Would, do, you show your dog?

[alfie2244]

Our little darling (tomboy) is now 10 months old. We got her strictly as a pet and companion for our insecure rescue dog which has worked out very well indeed.

However her mother's owner (breeder) popped in yesterday to see her for the 1st time her words in affect were "she is probably the best of all her dogs" this included the 2 in her car which had both just taken 2nds in class at Crufts this weekend (older brother and grandfather I think).

I originally declined on the basis she is a pet and more into muddy puddles than pretty pretty prancing around a ring (as am I). She then offered to "show" her on our behalf and do all the work (groom etc) to which I said I will consider and let her know. I am inclined to perhaps do one show and see how it goes from there but I suspect she may do well and being a very confident (precocious) little thing I don't think it will harm her being centre of attention.

So in short what would you do?

[Jasandjules]

We show our dogs sometimes. Our breeder was quite keen and there is a lady who will handle for us. So we take the dog to the show ground, she shows them, we tend to come home with a win here and there (including first in class at Crufts)...

[ali_kat]

If the dog enjoys it, then yes I would let her (I wouldn't do it myself, but I get anxiety so that's more me than for the dog)

[HTP99]

I wouldn't, only because I couldn't be arsed with the prep and hassle and it's not really my thing; anyway a cross terrier and a naughty, deaf white Frenchie aren't really show material.

Our Pug's dad was a past best of something Crufts winner I believe and he won other things in the past too.

However if you fancy it, why not give it a go.

[alfie2244]

To clarify....she will do ALL the prep and all the prancing about in the ring (ala JasandJules)...think we are leaning towards entering her into the local Bath show in May and see how it goes.

[riosyd]

I used to show one of my dogs occasionally - he loved it! My other 2 dogs would rather go for a walk in the woods.

Why not go along and see if your dog enjoys it (or maybe try a ringcraft class first).

[gavsdavs]

so you know what you are getting in to
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0218839

[alfie2244]

riosyd said:

I used to show one of my dogs occasionally - he loved it! My other 2 dogs would rather go for a walk in the woods.

Why not go along and see if your dog enjoys it (or maybe try a ringcraft class first).

I am not so sure the breeder would be interested in taking her into a ringcraft class - hand on heart part of me wants to show her but a) only if she likes it. b) We still go for our daily long walks and she can get as muddy as she wants..... and boy does she love the muddy puddles, every single one she can find.

[Jasandjules]

As above you will soon find out if your dog enjoys it.

One of mine is such a divvy that he goes gambling around with a "look at me, I'm great" face and tail...... generally means he struggles to get placed higher than second as a "show dog" is meant to go round all serious etc.... At crufts, he was the idiot on his back in the middle of the aisle, and he was the one bouncing up at the handler trying to play with the lead...

But you see many dogs who seem depressed and hate it.

[alfie2244]

Jasandjules said:

As above you will soon find out if your dog enjoys it.

One of mine is such a divvy that he goes gambling around with a "look at me, I'm great" face and tail...... generally means he struggles to get placed higher than second as a "show dog" is meant to go round all serious etc.... At crufts, he was the idiot on his back in the middle of the aisle, and he was the one bouncing up at the handler trying to play with the lead...

But you see many dogs who seem depressed and hate it.

Might find it's the breeder gets depressed when the little tyke treats the whole thing as a game and won't stop yapping at everybody / everything..Keira is a very cocky little thing that thinks she's going to rule the world one day

[Jasandjules]

alfie2244 said:

Might find it's the breeder gets depressed when the little tyke treats the whole thing as a game and won't stop yapping at everybody / everything..Keira is a very cocky little thing that thinks she's going to rule the world one day

Yes indeed. Our handler also gets irritated (she is there to win!).... Whereas on the video footage you have me and the wife laughing away at the dog being a muppet and showing off, with the handler getting annoyed at him - which made us laugh all the more...... It was only Crufts, not the end of the world

But generally our dogs win so she is happy enough. Oh, she will also call us to "request" we attend a show she wants to go to!

[riosyd]

alfie2244 said:

I am not so sure the breeder would be interested in taking her into a ringcraft class - hand on heart part of me wants to show her but a) only if she likes it. b) We still go for our daily long walks and she can get as muddy as she wants..... and boy does she love the muddy puddles, every single one she can find.

I just thought that ringcraft would be an introduction to see if she enjoyed being shown.

Here's my "show" dog on the right...



scrubs up ok



Good luck

[BOR]

I think you need to ask yourself if you really want to support an industry that breeds frankenstein versions of dogs to achieve extreme breed standards with the health problems and deformities that that entails.

And what happens if the puppies don't meet the freak Kennel Club breed standards ?

It would be a tawdry event even without the health issues that they bring onto the dogs

[riosyd]

[alfie2244]

BOR said:

I think you need to ask yourself if you really want to support an industry that breeds frankenstein versions of dogs to achieve extreme breed standards with the health problems and deformities that that entails.

