Hi Mary
Breaking into the show world can be just that heartbreaking and pocket breaking come to the Lexington show meet some of the exhibitors and see how things are done per say.
You and I have talked back and forth for several years the problem is you are wanting a girl first and very few part with a show girl they are very hard to come by when you are first trying to break into showing you must win the trust of a good breeder and exibitor as many do not trust anymore and the show contracts , well that is another story on its own .
Many feel you are looking for just a breeding girl and not really a show girl that is why most will put you in a contract with a show dog.and will not let you get a girl on the first go round . there are many out there that will try and sell a show puppy at 12 weeks
knowing things can go south with a puppy as an adult
You need to come meet the people putting there hearts into this they will not think you are serious until you are seen at the shows and trying to learn as much as you can sad as that may seem .
The problem I see is there is a lot of dogs that should never be shown or sold for show so which ever way you go be careful there is a lot of wolfs out there willing to take your money and leave you feeling jilted now days getting a good dog is a long hard process.
I feel you need to step into the ring yourself before you go with a handler
most handlers can finish anything worthy or not but when you show yourself that is a glory you and your dog share and it gives you an inside view on how things are done what kind of dog you want experience is the best knowledge you can get .
Most handlers are very expensive as this is how they make there living . There are very few Ukc shows in ky anymore and very few will sell a show dog to be shown in ukc and it is a owners only show no handlers allowed in ukc