Hi...

Have a 12 year old Cairn called Jack, who is having his 2nd jab on Friday so will be ready for training classes. Have to say the Cairn is a delight - had GSD and lab in the past, this is a big dog in a small body ;).

I have looked back through nearly a year of posts here and seen requests for local ringcraft over and over again so forgive me while I ask again... I live in Towcester, Northants... not far from Northampton - and fairly close to Milton keynes. I don't mind travelling but thinking of Jack hope to find somewhere not too far away. beds would be ok... can even get to Oxford or Coventry area if I have to. I have looked at the links given in posts... contacted the kennel Club and right now would have to go for standard obedience... breeder is in the SW long way away so couldn't help.

I want to say how helpful this forum has been - i have seen the posts from noobs to the show world like me answered patiently by the old hands, often the same questions being answered yet again.

As a prospective newcomer to the show world I had all the same questions - most answered here... what lead/collar.. where to get it... what about my breed should it be leather.. slip... chain... where do i get show ring training... which classes should I enter... my dog does this or doesn't do that how do i deal with it... what treats [should I say bait] do i use... how do i groom.. with what.. how do i strip.. how often - how much... how should my dog stand - is it ok for him to sit sometimes... what should I wear/not wear... what grooming should I do.. with what how often and how close to a show...

Then theres the nerves... I will be showing in November and have moments already when I think how daunting the first time will be... think it comes down to just hoping that i don't make an idiot of myself ;)). The picture i get is a huddled group of people wearing jodhpurs whispering to each other and giving me furtive looks ;).

Ah well those joys are to come... have decided to keep a little diary of events and when I have managed [if ever] to make it to through a show taking regular breaths will maybe send it to help others like me to Our Dogs... or Dog World... ummm which... yep read the thread here on which one is 'best' too...

One thing I am certain of I know that I have the best dog, and the rest is all someone elses opinion... isn't it ;)).

Whether or not anyone can help with the question I started this post with, believe me you have helped enormously with a lot of other questions.

Thank you... and apologies for rambling on.

Regards Dave... currently owned by Jack