Quote:
Originally Posted by missfancypants25
I have never shown a dog or known people who do show their dogs, but it sounds like something I might be interested in in the future. If I did do anything like this it would be in a few years, after I finished collage, but I am wondering if there is anything that I need to do while Waeryn is still young training-wise or anything else like that. I've read about showing a little bit, but still plan to read up on it a lot more. Waeryn loves to learn and I think that it would be fun to give her an activity like that to do.
 Whitney |
Ok, I assumed you meant conformation and others think so too, so I'll go with that.
The first thing is to make sure your puppy is a "show prospect" meaning that it was thought by the breeder at the time you bought the puppy to be one that would be competitive in the show ring.
Now, if you got your puppy from a breeder who didn't show, then he/she would not know what is competitive or close enough to the standard to be a show prospect. In that case you'd need to have your puppy evaluated by someone who does show (and has been successful in the show ring.)
If you got your puppy from a show breeder then he/she should have told you up front if your puppy was a show prospect. And if not then your puppy should have been sold to you on a spay neuter contract.
As for age, most of us start showing our puppies at 6 mos or so of age. Depends on when they turn 6 mos. (they cannot show before 6 mos. of age) and when a show we're going to is. There is no upper age limit as far as when you can show your dog. I just put points on a 7 year old and last year Lacy at the age of 11 1/2 took Best of Breed. The 7 year old, (Morgan) will be out again next year looking for that last major. When he obtains his Ch. he will then retire from the show ring.
To be trained for the show ring your dog needs to learn to stand and stay. Needs to stand on the table for exam (including having the teeth looked at) and needs to learn to gait with you. (Gait at a trot for the show ring.) They do not need to know the basic obedience but of course basic obedience is never a bad thing. You do not want your corgi to sit in the show ring. They need to stand and bait (look intrested in the treat you're showing them).
I do not want my dogs to walk at heel in the show ring. I want them to "lead out" a bit in front of me. When they become very seasoned at the show ring, they are often out in front of me at the end of the lead and they set the pace. As long as they don't break out of a trot I allow them to set the pace and I just follow along or keep up.
You can go to "handling classes" to learn to show your dog. And if you are going to show I highly recommend them.
I recommend you go to some shows and watch what goes on there. Most shows are free to spectators. And look at the dogs in the ring. Get a copy of the standard (
PWCCA) and take that with you. Read it and look at the dogs in the ring. See which ones you think meet the standard the closest. Also compare your dog to those in the ring and see if she looks like they do.
Talk to the exhibitors and ask them about learning to show. Not all will be willing to help but some will. Ask to talk to them when they're done showing as before they may be busy or nervous.
You can find shows in your area at the AKC site or at infodog.com. Infodog has a state search feature.
Peggy