Hi all,
Although we have been members on the CD forum for quite a while and recieved excellent advice and support when one of our girls was expecting her first litter we found ourselves as readers rather than posters, all that is about to change as we have now decided to get involved in the world of showing, we did consider this when we bought our third bitch but never did anything with her. So in april this year we took a long drive to Blackpool and came home with an 8 week old puppy named "Afterglow Lady Sings D Blues".
She is at present attending ringcraft classes and the puppy foundation course but all you wonderfull knowledgable people will have forgotten more than we will know so any tips or advice no matter how small would be more than welcome.
Many thanks for reading this.
Mike & Arlene

Great - have fun! I take it she's an American cocker / poodle / PBGV then? (or has Mike branched out further, I've lost track!) It's such fun starting out with your first shows, so much to buy, so many weird terms to get used to - but very addictive. :-)

What breed is she?  Good luck with the training, what I will suggest is get round some shows just to watch before entering (open and champ) any so you get a feel for what goes on and you will also present yourself with an opportunity to buy all the showing and grooming stuff.

Also remember it's fun, keep training fun, showing fun and enjoy yourselves!

I'm fairly new to showing and found a good basic book: Good Showing: The New Exhibitor's Guide to Dog Showing and the Showring (Hardcover)
by Peggy Grayson (Author) It covers all the basics from filling out forms correctly to ring etiquette and gives you tips like what not to wear. Have fun!

I started showing in January.  One of the books I liked was this one  Showing Dogs: The Exhibitors' Guide by Juliette Cunliffe (Author) it's very informative and also covers the basics like remembering to fill your car with fuel and pack sandwiches - daft but necessary advice.  The first time I went to a show I packed everything but the kitchen sink for the dog, and nothing for me!
We've had so much advice and support from our breeder - even to the extent that she ran a special ringcraft session for some of her puppy owners.  Absolutely invaluable for stacking and moving but also covered such things as getting schedules and filling in the entry forms. 
I know it's difficult with a young puppy at home but do try and go to a show before you take her to her first.  If you know which show you want to enter you might be lucky enough to find a show to visit at the same venue - it removes the unknown element and calms the nerves.  It really helps if you know what is expected of you both.  If you can meet up with your breeder at a show, or someone you know from ringcraft maybe,  they can talk you through what's happening too.  I'm better now but I used to keep getting caught out if and when I had to go back in the ring to challenge, some rules can be a bit confusing!!

Best of luck

Thanks for the advice and those books look very interesting, yes she is an American Cocker, we do intend going to a few local shows first just to see how things are done, no doubt we will be picking your brains over the next few months and will keep you updated on her progress.
Once again many thanks
Mike & Arlene

Hi Arlene & Mike, I have American Cockers too and several of them are from Mike at Afterglow. If I can help at all I'll be happy to.

Mine are now all cut down into pet trim because they are either too old or not good enough to show. They go out with my Irish Setters so the short trim is very practical. Will you be grooming her yourself?

Dawn R.

Hi Mike & Arlene, I bet your puppy is gorgeous. I watched the American Cockers being judged at Crufts this year and have to say I was quite taken by them!! If you are already attending ringcraft then that is a good step, but as the others say, go to a few shows, open and championship, and watch the experts! That's how I learnt, I've not been showing very long so still very much a novice myself. Don't be afraid to ask any questions you may have, and always listen to the experts! You will find once you have started showing you will most probably be hooked like me! :-)

Yes she is gorgeous but then we are biased !!! Dawn we won't be grooming her ourselves for the time being, Mike put us in touch with a lady who has had many years experience in showing Yanks and she groomed all of her dogs plus she only lives a few miles away, she had actually given up showing a while back but  she has decided to come out of retirement to help us with her, are you the same Dawn on the American cockers forum ????

Yes, that's me. :) You must be Millysmum!!

Dawn R.

awwwwww another Afterglow owner :)
Good luck with your showing :)
They truely ae great dogs arnt they :)
Lea :)

Yes Dawn thats us !!!  and yes Lea they are and it is a wonderful experience to go to the Afterglow kennels to so many wonderful looking dogs there

I dont think Mike would be pleased to see my grooming tho LOL
Beano is now clipped off short(he has LOADS of hair!!! and Gwen will confirm that LOL) but still wth deffinision between his skirt, back and still has the elvis Quiff!!!!!! But deffinatly a cut that is more condusive to running around in the fields and not having to spend hours grooming afterwards LOL
I dont show and never will but I love to go to shows and see 'my beeds' :) :)
Lea :)

I have a Gainas Yankee, he is gorgeous but though his mum, dad, sister, niece etc all have wonderful coats, he decided not to grow his. We had him neutered at 3.5 years (for other reasons!) and the thickening that ruins a proper coat has improved his no end! Make sure you never take your boy to an ordinary pet groomer, most of them wouldn't know how to do a Yankee or how to do a show dog. I ended up becoming a groomer myself because I was sick of either having George butchered or having to drive 50 miles to find someone to do him properly!! Might have to try an Afterglow cocker next time.... :-)