Questions
 

Hello....

I am hoping to show in a few years (not ready now) and wanted to ask a few questions......

Can someone give me an estimate it would be for someone to pay a handler to show a dog (from Puppy to finish)?
When starting to show, which sex would be great to start with (I know it's my own decision but wanted to know exhibitors experiences)?
Have anyone heard of someone buying a dog/puppy to show but decide to co-own him/her with an exhibitor to show and they both continue to co-own(it would be like sharing fees: One person pays for the dog and the other pays to get the dog champion)?

Thanks

Another question... How did you go about finding your mentor? Didyou just go up to someone and said, can you be my mentor? Did you explain/decribe what you wish to do and then they offered to be your mentor? I would love to hear the different ways people came to have their mentor...

Go to shows but it takes more than one show to attend, join the breed club and go from there. I just happened into my mentor by joining the Bluebonnet Yorkshire Terrier club in the Dallas area. I got started actually by luck...what takes most several years to achieve took me a very short amount of time to accomplish. But I guess it came from being involved with horses most of my life and knowing the dedication it takes to achieve what you want. I went out there and proved myself in the show ring and I do have a pretty good eye for what I like and what best represents the standard as I interpute it.
I would start off with a male but that's my preference for the show ring. I would take handling classes and learn to show myself but I like the competition and being in the ring...not to say I haven't hired a handler because I have many times and will do again when I see the need....I wouldn't pay a handler to show a puppy though. When hiring a handler I would wait until the dog was in show coat. Won't cost so much because its not real easy for a puppy to finish quick, not to say it can't be done because it can but save yourself money and wait to hire a handler when you know the dog is ready to win!
Ususally when you co-own is when you buy a show dog and the breeder wants to make sure their dog is in great hands and has some control but when you have the dog you are responsible for all the costs unless you have a contract drawn up. I co-owned my male until he finished his championship but now I am full owner but I still have a contract with his breeder and I do have to have his permission on some things :)
But join the breed club first and go to shows and learn all you can first and that will show that you are interested in showing and will have a good chance at finding a mentor.

Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

Usually, it takes a long period of time to find a mentor and a puppy. I would start by going to alot shows and look to see what type of Yorkie appeals to you. find the breeder of this dog and ask questions and really show interest in what she/he breeds. Watch, listen, and learn. This breeder/mentor must be able to trust you and your judgements before she/he will allow you to have one of her dogs. Most will go on co-ownerships. The buyer is usually the one who pays for the expenses for showing. A good handler is expensive. I would not put a dog with a handler until the coat is to the floor, usually around a year to 18 months old. You will need to know how to groom for the show ring. So you will get the fun and experience of showing and training that puppy by taking it to handling/conformation classes and then entering him in his first AKC show!!! Then, if you cant finish the pup, go with a reputable handler. Ask who is reputable. Your mentor will know or she/he might show the dog for you, which is alot cheaper than a handler. Plan on at least $1000.00 per month for a good handler. Well, best of luck!!!!

Try more than that on a good handler LOL...try almost 2 grand a month for a good handler LOL...

I know it depends on your dog, but what is the average your dogs were able to finish. (how long did it take for your fastest to finish and the longest to finish?)

My first champion took me a year because I showed him most of the time and it was from the puppy classes and then when he started getting coat and his first time out in the open class I put him with a handler and he got his first major and then I skipped a weekend and he got his second major with a handler but again took me a year because I started him as a puppy...then came Cammie she was 18 months old when I bought her and it took me maybe 4 months but she wasn't being shown but on a limited basis and then I had Harvey my first home bred champion, I took him out a couple of times as a pup but then didn't show him until he was over a year because I was campaigning Cammie and I can only do one show coat at a time but when it was almost the end of Cammie's show career Harvey finished in about 3 months and not shown every weekend and then came Radar who finished in 5 months but not shown every weekend either... I got all of Harvey's points myself and finished him and also Radar. My handler finished Cammie and got Tucker my first champion his majors but I got his last couple of points.

Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

Thank you for your information. I'm going to continue to research the different kennels and the different looks. On some websites you can see an obvious difference in the dogs and why they finish as quickly/slowly as they did. I have found a breeder that has been helping me out and answering my questions. She is too far from me to go to but she has been a big help talking to. Now I have to find a breeder that atleast is in texas to help me out with my questions. Thanks again, for answering my questions!

