Dog Showing
Dog showing is a popular and competitive activity and there are shows held almost every weekend of the year for those who want to enter. There are three main types of show and they are always held under Kennel Club rules and regulations. They are: The Exemption Show If you have a pedigree dog and you want to start showing you can enter a Kennel Club Exemption show without having to register your dog with the Kennel Club. Exemption shows are held at a variety of venues around the UK and they may well be held within the precincts of larger events such as a fetes and local shows. If you want to compete in Open or Championship shows your dog must be registered on the Kennel Club Breed Register. In order to be "Kennel Club Registered" both of your dog's parents must have been registered. In breed shows each dog is judged against the standard for his or her own breed as laid down by The Kennel Club in their Breed Standards. Preparing your dog for a show involves a lot of hard work and training. It may look easy when you see people trotting round the ring at Crufts but believe me the dogs and handlers have done a lot of work to get there. If you are keen on a particular breed you'll need to get to know the breed standard and understand what the judges are looking for. You'll also need to learn how to groom the dog for the show ring and how to prepare the coat and keep it in tip top condition. You dog will have to be the correct weight for the breed so no matter how appealing the eyes you can't spoil him or her with food. However, there's nothing wrong with healthy titbits for training and you will often see breed people using liver treats or something similar to encourage their dogs.
Most people who show at Open Shows or Championship shows learn ringcraft at a local dog club. This involves teaching your dog to move well around the ring without pulling or lagging behind. Your dog will also learn to stand well and to be "placed" in a good showing position if necessary. Above all a dog must have a good temperament. They will be handled by complete strangers who will invade their personal space by looking at the teeth, coat and conformation. The last thing you want is for the dog to growl or bite as you would then be disqualified. Finally, breed showing is a highly social activity. Once you get onto the circuit it's like every other dog activity in that after a while you get to know people from all over the country. In particular you will meet enthusiasts of the particular breed you are interested in and you can swap tips and stories and share experiences. When you are more experienced with your breed you will also start to recognise bloodlines in other people's dogs and this can be a fascinating hobby in itself.
Good luck with your showing and above all have fun. Books (For purchasing information click on the images)
By Cheryl S Smith (Paperback, 351 pages) |
