Does anyone know of any companion shows in Northern Ireland please? I am terrified of my first shows, and would like ot maybe try a few of these first to get me started, but not being from these parts, it is hard to find anything!

Thanks! :-)

Never really hear of  companion show in N.Ireland (although the Ballymena and District Dog fanicers had one 5/6months back for Charity).  Maybe a couple of dog Match's will help although these may stop soon (as will the ringcraft) for a couple of months as the show season gets into swing (numbers reduce at this time of year).

Thanks for that.

I am very new to all this, and the membership secretary of our breed club is ill, so I can't get hold of her yet! Am registering with the IKC and attending ringcraft (she said it is quieter in the summer, but not that it closes?)

I am really struggling with finding show dates etc though. maybe I am being thick. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

http://www.showdogsireland.com/Shows.asp

Sorry, I don't hear of may companion shows either but if I do, I'll let you know.

Thanks.

Do I just write off to the secretary for a schedule? How far in advance do entries close? Also, again maybe being thick, but there don't seem that many, Does that list all of them?

I really don't know what I am doing, and the whole thing terrifies me, but I am determined!

Yip - show dogs Ireland website will give you list of IKC shows and you can enter the majority of them on line.  You will also get schedules on this website and it will state when they need to be entered by. 

If your also UK Kennel club you can go onto their website which has a PDF file containing a list of show dates for the next number of months which address's you can write to for schedules.  Theirs also a few other websites of use such as dogshowentry, Fosse Data etc which are of use.  There is no 1 definative list but it is true to say their are more shows over the water than in either the North or the South.

That's mostly just IKC ones on that site but really, I don't think there are that many more although I think you have missed some of the more 'local' shows this year.

Have a look here for schedules...I think you can enter online for many of them.

Thanks ever so much for that. I will trawl the sites.

Typically, my little puppy will be a few days too young for the Bangor one. The older pup will be eligible, but I haven't even taken her to ringcraft yet, so I might see nearer the clsoing date. She's good at home, and wil stand etc, but not sure about in public yet!

I'm still terrified, I'll just have to put up with that, I guess! LOL

You'll find details of some local Open shows and Breed specific shows for the UK kennel club on their website,

>Activities and Events
>Exhibiting (showing)
>Show dirary PDF

I think Lisburn Open show is on Sunday.  You may want to go along to see how things happen before you actually start showing.  I did that and brought the pup along to get her  used to the show environment before I put her in to any (although your not strictly supposed to).  You also get to know the people in your particular breed and get hints from them - I found it very useful.   The next open show that I know off in the North after Lisburn is the Coleraine show at Ballymoney showgrounds on the 14th June.  Again the details are in the Kennel Club (UK) download.

Slipper, thankyou very much.

I went to Bournemouth show to watch last year, as that was where I was living, but it was a while ago now. I think I will go to Lisburn to watch. Is it at the Rugby Club? I'm too scared to take any dogs with me in case I get told off! LOL

I will probably try and watch at Ballymoney aswell.

Thankyou. :-)

Yes - Lisburn Rugby Club.  Don't know if I'll be at that one as I'm supposed to go to the IKC at Cloghran on the Saturday but will definately be at the Coleraine Open show at the Ballymoney show grounds.  I'll be over at the Goldies if your about.

Thank again.

What time do they usually start,? As I haven't got a schedule.

Have you got Goldies then? Me too, if so. :-)

Will check schedules when I get home .

Yip 2 Goldies - boy (1.5yrs) and girl (9months).  Flurry didn't like to show - didn't like going near the judge so we retired his show lead - Kept lying down in front of judge and refused to go anywhere near.    Started Slipper when she was 12weeks at ring craft and she's does well to date.

ooh, Maybe I can get some tips from you then?!! LOL  I am a total novice and not sure on anything! I have yet to learn to trim properly or anything.

I've just started my little girl a couple of weks ago. She's doing well so far, but I'm not sure if she's going to be a bit too laid back. The 'judges' at ringcraft said she's very good for her age. I also have an older one, but I'm not sure whether to show her or not really. I intend to, but I'm just so afraid!

How are yours bred? PM if you like instead. :-)

Shows both open at 9.30am for judging to begin at 10.30am.

PM'd.