How do I start to show?

[jj-1962]

Hi
I'm new, and new to pugs, and new to pedigrees

I am about to get my new puppy Elsa in 2 weeks time. She comes from my sisters dog and apparently is very 'typey'. Our last dog passed away last October and was a cross-breed.

My daughter has made an interest in showing her. I also am interested - just for fun (but who knows where that goes!)

Any tips will be hugely welcomed.

So excited about her coming home - I get daily pics of her at the moment
Thanks
Jan

[Rosiepug]

Welcome to the Village.

There are many different types of dog shows in the UK. Many are 'fun' shows where the cutest dog wins or the best dressed etc. sometimes they are mixed classes of pure bred breeds, so your pug may go up against a yorkshire terrier or a cavalier king charles spaniel.

If you want to show your dog to Championship status in 'Conformation' shows, then the first thing you need is the 'right' dog. By this I mean you usually have to court a breeder and tell them that you would like a puppy with 'Show Potential' generally you have to wait in line for a puppy as often they will want to keep that puppy for themselves. Sometimes a nice litter will have two show potential puppies. The best way to find out what 'line' you prefer is to attend the shows and see which type appeals to you. Often you will find that every time you see a dog that you like, it will probably have the same blood line.

As you have already chosen your puppy, I recommend going to ring craft classes in your area to teach you/your daughter how to handle the pup. There will be Junior Handler classes she can participate in also.

After that it's a matter of going to the Show and enjoying yourself. This is where having the right attitude comes in. Don't be put off if you don't place. Judges although adhering to the breed standard, always have there own preferences for certain characteristics just as you do. If you do have a good dog, one week you may not place and the next you win. I've found generally, if the dog is well bred and does turn out to have potential, it will place more consistently than not and hopefully win enough to become a Champion.

Hope that helps, have fun.

Looking forward to pics of Elsa.

[Snifter]

You can't enter a dog into a show until it reaches 6 months old. You can usually enter a dog as "not for competition" from 4 months old so you can take them along to get them used to the atmosphere but they will not go into the ring.

You will need to subscribe to a newspaper such as "Dog World" if you want to get details of upcoming shows.

Companion Dog Shows are a good place to start - they have some breed classes as Jacqueline mentioned, but you will be up against other breeds. However you won't feel nearly so bad if you make an idiot of yourself as you would in a more serious show.

If you can get to a ringcraft class, so much the better.

[Rosiepug]

You will need to subscribe to a newspaper such as "Dog World" if you want to get details of upcoming shows.

Also your Ring Craft Class should know of Events in your area. "Dog World" is also available Online, as is FOSSE DATA, where you can choose a Show and enter online.

[Angus2009]

Hay!

Get yourself to champdog forum it's really helpfully with all aspects of showing and most people are uk based :-) there all very helpful and really knowledgeable and will be able to give you advice on local ring craft and young kennel club handling classes etc.

[jj-1962]

Thanks for all your replies :D

I was thinking more fun to start with but who knows where that may lead!!!

I think my poor brain is on Pug-Overload at the moment... 12 days til we get her home. Think I've got the home ready now and brought whats needed - plus far too many other things.

I shall look up recommended places - thank you for your help.
Jan

[puglover22]

if you want to show for fun, you might want to consider agility.....now that's fun!
also, obedience (which will be necessisary anyway), rally, etc. There are all kinds of shows you can enter for fun, and get titles on your dog, even if your dog isn't "show quality"

[518dark-rose]

Just out of curiosity, for the fun shows, is it still only un neutered dogs that are allowed to enter? I would love to enter Scooby into some fun shows, but I do want to neuter him when he is the appropriate age, thank you :) x

[jj-1962]

I will try her out at the fun stuff - but depending on how easy that becomes??? I may try a 'serious' show later. Might wait until I see if her tail curls twice lol. Also going to give agility a go when she's a year old. My last dog had such bad hip dysplacia (as a Border Collie with bags of energy) and we were unable to do more than walks with her.

[Snifter]

Just out of curiosity, for the fun shows, is it still only un neutered dogs that are allowed to enter? I would love to enter Scooby into some fun shows, but I do want to neuter him when he is the appropriate age, thank you :) x

I'm not sure if you can enter him into the pedigree classes at a Companion Dog Show but you can certainly go for the novelty classes (dog with most appealing eyes, waggiest tail etc etc)