Tell Me About Showing! (How would one get started?)

[Passionfruition]

I am fascinated with dog shows and all that is involved. I am really interested in knowing more about it!

For those of you who show yorkies, or know people who show yorkies....what all is involved? How expensive is it? What is the best part and the worst part?

I would love to hear your stories, and also, advice for someone getting started (maybe).

THANK YOU!

[Jaira]

ya common people let us all in on the dogshow secrets (if its anything like pageants it rocks! LoL) my dog can be my twin

[YorkieRose]

GO and enjoy....then we can talk! LOL Seriously, start spectating!!

[Higgin's Mom]

Pat is right: go to every dog show you can in person. You'll learn a lot.

First and foremost: Is your dog "show quality?" Start by reading the Breed Standard. After attending some shows, ask a handler to look at your dog and give you an estimate of his/her chances of "finishing" the dog to a champion degree.

Is it expensive? You bet it is. But so are most hobbies, when you think about it. I showed my English Setters back in the early 80s and hired a handler to show them. It ran about $1,000 month back then. It would have been even more expensive to do it ourselves because we would have had to pay for hotels (or have had a motorhome), meals, gas, entry fees, grooming equipments, etc., etc. The general cost to "finish" a dog back in the 80s was about $6,000 to $7,000.

Last point, which show people don't always like to hear: POLITICS is the name of the game. Handlers are favored over owner/handlers as a rule and WHICH handler you have (can afford) makes a difference. Then there are judges who don't like big bitches, or ones who favor coat over conformity, or who like one breed/breeder over another.

On the whole, however, shows, showing, and show people are the BEST people in the world and I love it! Don't have the competitive desire to do it any more, but love watching it on TV because I HAVE been there and worn the tee shirt.

[wnalegria]

Originally Posted by Higgin's Mom

Pat is right: go to every dog show you can in person. You'll learn a lot.

First and foremost: Is your dog "show quality?" Start by reading the Breed Standard. After attending some shows, ask a handler to look at your dog and give you an estimate of his/her chances of "finishing" the dog to a champion degree.

Is it expensive? You bet it is. But so are most hobbies, when you think about it. I showed my English Setters back in the early 80s and hired a handler to show them. It ran about $1,000 month back then. It would have been even more expensive to do it ourselves because we would have had to pay for hotels (or have had a motorhome), meals, gas, entry fees, grooming equipments, etc., etc. The general cost to "finish" a dog back in the 80s was about $6,000 to $7,000.

Last point, which show people don't always like to hear: POLITICS is the name of the game. Handlers are favored over owner/handlers as a rule and WHICH handler you have (can afford) makes a difference. Then there are judges who don't like big bitches, or ones who favor coat over conformity, or who like one breed/breeder over another.

On the whole, however, shows, showing, and show people are the BEST people in the world and I love it! Don't have the competitive desire to do it any more, but love watching it on TV because I HAVE been there and worn the tee shirt.

Very good information. Showing is time consuming, expensive, political and very addictive. Not every one is willing to make the sacrifices involved to show thier dog. Go to as many shows as you can. Observe/ talk to the breeders/handlers at the shows. You are going to need to know how to groom your dog/train your dog/how to show/keep the dog in show condition/
purchase equipment/know the breed standards/find a show puppy.

This is just starters.


wnalegria

[yorkipower]

Passionfruition - I just put up a post in response to my Penny update on handlers. . .strongly recommend you read it. Comeing from sports where is rare or unheard of to have someone handling your dog (or other animal) for you, this is an aspect of dog showing, in particular, that you need to know about and understand. TOp handlers make four figure saleries, and with good reason. DOg showing is a sport where novices compete with professionals. Showing (and frome what my mentors tell be breeding) Yorkies, in particular, is very difficult. If I were to choose breed simply for showing, it WOULD NOT be a Yorkie! Yep, you heard right! THink how much eaiser it is to walk into the ring with, even say a SIlky who does not need to be in wraps all week, or have top knot done up. SHowing Yorkies, even like me - just one, is a full time commitment. You can't just dabble in it because the behind the scenes up keep is always there.

