I am new to showing (and having a pedigree dog :)) I would really love to show my beautiful girl (mini S/H Dachshund) but I am very confused about all the terms and exactly how showing works.  I understand the breed classes and groups, best in show etc but I'm not sure I understand about Stakes Classes, CC's, etc and why some of the championship shows have classes with CC on offer and classes without.  If CC's are on offer then why enter the classes that don't?  I have found details of a local ringcraft class and will be starting soon, although my bitch is very good at walking and standing etc and enjoys being handled.  I would appreciate any advice/ explanations from anyone as I need to get my first show entry application off this week. Thanks

Thre's a lot of explanations for newbies here: http://www.prodogs.co.uk/

Thanks - that was helpful but I still cannot find any explanation of stakes classes and how you earn CC's and what they mean etc.  I'm worried that showing my bitch will be very costly as there doesn't seem to be many shows in my area and we will have to travel a long way to shows every weekend.

CCs are awarded (when on offer for your particular breed at a champ show) to the best dog and the best bitch - ie all the winners of the dog classes compete for the Dog CC, and all the winners of the bitch classes compete for the Bitch CC.

Showing is expensive with the cost of fuel as high as it is; lots of people have cut down on the number of shows they go to because of it. One a month, if that, isn't unusual.

thanks Jeangenie.  What are stakes classes then?  The problem we have is being based in NE, anywhere we go to show is quite a drive - looking to change to a more economical diesel anyway so that will help lol.  Looking at the show schedule, there are hardly any open shows within the area and the only champ show we can get to is Driffield at Wetherby in October.  Think I'll head down to the Leeds Champ dog show in a couple of weeks to get an idea of how it all works. 

Stakes classes will have a title like Junior Stakes - these are for Juniors of any breed and prize money is usually on offer. Choose the stake the way you would choose a breed class and enter, if you are placed you will normally get money pinned to the prize card or a slip you take to the Secretary to claim your win.

I'm worried that showing my bitch will be very costly

You're not wrong there, HeidiJan. The cost of entering the show pales into insignificance against travel costs. You can set yourself geographical limits or try to share lifts--there is a car share section on here.

Thgis website seems to explain CCs, how they are won and what they mean: http://www.pugz.co.uk/britsys.html

Yep I restrict myself to champ shows preferably one a months and rarely over 120 miles one way.

There a plenty of books you could look at too and you might find some of them in your local library.  I like these two best

Showing Dogs: The Exhibitors' Guide by Juliette Cunliffe

Good Showing: The New Exhibitor's Guide to Dog Showing and the Showring by Peggy Grayson

Also can your breeder help?  I used to ring or email mine with details of possible shows and I got lots of help with form filling!  Thank goodness, or who knows what I might have entered, and with whom... :)

Useful links I am just putting our paws in the water of showing so the information is greatfully recieved. Good luck heidi

Many thanks everyone - my breeder is very good and I have spoken to her too but she doesn't show - however knows everything there is to know about breeding.  I do understand alot more from your advice and the links thanks. We have a fun show next week for the kids, and our golden oldie springer cross :) and we are definately going along to Leeds to see a champ show up close.  Thanks again

Marianne (Goldmali on here) is in Yorkshire so she might be able to give you an idea of shows in your area. She is at the World Show in Paris so might not be on for a few days. Depending on how far north you are you might be able to do Border Union at kelso next year. There is also Darlington Ch show in September. Look for Open shows too though as they are very good training when you are starting out.

Was going to post something very similar to Dakkobear.  IF Driffield is a short trip south for you I think you will find there are quite a few open shows within easy reach - I live in Co. Durham, and we have a very active open show scene up here, with a fair few Companion shows too - a great starting point for showing.  Whereabout do you live and I will see if I can point you in the direction of some shows.  Often starting out at a CH show is daunting and disappointing, whereas learnign the ropes at smaller shows builds experienee and confidence and is an introduction to the all the rules and practices.

Thanks Gwen - we are in Newcastle.  I didn't want to start at a champ show because as you say it's a bit daunting but I was struggling to find other suitable shows that are not too much of a drive - tbh I don't mind but the purse holder objects lol.  Could you let me know of any open/companion shows coming up.  We didn't get to the fun show due to the torrential rain over the weekend and I would have loved to go to Darlington but I am working away that week :(  I was thinking of going along to Leeds show at Harewood this weekend to get an idea but it's a bit of a trip if I'm not going to benefit.  Am I right in thinking that as I am not entering my dog, I wouldn't be able to take her to observe?  Kelso's not too much of a drive so will look into that.  I was just in process of completing my entry form for Driffield, what classes would you all suggest as our first CH show?  She is a mini S/H Dachshund and she will be 10 months old then.  Thanks everyone

There are a few shows coming up - Cleveland County show is on Saturday, with  an Open Show.  Sedgefield show is on 13th August, again with an Open Show, we have a companion show in Consett on 20th August, and in the first 2 weekends of September Wolsingham Show and Stanhope show both have dog shows too.

You are right in thinking that your dog won't be able to accompany you to Leeds, unless you leave it in the un-entered dogs tent - woudl have ot check up and make sure there is one at Leeds.

For a 10 month old pup then the puppy class is the way to go.  I would not be tempted to enter additional breed classes, might be too much for a first time, although you could enter the Puppy Stakes if you wanted.

Let me know if you woudl like anymore details on any of the shows.

Thanks again Gwen - I'm so pleased I joined this forum - the advice I'm getting is invaluable.  We should be able to do Sedgefield and Stanhope but the other two clash with our holiday :( :)
So, sorry to be a pain, I've looked at the show schedule for Sedgefield and was thinking I might enter her into her breed OPEN and the A.V. Hound puppy - what do you think?
Stanhope Show's website hasn't got the canine schedule on it yet - are Open shows all in the same format?
Thanks again