What's the cost for showing? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

my2boyz · 01-17-2007, 04:43 PM

I've always dreamed of showing a Yorkie...keyword being 'dreamed' ...because I'm sure it will never become a reality! However, I'm curious...what does it cost to bring up a show dog? I know the initial expense for a show prospect is higher and there are entry fees, (possibly) handler fees and I would assume some of the expense does depend on how many times you have to show to achieve the championship title. So my question is this...what all is involved in the expense of bringing up a showdog? I know for breeders you show to get champions to better your lines but what if you're not a breeder and you just show? Is it simply for the satisfaction of knowing you have a well bred dog? Is it for the thrill of the competition? Are there people who go to the expense of showing just for the 'fun' of it?

wnturner · 01-17-2007, 05:15 PM

I know nothing but here's a bump

YorkieRose · 01-17-2007, 05:29 PM

Dog showing is suppose to be a sport...ideally it should be undertaken for the love of the breed...and enjoy yourself while doing it...that can be hard sometimes. The desire to present an excellent example of what I bred, compete and bring the dog to title was my goal.

Raising a potential is not that expensive...you must invest in good grooming products, handling classes are good..some are cheap others are high dollar trainers..depends on waht is available in your area.. some breeders get together and socialize their pups etc.

If you show the dog yourself, you have entry fees and travel expenses. You can sink a bundle into supplies, but alot of the stuff is not needed...of course you need a nice traveling crate, grooming table, etc..you can go to the expense of an RV or keep it simple.

I, perferred a handler, as I did not have the time to travel up and down the east coast at will...a good handler with a good dog is worth it to me...one was finished in 10 shows..went fast..

I have shown my own and it is fun to a certain point..I love showing puppies..but once they are older and ready to win the points, it becomes serious and it is little fun for me...I, perfer fun matches..then let a handler do it..others get no satsifaction from using a handler...it all depends on what is fun for you.
I would not buy a potential, then hire a handler..what is the point? In that case it makes sense to show it yourself..if not, what do you get out of it?
But having someone show what I bred worked for me...by producing that good dog I felt like I had already proven myself..finishing it was icing on the cake.

bren · 01-17-2007, 05:33 PM

I don't show but a good friend of mine is getting into that with her Glen of Imaal Terrier puppy and she said that it's expensive. All of the costs just keep adding up. I don't know exactly how much but she has to take the dog to classes, and just the costs of going to shows for travel, hotel, miscellaneous things etc. add up. I think it would be neat but it's not something I'd ever do. She also said that it's REALLY competitive...people will do things to get your dog all excited right before he/she is about to show to disrupt the dog so the dog won't do well. At the most recent show she went to, following the show someone ran back into the hotel for a brief moment to grab something and she left her dogs in the car just outside the front door and someone STOLE the car and set it on fire!!!! The 2 dogs died from smoke inhalation

so sad

topknot · 01-18-2007, 02:10 PM

Yes, showing is very expensive! First you have the cost of your dog - if you do not yet have your own. Then you have the entries - 22.00 - 25.00 usually per show. Normal 3 shows per weekend. Then if the show is away - you need gas, hotel and food expenses. Then you have your equipment to buy. I always buy a catalog at each show - usual cost 10.00 for the weekend. The coatalog shows names and order of the dogs, as well as information about each dog (parents), breeder, and owner's address. Then I go to handling classes with my dogs (I always learn something new) - cost 40.00 per 6 weeks class if member of the dog club in your area. Add in grooming supplies. I only show my puppies, when they get older for the open classes I now have a handler - so you have their cost (about same as if you went to the show (food, travel, hotel). Then the time it cost to wrap coat and care, training, etc... Yes, it can add up. It is like a fulltime job. I show though to prove the quality of my dogs and for time with my hubby and my older children (fun). When we went to Priceville, AL show my daughter (24 years old) went with my husband and I. We really had fun, worked hard, and had a chance to get closer. Quality time - priceless!!
P.S. I do have to watch my older son - I think he goes to the shows to check out girls. He calls it a chick magnet. We make him work too though.
T.

YorkieRose · 01-18-2007, 02:22 PM

One reason I like a handler when it is time to win, is..mine knew exactly what judge like the type Yorkie I had...I know it is all a learning thing, but honestly, I have entered lots of shows with a small one or a dark coat, or a light coat and the judge was pointing to juse the opposite..LOL I could name a judge and Loni could recite what they put up down to the color of the bow..LOL When she entered, she won...you get a bit spoiled..LOL

topknot · 01-18-2007, 02:40 PM

I agree with Pat - Ditto on the handler information. How true!! When I showed years ago - I was lucky enough to have a friend that was a professional handler and boy did she know her stuff. It is worth every penny. But just check out your handlers to make sure you trust them. And I use a breed handler, not one that shows other breeds not similar to yorkies. You want one that knows how to groom a yorkie correctly.
T.

my2boyz · 01-18-2007, 06:07 PM

Thank you...I was just curious. Like I said, I'm sure I'll never be in a show ring but the whole subject interests me and it always has. When I was younger I thought showing was only for the rich...but, I guess when I was younger I thought Yorkies were only for the rich too!

