How did you get started in Showing?

I started with Kenya, my first dog, working line German Shepherd.  I obtained her from a breeder at age 3.5.  I filled out a survey indicating what I was looking for in a dog, what I wanted to do with my dog, and I was matched to her (even though I *wanted* a large, heavy boned, dark, male GSD and I got this tiny, light, feminine bitch, hehe).  She already had a UKC CH, was trained in agility and had a good foundation for obedience.  I originally wanted to do agility but I was a slow learner so our first go in the ring together was AKC Rally.  She's completed her RN and RA titles with a few first places and no NQs!  Our first agility competition was this past summer.  We did a CPE trial, Level 1 and finished two titles there.  CPE is easier and less competitive than AKC so I decided to start there.  We started at Level 1 but now I think she could have jumped in higher and will probably have no trouble in AKC Novice if I ever get around to it.  We also did a bunch of other tests/certifications such as the CGC, Temperament Test, Therapy Dog International, a fun herding instinct test.  For training we started with beginner agility.  We did that a month after I adopted her.  Then after that we did the CGC class and a pet therapy training class.  Then my friend convinced me to try rally so we've done some rally classes and dropped in some rally practice groups that meet on our own.  My next goals for her are the UKC Dog Sport "FO" which is the heeling pattern for the Schutzhund BH and then some other manners exercises.  We'll do this in prep for her BH.  I know the BH is pass/fail and my dog is 5 years old but I'm not rushing.  When we do it I want to crush it.  That's as far as she will go in Schutzhund anyway.  I'd also like to finish rally and get the RE title.  Agility is probably something we will keep playing around with.

Getting more into German Shepherds I decided I wanted to do Schutzhund and German conformation.  I toyed with getting a solid working line dog for a looooong time and even looked into a few planned litters.  However I like to be very comfortable with the dogs and the breeder, I like to know the dogs and the breeder more than just going to see puppies once for a few hours.  Kenya's breeder has a bitch that I really like in color, conformation, temperament, and her Schutzhund work.  She was shipped to Germany to be bred and I really liked the stud chosen.  I have not met him, but Karl Fuller helped pick him as a good stud for her and he's like the god of German shepherds, lol.  The stud is very much a west German show line dog in type and temperament.  I figured this would be a good compromise for wanting to get my feet wet in SchH and definitely get into German show ring.  The breeder and I went back and forth on which male for me and didn't make the final pick until the day the pups went home but I am 100% satisfied and having seen the rest of the litter several times I know he was the right one.  She kept a male for herself and sent him off to a co-owner in Washington state b/c she decided Nikon is the pick male.  So now we have some pressure to do what I said I wanted to do!  If the AKC will process his papers from Germany, he will be starting some puppy matches next month for the UKC and then start in the German ring in April.  I've got handlers from two teams lined up and my breeder will be doing some ring training sessions and teaching me how to double handle him.

 Wow! All that in a month. Geez! I don't have those kinda of tests around here.. *sigh* Stupid small towns..  I'm gonna have to talk to my trainer about Conformation training. I may just work with Sandy to learn how to handle a dog a properly but I won't be showing her.

So you hired a handler for Nikon? Is there a reason for that? I'm just curious!

Sorry I meant we started training a month after I got her.  She was very shy and skittish at first, we used training to break that bubble.  She got her CGC like 3 months later and then on from that.

Yeah I had to hire handlers b/c in the German ring the owners need to double.  There's not many dogs that are handled without a double.  The hander knows how to gait and stack the dog.  They use arm signals to indicate to the owners/doubles when to call, how far ahead of the dog to run, etc.  They want the dogs gaiting such that they are really pulling and driving forward, but they also want the dog to be "up" (head up, looking alert) and not "flat".  A dog that is too content actually looks worse than a dog that is slightly anxious.  So the owners run ahead of the dog on the outside, calling or waving toys.  In the UKC I will handle him myself since I want him to be HOT (handler-owner trained).  For the German ring I picked handlers from kennels I respect, they show dogs of similar type and are known and respected by the judges.  I could handle him myself and have Phil call him or vice versa, but for smaller shows it's not that expensive to have someone handle him, and it looks better with someone who is experienced.  Unlike the AKC shows, all these handlers do is show the dog in the ring.  They come get your dog a few minutes before, and once he he stacked and critiqued the drop the lead and the dog runs out of the ring to you.  YOU are the one that brings him to and from the show, does all the grooming and prep work, etc. unless you are on a team for a big kennel.  We're kinda starting a "team" but don't have an experienced handler so we picked a few people we've hung out with at shows and like.  Nikon will most likely be handled by one of these girls below and as backup the Mittelwest team agreed to help (second dog pictured is my breeder's working line bitch that she's currently showing).