You live in a great area for dog shows. Have you been to any shows yet? There are plenty of them in the Austin and San Antonio area. Donna had a lot of great advise. I agree that it is much better to start with a male. Find a show breeder that has Yorkies that you like. You will be able to learn a lot from them. It can be a lot of fun showing a puppy. It is alway nice to take a puppy to a few shows to get them used to all the commotion and then once they feel comfortable in the ring you can concentrate on growing coat. As far as costs, it costs anywhere from $18 to $24 for entry fees per show. Handlers usually charge anywhere from $60 to $100 per show just to walk in the ring. If you send your dog with a handler then you will have to pay a daily boarding fee plus money for gas and lodging for the handler. Now, when purchasing a puppy, if you are serious about showing and want a show quality dog you are looking at paying around $2500. Most show breeders do require a show contract but not all. I think a show quality puppy should be at least 6 months old. I know some show breeders sell show prospects at 12 weeks but you really can't at that age if the puppy will be show quality. It would be good if you could find someone knowledgeable to go with you to look at the pups. Once you get your show puppy then the work begins. You have to be ready for a serious commitment in caring for the coat but that is a whole different subject.

More great info. I have been talking to some show breeders and their prices seem to be over $3000. If I could find a breeder for one around $2500 then I would have been more likely to get one in this year and try something out.
I was wondering have anyone ever paid a breeder in advance for a show quaility dog or do you just stay with the breeder until the pup is old enough to tell (then pay if it is what you want)?

-(this is to everyone) Can you tell me the average amount of shows some of your dogs go to in a month? I'm trying to calculate the price I would have to invest total.

I know many reputable breeders have waiting lists but I don't know if they require a deposit or money in advance. I think if you take your time and look at several breeders you will know when you find your dream Yorkie. You may not find it in Texas. There are many good show breeders out there that ship and that costs around $300.

As far as how many shows, usually the shows go in circuits. You may have a group of shows in San Antonio followed by the shows in Houston and then maybe the shows in Dallas (not necessarily in that order). Show handlers usually go to shows every weekend. Myself, personally, I like to just go once or twice a month. That is about all I can afford. Go to http://onofrio.com to see all the upcoming shows in the Texas area. There are shows just about every weekend somewhere. It just depends on how far you are willing to travel.

I am still very new to the showing world, so I will tell you my experience from it. I am not currently showing yorkies, I own a silky and am also specializing another silky right now...but do hope to one day show a yorkie!!

I went to my first dog show over three years ago, we really went just to go see all the goregous yorkies...once there I was in total amazement at the whole experience and knew that I would one day want to be involved with showing. I spoke to several yorkie handlers, met alot of wonderful people, and also to some other breeds owners as well. It was at this show that I meet my mentor, although I wouldn't not know it for a couple of years. I meet this couple who breeds silkies and were so knowledgable and helpful that I got their information and promise to contact them when I was ready.

Last November I finally came to a point in my life where I had the time to get involved...so I called up the Silky breeder to see if they had any puppies available and to my luck they had one male left. The breeder quickly became my mentor as I learned so much from him, he taught me how to train the dog for the ring and how to handle myself in the ring. He was so supportive and was there for all the good/bad/fustrating and exciting times. I attended many more shows before my new puppy would be ready for the ring...I watched all the handlers around me and went to some handling classes more for myself than the dog. You want to make sure you are as ready for the ring as the dog is...

I attended my first show in March 2007 with Captain and instantly fell in love with being in the ring...Captain got his first point that weekend and I couldn't wait to show him again. We went to a bunch of shows and we won some and lost even more...but six months later I finished my first champion and I don't think anyone could ever tell you what that feels like.

I have been so lucky in my show career, I have met some wonderful people...the Hurds (my mentors) and Donna have probably had the biggest impact on me. They have given me an opportunity most dont' get so soon!!

Now almost a year later, I still loving showing as much or more as I did that first time...there are hard times but the wins you do have make up for all of that.

I would say to get a male first as they are so much easier to train and deal with in the ring...they tend to be more willing to please you and will help you to get more comfortable in the ring. Find some one you can trust and ask lots of questions, talk to as many people as you can about the breed but also just able handling in general...the one thing I found the most helpful was to watch other handlers and more importantly watch the junior handlers...they KNOW what they are doing and are usually some of the best to learn from.

Everyone could learn from this young lady! She's young but is she ever smart! I know someone on another thread spoke about someone being young well I'm here to tell you we can all learn from the young! Kristen, I am honored to have you as a friend and thank you for what you said! I'm not sure I'm a mentor LOL but you have come so far so quickly and I'm so proud of you!!!

Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

We tend to go to about 2-3 dog shows a month, depending on location, judges, and finances. By the time you add up entry fees, travel costs, hotel costs, and gas...it can be a little expensive. But if you can find shows that are close to home it is well worth it and with you being around the Austin area, you are luckier than others...we have to travel overnight to most of our shows, so that makes it more expensive. Your biggest invest is going to be in the dog itself and then of course all the grooming accessories that you need to get started...your upfront costs are high but once you are in it levels out from there!!

Thank you for sharing your experience! I know what I want to do now so I will continue to research in the background and ask exhibitors questions. All I have to do is get over my shyness... I like meeting new people, but I hate it when I have questions to ask and end up forgetting them because I'm nervous. On the internet I can just type it up and not worry about messing up my speech. LOL