Hi,

I managed to get to this show and thought i would share with you my experiance at my first dog show (apart from Crufts).

When we got there (which i did without getting lost), I found the parking good and ample even thought they were LOADS of people there, i really enjoyed looking at the cars and vans with the breeders details on them!! Just as we got to the entrance a lovely lady asked if i had tickets and gave me her when i said i didnt which i returned after getting through the gate! She also showed me the 'bench' board thing and told me that the details were at the side of the rings.

On walking around i made my way straight to the Basenji benchs but daren't go in the tent itself so hovered outside looking lost and hopeful! Then we had food, I spoke to a lady with a Weimaraner, getting ready to go in her ring, she let us stroke the dog and we asked her some questions, we also spoke to a couple with a young female RR, who again let us stroke the dog and answered our questions.

Then i got to see the last of the Basenji showing, 3 beautiful dogs , the handlers were all laughing and joking with each other,
then i got to speak with a lady owner, i wish i would have asked her name as she was lovely too. she stood answering my endless boring questions for a good half hour and the poor lady had not even eaten her lunch, her stunning male just took everything in his stride and was not bothered at my 5 year old attempt to be a dog!!

Everyone was so nice and helpful and freindly, and the relaxed atmosphere was brilliant, a million miles away from the  - stuffy, - my dog is better than your dog, - dont even look at my dog let alone touch it reputation i thought reigned at dog shows,

I am even more made up on Basenjis now and the wonderful Riley was just perfect!

So thanks to all that suggested this show and to the people at the show, we had a great time and i have bored my colleagues to death with my ramblings!!

Tigger xxx

I am so glad you enjoyed yourself at Leeds. Not all exhibitors are stand offish you will find most of the people very friendly and helpful after all we are all there for the same hobby and the more new blood we can encourage to start showing then that is good for the sport. Sometimes some dogs are not used to children and can be a little aprehensive (I know mine are as they are not used to kids) so it would be best to ask the owner first before letting a child speak with the dogs, most will be fine even mine are ok when I know kids are wanting to talk to them and I watch. Hope you will continue to visit shows and perhaps get bitten by the bug and show yourself someday.

thanks joec, when i have the right dog i would love to show!!
i asked the owners and then also got my daughter to ask if she could stroke them (she does this for any dog) not one person said no!! I also made sure we ate away from them as not to distract or encourage any dogs!!

just need to get my Basenji now!! ;-)

Im glad you had a good time!
Leeds show was fantastic this year! I really enjoyed it, the weather and my dogs placing helped!

Glad you enjoyed your day out it is true show people are a cross section of the general population but most are very friendly and more than happy to tell you about the breed they love and admire. I always wonder why it is thought show people are standoffish and unpleasant because most are lovely.

we are not a bad bunch really :)