Dog showing - Oh Lordy!!! Help please

[R2R]

Hello all

I have an amazing (well I love her, and she is the best dog ever!!!) Tibetan Terrier bitch puppy, who we want to take to a dog show this summer to see how she does. She is my first ever pedigree (she is my first ever non ex-gypsy site terrier type mongrel, to be honest) and I want to show her off, so no laughing please!!

Any tips on how we get started? Do I really need to invest in a dog grooming table? And what do I do when I am in the ring...walk trot and canter on both reins? I have read up and so far have calculated I will need to spend about £300 just on equipment, which seems daft seeing as I am basically going to one show to get a good picture and see how she does

Any tips/advice?

 

[CorvusCorax]

£300? Where on earth are you getting that from?!

What kind of show? Open, match/exemption or just a country/aggie show?

Keep the dog on your left at all times and at heel and always move counter clockwise.

You will walk her around in a group, stand her, then do individuals (teeth, quick hands on, walk/trot in a wee triangle on her own) then once all individuals are over judge will make decision

I would try and get her to a ringcraft class first so she isn't overwhelmed/doesn't go spongo/to pieces on you.

I would borrow a grooming table but I don't know enough about showing coated breeds to tell you if you Really Need One or not.

ETA - contact a TT breed club or a local dog fanciers association and they can tell you what is on and when.

 

[galaxy]

I'd get to a ringcraft class!

I've found it really hard teaching Harley to stand proplerly and still while the judge feels him all over. There are a million hints and tips they give you too!!

It's a minefield!

 

[FestiveSpirit]

Any tips/advice?

Please, just dont do it Dog showing is..... well..... I just cant describe it, words fail me

It was horrendous, I went to a dog show a couple of years ago having not been to one for about 20 years. I had forgotten how much they smell (indoor show) and people actually recognised me

But on a more serious note, I would agree with CC - get in touch with your pup's breeder perhaps if they show, go along to a show to spectate to see what goes on, then maybe some ringcraft lessons and give it a try

 

[CorvusCorax]

PMSL Gazey

I was looking through some old mags and catalogues at the weekend from ten years old to 30 years old and it was the same old tripe!
'Dear Sir, Blah blah, crooked judging, face judging, silly outside attraction, expensive handlers, damned KC ignoring us, I'm never showing again (until next week)!"

Nothing ever changes!

Gotta love it though R2R, it can go one of two ways, you will either love it or hate it, if you get bitten by the bug, enjoy the ride but be prepared to tear your hair out at times

 

[R2R]

As I said in my OP, I am only going for the amusment factor and professional photo!!!


I am going home to practice. She already does a really good running bit with me saying "crufts daisy, crufts" to her!! LOL!!

I doubt very much I will get bitten by the bug but thought I would give it a go. If it is anything like horse showing, I dont know anyone so am unlikely to come anywhere

So can I just rock up, trot round, get my photo and go home?! Or do I need a blinking grooming table, and can she go in her "top dog" lead and collar, or her gundog style slip lead?

And what happens if she tries to kiss the judge?!

 

[CorvusCorax]

If you go to a fun day or a country show, yes you can rock up, anything goes really.
Same with matches or exemption shows.

If you are going to go to one of these and she has already been acquainted with crowds, other dogs etc, and can trot in a triangle, then she should be fine.

Open level and championship shows, you have to get a schedule and enter. You'll need to know her show/registered name, name of parents for this.

You really should go to a ringcraft class if you plan to show at this level.
And do go first without, then maybe with (have her as a complimentary entry?) before you actually go into the ring.
There will be more dogs, a more concentrated area and a bit more 'pressure' at this kind of show.

She will probably love it. But I know some fab dogs who hate and are bored by it and don't show themselves well, when outside the ring they are fantastic examples of their breed.