Showing

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by missfancypants25

I am actually not sure what kind of show or activity I would want to get involved in yet. She really loves to learn new things so I think I would like to do something that really worked her mind and gave her something to do. The breeder I got her from does show and she gave me a full registration for Waeryn. After posting this thread I looked up different dog classes in my area and I found this one place that does agility classes and that sounded really interesting to me. They have agility fundamentals, which is a requirement before doing the other two classes they offer which are Beginning Agility I & II. I think agility really sounds like something that would give Waeryn something fun to do (and me too!). I don't know though, I dont know much about any of this yet, I'm just trying to learn all that I can.

Agility is one option, other things you can consider are competitive obedience, rally (not quite as regimented as obedience), herding and tracking.

If you are intrested in any of those the agility people might be able to refer you to places that train for them too. Or again on the AKC page you can find kennel clubs in your area. They should be able to refer you to trainers or obedience clubs in your area.

And I hear agility is lots of fun for both you and the dog. I've not tried it yet myself.

Peggy

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

Agility at the level my Taylor is involved, is at least a weekly activity and initially was almost daily. Showing is not remotely involved to this degree.

When you start training for the show ring, yes, you do train on a daily basis. And many dogs do show weekly. Either at shows or at fun matches. There are lots of dogs that do go to shows every week.

In New Zealand at least, the socialising and comradeship between dogs and between handlers is far far greater in agility than it is in showing.

I disagree. There can be just as much with the conformation people. We get together at shows for dinners, or just to visit. Dogs often get to play with other dogs when we're done showing for the day.

Just depends on the group you're with.

Peggy

[Michael Romanos]

Peggy - believe me, the sport of agility is far more involved than is the show ring. Technically more involved, group training more involved.

I don't think you can disagree with me on the general situation in New Zealand in regard to social opportunities (Corgis and people) and friendliness between handlers. Unless you have broached the subject with other New Zealanders, do you know what the general relationships here are about?

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

Peggy - believe me, the sport of agility is far more involved than is the show ring. Technically more involved, group training more involved.

I don't disagree that the agility ring is more involved but I do disagree that the show ring is boring to dogs and handlers. You can still bond with your dog by showing and many dogs do enjoy it. And there is daily training involved when you start to show a dog.

I don't think you can disagree with me on the general situation in New Zealand in regard to social opportunities (Corgis and people) and friendliness between handlers. Unless you have broached the subject with other New Zealanders, do you know what the general relationships here are about?

I wasn't disagreeing about any situation in New Zealand, but saying that show people in general can and do socialize. I was relating my experince here in the US as you related yours where you are. The person considering showing is in the US and needed to know that show people here do socialize and can be friendly to each other.

And no, not all are, yes, there are snobs here too. But you can find friends and have fun.

Peggy

[Michael Romanos]

Peggy - you hit on the word: snobbery. There are lot of snobs in the world of dog showing. Thankfully it is almost totally absent in agility in New Zealand and it will be completely absent when the dog sizes are separated with their own competitions.

[glencorgi]

Agility is still in its toddler stage in NZ, give it time to grow up and you may see some changes and not in the fashion you might wish. Much of what you describe about the sport of agility in NZ is very similar to the early days of agility in the US and what could have been said of the obedience ring until certain changes were implemented. Hard core competitors, whether they be in performance events or conformation, do change the tone of the sport.

Debbie

[Michael Romanos]

Agility is big in NZ and growing but will become much bigger when small dogs are promoted properly ie spearated competition. Whilst the sport of agility is not quite as big as sbowing right now, it is a bigger money spinner for the NZ Kennel Club and is growing whilst showing continues to decline. Agility here is well established and honed in. Show people are very much tainted by snobs and self-centered people and agility is down to earth and everyone pitching in and helping out. What has helped develop this attitude is that the competitive agility dog need not have a pedigree.

[glencorgi]

Agility development in New Zealand is parallel to what we've seen happen in the US.

From your comments about conformation, the reasons for your feelings about it are fairly obvious.

Debbie