should have been at an open show today, but the last few days a feeling of why bother came over me, two dogs to bath, trim and groom,hard work and is it worth it?, last time out 2nd in class got us a piece of paper and no critique , just bored with it all. I need a break but what then? another puppy to show ,where do you draw the line and stop , when you have 5.6.7.8 dogs?

I don't go to win and definitely not to get a rubbish card.  I enjoy going because my dogs do and because I love meeting up with likeminded friends.

We went to an open show yesterday,and was loooovely to meet up with friends,have a chat and see friends new puppies x

I know how she feels I think its the time of the year, in the summer love grooming outside. Did agility yesterday enjoyed that more.

I haven't been to any shows since beginning of October and missing it - whilst its nice to win I certainly don't mind where we come in the line up - its nice to catch up with my dog showing friends and the dogs enjoy a day out.  The grooming is a bit hard work though - we have a show next Sunday and boy I have some work to do ha ha!

Sometimes its good to take a break.

If I had the why bother attitude probably would find another hobby.

I am desparate to get back to agility shows but just seem to keep missing the closing dates!!! 

felt like that for most of this year but health reasons didnt help! The thrill does return ...

Got a breed ch show next weekend, really just going to say hi to everyone and see them next.. probably at crufts!

i took a year out of showing last year, did agility and flyball and just came back into the show ring about october this year so nearly a year and half out of the ring,

and it was just the break i needed did something different and now i am splitting my time between doing all three things with the dogs, don't really know why i took a break just decided had enough and needed to do something else .

i am now enjoying showing again and if i loose the buzz i will stop give me and the dogs a break and then go back to it, to me it is not the be all and end all of my life.

take some time out maybe from now till crufts and see if you get your mojo back

see you next sunday then Rachelsetters

I do sometimes wonder why I bother, but it's not just the competing and hopefully doing well, it's a day out with the dogs, they love showing off, and I often meet up with some friends too. Today Hetty got 2nd at a baby puppy walk which I was thrilled at, I didn't know anyone at the show but my Dad came along to keep me company which was nice.

If your not having fun then give it up. I would do a Dog show everyday if i could. I love it so much. meeting people seeing loads of Dogs looking at stalls with dog things for sale. I love geting up on a show morning I hate going home. oh yes forgot the in the ring bit. showing off my dog . ok so the judge is not alway wearing there, my dog is the best glasses. but i am :)

you definitely will :)

I'm coming too, to share my support. Have a PAT walk around lunch time so will pop up for a few hours...

I will look out for you with your dog under your coat Sue !

I know the feeling, this year ive been to Crufts and to our local breed club open show ........ waste of time on both counts !  I do enjoy going and meeting people and seeing my boys progeny but to be honest I get fed up of the constant knocks, its such a subjective sport, depending on who you go under as to whether you stand a chance.  And then there is the trimming, bathing, making sure your dog stays clean etc.  I much prefer agility, I have a great bunch of agility friends, most of our shows are weekends in the summer so we all camp together, and you know WHY your dog didnt get placed, you know what went wrong, where as at a breed show you only find out why your dog won, you never find out why yours got thrown out :(

Throughout the winter, Sept - May, I do Cani-cross and bikejoring.  I compete at specific canix races and also some 10K cross country runs allow you to run with dogs.  This weekend we have been down near the New Forest, I did the bikejor with my young Kelpie, he was amazing, he gave it his absolute all, we not only won the female category but we beat all then men too   Afterwards I took my two Setter boys for a run around the 6K course which they really enjoyed.  They all love it, its what most dogs enjoy most - running, especially in the forest. The dogs are so fit, and the owners have to be too, there is no trimming or bathing, all my lot come home filthy !! Alot of the dogs really bark and yelp on the start line with excitement, alot of people stuggle to hold the dogs back because they are so excited ......... you dont see many dogs go into a show ring like that ;)

When people say their dogs enjoy showing, I bet there are other things they would enjoy much more, my Alfie loves all the attention and fuss that he gets at a dog show but I can guarantee he would much rather have a day out at a canix or agility event !