Just to give you an idea of expense here:

1) I do not feed plane ol'vanilla commercial dog food (many posts on this).
2) In addition to shampoo and conditioner (which is either Plush Puppy or Pure Paws - not hartz or bio groom or such other commerical brand), I also buy what you could call "Doggie cosmetics) = this includes things like mouse, hairspray, hair balm, styling gel. etc.
3) Wraps, band and oil
4) Irons, hairdryers, grooming tables
5) crates, crate pads, crate covers, crate dollys (I've make income selling these to other dog show people!)
6) Entry fees (about $26 a show, each day is a seperate show)
7) travel expense - the Holiday Inn express last night was about $100
8) tolls, gas and occasional air plane tickets
9) Show leads, show bows

That's just for beginners.

I also have dog tread mill (shared between my show dog and my agility dog)
Others have high end dog bathtubs, tents and oh yeah, vans or Rvs (if you really get into it).

It's more than a hobby, I think. IT becomes a part of your life. My coworkers know me as the "Dog Lady" of the office. My non-dog show friends call and leave messages like: "Hi Rena . .. I'm guessing you are a dog show right now?"

[Passionfruition]

Wow, all of this is fascinating! A little too much for me, especially right now I know, LOL. I'm the wife of a college student (I got my BA in '03) and money is kinda tight as it is.

And Sully is NOT show quality, but I never considered showing him. Really, I just wanted a little insight into it from you guys, and you all have been so nice to respond! I think it's just a really neat world that I have never seen much into, but would love to know about.

I agree, yorkipower, that yorkies would be more dificult to show....I was wondering if that was true.

Ok, so what about the handling business? That sounds like the moneymaker in all of this, right?

Please know I'm just asking because I'm curious. I love hearing everyone's testimonies! If I ever got into this (which I would love to but doubt I could afford it)...it would be a few years from now when my husband and I are more established financially.

Thank you all so much!

[yorkipower]

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...6&page=3&pp=15

I explain a bit about handlers in the above post.

Have you considered OTHER dog showing events? It seems like Yorkieagility and I are always trying to find recruits on this forum! lol. There are many events, AKC calls the "companion" events, in which you can share time with the dog you have now, that don't lend themselves to having to hire out a professional to be competitive and for which you and your dog will get tons of enjoyment and memories.

Here's a few to consider:

Obedience
Rally
Freestyle
Carting
Flyball
Disc Dog/Frisbee Dog
Agility
Earthdog
Tracking
Therapy Dog

My dogs have also done TV and advertising - and not just pretty Penny. Bun has, basically, his own business!

While all events WILL cost some money, you WILL have to pay for lessons or a trainer if you've never done high level training yourself and YOU will have to pay entry fees, I find the financial drain of performance events to be much less than conformation (even agility - yes agility equipment is expensive but you can build your own, rent them from a facility, or splurg initially but save in the long run if you just take care of your equipment. It's not like having to buy bottle after bottle of expensive shampoo for three years).

[Passionfruition]

Yes! I am VERY interested in agility! I remember when I first joined this forum (back in Feb/March, I think) that one of you made a "recruiting" kind of post and it sparked SUCH an interest in me!

I'm much more impressed with a dog who knows lots of tricks and is obedient and smart and able...than one that just sits and looks pretty. That's why I've taught my Sully so many neat tricks! We love performing and showing off how smart and quick he is!

We've done "performances" all over town, including at the city courthouse...the judge (as in Her Honor) heard about Sully thru the grapevine (I write for the newspaper...Sully goes to work with me some nights, and word gets around.) Anyway, she set up an appointment with Sully for a private show in her Judges' Quarters!

Anyway, I am VERY interested in this. My husband and I also want to get another yorkie, a girl, in about 6 months. Sully is 10mo. old now. That's not too old to start agility training, is it?

[YorkieRose]

Well, I never!! Sully and I are totally insulted. He may not be show quality in some places, but if I had a show he would be welcome.
Sully could do very will in agility..the crowd would adore him.

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

I have been putting this off but it's my turn I guess. Thank you fasteddie for this wonderful forum!


I live in San Diego, California with my husband of 20 years, a dentist, and 3 of my four children. My oldest daughter, Rebecca is 18 and attending her first year of college at Brooks Institute of Photography. She has a 9 month old yorkie named Buddha and is the reason I have my 9 month old Hefner. She asked for a yorkie for XMAS and had wanted one all my life so I got two!