01-17-2007, 04:43 PM	#1
my2boyz Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: USA Posts: 2,864	What's the cost for showing? I've always dreamed of showing a Yorkie...keyword being 'dreamed' ...because I'm sure it will never become a reality! However, I'm curious...what does it cost to bring up a show dog? I know the initial expense for a show prospect is higher and there are entry fees, (possibly) handler fees and I would assume some of the expense does depend on how many times you have to show to achieve the championship title. So my question is this...what all is involved in the expense of bringing up a showdog? I know for breeders you show to get champions to better your lines but what if you're not a breeder and you just show? Is it simply for the satisfaction of knowing you have a well bred dog? Is it for the thrill of the competition? Are there people who go to the expense of showing just for the 'fun' of it?

01-17-2007, 05:29 PM	#3
YorkieRose YT 4000 Club Member Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 7,207	showing Dog showing is suppose to be a sport...ideally it should be undertaken for the love of the breed...and enjoy yourself while doing it...that can be hard sometimes. The desire to present an excellent example of what I bred, compete and bring the dog to title was my goal. Raising a potential is not that expensive...you must invest in good grooming products, handling classes are good..some are cheap others are high dollar trainers..depends on waht is available in your area.. some breeders get together and socialize their pups etc. If you show the dog yourself, you have entry fees and travel expenses. You can sink a bundle into supplies, but alot of the stuff is not needed...of course you need a nice traveling crate, grooming table, etc..you can go to the expense of an RV or keep it simple. I, perferred a handler, as I did not have the time to travel up and down the east coast at will...a good handler with a good dog is worth it to me...one was finished in 10 shows..went fast.. I have shown my own and it is fun to a certain point..I love showing puppies..but once they are older and ready to win the points, it becomes serious and it is little fun for me...I, perfer fun matches..then let a handler do it..others get no satsifaction from using a handler...it all depends on what is fun for you. I would not buy a potential, then hire a handler..what is the point? In that case it makes sense to show it yourself..if not, what do you get out of it? But having someone show what I bred worked for me...by producing that good dog I felt like I had already proven myself..finishing it was icing on the cake. __________________ Pat, Kate, Becca and Pinkkee Prim

01-17-2007, 05:33 PM	#4
bren Slave to Max 'n Abbie Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 1,514	I don't show but a good friend of mine is getting into that with her Glen of Imaal Terrier puppy and she said that it's expensive. All of the costs just keep adding up. I don't know exactly how much but she has to take the dog to classes, and just the costs of going to shows for travel, hotel, miscellaneous things etc. add up. I think it would be neat but it's not something I'd ever do. She also said that it's REALLY competitive...people will do things to get your dog all excited right before he/she is about to show to disrupt the dog so the dog won't do well. At the most recent show she went to, following the show someone ran back into the hotel for a brief moment to grab something and she left her dogs in the car just outside the front door and someone STOLE the car and set it on fire!!!! The 2 dogs died from smoke inhalation so sad __________________ Brenda, Max & Abbie Cafe Max Gourmet Treats for the Discriminating Dog (enter code YT10 for 10% discount)

01-18-2007, 02:10 PM	#5
topknot YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: GA Posts: 1,969	Yes, showing is very expensive! First you have the cost of your dog - if you do not yet have your own. Then you have the entries - 22.00 - 25.00 usually per show. Normal 3 shows per weekend. Then if the show is away - you need gas, hotel and food expenses. Then you have your equipment to buy. I always buy a catalog at each show - usual cost 10.00 for the weekend. The coatalog shows names and order of the dogs, as well as information about each dog (parents), breeder, and owner's address. Then I go to handling classes with my dogs (I always learn something new) - cost 40.00 per 6 weeks class if member of the dog club in your area. Add in grooming supplies. I only show my puppies, when they get older for the open classes I now have a handler - so you have their cost (about same as if you went to the show (food, travel, hotel). Then the time it cost to wrap coat and care, training, etc... Yes, it can add up. It is like a fulltime job. I show though to prove the quality of my dogs and for time with my hubby and my older children (fun). When we went to Priceville, AL show my daughter (24 years old) went with my husband and I. We really had fun, worked hard, and had a chance to get closer. Quality time - priceless!! P.S. I do have to watch my older son - I think he goes to the shows to check out girls. He calls it a chick magnet. We make him work too though. T. __________________ T.

01-18-2007, 02:22 PM	#6
YorkieRose YT 4000 Club Member Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 7,207	costs One reason I like a handler when it is time to win, is..mine knew exactly what judge like the type Yorkie I had...I know it is all a learning thing, but honestly, I have entered lots of shows with a small one or a dark coat, or a light coat and the judge was pointing to juse the opposite..LOL I could name a judge and Loni could recite what they put up down to the color of the bow..LOL When she entered, she won...you get a bit spoiled..LOL __________________ Pat, Kate, Becca and Pinkkee Prim

01-17-2007, 05:15 PM	#2
wnturner Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 422	I know nothing but here's a bump

01-18-2007, 02:40 PM	#7
topknot YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: GA Posts: 1,969	I agree with Pat - Ditto on the handler information. How true!! When I showed years ago - I was lucky enough to have a friend that was a professional handler and boy did she know her stuff. It is worth every penny. But just check out your handlers to make sure you trust them. And I use a breed handler, not one that shows other breeds not similar to yorkies. You want one that knows how to groom a yorkie correctly. T. __________________ T.

01-18-2007, 06:07 PM	#8
my2boyz Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: USA Posts: 2,864	Thank you...I was just curious. Like I said, I'm sure I'll never be in a show ring but the whole subject interests me and it always has. When I was younger I thought showing was only for the rich...but, I guess when I was younger I thought Yorkies were only for the rich too!