I have a Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppy (8 months) that I am going to start showing next month. Exciting! I’ve never dog show before, so I’m sure we’ll make plenty of mistakes. There are owner/handler classes, but I’m unclear if I do just that class, or if she goes in the regular class (Puppies 6-9 months). I finally found a show handling class here in Tucson; they’ve been few and far between because of a) the summer heat, and b) COVID. I thought I was going to have to travel to Phoenix (2 hours) for a class. We’ve done a puppy socialization/obedience class, so now the trick is getting her to STAND in the ring and not auto-sit. I hope eventually she’ll get the hang of it. The first show we are doing is the Rawhide Series in Chandler (metro-Phoenix area). It sure is a lot cheaper than horse showing, but unfortunately hotel prices don’t change. Here is a picture of Moxie: [ATTACH=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-size”:“large”,“data-attachmentid”:10759261}[/ATTACH]
I got her from a really nice breeder in Houston. Her father has a CH and her mother a GCH. I know there are no guarantees, but here’s hoping. (Here show name is Calathea’s Rolling in the Deep.)
You belong in puppy 6 to 9. The owner handler designation is kind of a bonus that you’re eligible for. Some shows do special classes for the Owner handled dogs. In normal years, there’s a kind of year end championship for owner handled dogs. I spend most of my time in the agility ring
I was told that Owner Handler was a potential way to get a dog into the Specials when going in, for example as Open or Puppies 6-9, there may be more competition.
I owner handled my Bouviers for a number of years. Most the competitors I would see at all the local shows and got to be friendly with them. I happened to be in an area of the county with a large Bouvier and OES breeder/handler. Sometimes hard to go into the ring after watching this individual just finish visiting with the judge (or so it appeared to me).
But, I had fun and did get some points on some of my dogs. I stayed local (day trips) so didn’t show as often as some that are willing to travel.
Taking a handling class is a great idea. Learning ring ‘protocol’ along with some of the tips and tricks more experienced handlers know can be so helpful
I’d also recommend getting to the show early so you can pick a ring and watch how it flows. It isn’t (or at least didn’t use to be) always clear what the heck was going on. The first breed goes in the ring… dogs (by gender) go in and out and sometimes back in again and then it’s a lather, rinse, repeat for the next breed. Usually a list of breeds for that ring at, say, 10:00am are shown but if you are the last breed in the ring, they don’t come looking for you.
I do! I currently own father and son GCHs; both retired and shown exclusively by me except at our National specialty where my younger dog’s breeder handled him.
[U]You should enter Puppy Bitch 6-9[/U]. I will explain about Owner Handler options at the end of this post
[U]Only enter ONE class[/U]. Unlike horse shows, there is no benefit to entering more than one class.
[U]If you win your class, you will advance to the Winners Bitch class[/U], and the winner of that class wins the points.
For practice: From now until the show - ask her to "stand" and reward. Never reward sitting - and don't ask for it any longer.
Every breed has their own handling nuances, but all breeds will do a free stack after the down and back. If you are practicing at home - teach them to stop and stand still and look at you - I move in front of the dog and have them do a front stack. You can practice this in your kitchen every day, even without a leash. A balanced dog will stack themselves pretty well after moving, so practice going from a trot to a walk to a halt and give you attention. That’s enough for now. Don’t overtrain or overthink yet.
Best advice for new exhibitors –
Get there early so you're not rushed. You will be nervous and it will be worse if you're rushing. The best scenario is if you go with someone else, but if not - get to your ring early so you can watch the ring procedure and relax. Most judges will use the same procedure for most of the breeds they judge. Meaning - where will they ask you to line up, how will they send dogs around. (Some judges like to see the group move together at the beginning of the class, others do not).
Most of all - listen to the judge and watch them. I have seen a judge trying to get the attention of the exhibitor in the Winners Class and the owner was fighting with the wiggly 6 month puppy and didn't look up a long time. By then, the judge changed his mind. I'm pretty sure he was going to give her the class but she wasn't ready.
Have reasonable expectations. You may win, even though you are a novice and your dog is a puppy. But go into your first few shows with no expectations of winning. Then it will be a nice surprise rather than a disappointment.
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About Owner-Handler options. This is confusing because there are two different “owner” things, as well as a “novice” thing:
1) Amateur-Owner-Handler class - is an actual class. The AOH class can be any dog at any age. You could enter this instead of 6-9 Puppy. It is only for owners handling their own dogs and who are not professional handlers. It is similar to the Bred-By class where only the registered breeder can show the dog. This is a distinction that many people value, and want to be seen showing their own dog (or for Bred-By - dogs they bred). For a novice handler - I would stick to puppy class for a puppy.
2) Novice Class - is also an actual class. You could enter this instead of 6-9 Puppy. It is only for dogs without majors and limited wins, and it not always offered. Again, I would stick to a puppy class for you.
3) National Owner Handler Series (NOHS) - this is a separate competition that you can be eligible for. It is not an actual class. In a show, there will be a Best of Breed (and eventually Best in Show), and if they offer the NOHS series - there will also be a OHBOB (Owner-Handled Best of Breed) selected, who will go on to compete in OH Groups and OHBIS. There are no extra points for this but many people like it. Typically there is a checkbox somewhere on the entry form to check or click - saying you would like to be eligible for this competition. If you are Winners Bitch, you could be chosen for OHBOB. If not, you cannot. Go ahead and check it!
