hi just want to have a moan.entered 3rd dog show testerday dont know how i feel at the mo.i know it is early days but she only came 3rd.her first show she was the only one in her class(it was also my first show)which was dissapointing (she is a frenchie).then like an idiot i entered a cc show did not stand a chance as all the names were there.i know i sound stupid moaning about this i also know its not her its me im try so hard and work with her we go to ringcraft class she has improved so much as have i.but not sure if i should just give up as i might not have the know how.oh by the way there were 4 dogs in her class it was av.sorry about moaning just got know one else to moan to who might understand  thanks

If you and your pup are enjoying going to the shows, then continue going!    We all have to start somewhere -its not that long since we started - and its a bit intimidating when everyone else seems to know each other, and you don't, and they all seem to know what they're supposed to do, and you don't - and can only copy them!

Just remember - whatever the Judge thinks, at the end of the day, YOU are taking home the best dog!

Margot

I would go to a few more local shows, just to build up your confidence ;) In my breed we don't get too many classes at shows so I enter the AVNSC classes. If I was given a pound for every time we came home with nothing in the early years I'd be very rich :D

When you start off in showing you know nothing but you you learn. It's just like everything else. After all you wouldn't just get into a car and drive it off without lessons, would you? :) Use these early months as a learning curve and most of all enjoy your day out, whether you get placed or not. In time you will see what you should be doing, your nerves will be channelled better (I still get butterflies!) and as your confidence grows in yourself you will enjoy it more. Good luck :)

If we had given up after the firts few shows I don't think many of us would still be showing

My first venture into showing was at a local show & the judge told me not to bother & get an adult to handle my dog, some 40 odd years later I'm still showing my dogs & along the way have had a champion & got several dogs their stud book numbers & best of all met some really wonderful people I am very proud to call my friends, who have been with me through good & bad times & when times got really bad been there for me 24/7

I now show strictly for fun & if we get placed yippee & buy the dogs a rosette & a pressie each, if we don't then so what the best dogs in the world come home with us

We got a second with my boy who has a genetic disorder(that doesn't affect his life at the moment)& I burst into tears because I am so very proud of my dogs, it wasn't a qualifying class or anything but everyday I have with him whilst he is well is very very special & other show boy is the naughtiest dog in the world but when he's good he is awesome & even when he isn't & is himself  ;) he gives everyone who meets him a smile in their day & that is what having dogs is realy about

My new baby may never be anything in the dog world but he will always be special to me

So love your dog, show her with pride & have a good time, s*d the placings & wear a smile it's only a dog show after all !

Don't worry about it. Even the best dogs get beaten and if you take it too seriously you will end up as mad as everyone else!:-)

Hi Simsy, I understand completely. I've been showing for thirty years, and while I say I do it for the fun of it, and just as a little hobby, I do still love the feeling of winning, who doesn't? Being low down the placings in a small class is certainly disappointing. The thing with showing is, there's alot more disapointment than elation to be had.

I'm right off showing at the moment too, and I'm sure it's because I haven't had a 'nice little win' for quite a while and I think I need that to keep up my enthusiasm. I know that in a few months I'll be raring to go again though because I'll miss being in the thick of it.

Try to keep your chin up, there's a saying in the world of dogs, 'You always take the best dog home'

Dawn R. :)

Think about it though you beat someone elses exhibit so they will maybe be disapointed too. 

Someone has to place first and last.  In a small class it can mean there wasn't a lot to choose between any of them, you won't know if she can do better if you don't continue.  After all I amn assuming she is a pup? 

That means she will be changing all the time as will the competition.  All judges will see theings differently. 

You will also get better at showign your dog which will amke a difference of a place or two.

My daughter constantly loses with our beagle. It doesnt mean she is a bad dog it just means that she is not as mature as the others, she is handled by a child which does put her at a distinct disadvantage no matter what people say and also she has not got any get up and go.  She snoozes in the ring!  My Tigger has a litter sister and her owners have never had a first at a champ show even though Tigger is now a champion it is because she has some faults which some will overlook some wont.  They still go to a lot of show and just enjoy having a giggle with us. Try not to get disheartened ugly ducklings sometimes turn into swans!

Hi Simsy, dont give up something you and your dog enjoy.  I have a couple of dogs who are doing well at the moment, but I also have my little baby, who isnt :)  She is slightly on the smaller side of the standard and really looks tiny compared to the 'competition' lol.  But she loves coming with us and strutting her stuff and very rarely gets above a 3rd, although she did get 1st once, (only one in class lol)  And while she enjoys it she will still be entered in shows.   However, a judge did say to me when placing her reserve at one show, that she 'loved my baby but had to place the others on maturity'  so although we only took reserve. I knew there was a good reason for the placing, and it wasnt because she is a poor specimen. :)  If you enjoy it and your baby enjoys it then keep at it.  I also love the social side of it and catching up with friends and making new friends etc.  Dont give up, one day you may well be pleasantly surprised ;)

No-one was more surprised than me, after months of taking bottom places at open shows, she took VHC at her 1st champ show :D :D

