I have been showing dogs in the US for about ten years, both in Junior Handling and conformation. Recently, I came across the pond to study, and have been looking to get involved in showing here. I have emailed a few breeders, but have not received any responses. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best way to get involved in showing?

My main breeds are Scottish Terriers and Golden Retrievers, but I have shown a laundry list of different breeds over the years, and I'm located in the Nottingham area.

Thanks!
Allie

Hi and welcome.

Do you have your own dogs over here at the moment or are you looking to handle other people's dogs?

The best advice I can offer is to get yourself to a local ringcraft class and meet local owners and breeders alike and go from there. Its unlikely that if you have emailed breeders to ask to handle that they will accept without knowing you and also seeing your handling skills in action.

I'm hoping someone will come along soon to advice where your local classes will be, with days and times for you to get along to.

Also another idea would be to head to some champ shows and meet the owners and breeders alike of your fav breeds and speak to them..

Something else you need to remember 'Proffesi9nal' (as in paid) hadnlign is virtually non existent in the UK with 99% or more dogs handled purely by their owners of friends.

There was a recent survey on the Dog World site: http://www.dogworld.co.uk/Interactive
Who normally handles your dogs in the show ring?
Yourself
  188
Partner/family member
  68
Friend
  4
Professional handler
  2

Thank you very much! Unfortunately, both of my dogs are getting up there in age and have stayed in the States with my parents. The younger one also had to have some dental work done a few years back that would most likely render her ineligible to show anyway. Since I will be returning to the US for some holidays, getting a dog here isn't really an option either, as I don't feel that seven-hour flights a couple of times a year would be fair to the dog. I would definitely be looking to handle other peoples' dogs, but I would also love to find someone who would be willing to mentor me on the Scottish Terrier breed standard, grooming, and presentation if possible. I didn't email breeders asking specifically about showing, I just explained a bit about my show experience and asked if they would be willing to mentor me a on the grooming, and presentation of the breed.

If someone could provide information on where to find ringcraft classes, that would be amazing. I will definitely look into champ shows being held in the area as well.

I'm definitely not looking to get paid for handling. Although I have handled professionally in the US, it was only to cover expenses involved with showing the dog. My interest in getting involved in showing here is simply to be involved in dog show again, and to learn more about my breed.

I would advice coming to the NEC for the LKA show on 10th December. 

This is our last big champ show and tends to have a Christmas feel with cards and nibbles shared etc.

The Entry in Scottish Terriers is: 41 dogs

There are 272 Golden Retrievers

and fortunately both breeds are on the Saturday, with Gundogs, Terriers and Hounds that day.

I will be there with the Elkhounds in hall 4 if you want to say hello.