[rosemark]

Mary's advise is good. You need to go to the shows and meet the exhibitors and get to know the people. If you buy a show dog from someone out of the area, you won't find yourself with much of a support team to help you out, which can be a miserable existence and not the best way to get started showing dogs. It is really wise to buy from someone you have gotten to know personally who can mentor you at the shows. But, if that is not feasible, then please proceed cautiously.

Just because someone can produce a couple of blue ribbons, this does not make them a show breeder. Ask quite simply, "how many AKC champions have you produced in the past 5 years?" The breeder should be able to produce championship certificates to support this claim.

Ask for references for others who have purchased a show dog from the breeder and have a very frank conversation with them. How long did it take to finish the dog? If they used a handler, how long did it take and what did it cost? What problems did they have with the dog?

Read the contract. An acquaintence purchased as "show prospect" for $2,000 when the puppy was 3 months old. The contract offered no guarantees of any sort and by the time the pup was a year old the top had gone horribly off and the rear movement was awful. This pup wasn't even a good quality pet, but the buyer was stuck with the dog. It's worth the extra money to have a contract that offers some level of guaranty that a title can be achieved or the dog will be replaced, but know that these types of contracts also require that you use a handler to finish the dog if you are not successful doing it yourself. You have to factor the cost of a handler and entry fees into the cost of a show dog. A $2000 dog that cost $10,000 to finish is not a bargain compared to a $4000 dog that cost $3000 to finish.

Don't buy a show dog that is less than 6 months old. Only an experienced breeder with knowledge of the bloodlines will have any level of success doing this. By now you should have met someone you feel knows the breed. Ask them to evaluate the pup, the pedigree and also to look over the contract.

Don't buy a dog you until you can see it yourself. Thanks to YouTube, videos can be posted so you can evaluate live movement. This can at least help you pre-screen which dogs you go to look at. But you really need to meet the dog to evaluate things such as coat texture and temperament.

Be realistic. When you are buying your first show dog, it won't be perfect, as most breeders won't be willing to part with a a great dog when you are not known to them. But it still should be good enough to do well in the show ring.

Good luck to you!