Hi Everyone

Just booked my accomodation and the tunnel, and now wondering what on earth am I doing!
Never ever been to a show in my life, talk about jumping in at the deep end.
Was wondering if anyone from my neck of the woods (South Essex) or reasonably close by can recommend a ringcraft class or would be willing to give a little bit of guidance?
I am meeting a few Europeans and Canadians  over there that I have only had contact with over the net, so really am looking forward to that aspect, but am dreading the showing!
Cannot show here, FCI only for my breed.
Thanks so much.
Lucy

Hi,

Good for you, nothing ventured...as they say.
What breed have you got? We are in Kent so not too far away and the KC website will have a list of ringcraft in your area. I know a few near Canvey so if they are any use let me know.
Jeff.

Hi Jeff,
Thanks
Canvey is good for me, as is anything near the Dartford crossing, either side of the river.
If you could let me know it would be appriciated, and a step in the right direction.

Before then you have lots of opportunity to attend and exhibit at many shows in mainland Europe.  I assume your dog is already pets passported?  I would do as many as you can to familiarise yourself with showing, and also for the benefit of your dog and yourself, ring experience.  The standard of showing and handling at the WDS generally (well in my breed) is far better than in the UK for a start.  Also to get used to the things you need to do at foreign shows, like collecting your ring numbers, diplomas after your breed has  been judged, trophies on offer and so on.

www.doglle.com if a good central portal for many European and Scandinavian shows.  Especially for Belgium and the Netherlands.  www.cedia.fr for the French shows, has lists of all CAC and CACIB shows and entry online for them, this is also the portal for entry into the WDS.  http://www.vdh.de/home.html for shows in Germany.  There are loads within 2 hours easy drive of Dunkerque or Calais between now and July.  Many Brits make regular journeys over there to show now, I go on average once a month.

You should try and do the big FCI Centenary "Special" show in Dortmund in May to give yourself a taste of the big time.  It has both CAC and CACIB shows over the weekend.  Also the week of the WDS there will be section shows for various breeds going on in the area, and at the same venue and over the same days the Championnat de France to enter, my breed classes at this are the day before ours are scheduled at the WDS.

Goodluck.  You should name your breed on here, there may be others with the same who could give you advice on breed specifics for showing it.

I would add also that to attend ringcraft here is a must, but again to go abroad before the WDS as the showing styles for individuals breeds may be quite different to what you are taught or see here.

Hi Lucy .. can't recommend a ringcraft as I live "up north". I am showing at both the World Show and Championatt de France  on the Sat / Sunday. Ring procedure is a little different than in UK BUT experienced exhibitors from Uk who are having a first Euroepean trip will also face this problem. Get to ringcraft and learn how to stand and run your dog, and if you can make a trip to a European show (with or without) your dog before Paris that would help you to sort out ring protocol. Or why not tell us what days you are at the show and perhaps someone who knows the ropes will be able meet up with you and show you the ropes :)

If you can do a European show before July I would recommend you look at shows in Holland. The Dutch speak fantastic English so if you tell the ring steward its your first show they will help. A list of Dutch shows is available  - http://www.nvdsk.nl/Tentoonstellingsagenda_2011.pdf   Unlike Harkback for my breed I would have to say handling is generally not as polished as handling at UK shows (give or take a few exceptions) so enjoy :))

K.

  

Lucy you've got me intrigued as to what breed you have if its not recognised by the KC at this time..

Can we guess?   My guess is ... Boerboel

hi

me too hopefully my blood test result comes back ok as had it done 29th dec so hoping i get it this week coming as otherwise will be over the 6 months  and need to find out about worming dates etc  OMG  hope i make it

Thanks Harkback
Some good advice there, but getting to a few shows in Europe is just a tad too costly for me this year, could maybe do one.

KLB, sorry I'm not up north any longer (was just t'other side of the pennines from you before being lured down south).
Just looked at your site and am very impressed, love that the working side is as important as the showing side.
Mine is a working breed too.
Love Holland and wish I could get there more often, find it much 'easier' than France.

No.... not a Boerbel

Suejaw..... saw you were hoping to do the Crisis at Christmas, I was there, did you make it?

Lucy

Did you go for 2 shots or just one?
The 6 month countdown goes from when blood test was drawn, so if it was on the 29th, you should be fine.
My import had problems as the bloods were smashed in the post in Germany, so had to be re done, so had to remake all my careful travel/holiday plans.
Hope you get positive results soon.

Can we play 'guess the breed'? Why the secrecy??? If it's a working breed is it something like a Fila or a Dogo?

> Can we play 'guess the breed'? Why the secrecy??? If it's a working breed is it something like a Fila or a Dogo?

Karelian Bear Dog???  What do we win for the correct answer :)))

Hi Lucy,

No never got to Crisis in the end...Hope it all went well.

Just going through the list of working breeds on the FCI website, it could be a whole host of different breeds..lol

Is it a Cane Corso?

not sure what you mean about 1 or 2 shots just had the one lot of blood taken so fingers crossed
still debating on when and how to get there as may sleep in the van  but where i dont know
and did  dog worls or our dogs do a trip and how much and  for how long?

Txs for the lovely comments on the website, YES the working side for me is very important, the dogs construction, temperament and character is intrinsically linked to the work they are bred for - performance to type etc etc :)

I also agree that Holland is so much easier than France, we always get a warm welcome when we go with the dogs. I am going out next in March for the show at Groningen in the north - about 3hrs from ferry terminal.
Hope you are going to tell us about your dogs then we can all get on google to find out about them and perhaps see some live examples in Holland :) I love wandering round the shows in Europe and watching breeds we don't see here. 

