Hi all,

I'm just about to start showing a whippet who has lovely markings on both sides other than his face.  He is a red fawn with a black mask - his facial showing side is black whilst his other side has a white muzzle and is his best side (facially).

I have noticed others showing dogs the opposite way round and thought that if I were judging I would find it annoying/difficult when trying to compare toplines etc. 

Another thought is - if I show him the opposite way on the ground, do I still show him the opposite way on the table?

How do judges look upon dogs of any breed shown the opposite way round? 

It doesn't put me off a dog, but it does make me look closer to see why they're standing that way. For his head markings personally I probably would stand him facing the normal way as they move their heads anyway and the judge is probably going to move round to see him head on. It's different if he had a patch on his side say that appeared to make him look upright in shoulder like this dog.

The vast majority of judges are very adept & are able to judge a dog shown in either direction. There are very few in the time I have been showing(nearly 30 years) whom have requested dogs shown the other way round to face in the 'normal' direction & those have been foreigners.
Show the dog in which ever direction is his best side....markings can give an optical illusion which sometimes make it look like there is a fault.
I have 2 bitches whom I show opposite way round on the floor but not on the table. This being as sometimes the mat is stuck to the one end of the table.

Our breed are shown both ways and I have not found it a problem, most judges will walk round to the far side to go over them but will view them as the handler is showing them, never been asked to turn them round although I have seen it done.

I feel it is the handlers job to show the dog to its' best advantage so the judge should, and most do, accept the handlers decision.

I show all my dogs 'best sides' to the judge and have only been asked to turn them around once in over 30years.

Many judges will walk around the dog, making a show of checking for what you are hiding! But unless one side is blue or green it doesnt matter.

I always put the dog on the table the customary direction and will often turn my dog to face the same direction as the majority if the judge is coming along the line to check expression...so they dont get faced with my dogs butt :-)

I show my dogs whichever side on the floor - it usually depends on wind/ inclination of the ground. Being a long haired breed, I usually face them in the wind and if it means turning them "the other way" then i never hesitate. Also I think if the ground is not flat (does happen), I face them up the hil so they don't look "high bumed".
I don't think it should make a difference to the judge and sometimes I even wish the judge would look at both sides of a dog (I have seen some "mismarks" on the "wrong side" of a dog in the ring) and I believe the judge was unaware...

Thank you all for your advice - that sorts that one out in my mind!

I may see you around...lol

Ooh Lexy, is that a little whippet face on your thumbnail thingy? :-)

It is :)