very well and that we probably won't ever win crufts, but I would still like to give it a go (not winning crufts just some light showing lol)   I was wondering what age you start ring craft with a young dog and if any one knows of a good class in the Hertfordshire/ North London area.
Many thanks

A beautiful blue merle collie bitch has just won her 2nd CC at The Border Collie Club of Great Britain Champ Show and there are 2 others with a CC each at the moment. So its possible to do well with the colours.  You can start ringcraft as soon as your pup is covered by her vaccinations as for ringcraft in your area I'm not much help I'm afraid as I'm up the other end of the country :) Good Luck, but most of all have fun and enjoy your pup.

What part of herts are you looking at?  If stevenage area is a possibility give me a PM for details

>I was wondering what age you start ring craft with a young dog

You can start as soon as their vaccinations are complete. :-)

Ooh beautiful! Yes, as soon as they have their shots done. I go to ringcraft near Wood Green, north London, on a Tuesday night, it's not brilliant for the finer points of showing a particular breed but is fine for first socialisation, teaching them to walk round other dogs without lunging and trying to play with everyone, and the basics of handling. They concentrate a little too much on handling competitively, eg doing reverse triangles, Ts, reverse 7s etc, and perhaps not enough on what to do at your first show - my poor friend was quite confused at her show on Sunday and kept asking 'will they want me to do a reverse triangle' or not knowing that the judge will move all the dogs round in a circle together rather than one at a time, and so on. But like I said, for the early training and basics they are good. There's also one in Crewes Hill near Enfield on a Thursday but I don't know anything about it.

Thanks for the replies, I live close to Watford in Herts and don't really mind travelling a bit for a class if it's a good one for complete beginers to whom things like reverse triangle's etc sound like a foreign language !! Also is it a good idea to join the breed club for your particular beed?

The one near stevenage (in aston Village) is Very good, (although bias!)

We will help out compleat beginers, going though the very first steps, helping you not only show your dog, put with paper work aswell. 

There are 3 indvidual trainers, two who are champ-show judges and have been showing for many years, the other doesn't handle or judge but knows her stuff and will happily tell you what to do! Has much experiance in training as the others and it expert ringside chatter! :D

We welcome breeds of all types and sizes and will help with any questions you have.

We won't confuse anyone with competitive handling.  Junior handlers have their own class where complex patterns are taught.  the beginger won't be confussed to much with anything apart from triangle and up and down.

Dogs and people are encouraged to socilise and get on. 

We have people come some distance to us and see many returning faces aswell as new people.

Also the home made Cakes each evening are just lovely!

I might be quite bias as the club is run by my family.  But from what people say to us, we think we can call ourselves a good club.

Any club teaching complex patterns to people who arn't intrested in junior/adult handling and haven't got the basics IMO isn't a great club.  An exceptional club will teach you how to show your dog to it's best and disguise any of it's faults. :)  However you can only make up your mind on which club you like by going and visiting. 

Our club is happy for you to come dog-less and talk to us and everyone there, watch the training and see what you think.  Most others are the same.

The home made cake part has sold it to me lol. I will pm you :-)

Ooh, home made cakes - I wonder how long it takes from Edmonton... :-D

Doghouse,  Will send you an e-mail with details later.

Lucydogs, it's about 40 mineuts. ;)

Hmmm... :-D