[Challenger1978]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply gemy, it really is appreciated.

Originally Posted by gemy

I think that in the early days it is best to just get out to a show handling class which is what I assume you mean by ringcraft. A toy breed focussed or run group might be a good selection, but you should be able to go out an audit a class before joining the group.
This is much homework to do at home, we start training of stacking (all fun training) when pups are quite young 8-10 wks old, stacking the pups on our lap, then on a table etc. Also grooming training.
Socialization and proper exercise are also key to the healthy development of any pup, but most especially a show pup.

Yes Ringcraft classes are about learning how to handle a dog in a show.

Also i have been training the pups to get used to grooming and basic obedience already. Which to be honest has actually proven to be extremely easy (clicker training). Not because I'm a great trainer but because Harley is incredibly food obsessive and he will do anything for a biscuit also whatever he does Star copies.

Originally Posted by gemy

Once my pups have had all their shots, part of their socialization will be going to a show just to be in the environment, get to hear smell etc, all the show sounds.

Harley has had both sets of shots and been chipped as of last Thursday. Star i had to have hers restarted as no vet uses the Eurican vaccine in my area (i tried at least a dozen) which is what the vet used for my breeder. I've also paid for and signed them up for a life time booster vaccination program.

Now I've mentioned shots, a thought came to me last night. Is it advisable to get dogs that are to be shown vaccinated for Bordatella ?

Originally Posted by gemy

I do know that Europe does things differently to North America, but here we highly encourage breed specific health testing prior to breeding any champion dogs.

I believe the same sort of thing goes on in the UK I'm not 100% certain though. From what i understand things have changed greatly over recent years though. Various practices like tail docking have been banned, inbreeding between mother son and father daughter has been banned. Also dames are now only allowed to have 4 liters at most registered with the KC.

Basically the health of the dog itself has been made the outright priority. So in some case even the standards of the dogs have been slightly changed for health reasons. As there were far to many breeds in the UK coming from to small a gene pool which was inbred to hell and back and causing all sorts of health issues.

Luckily from what i understand Yorkies are generally in great health though in the UK.

Originally Posted by gemy

You did not say the age of your pups and or their weight at what ever age they are. I believe The Kennel Club still has as part of their standard a 7lb weight maximum, or approx. 3.2 kgs

At just over 8 weeks Harley was 1.1lb and at a little over 11 weeks he was 1.8 lb. I had though been slightly over feeding him according to the vet as he had a bit of a big belly. Star is slightly smaller i can't for the life of me remember if the vet told me her weight.

Originally Posted by gemy

There is quite a lot to learn for sure, and it is overwhelming to all of us just starting out. Your mentor, your show/breed mentor should be able to guide you, if you truly want to start breeding to the betterment of the breed.

I don't want to dissuade you from a wonderfull path and hobby, but the show world can be a bit of a hard thing to navigate without a mentor, breeding correctly needs an experienced hand to guide you. Learn Learn all you can. There are many on line resource tools to help you understand the genetics, the COI, and what all that means. Learn structure, the correct structure for the YT, correct temperament/attitude, Learn all the Health problems inherent in this breed, learn how and where to test for them, coat and color, train your dogs in basic obedience, then there is the whole select the correct stud for your dog, and all you need to know about whelping.

You also need to get out to shows preferably with your mentor, and just observe ringside; Yorkies of course, but other breeds in the ring as well. You will get to see different handlers and how they present/show their dog.

I don't actually have a mentor but hopefully I'll make friends along the way.

Originally Posted by gemy

I do remember my first big show that my young puppy and I were entered in, the ring steward (who I found out was also a judge), but was stewarding that day, after my obvious dismal performance with a very good dog, took me aside and said, would you like to learn? I said yes! She said come back and sit ringside. So I crated my boy, as fast as I could and spent 4 hrs ringside, while she pointed out the whys and which handlers to watch. After the show was over, she offered to give me some pointers in private with my dog. She took my boy in hand and showed me how "he" could show like a show dog. In fact I even said; oh my He Looks like a Show Boy; she turned to me with a Glare, and Said HE is A Show Boy!. LOL LOL. She took me through the correct pacing for my boy, the natural stacking ability he had, how to handle the lead in my hand, how to present my boy to show off his best attributes. Now I had been in the ring before, had group and private show lessons, prior to this first National Specialty I went to, but what I learned from her never ever was forgotten. Nor was her kindness in taking a novice in hand.

I do not know your background in breeding, if for example, you have bred other breeds before, but there is quite a bit to learn. Not always but often a new show person who would like to get into breeding, starts with one show male dog, that their breeder/mentor, has agreed to place with them. You learn the show world, and from the male stud owners perspective how to show/train, coach, and then eventually stud your dog out. Of course you learn how to look at pedigrees, how to evaluate other dogs in the ring, and all this goes into when you get your first show gal from a reputable breeder.

I wish you all the best in your endeavours.

You've gave me a lot to think about there. I really do appreciate you taking the time to write that out for me, thank you.