Running a dog show - Help!

[Shantara]

Bit of back story - The Tamaskan breeder holds a show every year. I went last year and it was great fun, so I joined the committee!
She has approached those on the committee and asked us to help with this years show. We came up with loads of great ideas, however, she has said no to all of them! It's very frustrating as she asked for ways to make it better, but is keeping it exactly the same.
So, we have decided to run our own show!
It's all in aid of the Tam Rescue, so we're not trying to step on her toes, but rather help her out, in our own way. It's to fund kennels in case we get more rescues in. We can go months without a single one, then suddenly there's an influx!

Anyway, the point is, I'm not sure what I'm doing as far as insurance etc goes. I read on the KC website you need a licence? It'd be a fun show only and not really following KC rules. There's a group of 5 or 6 of us, so it's not just little ol' me!

I have a list of classes, which we're in the process of fine tuning. I have 2 judges in mind, but I'll ask them once I have insurance sorted. I'm going to contact sellers/trade stands and food people. We'll have a pavilion, so no need to worry about toilets and there is a doggy/human bin on site.
I have lots of electric tape, but I can always borrow some from work if I run out, but I think I'll need to find posts and I'll need to print a class sign up sheet.
Still very much a WIP, but I'm getting there!

 

[3Beasties]

Is it going to be a breed specific show or open to all dog owners?

I went to a lot of shows last year and saw a lot of 'have a go' rings for things like agility, flyball etc. Basically a ring set up with agility equiptment (or a barrow strip for flyball) that you can pay a couple of pounds to take your dog around with the help of someone who knows what they're doing. . Many dogs that I saw doing it had never done it before and more often then not people will have more than one go. You could even dona scurry type thing. Might be a nice way to get money in without it being a competition as such? (These were at 'fun dog day' type events and not necessarily shows).

The other thing that seemed popular was doggy beaches. Basically lots of sand pits and paddling pools with toys in that the dogs could play, dig and cool down in. If it's a nice hot day it should go down very well!

 

[satinbaze]

For a fun show only (no pedigree classes) you do not need a KC licence but you will need public liability insurance. Find somewhere with plenty of parking as competitors like to be near the rings and good toilets. Think about catering the easiest is to ask a butty wagon along. Have plenty of schedules printed as only about 1/10 of Those given out will come. There is a fun dog show group on Facebook so advertise there. Nice rosettes and simple prizes are the benefit of fun shows.
Just a word of warning though you do not make a lot of profit and they are very hard work although enjoyable.

 

[CorvusCorax]

So is she running the original show on her own while the committee go off and do their own thing then or are you having two shows? Maybe she's turned the ideas down for a reason? If she is more experienced in managing the event?

 

[Kaylum]

One thing I know from experience is you need good parking and loads of vounteers. You need a volunteer to be prepared to email schedules out but also post it online. We do mail it out on request but don't get many requests any more. We have flyball ring, dog training display, agility ring you have to make it exciting and have plenty of rosettes and prizes.

 

[Shantara]

Thanks guys!

CorvusCorax - We're still giving her all the help she needs. There will be 2 shows, hers in May and ours in September.
While she's more experienced in breed shows, I am more experienced with what people want in fun shows and it's meant to have a bit of both. I was leaving the breed classes alone, just suggesting things which I knew was a huge draw to the shows I've been to previously.
She is constantly contradicting herself and confusing all of us on the committee. She started off saying she wants it bigger and better, so we made suggestions. After hours of chatting, she then tells us she'd rather just keep it to Tamaskan dogs. There are only 700 Tams world wide, so there is no way we'd get more than 50. There were about 25 last year.
The point of our show is not to have it just Tamaskans, but all dogs and emphasis on fun!

We have people in mind for displays and "have a go" things too
Lots of food vans I know of and I have a couple of photographer friends who'd be willing to help too!

 

[honetpot]

I used to organise children's pet shows, and I think if you design a schedule where someone can enter multiple classes, they will come for the afternoon, enter lots, buy a drink and a cake and a raffle ticket.
As its your first one I would stick to tea and cold drinks, wrapped cakes and a simple price list, you will not make a huge amount of money but its gets around a lot of the food hygiene regs. I know some dog charities that will put on shows, organise the ring, judge insurance, rosettes etc, in return for the entries. That leaves you free to run the raffle and sell tea and cakes, or have a bring and buy stall.
Its as much effort to run a show for 20 as it is for 120, so aim big and have fun.

 

[s4sugar]

Fun shows don't need a licence, Companion show do but a licence is only ten quid.
Things all shows need;-
Insurance!
Venue, needs a flat area for the ring, loos, parking, refreshments. If you can find a pub with space it can work well.
Helpers, try & get a judge from outside the area not the local petsitter or groomer and get a steward who knows what to do.
You need someone to take entries and it helps to have a spare or six
Ring ropes are easy - leccy fence posts & red & white hazard tape are fine.
Table & gazebo.
Rosettes
Raffle

Anything else is optional.

 

[honetpot]

Have you thought of tagging on to a RC show so its covered by their insurance?