One more thing - but I don’t want to edit. Don’t get frustrated with your puppy if they don’t stand in the ring. It’s ok. Some people will say not to show your dog until they are trained - I disagree. (Assuming, of course, that you have some control over them!) If they only stack a few seconds before moving that’s ok. Judges can judge dogs that move. They can’t judge dogs whose owners are wrestling with them - so don’t do that. If you have time to watch ringside, you’ll see that pro handlers won’t make a puppy stand still for more than a few seconds at a time. They are adept at knowing exactly when the judge will see them, but you can do that too. I typically just walk the dog in a small circle and start over. No correction, no wrestling. Sometimes it’s best not to touch them at all - just praise and talk to them for standing still.
They will learn, even without a lot of training. Here is a really crappy video one of my kids got at a show with my young dog (I think he was about 16 months). He was an idiot in the ring. We still won that day - don’t get frustrated! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Tb4g02bSrs&feature=youtu.be
Just want to add, your major goal with your puppy for her first shows should be simply to ensure that she has a great first experience and is persuaded that Dog shows are great fun!
The judges will expect a puppy to be a little wiggly and not stand perfectly. You can even say, “This is our first show” and most judges will bend over backwards to make sure this is a great experience for both of you.
S1969 had great advice. Make sure both you and your pup have fun and especially for your pup, that she has fun!!! You, take a deep breath and smile
Good suggestion to mention to the judge that this is your first time in the ring. They’re used to puppies being puppies. If she sits, use a treat to lead her forward into a stand.
I do! I actually have one of each and I am forever having to explain, “No, they’re not related. They’re actually different breeds that aren’t even that closely related.”
Don’t tell my Pem, but I am completely smitten with the Cardi personality. She’s just the best little dog.
The reality is that showing dogs is not really fun. There is nothing inherently fun about it for your or your dog. My dogs dislike dog shows, but are friendly enough and food motivated enough to be able to look like they are enjoying it while in the ring. But in reality I sometimes have to drag my older guy out from under the bed to get him in the car. It’s boring. It’s loud. They sit in a crate most of the time. And it can be stressful. The goal for your dog is just to not hate it. And some dogs love to show. Having good treats is important. Crate training is essential - because they should feel at home in the crate and able to get away from the bustle in there.
Will you be going/showing with anyone else? It can be boring for people, too, unless you’re hanging out with friends. Sometimes you need to get there very early in order to find a place to setup, so then you have hours before your ring time. Or, if you have an early class and win and are staying for the group competition - can wait for hours.
I’m not sure what the shows are like in that area, and in the Covid era. You definitely want to have a crate and a chair so that you can both relax; and something to cover the crate with (a sheet, etc.). Otherwise, you’ll be stuck standing or sitting in your car, which can be bad depending on the weather. So if you know others who can give you advice about how early to arrive in order to find setup space that is a good idea.
I’ve had some great times at shows - but because of the people. Ideally you have some friends (or will make some friends) in the breed to hang out with while you are waiting around.
I’m in the West Valley of Phoenix (Goodyear where I-10 and the 303 intersect).
All my conformation showing was many years ago in Colorado. I do scentwork with my boys now
@S1969 I was going for the ‘fun’ to try to put a positive spin on it. It can be stressful and so tempting to get wound up with wanting to ‘win’ (it is, after all, a competition).
My dogs were actually okay with going but they didn’t spend tons of time in their crates as I had only one dog and did only local shows. I did most of my own grooming (Bouviers) and only need to ‘fluff’ at ring time.
Yup, the ‘fun’ was more the people I would show with.
Frustrating for me that it is so hard to know sometimes when you didn’t pin, why you didn’t pin as, at least when I was showing, it was frowned about to ask the judge (and you’d have to wait until they had a break as usually another breed in the ring after yours). Okay (well, not really) that you didn’t like my dog but what didn’t you like. At least, as I understand it, in Europe, you get a written evaluation after the class.
I am going to the Rawhide series in Chandler (at least I think it is Chandler) Nov. 20-23. I’d love to meet you. If you’re comfortable with the COVID conditions at the time, you should stop by. As has been said, there’s going to be a lot of waiting/down time.
I’m look for a chain show collar for Moxie and they seem to come in both weigh (in mm) and length. It’s hard to tell what weight to get, and the length starts at 18", which seems sort of long … any ideas?
This morning it rained, and Moxie is mud up to her belly! Time for a practice bath! Do dog people use whitening shampoo like QuikSilver as horse people do?
Are you in touch with the breeders? Since their dogs are titled I assumed they showed. They should have lots of advice on grooming products. It can be quite specific to breed, coat type, and presentation style. I’d guess a whitening for light parts, a texturizing shampoo for the dark parts, and a light conditioner. Probably a little scissor work around feet, ears, and tuck; probably blending somewhere but I don’t know Cardis. This can get very breed specific.
Don’t assume “wash and wear” equals no grooming: even Dobes get scissored! Not sure how much chalking is done in your breed. You need to find a Cardi or maybe Pem handler to help with the grooming aspects. Happy Shopping! :winkgrin:
Another dog show person here. This is the Dremel I have: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0…?ie=UTF8&psc=1. It’s great and works well on my large dog and my smaller terriers. Edited to add that the Dremel is lighted around the head, which majorly helps with visibility. Good luck with your first show - that first spin around the ring usually goes by in a blur and is nerve-filled, but try your best to relax and enjoy the time with your puppy. Many judges can come across as business-like and fast-paced. Definitely let them know that it’s a first time for you both so they give you a little more time to compose yourselves on the table and on the ground.
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