Oh boy...3 shows!!! I did about 15 (12 months of showing) before I won a class!! Just see it as a day out...I'm afraid if you are going with the intent of winning you will not last long...and I don't mean that the way it sounds just can't think of another way to put it.Keep at it....watch and learn...and above all LOSE GRACEFULLY! at the end of the day  we pay for the judges opinion and although we may not agree with it we should accept it and look forward to the next one :d.
Archer

Every time I take a dog to a show I go with the attitude that if I get around the ring without falling on my dog and flattening it, then it'll be a good day, if my dog will do the do and not play silly beggars then that's a very good day, and if they let us stay in the ring and don't laugh at my dog then that's a very very good day :D any placings and I'm over the moon :D   I didn't get anywhere for the first 18 months with my first dog (lunatic dog and novice handler ;) )  but I did learn to accept with good humour and good grace whatever happens in the ring and I ALWAYS take the best dog home ;)   You have to experience the lows to be able to appreciate the highs properly ;) :D :D

i feel the same way get around the ring without the dog leaping up at you knocking your on your bum, then proceeding to lick you to death as you try to get up, then licking the judge as he/she is trying to go over her,and people saying you need to take that dog to ringcraft, and what they don't know is the dog has been going to ringcraft for the last 3 years and he still is a bloody idiot in the ring,don't worry about not winning , this could be the lull before the storm, also if your dog is up against older dogs, that can also go against your dog on the maturity stakes, i have a new puppy out in nov and i know his first couple of shows there will be no MP classes on so he will be in the puppy classes and the 12 month old pups in that class will look huge to my little dot, but because i love the buzz of showing and the taking part and meeting all my friends there i don't want to give it up even if i get no where time after time,so please do not be disheartened not yet give it a few more goes, and please don't be frightened to talk to people we really are a friendly bunch.
carol

You werent last! Remember in the variety classes, the judge has numerous different breeds to chose from, and despite what ANYONE says, it is human nature to have a soft spot for certain breeds, and also to know more about some breeds than others. You keep at it and see how things change.

Hi Simsy
I gotta say DONT GIVE UP!!!
we only started showing two years ago- got binnned loads of times- thought about giving up etc-  and yes people moan about faces getting picked etc in all breeds
well we got our first CC the other week and we defo arent faces- have faith in your dog, you will both brush up on your showing /handling skills as time goes on and the right judge will be there one day who likes your dog :)

Good luck and have faith :D

echo that, keep going.  Lots of people have limited success when their puppies are tiny and cute then they reach the adolescent stage and the wins dissapear again.  We nearly gave up after our first year but we were encouraged to carry on, by our lovely breeder, and had a nice class win at Crufts and lost of BOB's.  Our boy is classed as nearly mature now so who knows next Crufts may be?  You just don't know. 

Keep trying and don't let rude or thoughtless judges get you down.  A lot of judges have been very kind and helpful to me, just giving little suggestions when handling the dogs. 

Take on board the kind comments and examine the harsh ones, you may get some benifit even from them.

Good luck

Keep posting

would like to thank everyones reply will not give up.i know it is early day thought a lot about the things you have said i do enjoy it and love the dog world just i prefer the dogs to most of the people.dont get me wrong there are some nice pepple but there are a lot of s****y ones as well.got 2 more shows at the end of this month will let you know how it goes.and can anyone tell me once and for all do judges look in frenchies mouths i thought they did not but the last one did and if im right then she did not know

Teeth are mentioned in the breed standard so I would expect teh judge to check they were correct.

Although I didn't start this thread, I want to thank all of you for the great, and hilarious comments(Dill, I think). It would be a good day to get around the ring without falling & flattening your dog in the process!lol
I had my daughter read this thread, she got a boost from it. She is just starting out & has a BIG show at the end of the month.
So thanks!

Good luck to your daughter :)

Is it the Welsh KC?

So happy you were all right,She came first on Saturday,She won her class and came 4th in best puppy in group.I am so happy and proud of her.I felt like we had won crufts!I know its still early days but i feel more confident and know she will go on to do well.I am not planning to enter her into cc shows yet,But would like to know where to get the schedules for them,Or information on where to get them.Could not find the info in "our dog".Would just like to say again,Thanks.

Hooray! :-)

All the dhows as the schedules come out are advertised in teh dog papers Our Dogs and Dog World.  the entires close for Championship shows a long time ahead usually 6 to 8 weeks so there aren't too many left now.

Canine Information Directory, Fosse Data and Higham Press have websites with the results and schedules, and some do online entry.

Well done :D

Re schedules. When you go to a show check the secretaries table as you go in. They often have local shows schedules sitting there. Also, if you go to ringcraft ask if they have any schedules. Ours usually have the local and most Champ Shows ones there. Otherwise just keep checking the pages in the dog papers. Dog World usually have there's near the end of the paper. I don't get Our Dog, so I don't know about them, but would assume they'd be the same. ;)

You can also find details on http://www.prodogs.co.uk
Will tell you the phone no or email addy to ask for a sched.
Well done at the show......you will get ups and downs at all types of shows....keep at it and just accept that when you lose it wasn't your day.After all if the same dogs won all the time it would be pointless most of us going !
Keep us updated with your results!
Archer

cheers everyone