SO.. YOU THINK YOU WANT TO SHOW YOUR DOG?
Tam Cordingley
©
TheDogPlace February 2001
Maybe you’ve read Albert Payson Terhune and
showing dogs sounds like a worthwhile endeavor. Maybe everyone says how
pretty your dog is and you’d like to show him off. Maybe you thing your dog
is good enough to stand at stud, and maybe make some money, and someone has
said you need to show him before anyone will use him.
All of these are reasons someone is interested
in showing dogs, plus many others. How do you begin?
First you attend some dog shows and find
out how they are run. There are pamphlets at the superintendent’s
table on the rules, regulations, and explaining
the competition. Spend some time and look around at the different
breeds, the grooming and handling techniques,
etc. Talk to some exhibitors, but only after judging. They are frequently nervous and/or rushed
before going in the ring and may appear rude. In fact, they are usually preoccupied.
Be sure to watch the judging of your chosen
breed, mentally compare your dog with those
being shown. Decide, with your family, the level of competition
you are interested in. To begin with decide on whether you are interested
in conformation or obedience. If conformation is your field do you want
to show a few times just for fun, complete
a Championship, or just try for Group and/or
Best in Show wins. If Obedience is your bag, do you want a dog
that will earn a CD, complete
a CDX and/or
UD, or go for an OTCH (Obedience
Trial Championship.)
The levels of competition vary
drastically
in the time, money, and emotion
required
to participate.
If your field is conformation, the
initial step is having your dog evaluated
or finding a puppy if you don’t already have
a dog. Either a dog consultant or a professional
handler is the one to appraise your dog. If the breeder of your dog has finished a
number of Champions they are probably qualified
to appraise the quality of your dog. If the breeder has never shown a dog or finished
a Champion they are probably not qualified
to pass on the worthiness of your exhibit. The breeder of a dog is simply the owner
of the dam of the puppies. Many are excellent and very well qualified,
many are simply producers of
puppies who
know very little about the conformation
of
the puppies they produce.
If your interest is Obedience, your
appraisal has to be two fold. Both your energy, talent, and interest as
well as the conformation, talent and energy
of your dog need to be taken into account. Most dogs can get a CD, many can get a CDX
and/or UD. Relatively few can qualify for the highest
honors in the field and earn an OTCH. The physical and mental talents of both of
you need to be considered. A consultant who has experience in Obedience
or a trainer who has competed
at the highest
levels can give you needed insight.
It is much easier and immeasurably
cheaper to have your assets appraised
than
it is to spend time and money
working with
a non-competitive dog.
If your dog is deemed non-competitive, get
a second opinion. If the
second opinion matches the first,
just love and enjoy your dog,
and if you
still wish to compete, get another
dog. Take a counselor along if you
need help choosing
a second dog. The money
will be well spent. With show expenses
as high as they are today,
the cost of a counselor/consultant
is well
worth it. Make sure you
are, indeed, competitive.
Most important of all-love the dogs
you have, win or lose. That ribbon or placement is important to
you, your dog is working hard for only the
reward of your affection. The dog you take home is the same prospective
winner you brought to the show, he is as
good as he was before the judge placed him.
Win or lose.
http://www.thedogplace.org/ShowDog/Want-To-Show_TC-0102.asp
