Hi, I've been going to Ringcraft with Dicksy for two weeks and he's as any pup of 16wks is I guess and doing ok.  Today I've just met my friend in town and she takes her Retriever to Obedience and from what she was telling me it seems like a real fun class with the obvious reward of a supposedly well-trained dog.  She's invited me to go along and have a look and a chat which I've agreed to do, now I no this may sound like a dense question but is it possible to do both one would one counteract the other? 

yes, yes, yes, yes yes!

You CAN do both showing and obedience and a hell of a lot more with one dog.  I and several others do, and successfully!

There was a GWP that was a Show and Working Trials Champion, there is currently a Sh Ch Bouvier de Flandres with 9 CCs and CDex and UDex and probably a few more I can't think of at the mo.

Go for it!

Thank you then I will persue what I think will be rewarding for both Dicksy and I?  I never bought the puppy with the intention of showing sort of got lulled into that with puppy socialisation and can't say I know if I want to do it as yet but enjoy the social side and will continue to attend, whether or not I show will be a different matter.  Dicksy and I are both learning as I've never even been to a Dog Show but obedience kind of appeals to me and I think he is a bright chap so may do well.  Thanks for advice.

I do both and working trials with my lab! There just aren't enough things to do!!!!!! If only I didn't have to go to work all day I would gladly give up and just train all the time!

Long term, obedience is far more important than ring craft :) If you can do both - excellent :)

Daisy

I second it too,
Although not scaling the dizzy heights in winning CC's etc, I do both
obedience (training for KCGC's we've now got Bronze and Silver) and showing with my Boxer.
You'll reap the rewards later honest!!
I've done both with 2 of my Boxers and just concentrated on showing with
the mother of my youngest dog....
I can tell you the one that didn't do any 'formal' obedience classes is as
mad as a hatter and isn't a pleasure to walk.
Whose fault is it?? MINE. :(
I do regret not taking her to obedience classes and have sworn never to
neglect taking any of my subsequent dogs to obedience classes even if
they are 'champion' material. Because at the end of the day you still have
to live with them when they've finished their showing career!! :)

I'm so glad to read the replys you've had so far!  :)

Yes you can do both & as Tohme said, you can do lots of other things too.

If you've got the time to spend with your dog, you can teach him to do whatever you like. So many people say you can't do both & it is rubbish! 

I too have successfully done both with different breeds of dogs.

Put the work in now & you'll benefit so much.

Good luck & enjoy your training.  :)

Do both but if I was you I would ask if you can sometimes get your dog to do stands insted as sits.  Thats how I do obedience with my pups and younger dogs untill they don't get so confused and sit in the ring.  The clubs I have been to have been fine with this.  Basic obedience, is like many people have said, very important.  It wil also be extra soscilasation for your pup.

Rox

Have to say that the training club that I go to starts sits and stands at near enough the same time so has never been a problem.  As everyone else says there's no reason why you can't do both.  All the best with your puppy :d

I do both.  I don't find the sits and stands a problem, just train both as different commands.

The only thing I would recommend is to use different leads, at ringcraft bring the fine show lead out and obedience a normal collar and lead.  Mine now knows what she is going to do in training, depending on what lead I put on her.  They are brighter than we sometimes give them credit for :)

Sandra