hi all i am in the process of thinking about showing my new pup, she is 16 weeks old now and i am not entirely sure about what showing entails? e.g ringcraft classes-how often and for how long do you attend? what equipment do you need? how much do they cost? do you need a certain type of lead for it and if so where do you buy them? i may even see if my son is interested in being a junior handler (he is 9) which is another possibility can it be quite costly to enter shows and all the traveling etc do you need crates for the shows? i am so sorry for all the questions i was just hoping for some 1st hand input from those who do show, she is my 1st k.c reg dog and i was just curious as to peoples reasons for showing etc and any info they could give me, i really origionally intended for her just to be a pet not to show or breed from so i am unsure about the whole process???  thansk in advance  :-D :-D

Michelle

Most of us show because we enjoy the day out with oru dogs with other people and being able to be around all their lovely dogs.  Those of this mind enjoy win or loose.

There are of course some fircely competitive peopl in any hobby, wehre a win or place almost seem life or death, but thankfully they are in minority, but of course everyone likes to win, especially if you happen to have a really nice dog.

It can take a while for you and your exhbit to reach your full potential as a team, and puppies go through stages, so never be too put off if you don't do well, there is always another show and another judges opinon.

Once your dog is adult you will soon know it's level against the competiution after a whole season of shows.  Whether it connsistently places in the top half of a clas, the bottom half, or not at all in breeds with large entries.  Most people with a dog that really isn't competitivbe will either then limit themselves to the smaller less expensive shows, and after research will get themselves a better puppy next time, and the whole thing starts all over again watching how the new youngster develops, does it or soesn't it realise it's potential and so on.

Yes we are all mad rushing around the cdountry paying £20 a time to enter Championship showsssss, and what so we get a piece of cardboard, and if lucky some goodies from the sponsors for a big win.  At Open shows you will nearly always also get Rosettes.

As for Ringcraft a lot of people go every week even when their pup/dog no longer needs it, as it is a chance to chat with local exhibitors and friends over a cup of tea and again enjoy an evening with their dogs at a cost of around £2 a session or less.

Thing is with showing you can make it yoru life and travel great distances, (even abroad and Ireland) spending a fortune, or you can limit yourselves like I do to say Championship shows within a 100 miles, no moer that one normally a mmonth, and some Open shows (I do about 20 shows a year).  I have been abroad, but treated it as my holiday away with the dogs.  There is quite an active core of dog show Caravanners, and in the summer some do several shows one after the other as their holiday.  so it all depends just how much you want to do.

I am a divorced single parent and it gives me a lovely social life, as I was never a 'Party Animal' and have always been an animal lover.  Used to show Rabgbits in early adulthood.

Hi Michelle,

I am also new to showing, Bosun is now 17 months old and I can not believe that it has been almost a year since his first show.

Bosun is not up to champ class, but we try to attend an open show each month, I now have a nice collection of rosettes as although following a pattern of always coming last sometimes there are only a couple of dogs entered so we get placed, this Sunday he achieved first place in junior - again he was the only dog in that class.

It costs about £3 to enter, and depending on the breed you may not need to buy much more that a nice collar and lead.

We both enjoy the day out and I have made some good friends along the way, so go for it... you never know you may have a future champ there!

Debbie

Hi, why not find some shows in your area and go along to see what you feel about the whole thing.  If you post your area here, I am sure people will be able to tell you what is coming up close to home for you. It helps to do training at home, before  ringcraft, but as a comlete novice this can be hard - you dont know how to train!  So ringcraft is vital, then practice at home.  Equipment needed depends very much on the breed - some are very high maintenance (like my American cockers) and some much less so - I often envy lab owners strolling inot a show, wiht just the dog, and a little bag containing perhaps a towel and a show lead (as well as the obligatory poo bag) as I trudnle along with trolley, cages, grooming box, etc etc.  And even my pugs, who need much less on the preperation front need all sorts of stuff to keep them cool!

bye
Gwen

If you want to get a good, simple book on showing, get From Beginners to Winners by Robert Killick. Its excellant for the basics and not too 'jargony'. Sam.

You will need a show lead which if you get a leather one will be about 10-15.00 pounds.  If you decide to do champ shows you can get a cage.  There are several sorts on the market.  I bought the one from Argos which fits perfectly.  If you contact the Kennel Club they will be able to give you a list of the ring craft classes.

We only started showing because the lady who viewed our litter said our dog had show potential and we tried and got BPIS at our first show.  She has continued to do really well but it can be a bit disheartening when you lose to what are apparantly lesser dogs.  I am afraid I am one of those competitive people who do go to win but I do actually enjoy sitting ringside with my selection of friends which I have made since starting.  I do not think the you have to go for one reason or the other.  I also have friends who never win anything but just think of it as a hobby.

If you do decide to start showing it will be costly but the feeling you get when you have a special win is wonderful!  On the other hand when your dog plays you up or the judge is awful you sit and ask yourself why do I do this!!!