Never shown but interested

[rachelanne820]

I have never shown before so if I am asking a silly question, I apologize but I know nothing about this hobby!

Can you show an altered dog? Specifically, can you show a neutered/spayed dog?

Also, how do you know if you have a show-potential pup?

Thanks!

[jencar98]

Originally Posted by rachelanne820

I have never shown before so if I am asking a silly question, I apologize but I know nothing about this hobby!

Can you show an altered dog? Specifically, can you show a neutered/spayed dog?

Also, how do you know if you have a show-potential pup?

Thanks!

You can not show an altered dog in conformation but maybe in agility? The purpose behind showing in conformation is to have your dog evaluated for breeding.

IDK how show breeders know if they have a show potential, but am sure there are specific traits they desire, know to look and breed for and although can never be certain of their results, have a good idea of what they are producing.

This is a good link to learn about the basics of showing.
American Kennel Club - A Beginner's Guide to Dog Shows

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by rachelanne820

I have never shown before so if I am asking a silly question, I apologize but I know nothing about this hobby!

Can you show an altered dog? Specifically, can you show a neutered/spayed dog?

Also, how do you know if you have a show-potential pup?

Thanks!

As mentioned before, you can't show an altered dog in conformation, but there are companion events that altered dogs can participate in.

Evaluating puppies for that "it" dog takes a practiced eye. A process that begins with lots of studying, attending and participating in dog shows. Learning every aspect of the breed, genetics, studying, studying and more studying.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by rachelanne820

I have never shown before so if I am asking a silly question, I apologize but I know nothing about this hobby!

Can you show an altered dog? Specifically, can you show a neutered/spayed dog?

Also, how do you know if you have a show-potential pup?

Thanks!

In regular conformation events held by AKC CKC(Canadian Kennel Club) FCI altered dogs or females are not allowed to be shown. The reason as stated earlier is that these conformation shows held by the aforementioned clubs are designed to assess a particular dog for breed worthiness. How-ever there may be some clubs check out your Rare Breed Clubs and UKC that may offer special classes for altered dogs for conformation showing..

Performance events agility, obedience, rally, dock diving, etc allow neutered dogs to enter and qualify.

To answer your second question: How do you know if you have a show potential pup.

Firstly did your breeder sell to you as a "show" dog? If not then it is highly likely that in that breeders opinion this dog is :not" show potential. If they sold you a dog as pet quality then you should review your sales contract to see if there are limitations on you "should" you want to show this pup. Even if no limitations as a matter of courtesy I would talk to my breeder about my desire to show this pup. If this is indeed your desire.
So putting that to one side. How do you a "newbie" to the sport get a more informed idea if your guy is not just "cute" to your eyes, but is a show star just waiting to develop.

First I encourage you to read, then read, then read again the standard for the breed.
then take a look at some of the dog shows that are on the net of Yorkie competitions, look at Westminster, NYC specialty, Bratslavia dog show 2009 are some suggestions. Look at the class dogs particularly puppy class dogs. This will give you a progressive idea of the quality, type, and overall look of show dogs from puppy to adult.

Now with this more informed eye you can look at your pup. Is he/she a natural stacker?,This means your dog comes into a 4 square stack, front paws under them, back paws set so that hock joints are perpendicular?. is their top line straight?, what about their ear carriage, ear set? when they move is it pleasing to my eye? Is there a sense of similar reach and drive ( front legs reach forward about the same distance and back legs reach back. Does the top line remain level on the trot? Do I see a lot of rolling across the hindquarters? Does my boy walk and trot with head held up - proud alert inquistive terrier that he is?

Now what about colour and coat? Is the coat silky? Will his/her color break? Has it started to? What were his/her parent's coat and colour like?

A note to you most breeders and exhibitors by the time their dog is 8-12 weeks old have already started the training for their show potentials. They train the little ones to love to be touched when they stand - to be comfy with head control and direction, to stand still for increasing amounts of time, to like or at least accept their back and front legs being positioned.

Is there alot to know - of course!! But that is part of the fascination for this sport of showing dogs. And yes it is a sport. You and your dog need to train together, take lessons from a good handling teacher, and find the fun in it all. Because that is what it should be is fun! Fun for you, and fun for your dog!.

And yes whilst conformation shows are about assessing and finding dogs worthy of carrying on the breed, not all dogs that finish their championship are bred!.

If you wish to show that is between you, your breeder, and your dog. Clear it with your breeder first, know your aims and desires, Have them take a look at your dog now, see what they think.

I hope you find, should you choose to show, much fun and fullfillment in the conformation ring.

