Dog Showing

I showed my male Shiba Inu, Tonka, i loved it my next dog will also be a show dog, I cant wait to get back into it, I also enjoy going to shows just for the fun of it.

Both of my dogs are show dogs.  Colton has his CH and beat quite a few specials to get that title, including a couple that had won Awards of Merit (or something like that) at Westminster.  For a while, we thought he was going to be way too long backed, but he turned out very nicely! 
Rose doesn't have her CH.  She could easily get it, but I don't have time to go every weekend to try.  I stopped for a while because her coat looked horrible, but its great now.  She does toe in a tiny bit in the front, but nothing awful, and its only when shes on slick surfaces.  I will probably show her this spring and see how it goes.  I don't really care if I don't win, she enjoys it, and so do I!
I added a picture of Colton.  It is the first one.  I had to stand far away because he kept getting too excited when he saw me.  I didn't get to show him too much since he was showing during a very busy semester for me.
The other is of Crocker, one of "my" dogs.  That means my mentor's dog, but I think of all of those dogs as mine too.  That is me showing him...well, my legs and hand!  That was when I won my first Best of Breed!

Still waiting for my show dog[] But I do go to as many shows as I can. I just enjoy talking to owners, handelers, breeders, everyone who knows anything about dogs. I really can't waite till I'm the one holding the leash.

I've shown Cardis in the past, and will be showing Mal this spring.  

I showed in performance for many years,,, (considered conformation beneath me cause of what I perceived as a lack of training; boy was I wrong lol).  At any rate, I show my own belgians (a terv, my first finished champion and now a malinois).  I got to the conformation ring fairly late in life compared to many handlers.  Had to start working out to keep up and be able to show my dog at her best.

ORIGINAL: GreytPeke

Does anybody here show their dogs? I've always had a thing for conformation and I love chatting with show people and learning the tricks of the trade [] I currently don't own a show dog but I've been under a mentor for a few years now. Dog show people speak (bark) up!

 
What breed(s) spark your interest? Is it the same breed your mentor has?
 
I have Samoyeds. My old girl is 10, she's a champion. I also have her son who is almost seven. I showed him for a couple years. Then he developed a sound sensitivity and did not enjoy the show environment anymore. Combined with the fact that he is probably two inches over standard, I decided to retire him. He was about half way to his championship at that time. I recently brought home a new puppy, five months old now. She comes from some of the same lines as my first girl. I let my emotions get ahold of me and picked this puppy largely on personality. I think she will do okay in conformation. The one I passed on will probably do better.
 
She will be tons of fun to show though, because she has an unstoppable attitude. She also has tons of toy drive which will help in obedience training.

I show occasionally, mostly specialties. I finished one dog (he's not specials material) and have points on a second one but being a malamute she drops coat twice a year and it takes time to get it back meaning I only have a few months a year I can show her and they either coincide with weight pulls (only God himself can keep me from a weight pull) or there are no good local shows.  I don't particularly care for shows, I'm a bit jaded by all of the product people use and the trimming they do--mals are only allowed to be trimmed at the feet yet the people being rewarded are those who are trimming a LOT of the dog.  Sure, it makes for a pretty outline but it's totally incorrect!  So I hit the specialties because I can show my 2 veterans there and my pointed bitch goes in the working class (open only to those with working titles) to support the class in fear they'll do away with it.  I may do Harrisburg in the spring depending upon whether my planned breeding takes, otherwise I'll not be out until the summer shows. 

Samshine, I'm a Pekingese person [] And, yep, my mentor is a Peke breeder. We don't meet very much, though. I mostly chat with her on the phone and do my own research.

I'm glad to see so many people active in conformation! I'd love to see pictures of all these pups, too. =)

I have been showing for over 25 yrs in conformation.  I have always had Collies, but have shown other breeds for other people.  The funniest was the 6 mos old Chihuahua at its first "real" show who wouldn't walk on  a leash.  The person who was supposed to show the puppy for the owner didn't show up, so she asked me to help.  I had to get on my knees to get it started, and then I had to crouch down like the Hunchback of Notre Dame to get her to follow me!  I'll stick to my Collies where I can show them standing upright!  

I showed my Pugs back years ago. When my Ch. passed away, I stopped showing all together.

It was great fun, most of the time.

I'm hoping for a show puppy, next. I'm looking at possibly some of the more difficult breeds, but I *love* a challenge. Of course, I'd want a great quality puppy and a good mentor, so I can win some. I love dog shows, so I think it'll be a BLAST. 

I have an Am Staff and showed her until she tore a cruciate liagment leaping off a couch.  I love dit!

Be prepared: showing costs money.  It can cost A LOT if you let it. Each class costs about 25.00. Show leads can cost up to $35.00 if you use the handmade leather ones. You also have to add in the travel costs, food, etc. If you have a coated breed, you need to add in grooming costs as well. I spent more on my bitch's show career than I did to purchase her!

I did things the cheap way--I used a nylon lead that cost about 7.00.  I went with my mentor and we split the gas costs.

We have a show dog who was handled.  My next dog though after college, I will handle myself. 


Beau (Ch Old River's Over the Rain Beau) placing BOW over 50 some odd papillons at the Tulsa Combined Specialty.  He lost to the #1 papillon in the country.  I was proud.  He finished the next day with two back to back 5 point majors.  That's not me showing him, that's his handler, Jackie. 

Be prepared: showing costs money. It can cost A LOT if you let it. Each class costs about 25.00. Show leads can cost up to $35.00 if you use the handmade leather ones. You also have to add in the travel costs, food, etc. If you have a coated breed, you need to add in grooming costs as well. I spent more on my bitch's show career than I did to purchase her!

Having two gutter-bred dogs costs a lot, too, LOL! I'm used to spending all of my money on my dogs[] It shouldn't be too different, I don't think. I do spend compulsively at dog shows, though (OMG THE COLLARS!!!!).