Lurcher showing? Help! (blazingsaddles?)

druid

druid

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Someone on here, I think it was BS, suggested I should try lurcher showing with my new boy if such a thing existed in Ireland.

Well, we litmus tested his crowd reactions at the biggest county show over the weekend....40 thousand people and he didn't bat an eyelid. We chucked him in the fun dog show and he was a star.

So....my local gamekeeper has talked me into bringing him to a game fair. The biggest one in Ireland. Meep. The show is at Birr Castle over the weekend of the 28th, 29th of this month.

Now on to the Q....what the hell do you do in lurcher showing?! Is it just conformation and gait assessment like in KC shows? Does he need a particular lead/collar? Do I need to wear anything in particular? Am I complete fool for agreeing to this?

HELP!
 
Brilliant! I'll write a couple of replies as I've just written an essay & got timed out!

Firstly, is your boy entire? Secondly, what height class are you entering? There are normally classes for rough or smooth coated dogs or bitches 23/24" under or over.

Regarding leads, I use a show slip lead in either brown or black leather depending on the dogs colour. :):)
 
Regarding ringcraft, its not that dissimiliar from pedigree showing. When your class is called, enter the ring, anticlockwise with the dog on your left and place yourself either first or last if possible, Don't place yourself next to a similiar coloured dog. Stand the dog square. Once the all the entries are standing the judge will ask you to walk around the ring together. Don't get too close to the dog in front and keep a nice but active trot going. Use the corners to maintain distance from the dog in front. Once completed the judge will call each dog to the centre & go over them.
 
When it comes to your turn, trot the dog to the judge & stand him (the dog:D) square. The judge should inspect teeth, ears & nails, so make sure they are clean & trimmed. Once the judge is finished he will send you off normally in a triangle so he can examine the dogs movement. Return to the judge, stand the dog square again, judge willl dismiss you & thank him. Resume your place in the line up. Relax & breathe................Keep a close on when the judge has nearly finished the individual inspection & stand your dog again. Then wait for him to either pull you out into the centre again or walk towards you & present you with a beautiful red rosette!:D
 
Regarding your attire, a lot of lurcher exhibitors don't go to any great lengths:eek: Smart, but casual clothing is what I normally wear. Smart, sturdy shoes/boots are fine.

Hope this helps, probably missed out some points but you get the general gist I hope! Good luck & have fun:D
 
Ok, he's 23.5" at the shoulder....probably 23" if he's not trying to eat the measuring tape *sigh*

Yes, he's entire.

This is the class list...

ROI Lurcher Championships
1. Whippet/Lurcher Dog or Bitch over 1 year old
(NO PURE BRED WHIPPETS)
2. Any Variety Lurcher Pup under 1 year old
3. Best Pair of Lurchers
4. Any Variety Lamping Lurcher
5. Smooth Lurcher over 23" over 1 year old
6. Rough Lurcher over 23" over 1 year old
7. Rough or Smooth Lurcher under 23" over 1 year old
8. Any Variety Hare Lurcher
9. Collie or Terrier Bred Lurcher over 1 year old
10. Any Fox Lurcher

I haven't a clue what class he should go in?!
 
Ok, how old is he?

If over 1 year then class 4, either 5 or 6 depending on coat, any variety hare lurcher, if hes got collie in him then class 8 - thats a weird one for sure. Class 9 would be for Bull types & Deerhound types, Class 1 more for the smaller rabbiting variety I assume. The classes sound a bit vague tbh, they're more specific over here. Normally, dogs & bitches are shown in seperate classes. Just go along, watch others & enjoy yourself:D
 
The vet reckons he's somewhere around 8-10 months....but we're not sure as he's a rescue.

I reckon we'll just go for 4,6,8??

Here he is...

Sucky video still
stoodup.jpg


DSCF5984crop.jpg
 
He's a lovely boy. For me, there's still a 'puppy' look about him as a boy, so I would personally stick him in class 2 instead of class 6. Normally, the puppy class has the more mature puppy shown, rather than really young pups. I would also use a finer slip on him too:D Have a word with the judge beforehand, see what class he recommends regarding age.:)
 
Thank you shall do as you say! The slip isn't a showing one at all...it's a silly medieval ribbon patterned "pretty" one I bought on a whim! I'll get hold of a proper slip for the show
 
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