[salazark]

This is great information! Thanks! I am preparing to enter into the world of showing dogs! It's kind of a long story but I am being blessed be being allowed to purchase a show hopeful puppy from my breeder. She's agreed to mentor me and I'm a combination of nervous and excited. I'm reading books and I've found handling classes locally. My breeder is about four hours away from me but she's been great. She's trusting him with me becuase of the obedience progress I've made with Sadie. I get my little fellow on Sunday!

Originally Posted by gemy

In regular conformation events held by AKC CKC(Canadian Kennel Club) FCI altered dogs or females are not allowed to be shown. The reason as stated earlier is that these conformation shows held by the aforementioned clubs are designed to assess a particular dog for breed worthiness. How-ever there may be some clubs check out your Rare Breed Clubs and UKC that may offer special classes for altered dogs for conformation showing..

Performance events agility, obedience, rally, dock diving, etc allow neutered dogs to enter and qualify.

To answer your second question: How do you know if you have a show potential pup.

Firstly did your breeder sell to you as a "show" dog? If not then it is highly likely that in that breeders opinion this dog is :not" show potential. If they sold you a dog as pet quality then you should review your sales contract to see if there are limitations on you "should" you want to show this pup. Even if no limitations as a matter of courtesy I would talk to my breeder about my desire to show this pup. If this is indeed your desire.
So putting that to one side. How do you a "newbie" to the sport get a more informed idea if your guy is not just "cute" to your eyes, but is a show star just waiting to develop.

First I encourage you to read, then read, then read again the standard for the breed.
then take a look at some of the dog shows that are on the net of Yorkie competitions, look at Westminster, NYC specialty, Bratslavia dog show 2009 are some suggestions. Look at the class dogs particularly puppy class dogs. This will give you a progressive idea of the quality, type, and overall look of show dogs from puppy to adult.

Now with this more informed eye you can look at your pup. Is he/she a natural stacker?,This means your dog comes into a 4 square stack, front paws under them, back paws set so that hock joints are perpendicular?. is their top line straight?, what about their ear carriage, ear set? when they move is it pleasing to my eye? Is there a sense of similar reach and drive ( front legs reach forward about the same distance and back legs reach back. Does the top line remain level on the trot? Do I see a lot of rolling across the hindquarters? Does my boy walk and trot with head held up - proud alert inquistive terrier that he is?

Now what about colour and coat? Is the coat silky? Will his/her color break? Has it started to? What were his/her parent's coat and colour like?

A note to you most breeders and exhibitors by the time their dog is 8-12 weeks old have already started the training for their show potentials. They train the little ones to love to be touched when they stand - to be comfy with head control and direction, to stand still for increasing amounts of time, to like or at least accept their back and front legs being positioned.

Is there alot to know - of course!! But that is part of the fascination for this sport of showing dogs. And yes it is a sport. You and your dog need to train together, take lessons from a good handling teacher, and find the fun in it all. Because that is what it should be is fun! Fun for you, and fun for your dog!.

And yes whilst conformation shows are about assessing and finding dogs worthy of carrying on the breed, not all dogs that finish their championship are bred!.

If you wish to show that is between you, your breeder, and your dog. Clear it with your breeder first, know your aims and desires, Have them take a look at your dog now, see what they think.

I hope you find, should you choose to show, much fun and fullfillment in the conformation ring.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by salazark

This is great information! Thanks! I am preparing to enter into the world of showing dogs! It's kind of a long story but I am being blessed be being allowed to purchase a show hopeful puppy from my breeder. She's agreed to mentor me and I'm a combination of nervous and excited. I'm reading books and I've found handling classes locally. My breeder is about four hours away from me but she's been great. She's trusting him with me becuase of the obedience progress I've made with Sadie. I get my little fellow on Sunday!

Well a great big congrats to you!! It is quite an honour for a breeder to place a show potential pup with a buyer. Obedience work is just great for these little ones, and can be challenging too! How wonderful that you have come along in this arena. Have you competed with Sadie yet in obedience?

But back to the conformation world: A book I found quite helpfull in understanding dog structure is called " An eye for a Dog" Illustrated Guide to Judging Purebred Dogs.

By Robert E Cole - Publisher is DogWise. If you haven't found the dogwise website yet it's worth a look. Lots of good books, videos, etc.

Good video is DogSteps by RAchel. dang can't remember last name. Amazing moving pics of dogs and shows dogs with altered gaits etc.

