How do you make contacts at dog shows?

[Lazhar]

Hello guys,

Just a question I've got on my mind and I'm curious to get your perspective on it.

How do you build relationships and make contacts at dog shows and pet exhibitions?

All types of contacts: friendly and long-lasting relationships with fellow owners of breeders, but also business contacts with brands exhibiting their products out there, or judges and other influencers.

And for the shyest people here, how do you manage to overcome your introversion and shyness?

Thanks!

[fauna]

Don't have any idea hope you find the answer soon.

[Yorkiemom1]

Mill about where the breeders/groomers are....some do not want to be bothered, others will answer questions short and sweet, and others will get down and VISIT with you....respect their space, respect their professionalism.....when the dogs are in the arena, if you can position yourself close to exhibitors, they will often have running comments/praises/criticisms of the dog that is showing....take notes so you can observe for yourself what they are saying, remembering they may have a dog in the ring, and some do not ever see faults in their own dog, but can easily point out issues in every other dog! "My God, that dog has ears like a jackrabbit!!"....make a note of that dog, so when you run across that dog at another show, see how it places there, listen for criticisms, etc....meanwhile, get books on conformation so you KNOW what size the ears are supposed to be and how they are supposed to sit on top of the dog's head....and you have to remember, judges are human and they will continuously favor a particular dog, from show to show....exhibitors know who the judges favor and a lot of them wont even show up at shows where that judge is in the ring, because they know she does not like the style or type or look of their entry....so they wont waste their time and money at that show where they know they will not even get a nod....

[airplane]

I recently went to my first dog show and it was a really good experience. I'm definitely a very shy and introverted person. But I did find it very easy to chat with some people there. The dog show was held outside and I just went right underneath this overhead tent area where people were getting their dogs ready for the show - I probably wasn't supposed to be there cause everyone in that area was competing in the show - but I'd pick my moment to strike up a conversation. It was very obvious that some people were busy and others weren't. I did this cause of the way the area was setup. It just seemed like the place to go to talk to people rather than go up to someones tent or camping area. Of course I had started chatting with the women there who were showing their yorkies. And next thing I know I'm being invited over to their camper after to see the puppies they have and to chat and hang out.

Some people aren't very approachable. And they might come across as being reluctant or cold. But not everyone is like that. With the two ladies I was chatting and spending time with, of course we chatted about dogs and the whole dog show thing. But we also made general friendly chatter about experiences traveling and food and whatever else. I ended up spending nearly 4 hours talking to them throughout that afternoon.

For me, I was just completely impressed with how much knowledge these two ladies I spoke with had. I guess with them each having 30 years experience of showing and breeding dogs, that's to be expected. So it was very much a learning experience for me. Everything from how European yorkies differ to North American ones, the science of breeding, what shampoos and other products they use, how to groom them, what they like in a show yorkie, their experiences with certain judges and what certain judges like, training their dogs for show, their thoughts on how a natural tail can throw off the balance of a yorkie, how they like the coat to break color, and many many other things as well. So I just tried to soak it all up. It was really just a wealth of information that goes I think a bit beyond some books. So it was really good to learn.

I didn't make them a contact or we didn't swap numbers or anything, but there's a good 40 year age difference between us and I wasn't really looking to make a contact or long-lasting relationship. I was just solely there for the experience, to learn, and also have my yorkie looked at and evaluated because I was thinking of possibly competing in an altered class in the future but of course my concerns are about it being an embarrassing experience and my dog being much too far from show quality. Now I know that, even though she's a bit on the small side, she'd do fine and they even named off a handful of judges that would've picked my dog over theirs. They were quite encouraging of me doing that and having the experience of competing. So now since I know that, I can now think a little bit more seriously about going that route in the future.

Overall though, I found most the people I chatted to to be receptive to being approached by a stranger and willing to talk and be friendly. I think you just gotta go out there and talk to lots of people and you might just end up meeting your best friend. Besides your dogs of course . For a business type of relationship, I think you may have to approach it in a more business type of style. But if you just put your best foot forward and do it, it should be fine.

[Lazhar]

It's just difficult for a lot of people to talk to people generally.

However at dog shows, there is one thing that will help even the most introverted person feel better: it is the dogs!

Dogs are fabulous ice-breakers and they make that first initial contact much easier to have. And let's be honest, we all have anecdotes about our doogies!