So you want to show your dog….
Training for the show ring
No one wants to be the person in the show ring with an uncontrollable dog. We’ve all seen the one that refuses to let a judge ‘go over’ him and will not move in a straight line, but instead imitates a windmill – all four legs flying in different directions as the owner’s blood pressure reaches uncontrollable heights!
Show training starts the moment you bring home your puppy. Your breeder should have introduced the puppy to the outside world already. He should be familiar with household sights and sounds and have ventured into the garden to explore. Until he has had his full set of inoculations he will not be permitted to mix with other dogs but until then there is a lot you can do to let him become used to being handled.
Stand the puppy squarely keeping a hand under his tummy and the other under the chin. Praise him when he does it correctly. Dogs will spend a lot of time standing still and being looked at by the judge, if you start when the puppy is only weeks old you will be making his show career so much easier.
Find a good ringcraft club
You should be attending ringcraft classes as soon as it’s possible for your puppy to enter the outside world. Puppies can enter shows from the age of six months, as most dogs cannot go outside until they have had their final inoculation at the age of twelve to fourteen weeks it doesn’t give you long to teach your dog and learn something yourself.
Remember don’t be afraid to ask for advise
Don’t forget to practice, practice, practice
Practicing for the big show is important for both you and your pet. Remember, you will be in the show ring and spotlight too. So, both of you need to be ready.
If you have never shown a dog before it would be advisable to attend a few dog shows and get to know the breed and how it is presented in the show ring. You cannot expect to turn up on the day and win your class without knowing what to do while in the ring – even more importantly you cannot expect your dog to understand what is expected of him.
Spend some time at shows watching how things are organised and how experienced exhibiter’s behave.
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You need to complete an official entry form for each dog show that you enter. These forms are found within the schedule of the show.
Your first entry form can be quite daunting. There seem to be so many questions – and so many rules. Make yourself a cup of tea, sit down and read the schedule carefully.
Check where the venue of the show is – can you get there in time for the start of the show. You may need to stay over the night before. If so the show society sometimes have a list of suitable B & B’s that will take dogs. Is the date free, check your diary? If you are showing a puppy is he six months old - if not he cannot enter. Check the start time of the show – there is nothing more annoying than arriving too late and missing your class.
These seem very long and a tad confusing, but take the time to read them. Most are common sense and are a repeat of what is listed in the earlier part of the schedule. There are important rules that you must adhere to – if not you could be banned from showing your dog in future. Coat preparation is one important rule, no substance must be used that will change the coat in any way.
Work through the columns slowly and check you have put the right information – if you get it wrong you could have any wins taken from you.
If you are unsure, have your dog's Kennel Club registration document in front of you and copy the name carefully. Get this wrong and it will be printed wrong in the catalogue and also in the dog press if you are fortunate enough to win.
If you have travelled in from overseas to enter this show you will have been given an ATC (authorisation to show) number by the Kennel Club. If your dog is registered in the
Put the correct name of your breed – not the nickname or the abbreviation. Get it wrong and you will be competing with the wrong breed.
Put D for a dog and B for a bitch. It may seem simple but you’d be amazed how many people get it wrong!
Again if you are unsure check the details on the dog's registration. If you have more than one dog these bits of information can get mixed up.
This will be the name on the dog’s pedigree and his registration papers. This is the name that your breeder wants to be known by, so get it right!
You will gradually learn these names but to be sure copy them from your dog’s registration papers. Dam is the mother of your puppy. Sire is the father.
Against each class in the catalogue there is a number. Enter the numbers of the classes you wish to enter. Put them all in the one box.
Remember to put your own details clearly and a phone number. The secretary will need this if she has to contact you for any reason.
Read this carefully before signing it as you are declaring that you agree to the rules of the show and that your dog is not bringing anything infectious into the show or has been exposed to anything contagious in the 21 days preceding the show.
It may be that you like the show society that organised the show; it may be local to you and arrange lots of activities that you and your dog can join in with. On the entry form you will see a box where you can apply to join; you will normally get cheaper entry fees as well!
Quite often you will see a request for donations. These may be used towards rosettes or as prize money. If you can afford this then please consider a donation. Many clubs are run on a shoestring budget and will be grateful for any help offered. Names are normally printed in the catalogue thanking all exhibitors that donated.
Finally remember to enclose your cheque and sign it!
Click here to see a dog show entry form
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Your first show
So it’s finally here, the day of your very first dog show! It may be an Open Show close to home in which case you can leave home early in time to arrive at the venue as the show opens. Most shows open at least one hour before judging starts and if your breed is first in the ring and you have a puppy you wont have that long to get your bearings settle the dog and find the toilets! Perhaps leave a little earlier – just in case! You can afford to play with time once you know your way around.
Is your dog ready? I mean really ready? Is he free of knots; are his ears clean, nails trimmed, and teeth free of tartar?
Now how about you? Those jeans look a bit scruffy. What, it’s only a dog show? Hmm you won’t go far. A casual and scruffy appearance will not show off your dog and will give you the air of one that is not bothered. Come on, you paid a fortune for that show dog, you’ve trained it to within an inch of it’s life, don’t let him down on his first outing! Remember also ladies not to wear heels.
Gents, take that change and your keys out of your pockets – if you have to run your dog around the ring it will spill out and distract the dog. Buy a jacket and keep it for your dog showing. Many people wear the same outfit every time they show the same dog – it’s not a fashion statement nor are they hard up – it’s so they are recognised!
Ok you have now arrived and both you and the dog are clean and presentable, first find somewhere to set up – at some venues you need to arrive really early, as space is at a premium. This is not a problem at Championship shows but Open Shows are a different matter. You may have a grooming table or a cage to set up, if not a rug on the ground will give you your own space in which to settle your dog. Ideally you will have someone with you in which case take the dog for a walk to settle him and hopefully he will get any ‘little jobs’ out of the way, rather than do them in the ring. Remember to have a bag with you to pick up after him.
Once back in your own space settle him down and buy yourself a coffee, on the way collect a catalogue – you may have prepaid this if not it will cost a couple of pounds. If you don’t have a ring clip, purchase one from the trade stand – there's bound to be one. This will enable you to wear your personal ring number in the ring so the judge will know your entry number, and anyone watching will know who you are. On the wall usually near the secretary’s table there will be a list showing the order of judging. You could have a while to wait!
Check your dog through – it’s amazing how they can get dirty over night – just like children. If you have a long time to wait; sit and watch the judging, look around for other people in your breed, the catalogue will tell you if you if there are anymore entered and how many dogs are entered in your class. Get to know these dogs and their handlers the chances are you will be competing against them for the next few years!
Take him for a walk around the venue, get him used to the other dogs and the strange smells. Don’t get in anyone’s way they may be ready for their class. But at all times keep an eye on the clock and another on the ring you are supposed to be judged in, you don’t want to miss your class. It’s your responsibility to be at the ringside ready when your class is called. Listen to the steward.
And remember win or lose we always take the best dog home.
