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Originally Posted by salazark  This is great information! Thanks! I am preparing to enter into the world of showing dogs! It's kind of a long story but I am being blessed be being allowed to purchase a show hopeful puppy from my breeder. She's agreed to mentor me and I'm a combination of nervous and excited. I'm reading books and I've found handling classes locally. My breeder is about four hours away from me but she's been great. She's trusting him with me becuase of the obedience progress I've made with Sadie. I get my little fellow on Sunday! |
Well a great big congrats to you!! It is quite an honour for a breeder to place a show potential pup with a buyer. Obedience work is just great for these little ones, and can be challenging too! How wonderful that you have come along in this arena. Have you competed with Sadie yet in obedience?
But back to the conformation world: A book I found quite helpfull in understanding dog structure is called " An eye for a Dog" Illustrated Guide to Judging Purebred Dogs.
By Robert E Cole - Publisher is DogWise. If you haven't found the dogwise website yet it's worth a look. Lots of good books, videos, etc.
Good video is DogSteps by RAchel. dang can't remember last name. Amazing moving pics of dogs and shows dogs with altered gaits etc.
If you have some local shows - go to as many as you can. Lots of folks are friendly but ask your questions after ring time. Try to take notes on handlers you see in the terrier ring that you think do a good job of showing off their entry. One way that is a good practise is you go in the ring (when empty and not in use) just with yourself and a show lead dangling from your left hand. Now walk the show patterns. The go around, the down and back, and a Triangle. Keep your steps smooth, the lead hanging straight down, learn how to make a left hand turn, a right hand, a circle around, all the time looking to see the lead stays steady and straight, your elbow into your body. Keep your steps even and smooth. Buy a good supportive pair of shoes for showing, that will cushion your feet, from all that concrete and hard floors you are likely to be on. Once this is all smooth, practise same patterns, but this time on the go around - pretend the judge is at center ring, and look up and over to the judge 3x, once as you enter his/her field of vision, once at midpoint of his vision, and once as you exit his field of vision. Now practise all this, and add in varying your walking speed, practise looking down to your dog, up and ahead to where you are going, and of course to the judge.
There are a few standard rules - Never interfere with another dog in the ring - watch and know where your dog is at all times - watch where you are going.
If you have a digicam that can be so useful in self training. You can video yourself walking and stacking your new pup.
You sound so excited and happy all the best in your new sport/hobby. Post pics of your new pup. Everyone here will be more than happy to help with questions and suggestions.