 Here's some pics of double handling

 Still! That's really good! I knew I liked Kenya for a reason. Lol.

Ah! I understand now about the Double handling. I always thought that wasn't allowed for some reason. But I guess it depends on the show. 

I love the picture of the Rubber Chicken.

Our first boy Bwana had passed in the front room,  his kennel mate Kahlua was grieving to death. We called ALL over... and found a pup availible for shipping to us that day in Cali... we agreed, the breeder said THIS is a SHOW dog...if you can look at his pedigree and feel cool with ignoring it fine, I get it you want a pup for the old girl STAT....... He arrived from California in Mobile Alabama, wearing sweater with two bottles of Very Good Champagne in the crate.....  He stepped out , a gentleman and love and we glanced at the pedigree... then looked...then LOOKED.... we were hooked we hve shown since.

Crud the Dang Dog was way better bred than any of us were !!!

Bonita of Bwana

Lies, that looks so crazy and fun!!

I started doing Rally O with Emma, on her birthday, last year, LOL. I got Ena B from a friend, with full registration.... She's a puppy mill dog, but she's ok quality, as far as conformation goes, so I decided to show her. As it turns out, it doesn't look like she'll finish, but she'll give me some good experience. After we're done playing in conformation, I'll spay her, and she'll be an obedience dog with Emma.

I picked Chinese Cresteds when I was 12! LOL I've literally wanted one for THAT long. I've been in love with them, since the first one I saw. Living with one is better than I ever thought it would be. They're my breed. I guess I really didn't pick them, they just.... suit me. Emma is fantastic, but she's probably the only PRT I'll have. It wouldn't be fair to compare another dog to her (and I would.... I know myself). She's been too much, to me. I could live with a dozen Chinese Cresteds, right now. I love every Crested I meet (and I cannot say that for ANY other breed). It just... is.

oranges81

 And how did you choose your breed?

I've always loved dog shows and dreamed of being in the ring at one time in my life. But in reality I have no idea where to start! Lol. 

Right now I'm focusing on sports but in the future I would like to start showing. 

Basically I'm just looking for suggestions/stories on how you got started, what interested you to start and how did you choose the breed. 

 I first got involved with dogs because I joined a 4H dog club when I was 11. I had always had a bit of an "abnormal" interest (ummm maybe obesseion) with dogs as a kid, so when I got my own dog and saw there was a club kids could join to train their dogs - I was all for it! Through that club I met people who were involved with breeding and showing purebred dogs. From there I became involved with the local all breed club and eventually got my first purebred dog, a collie.

 Choosing a breed was a challenge for me. I like a lot of different breeds but GSDs were my first love and I will always love the breed. I have had German and American lines and there really is a HUGE difference between them. I decided not to become involved with breeding GSD because I want a dog who can excel at performance and do well in AKC conformation - with GSDs you generally pick one or the other. I also don't believe that the Amline dogs are correct for the breed, even if they are pretty show dogs - GSDs are not supposed to be built like that. And I disliked the politics and that to have hope of finishing your dog in a reasonable amount of time, you needed a handler. I love collies too but feel like most have been bred away from working temperaments (and I sure don't want to show groom a Rough!).

 In the end, I picked Belgians because they are versatile, a nice size, don't require excessive grooming for show and their natural build appeals to me. That they aren't a popular breed is a big bonus in cofnormation too - while there are some handlers, owner handlers finish their own Belgians all the time and beating just one dog gets you a point! It is very much possible to have a top winning Belgian who excels in performance stuff too. I very much liked that most breeders were involved in something other than conformation - a good way to keep temperament a high priority in the breed.