My second daughter, Amy is 17 and she has Princess Chai who is a gold and white yorkie and is 6 months old. My son is Joss and he is a surfer and a water polo player and my youngest is Madison who is 13! We have a 4 yr old female westie named Billie and a 3 year old standard poodle named Jet as well as a 2 year old persian cat named Paris.

I am an attorney by profession and I used to be a partner in a general civil litigation firm up in Northern California where I practiced family law, real estate, estate planning and entertainment law. My kids worked in the "industry" and I was a talent agent when they were younger so that is why the entertainment law. We spent a lot of time in San Francisco on jobs. Yes, I am a "stage mom".

In 1999, before my oldest started high school, we decided to sell everything, take a sailing trip sabbatical and relocate to San Diego where most of my husband's family live. My family was a little upset as they are all in and around Sacrmento, but we see them a lot since it is only an hour and 20 minute flight! We are having a family reunion over July 4th at Bear River valley to celebrate my parents' 50th wedding anniversary!

I now manage our two dental offices and dote on my kids, my husband and my furbabies. I live 10 minutes from the ocean and I have a beautiful view from my new house.

I am a Board member in the Poway Chapter of the National Charity League which is a mother/daughter philanthropic organization where the girls and moms do community service work. I was the chair of our annual Holiday Home Tour this past Christmas and I am proud o say that we raised $25,000 that was donated to our local library and our senior center's Meals on Wheels program. I am now the liason for the San Diego Youth and Communty Services which renders asssistance to homeless teens in our community. It is rewarding work and it is something meaningful my girls and I do together. We do work for the Humane Society, MADD, The American Cancer Society, our local Family Violence Center, Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity as well as many more.

I am blessed with great health and I try to exercise regularly and eat well but if anyone wants to start a YT Weight loss challenge, I will be the first to sign up. I love good food and my husband is a great cook!!

Okya, I've bored you enough so I will leave you with my motto,

Live with passion, Laugh everyday and love like you've never been hurt!!!

[Passionfruition]

Originally Posted by YorkieRose

Well, I never!! Sully and I are totally insulted. He may not be show quality in some places, but if I had a show he would be welcome.
Sully could do very will in agility..the crowd would adore him.

Aww, Pat you're so kind, heehee.

I love Sully and would be the proudest showdog mom, despite what they would call his "imperfections"...like he is 9.2 pounds, his ears that won't stand up (well one will sometimes) and his crooked teeth and white spots on his chin and chest. We love his uniqueness and think he's the best doggie in the world.

I would be offended if I showed him and people frowned on him because he's not exaaactly breed standard. But if he could do agility, he'd show up all the rest! LOL.

I'd love to go SEE an agility show....I live in N.E. Tennessee right now but we'll soon be moving to Charleston, SC - how do I find out where and when the good shows are?

[yorkipower]

Originally Posted by Passionfruition

Yes!. Sully is 10mo. old now. That's not too old to start agility training, is it?

10 months? Are YOU KIDDING ME? Too old for agility?

1) Bun was THREE YEARS OLD (at least) when I adopted him from an animal shelter. He is now 6 and developed Addisson's disease in between. He has to date: OA, AXJ, NAC, OAJ, OAW, TBAD, CGC and an earthdog qualifier in AWTA.
2) The reining Yorkie Agility champion a la AKA is a dog named MACH5 (five times agility champion) Desmond Aloisious Shelby. He is NINE YEARS OLD!
3) It takes as much as YEAR just to train a dog to competition rediness. Greg Derrett a dog agility guru does not recommend weave pole training untill a dog is at least a year old!

[YorkieRose]

Check out INFODOG.com they list all the shows and agility..call for more info..agility people always call back! LOL

[yorkipower]

Many agility trials are not advertised other than through agility mailing lists, schools and the sanctioning organization. Here's some websites you should explore (many have listings or search engines that you can use to find agility trials):

htt://www.agilityaction.com (this is an agility magazine)
http://www.cleanrun.com (also an agility magazine)


Here's a link to more info (read the last post - it lists sources of other info on dog agility) The cross post is an article I wrote for The Yorkshire Terrier Magazine:
http://www.webpagetutor.com/mightymi...?t=13&start=15