'Companion' dog show

MotherOfChickens

MotherOfChickens

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The local ag show has a companion dog show running-best open dog, bitch, best gun dog hound and terrier, best puppy and novelty classes. Tempted to enter Fitz on the day but can anyone tell me what's likely to be involved please? and they say dogs must have chains attached-I don't own any so what would be correct?
 
I did rucks of companion dog shows after adopting R and trying to get him out and about a bit and never encountered one requiring chains - assuming they mean benching chains?!

A plain lead and collar will be fine, no flexi/halti/harness. You'll probably be required to walk up and down in a line or triangle around the ring and stand the dog square in front of the judge. Some may also ask to see the dog's teeth/bite and run their hands over them.

Don't worry too much, there will be a huge spectrum of people from seasoned show professionals to complete newbies with unruly dogs, it's not meant to be taken too seriously. That said, the prizes are often significantly better than those at proper champ shows, for a fraction of the entry cost. :)
 
ah, ok-thanks. thats the idea really, to get him out and about. as his ears are levelling up I thought I might show him a bit next year if he's up for it. I will have to get a smarter lead and collar for him as don't think yellow paisley will do :D
 
Mine wore her sparkly greyhound collar for a fun show, she won best condition bitch wearing it!! It was all fun!
 
Must have chains attached? I have no idea what that means, but most companion shows are unbenched so I can't imagine they mean benching chains.

Literally anything goes at a companion show - even KC ones. You can enter non registered dogs and while you might get some of the more "serious" show type dogs there, it is a fun day and novelty as well as breed classes are entered by pedigree and cross breeds alike (though you would not see a cockerpoo, for example, entered in the AV Utility - it would go in waggiest tail or something along those lines). But if you had a working springer and it wasn't registered, then by all means enter it in the sporting or gun dog class.

AS for collars and leads etc, I've seen plenty of people out in ordinary walking collars rather than fancy show lead/collar sets at Ag shows. Sometiems the judge will put hands on the dogs, but often not? So maybe no harness just in case, but as for the chain thing, I'd ring up and ask what that means cos I haven't a clue lol
 
Get them used to being handled/bite checked by others so if the judge does run his hands over them it's not a surprise. Companion shows are a great way to get them out and started :) Are collies shown stacked? If so it's worth practicing at home, lots! A thin leather slip lead or closed loop cord lead are a few quid off ebay - that's all I've ever used including making one up to his full Champion title. Most of all have fun my outgoing ESS loves showing (off)!
 
druid said:
Get them used to being handled/bite checked by others so if the judge does run his hands over them it's not a surprise. Companion shows are a great way to get them out and started :) Are collies shown stacked? If so it's worth practicing at home, lots! A thin leather slip lead or closed loop cord lead are a few quid off ebay - that's all I've ever used including making one up to his full Champion title. Most of all have fun my outgoing ESS loves showing (off)!
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thanks-they are both fine being handled but will get some complete strangers (to them lol) to do it.

is stacked the same thing as a parked horse? google wasn't that forth coming-just a lot of collies standing square.
 
Stacked isn't quite parked but close, some breeds are shown free stood and some can be handled/feet placed into a proper stack for the judge
 
At companion level I wouldn't get hung up on stacking etc. Just try to make sure dog is sideways into the judge and if possible standing 4 square. Judges expect puppies will be wiggly. If you then decide to go into open/championship level then you will need to put a little more work in. I would suggest finding a local ringcraft as they will be able to talk you through how to stand and handle your dog
The most important thing is that both you and your dog enjoy yourselves
 
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