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?"