 I'd suggest, if at all possible picking a breed that is not super popular, not a handler breed and with low to moderate show grooming requirements as your first show dog. Such breeds are MUCH easier to "learn the ropes with" and much easier for a novice to have success with in the ring. If performance/working ability is important, look for breeds with lots of multi-titled Champions and lots of active-outside-conformation breeders.

Thanks for all the stories! I love it! 

 Working and performance is important to me as well as looks.  I guess it'll take me a bit to find MY breed. Good thing I've got awhile to look in to this.

Just so you know, double handling is a big No No in AKC shows. It does happen sometimes but at least they have to be discreet about it.

How I got started. Well, by accident. I got a Samoyed puppy, and the breeder used to show a lot. I asked her what she thought of the puppy conformation wise. She said that he showed promise. If nothing unexpected showed up as he matured he might have potential as a show dog. A few months later I saw an ad in the paper for a Samoyed fun match. We went, some people said some nice things about my puppy, and we were hooked.

How to choose a breed. Well, go to some dog shows. Even watch them on TV. Talk to people at training classes. Find out if there are conformation classes in your area and just go and watch and talk. Start thinking about what traits you want in a dog, because the most important thing about choosing a breed is that this will be the dog you live with.  Doing training classes with your current dog, obedience, agility, etc. will help you meet people and be exposed to all sorts of dogs.

Popular breeds with high entries at each show are kind of hard for a newcomer. If there are always 25-30 bitches entered, only one of them can get points at each show. If the breed is too rare, then it is hard to find enough competition. Your dog can't be a champion unless they beat a certain number of dogs.

This is a good place to ask about different breeds, you know. Any breed that might strike your fancy, just ask about them.

Interesting idea for a thread!  I'm enjoying the stories a lot :)

When I decided on getting a weim, I wanted a puppy (for Nik's sake) that comes from good lines so that I know his structure is sound as I my goal in this whole dog-thing is agility... which i will hopefully be starting after the New Year :)  So, while I wanted to rescue I felt it was best to go to a reputable breeder.

I found a breeder who was willing to give me a pet quality dog for performance but wanted to know exactly why I didn't want to show (conformationally) ... I wasn't sure why.  So they told me about it. I did a bunch of research and spoke to some very good friends about it.... and decided why not?  If the dog they felt was most compatible in my life happened to be SQ, I promised to give it every shot at finishing him.  Turned out Logan was pick of his litter and so I started conformation classes with him.  Our very first show was actually just a match (neither of us had ever been in the ring before) and he managed a Best Puppy in Show at 6 months old with ME as a handler.  It wasn't pretty, I'm a miserable handler... I also got him his first 4 points, 2 points each day back to back Best Of Winners over some very nice mature dogs at 9 months (our first AKC show)... again with me handling.  After that he took Reserve at a Weim specialty at 10 months with me handling and us taking a lot of flack from judges (you have to have some very thick skin and be willing to go out there to LEARN not to win... which is not something I was willing to do. I'm too competitive!) so I hired a handler.  He finished in 12 days of showing (which is 5 shows)... that's the magic of a handler, a nice dog is actually noticed then. :)  And voila, I'm hooked! 

I will continue to handle him in UKC (he's also a UKC Champion) as it's MUCH more relaxed and fun and I feel I can go there to learn without the pressure of BOB's and Group Placements.  And I'll have a handler show him in AKC.  I personally wanna do all the performance stuff, tracking, obedience/rally, field work and agility.  But, when you have a Special (AKC) only a very experienced Owner/Handler has a prayer, even with a really nice dog.  The BOB and Group rings are ... well, it's opening my eyes to a whole new world of competitive!

Lies, cool picture of double handling... i've always heard it as a negative as in "If the judge catches you double handling you could be excused from the ring."  So it's interesting to know how it's used and embraced in another breed/ring.  Cool! 