And what happens if the puppies don't meet the freak Kennel Club breed standards ?

It would be a tawdry event even without the health issues that they bring onto the dogs

As somebody that has only ever had rescue pets that people did not want, cats, dogs,ponies, ex battery hens that were scared of grass, runty lambs etc etc etc I think I have done my bit for animal welfare ( I also sponsor 2 guide dogs) so forgive me if I don't heed your advice (angry rant).

In fact I have just entered her into a show, it may be one of many or may be her only show but thanks for your input anyway.

eta add a pic of my last 2 rescues that nobody wanted:

Edited by alfie2244 on Tuesday 15th March 23:07

[Jasandjules]

BOR said:

I think you need to ask yourself if you really want to support an industry that breeds frankenstein versions of dogs to achieve extreme breed standards with the health problems and deformities that that entails.

This depends on the breed. And I for one breed to the "old" and correct standard (healthy), regardless of what happens to the standard..... I also screen for the relevant health conditions and only breed from dogs which pass those tests and indeed which fall below the breed average for hips for example.

[DannyScene]

My auntie use to show her leonberger bh, I think she won best of breed/best bh at crufts a few times, they both really enjoyed it and my auntie made some good friends throgh it, you could see some dogs didn't really like all the fuss but until you try you don't know I suppose

[alfie2244]

DannyScene said:

My auntie use to show her leonberger bh, I think she won best of breed/best bh at crufts a few times, they both really enjoyed it and my auntie made some good friends throgh it, you could see some dogs didn't really like all the fuss but until you try you don't know I suppose

Even if she won best in show, if she don't like it she won't be doing it again.....end of.

Our current rescue dog (pic above on right) is a Leonberger /Alsation X Breed both of which can suffer from the health issues that BOR raised in his post (goggle GSD Crufts 2016)....fortunately he has all the good traits of each breed and none of the bad and how on earth he ended up in a rescue centre is beyond me but he is a very happy chappy now.
Ironically he won a 1st place rosette at a fun dogshow last year and loved every minute of being the centre of attention.

[DannyScene]

alfie2244 said:

DannyScene said:

My auntie use to show her leonberger bh, I think she won best of breed/best bh at crufts a few times, they both really enjoyed it and my auntie made some good friends throgh it, you could see some dogs didn't really like all the fuss but until you try you don't know I suppose

Even if she won best in show, if she don't like it she won't be doing it again.....end of.

Our current rescue dog (pic above on right) is a Leonberger /Alsation X Breed both of which can suffer from the health issues that BOR raised in his post (goggle GSD Crufts 2016)....fortunately he has all the good traits of each breed and none of the bad and how on earth he ended up in a rescue centre is beyond me but he is a very happy chappy now.
Ironically he won a 1st place rosette at a fun dogshow last year and loved every minute of being the centre of attention.

I can't bring myself to load the picture of the GSD from crufts this year up, as a family we have always had atleast 1 GSD somewhere in our ranks, the one from crufts made me physically angry, how the judges could say that was best of breed is beyond me and throws crufts into a lot of doubt in my eyes not to mention the trend of 'toy' dogs, I forget which one it was but some of them looked as if they were genuinely struggling to breathe and walk.


Your dog sounds awesome and while he is enjoying it you should deffo carry on, do you have other pics of him?

[alfie2244]

DannyScene said:

alfie2244 said:

DannyScene said:

My auntie use to show her leonberger bh, I think she won best of breed/best bh at crufts a few times, they both really enjoyed it and my auntie made some good friends throgh it, you could see some dogs didn't really like all the fuss but until you try you don't know I suppose

Even if she won best in show, if she don't like it she won't be doing it again.....end of.

Our current rescue dog (pic above on right) is a Leonberger /Alsation X Breed both of which can suffer from the health issues that BOR raised in his post (goggle GSD Crufts 2016)....fortunately he has all the good traits of each breed and none of the bad and how on earth he ended up in a rescue centre is beyond me but he is a very happy chappy now.
Ironically he won a 1st place rosette at a fun dogshow last year and loved every minute of being the centre of attention.

I can't bring myself to load the picture of the GSD from crufts this year up, as a family we have always had atleast 1 GSD somewhere in our ranks, the one from crufts made me physically angry, how the judges could say that was best of breed is beyond me and throws crufts into a lot of doubt in my eyes not to mention the trend of 'toy' dogs, I forget which one it was but some of them looked as if they were genuinely struggling to breathe and walk.


Your dog sounds awesome and while he is enjoying it you should deffo carry on, do you have other pics of him?

It's the young female Keeshonde that will be doing the showing, have lots of pics of both...making any dog suffer for vanity, prizes, fame or any other reason is totally unacceptable hence why I too would not post links to the Crufts GSD....but to tar every dog owner / breeder / show with the same brush is wrong in my eyes.