If you have some local shows - go to as many as you can. Lots of folks are friendly but ask your questions after ring time. Try to take notes on handlers you see in the terrier ring that you think do a good job of showing off their entry. One way that is a good practise is you go in the ring (when empty and not in use) just with yourself and a show lead dangling from your left hand. Now walk the show patterns. The go around, the down and back, and a Triangle. Keep your steps smooth, the lead hanging straight down, learn how to make a left hand turn, a right hand, a circle around, all the time looking to see the lead stays steady and straight, your elbow into your body. Keep your steps even and smooth. Buy a good supportive pair of shoes for showing, that will cushion your feet, from all that concrete and hard floors you are likely to be on. Once this is all smooth, practise same patterns, but this time on the go around - pretend the judge is at center ring, and look up and over to the judge 3x, once as you enter his/her field of vision, once at midpoint of his vision, and once as you exit his field of vision. Now practise all this, and add in varying your walking speed, practise looking down to your dog, up and ahead to where you are going, and of course to the judge.
There are a few standard rules - Never interfere with another dog in the ring - watch and know where your dog is at all times - watch where you are going.


If you have a digicam that can be so useful in self training. You can video yourself walking and stacking your new pup.

You sound so excited and happy all the best in your new sport/hobby. Post pics of your new pup. Everyone here will be more than happy to help with questions and suggestions.

[salazark]

Originally Posted by gemy

Well a great big congrats to you!! It is quite an honour for a breeder to place a show potential pup with a buyer. Obedience work is just great for these little ones, and can be challenging too! How wonderful that you have come along in this arena. Have you competed with Sadie yet in obedience?

But back to the conformation world: A book I found quite helpfull in understanding dog structure is called " An eye for a Dog" Illustrated Guide to Judging Purebred Dogs.

By Robert E Cole - Publisher is DogWise. If you haven't found the dogwise website yet it's worth a look. Lots of good books, videos, etc.

Good video is DogSteps by RAchel. dang can't remember last name. Amazing moving pics of dogs and shows dogs with altered gaits etc.

If you have some local shows - go to as many as you can. Lots of folks are friendly but ask your questions after ring time. Try to take notes on handlers you see in the terrier ring that you think do a good job of showing off their entry. One way that is a good practise is you go in the ring (when empty and not in use) just with yourself and a show lead dangling from your left hand. Now walk the show patterns. The go around, the down and back, and a Triangle. Keep your steps smooth, the lead hanging straight down, learn how to make a left hand turn, a right hand, a circle around, all the time looking to see the lead stays steady and straight, your elbow into your body. Keep your steps even and smooth. Buy a good supportive pair of shoes for showing, that will cushion your feet, from all that concrete and hard floors you are likely to be on. Once this is all smooth, practise same patterns, but this time on the go around - pretend the judge is at center ring, and look up and over to the judge 3x, once as you enter his/her field of vision, once at midpoint of his vision, and once as you exit his field of vision. Now practise all this, and add in varying your walking speed, practise looking down to your dog, up and ahead to where you are going, and of course to the judge.
There are a few standard rules - Never interfere with another dog in the ring - watch and know where your dog is at all times - watch where you are going.


If you have a digicam that can be so useful in self training. You can video yourself walking and stacking your new pup.

You sound so excited and happy all the best in your new sport/hobby. Post pics of your new pup. Everyone here will be more than happy to help with questions and suggestions.

Thank you so much Gail! I really am excited and honored that Valerie is trusting this little guy with me! I will look into the book and video. While I'm waiting I've just been trying to read and learn. I have been to a couple of shows just for fun but that was before this came up. At one show I happened to sit by a girl that seemed to really know her stuff and she talked me through the whole show and I learned so much. One of the books I'm reading suggested putting a set of keys on the end of your lead for weight and practicing like that. They said to practice having the right amount of slack in the lead and folding it up one handed. I would think that the keys would work well for the practice you were talking about also. My goodness - there are so many things to think about. Valerie and I talked about starting by showing him in the puppy class just to get me some experience while there is no pressure. She said she would attend shows with me and guide me. I think I'll see if I can go to some shows with her before the puppy and I are ready for the ring. I can gopher for her and learn.

I haven't competed with Sadie. She's a year and a half old. We've taken the basic obedience courses. She's just now finishing up her second set of agility classes. We absolutely love agility and it lets her use her youthful energy positively. I'm now planning on working our way back around to more controlled classes. It would be really cool if she could compete in either agility or obedience so we could all go to shows together. That was my one hesitation. I want a puppy to enhance her life not take me away from her. At five pounds I'm not sure how competitive Sadie could be at agility but I know she loves it. There's a video on my profile page of Sadie on the downsized aglilty equipment I made for her. That was back when she first started. I really need to get out and update it when the weather is better. If everything works out, eventually I'd like for Sadie to be a therapy dog. But we have plenty of time for that. My children are grown and my dog - and soon to be dogs - are my life!

