To show or not to show, that is the question

Katikins

Katikins

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4 March 2010
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772
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Den Haag, Netherlands
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I wanted to get some more knowledgeable peoples' opinions on what dog showing is like. I literally have zero experience of this, I did do some pony showing in PC YEARS ago but there was so much standing around and I was so bored I never bothered doing it again. We got Freya, our 15 week old whippet, from a very good breeder and her dam and sire have both competed very successfully in both showing and lure coursing. You can see her full pedigree here:
http://thewhippetarchives.net/details.php?id=143242

We are going to the puppy and veteran Dutch Whippet Club show in June and doing the puppy class and the breeder class but that's mostly as its more of a litter reunion more than anything! Here are a few pictures of her so please let me know what you think of her quality wise. Also, what to expect in the showing world and how to know whether it would be something for us. You can be as brutally honest as you like, if she isn't showing standard I couldn't really give a stuff coz I love her to bits and she's never going anywhere anyway.

I haven't taught her to stack but this is probably one of the best confo shots I have of her:
DSCN5023.jpg


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And a whippet in her natural habitat!
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And just because she's cute:
[youtube]R7iHPtzvk6o[/youtube]
 
I started last year having never experienced dog showing. I went to ringcraft classes locally and they have helped me stand him correctly, walk him correctly etc. I also have got to know loads of showing people which have helped me enormously and the bedlington showing people are really friendly. i enjoy my trips showing, a great chance to meet like minded people and see some gorgeous dogs
 
Thanks Bosworth, I was actually thinking of you and Flodden when I wrote this (I don't post much but I do stalk you all on here - and congratulations on Crufts 2013!). I might just have to find a ringcraft class close by and give it a go and see what happens.... which also means I had better get working on my rather poor dutch!
 
Katikins, if you want any total novice help shout :) I have been so very lucky with the help I have recieved. The bedlington showing people all seem so friendly and helpful. I turned up at the show yesterday with flodden, and the lady who taught me to clip was there, she was showing 3 beddies, but as soon as she saw me, she grabbed flodden, popped him on her grooming table and finished him off to perfection :) How kind was that, I never ever expected anything like that. I am going through a hideous time with my relationship breaking down and losing everything and these showing chaps keep me sane and restore my faith in peoples innate kindness. And I would never have expected to say that. i know other people who show different breeds and they are a little bitchy, so I think it depends on the breeds. US with our beddies unite in adversity, all that bloody grooming!
You need to get yourself a show lead, I would say a brown or cream for your boy I used these people http://www.jewlnickleather.co.uk/show sets.html leather show leads sets, the collar is a half check but the leather. i had one custom made for Flodden at crufts, it was £17. beautiful soft leather. Or you can get cheap cord ones online to start you off.

your grooming kit will be cheap :) mine has cost me a small fortune, clipper, hairdryer, combs, slickers, chalk shampoos table, crate etc. and still the list of things I need is there.

a good crate is essential, so you can leave your dog safely on the bench while you nip off, toilet trips are tricky with a dog in tow. I have a fabric collapsable crate, and flodden will happily lie in that all day.
 
I have had both good and bad experiences showing...I think it depends a lot on breed though. It is a bit addicitive regardless and worth while doing as 'an experience' in life, theres nothing quite like it! Give it a shot and see what you think!
 
Thanks for all the information Bosworth, its great that you've found such a fantastic group of people to help you though this rough time. And I'm really impressed with how helpful they are - I really hope the whippet crowd over here are like that! Great tip on the crate as well, I hadn't even thought of that!

Montyforever, we have had a lot of comments that she is a good looking girl and I think she's gorgeous but I'm obviously a little bit biased :)

Vislak, I think that's the best way forwards, give it a go and see if its something I like. I've contacted some people here to see if there are any ringcraft classes in the area so that will probably be the best place to start :)
 
We have our first show in May, have been doing ringcraft and that seems to be going well. No idea how we will get on our Lancashire Heeler is going through a growth spurt and has some large paws so the rest of her has to catch up. The experience will be good though and we have lots of support from the LH group and hoping someone will be there on the day of the show to give a helping hand. I have been told no matter what happens on the day whether you win or lose just remember you go home with the best dog which I thought was lovely.

OP your dog looks fantastic so give it a go and remember the advice I was given.:)
 
Do some ringcraft practice and then try a show or two and see if you like it.

I've just started showing a whippet (she's quite a nice dog, I've never shown dogs before) and we're having great fun. People have been really supportive and it's a fun day out.

You will meet lots of people there who will be able to give you a proper assessment of your dog (as well as the knowledgable people on here).

Enjoy!
 
Showing's great fun, but just don't get too serious about it :D It is addictive, and people seem to forget that dogs are dogs.

A lot of showers in my breed, samoyeds, don't walk their dogs in case they get dirty!!! FFS - it's a dog, and should be allowed to be so. It used to really get to me, after all, the dogs doesn't care about showing.

We used to go all over the country with our dogs, mainly champ and breed shows, but although I enjoyed it, the OH found it quite trying, and eventually we gave up.

Now, I'm back in the ring with malamutes (still have sammies - can't not have a sam), and we've promised each other, that we won't get too OTT with it!

It is great fun, but go to enjoy yourself, not to win :D
 
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