K

I am going to the world show :) First time showing in another country. It will never be any closer, so thought I would go for it!
I live near Dartford.  There is a good ringcraft club in Wilmington (run by Woolwich and Bexley C.A).

Hi
Toller....Ooh, the Wilminton one is quite easy for me to get to, do you have any details on it (day, time, cost)
Do you go there yourself? Maybe we can be newbies together at the WDS.
Dreading not being able to understand anything,
French was never a language I could understand.
Thanks

Hi

Welshie, I meant did you have 2 rabies vaccinations or just one.
I only decided for sure that I was going once I had found accomodation that was good value
(Sun Holidays, £130 for the whole week, yay) as I have to take the whole family!
Hope you get it all sorted out.

Hi All

No big secret about the breed, just not too many of them around.
I am not too happy with the advertising of them in this country right now, they need to be portrayed correctly, and that is just not happening.
So to be fair to the breeder (although I don't agree with their advertising campaign) it wouldn't  be right to mention them on here, nor do I wish to promote them.
Although classed a working dog, it is very gentle, certainly nothing at all like the breeds mentioned so far.

So, back to the task at hand.
Definately will try to get to one show in Europe, and ringcraft. Is there anything I can do to practice at home?
I need to teach them to stand, as most of the time they sit! It was suggested to me not to use treats as this is when they are more likely to sit, any ideas?

VET... I heard there would be a vet at the show for the passport requirements, I don't imagine I will be there on the final day, but would hotfoot across Paris to do the vet thing if I knew I would be allowed in. Anyone know if I can take my dogs on the Sunday, even though they will not be showing that day? Or is it competitors only?

Thanks

Ringcraft is held at Joydons wood community centre on a Thursday, starts at 8.00.  I haven't been for a while, but I am going to start going again with Ember.  She is going through a 'I don't want the judge looking at my teeth' stage.
I am doing the french championship show as well, and only staying one night.  We will probably just find a campsite and rough it lol

Hi toller
Thanks for the info, I hope to start by theend of the month, so will see you there maybe.
What are the requirements for entering the French Championnat? Is it just entry fee, or is nothing that simple?
If it is just pay your fees, then it is something that I would like to do too.
Lucy

Anyone can enter :)  I have entered both already on-line, it took a while as it's all in French lol

Re Vet -- everyone has to have a vet check to get into the show and show vets will sign passports for tick / flea treatments which need to be done minimum 24 max 48 hrs before you "CHECK IN " to travel back to uk.
I will get mine done on the Sat and plan to travel back to Uk Sunday night via tunnel. Email the SCC and ask if you could attend to see the vet on the Sunday (if thats when you need the passport doing) , never had a problem when I have needed to do this when at other shows.

As for Championatt de France all you need to do is enter :) See link  http://www.worlddogshow2011.fr/en/pages/engagement-championnat-de-france/44

K

Thanks, looks like I am going to be busy getting ready for 2 shows now!
Will 170 days be enough time lol.
Yes I need the vet to do my tick/flea treatments either on the Saturday afternoon or before noon on the Sunday, will be taking my own, is this a service that they charge for do you know, hoping it will be free or at a much reduced price than the local French vets.

Lucy

klb   pm'd you.

Some show vets charge for stamping the passport (WDS Denmark it was about £20 for all my dogs), others do not but remember to take the correct wormer and tick / tapeworm and correct doseage.  World Shows do tend to charge.  If it is not the required product they will not stamp your passport.  They generally have designated times for this, say 2 hour slots mornings and afternoons but it will say on the exhibitor information.

Thanks Harkback

Even at £20 for a few dogs, that is an amazing difference than having to use a vet in town, so that is good to know.
I have always provided my own flea/tick treatment when at the vets abroad (as it has been cheaper to buy over there), however, I have always allowed them to supply the wormers, which one would you recommend using?
I noticed a question from another forum member about which paperwork is needed, is there any chance of a list of requirements being made on here, as I am sure I don't know, and a few others seem to be 'first time showers abroad' .

Should I start it off with the obvious?
1. Dog/s  (easy to forget when rushing and in a panic)
2. Pet Passport, up to date with rabies vacs.
3. Copy of blood test results
4. Phone number of your own vet where rabies vac was given, just in case of problems and a photocopy of passport details(kept in a seperate place)
5, Wormers and tic treatment, if you are using your own.
6. Euros (change for the toll roads)
7. Scan your dog before you leave to make sure the chip can be read (if you have your own scanner you can take it along)

Ok, so now what can be added to the list regarding showing? Thanks

Copy of dog's KC 3 generation pedigree and registration certificate copy.

For passports I use Drontal Plus as wormer and either Frontline or Andvantix (prescription med) as tick/flea treatment :)
As for paperwork I take ::
5 generation Pedigree
Registration certificate
Champion Certificates( as needed for Champion class)
Work Certificates (as needed for working class)
Make sure your yearly vaccinations (Pavo/hepititis/ lepto etc ) listed in passport or take copy of you vaccination certificate
Belt n braces extras ::
Telephone number of UK vet that issued passports in case they go missing ( yes I have known someone have their bag stollen complete with ALL passports !!)
Telephone number of Quarantine kennel in case of disasters (chip not being able to be read etc etc ) and dog needs to go direct to Quarantine on arrival back to uk until passport issues can be sorted out.
Telephone number of a vet close to port who could do passport treatments again if unaviodably delayed
Telephone number of a few hotels close to port in case of unavoidable delay
Chip reader in case port scanners can't read chip PLUS extra batteries (if batteries low they can miss chips  & my lovely vet lets me take one of his on short term loan !! ) 

K