Karen

[salazark]

I can't figure out how to edit my message, but I also wanted to tell you - my son lives in Ottawa. He went to graduate school in BC and wound up in Ottawa. I love visiting him there. Sadie and I went for Christmas.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by salazark

I can't figure out how to edit my message, but I also wanted to tell you - my son lives in Ottawa. He went to graduate school in BC and wound up in Ottawa. I love visiting him there. Sadie and I went for Christmas.

A brr Ottawa is cold cold cold. But it is a small city with lots of things to do, and many people just love it there. There is a great dog show there to, near the end of the year. Also think about combining some visits to your son with dog shows. Canadian championship is only 10 points with 2 majors. It is easy to register a dog in CKC once you have your AKC registration, basically just fill in the paperwork, pay the fee and submit to CKC.

Now how old is your pup? If under 6months old then you know the little ones go through lots of changes as they mature. What is promising at 14 wks may not be so promising at 36 wks. Constant communication with your breeder on how your new one is doing is great.

Make sure you get from her the shampoos, conditioners etc she likes to use.

What a very exciting time for you. I remember so fondly bringing in my show pups to our household...

[topknot]

Congratulations. Yes, you want to make sure that this puppy you are getting for showing is older. Min. age of 6 months to get a prospect. But the older the better, so you know what you are getting and hopefully make show. Showing is exciting. I love it! It is a real family thing with my hubby and me and sometimes my kids come along. They are in their 20s. LOL We make it though a family trip at times and have the RV to travel to shows in. Since you are in AL I am sure I will see you soon, since I am in GA. I have traveled to AL before and will more this year.

I have one of my girls doing obedience training now on Saturdays and will be taking the test soon to be a therapy dog. :-)

Best of luck!

[salazark]

Originally Posted by topknot

Congratulations. Yes, you want to make sure that this puppy you are getting for showing is older. Min. age of 6 months to get a prospect. But the older the better, so you know what you are getting and hopefully make show. Showing is exciting. I love it! It is a real family thing with my hubby and me and sometimes my kids come along. They are in their 20s. LOL We make it though a family trip at times and have the RV to travel to shows in. Since you are in AL I am sure I will see you soon, since I am in GA. I have traveled to AL before and will more this year.

I have one of my girls doing obedience training now on Saturdays and will be taking the test soon to be a therapy dog. :-)

Best of luck!

Thank you - Actually I should clarify - he is younger but at this point looks like a possible show prospect. I was originallly purchasing him as a pet puppy. My breeder said that he is really looking good so far and asked me to consider showing him if he turns out to be show quality and I agreed. It's a win win for me because I didn't originally have my heart set on showing but I am excited and preparing as if he will be. I figure it can't hurt to read and learn as much as I can. I'm a little anal that way.

Have you been to the show in Priceville? I went back in November just for fun - I sat with a girl who knew a lot and she was so helpful at explaining everything to me. It was fascinating.

Sadie and I love obedience and especially agility. She still has a little maturing to do before testing for therapy. She seems to have the right temperment for it though.

I want to also explain something else so no one is confused. Sadie is spayed and I'm not in any way looking to breed. I'm viewing this more as a sport and something fun and bonding to do with the puppy. If he doesn't turn out or even if he does, then later, after showing he will be neutered.

Thanks again,
Karen

[topknot]

Originally Posted by salazark

Thank you - Actually I should clarify - he is younger but at this point looks like a possible show prospect. I was originallly purchasing him as a pet puppy. My breeder said that he is really looking good so far and asked me to consider showing him if he turns out to be show quality and I agreed. It's a win win for me because I didn't originally have my heart set on showing but I am excited and preparing as if he will be. I figure it can't hurt to read and learn as much as I can. I'm a little anal that way.

Have you been to the show in Priceville? I went back in November just for fun - I sat with a girl who knew a lot and she was so helpful at explaining everything to me. It was fascinating.

Sadie and I love obedience and especially agility. She still has a little maturing to do before testing for therapy. She seems to have the right temperment for it though.

I want to also explain something else so no one is confused. Sadie is spayed and I'm not in any way looking to breed. I'm viewing this more as a sport and something fun and bonding to do with the puppy. If he doesn't turn out or even if he does, then later, after showing he will be neutered.

Thanks again,
Karen

Yes, I was at Priceville, I guess a year or two before with my girl that is a finished champion now. Priceville is a small show and was in the horse arena. One could rent a stall to get your dogs ready. I stayed in the hotel down the road not too far and got ready there. It was a nice show and my girl got best puppy. I was suppose to stay for group puppy, but never have done that before, so did not know to stay. They never had this before when I was showing in the old days. LOL Montgomery and Birmingham are the bigger shows.

How many champions does your breeder have now? What are the names of your baby? Maybe I know them or seen them in the ring before. That is good that she will mentor you. Hope you are not too far from her.