Jennie, you're a brave gal!  I'm sure you know your breed enough to know what time it is and be honest yourself.  But, I'm really impressed you are going out there to learn.  That's someone who has tenacity and will do well in your breed for a long time to come.  Good for you! :)  I don't know crested's well enough to say if she's SQ, but she sure is a cute bitch and I hope you go out there and have a blast together!!

 ETA:  OOps! I decided on the weim, mainly cause I've always loved the breed.  My main criteria is low maintenance coat, energetic, smart, agile, driven, aware and dog friendly.  I had many breed choices but the finalists all had the same striking sillhouette (weims, dobermans and RR's).  I'm so happy with my boy... i can't imagine life without a weim... I want more! :)

 I havent shown yet but looks like in Febuary I will be!!!

How did I pick my breed? Haha. Well I read the book Red one day in middle school. Then I saw the movie and was in love with the Irish Setter from then on. A few months later I actually met my first Irish Setter at the vets office. I had to have one then. Course I didnt get my first one till I was in high school and she was a field bred one but I was in love. 

Started watching dog shows and really wanted to have a show quality Irish Setter. I was looking up clubs on the AKC site and found one only 20 minutes away from me!! So I started taking Lillie.

She of course doesnt like it so I started looking for a show pup. Decided against a dog that required grooming since no proffesional show groomers near me. I liked the Vizsla the moment I saw Rupert and Gunner on here. Just something about the red color I guess!! One of the ladies at the club used to have Vizsla's and said she would mentor me if I got one. Surprisingly I found Joker and boy he loves going to class and showing what he can do and what potential he has. Everyone is very excited for him to start showing.

Then Fynn's breeder moved here from Cali. I couldnt believe my luck. I got my show pup but really my dream was to show Irish Setters and now here it is. So we started talking and talking and talking. Seeing how serious I was about showing she decided to take me under her wing and now I have my Irish Setter show pup!! And after researching everything I could about his dad how can I not show Fynn? He has some big paws to fill!!!

And now I am on my way and hopefully I'll be posting pictures/videos of us in the show ring!!!

kle1986

 I havent shown yet but looks like in Febuary I will be!!!

How did I pick my breed? Haha. Well I read the book Red one day in middle school. Then I saw the movie and was in love with the Irish Setter from then on. A few months later I actually met my first Irish Setter at the vets office. I had to have one then. Course I didnt get my first one till I was in high school and she was a field bred one but I was in love. 

OMG!!! You read those too! I think they're are two books.....Do you remember the dog(Red..?)'s show name?

That's what hooked me on Setters too......RED! I want an IS for a family pet, I'm not a show-person.....maybe if I find 'my' breed I will.

I enjoyed all these stories!!

Sera_J

Lies, cool picture of double handling... i've always heard it as a negative as in "If the judge catches you double handling you could be excused from the ring."  So it's interesting to know how it's used and embraced in another breed/ring.  Cool!

Yeah I always thought it sounded really dumb.  I thought, if they can get those brainless American dogs to gait nice in the ring and free stack then I don't see why anyone should HAVE to double their dog!  But now having seen it....it's just kind of fun!  I mean, I want to be a part of the dog showing and this is the best way.  In the working class I'd still have to handle him myself for the protection test and the off lead gait.

What really impressed me most about the Sieger shows is all the KIDS participating!  Double handling really gets them involved.  A lot of them are running water to the dogs during the exams.  At the NASS, there was this little boy who was doubling his dog "Olivia".  I could hear him screaming her name and it was a HUGE class so it went on forever, he just kept running and calling her.  At the end, his Olivia got third place and after the critique the handler dropped the lead and she ran into his arms and the poor kid was sobbing.  Later I caught him trying to be really modest about his HUGE trophy, carrying it behind his back with a big grin.  There were even several kids handling in some of the competitive classes at NASS.  One of the top handlers from Germany did a little seminar for the kids.  My breeder and I were supposed to be taking pics but ended up totally eavesdropping.  She has been breeding, showing, and judging GSDs for decades and said it was one of the best handling seminars she'd heard!