Show Dog info & Question????
 

I'm interested in maybe showing my Gia & her brother Chewy, what would be the first step in getting them into dog shows? I'm new at this so I have no idea where to even begin.

showing
 

The first step is to take them to the breeder and have them tell you if they are show potentials...how was the sale conducted? Where they sold as pets or show prospects? If the breeder is out of state etc..go to a show. AFTER it is over, ask a couple of the Yorkie people to look them over and give an opinion. Tell them your desire to show and ask if you should pursue with the Yorkies you have...Then...you can concentrate on training..but there is little use training for the ring until then..

I purchase them from a breeder out of state. They were sold as pets but both their parents are show dogs. The breeder said she can go back & change the paperwork so they can be participate in shows. Chewy has already been looked at and given the "Okay" (I don't actually have him yet, I get him at the end of the month). Gia hasn't been looked at yet, I'm not sure about her because of her size she's around 3 pounds at 17 wks, and the breeder told me the ideal weight is between 5-7 pounds (so i have to wait and she about her)

showing
 

I would contact some local Yorkie show people and ask about handling classes..get to know people..start going to shows to learn, you do not have to enter until you get the hang of it..meet some people. They have a big Yorkie Specialty in the MD/VA/DC area in Oct...a great place to see what you need to learn and to recognize a quality pup..Good Luck

PS..don't miss the NY Yorkie show in Feb..great learning place.

PS..Gia should reach 5 pounds..good luck

PPS..How old and big is CHewy?

He's also 17 weeks & 4 pounds as of today

pup
 

Time will tell, good luck

Where/when is this show?

First of all if they were sold as pets, that would mean they are on a limited registration, which means they are probably on a spay nueter contract. Limited registation does not allow you to show or breed the dogs.

See this is one reason why I hate posting stuff on here. Why do you have to start off all nasty with "First of all". I never said Gia was show dog material (more than likely she won't be because of her size). I was just interested in getting to know more about trying to get into the show dog world.

Chewy is still with the breeder & she said she would d re due his papers for me if I decide to show him.

From breeder:

If either of them is judged to be show quality then we can change their AKC registration to allow for showing, once I get a letter from a handler that states that. I have an agreement with the breeder I bought their dad from, that I can change the papers if there is a show contract and you agree to show them to Championship. You have to finish their championship usually with a handler, tho.

Sorry I didn't mean at as nasty, just trying to help you get started. And from what you wrote I took it that your little girl is who you wanted to show.

You say she's a little small. Don't give up on this breed can fool you every time. I have a little girl that was 3 1/2 pounds at 1 year and is now 6 pounds. Not fat.

You can also approach a judge at a show to evaluate your dogs too.

contract
 

Be very careful when signing a contract to finish a dog, it can empty your pockets and ruin your enjoyment of owning the dog in the first place.

Make sure the dog is terrific and a type suited for your area..remember a novice needs "twice the dog to get half as far". Showing is not always a sport about the best dog winning....a handler can be a God send and worth their weight in gold..and they can take you for a ride..go with the best, you get what you pay for...

PS..the NY shows are right before the Garden..and at the New Yorker Hotel..check the YTCA web site..

?????? who was nasty ? I didn't see anyone nasty to you - when people say - "First of all" - they mean that's the first hurdle you need to jump. ...Sorry this is only an opinion - but if you want to show - you'll have to be alot less sensitive from what I've heard about the Show World.

and you DID Mention showing them both in your original post so it stands to reason that's what the replies were pertaining to....I read it that way also.

That was my read too on the original post.

But, it is very difficult to get into the show ring and I didn't want to discourage anyone without them getting by the first hurdle.

You're right the Dog Show World can be very vicious and political and if you don't have a thick skin or let things slide off your back, it's probably not the sport anyone should enter.

I was told once by a very, very reputable breeder/exhibitor....you know you've made it when you start hearing things said about your dogs behind your back.....don't know how true that is.

I took it that way, it' s not about being sensitive it's about the way people say things. I didn't say nothing else about it so why bring it up again .

There was a different way that could have been said in my opinion. It's not a big big deal so leave it alone. People shouldn't always assume someone is saying one thing, it's also best to ask (for clarification) if it's not clear what the person is posting .

I said I was interested in showing both of them. The breeder got the okay for the male but I haven't got the okay for the female.I just wanted to know where to begin to get into the show world.

It's not big of a deal, just drop the whole thing (it's silly). Gia's current weight as of today is 3.0 at 17 wks. I contacted a show dog trainer in my area and she's coming out this weekend to evaluate Gia providing she gains a little more weight. The trainer said th ideal age to start training is around 6 months. So hopefully she'll get the okay this weekend, and hopefully she'll put on 2 more pounds within the next two months.


Chewy has already gotten the okay so I will begin his training at 6 months.


This whole show dog thing gets expensive :eek: :eek:

training
 

You can start training them yourself..table stacking, teaching them to allow their teeth to be looked at..hands on etc..
Yes, it is expensive..joining a handling class will cut the expense...and IMO it is never wise to let them go to the handler until they are ready to win the points..YOU can show them starting at 6 motnhs, but it is wasting money to hire a handler until they are in full coat and ready for Open.

A good handler has your best interest at heart and will not take a dog/bitch until they can win..and that means beating adults for the points..not just their class and a ribbon..you get no points for winning a class.
You can show in the puppy classes and get yourself known..might win some points and cut your handling fees.

Make the trainer/handler is KNOWN in Yorkies..waste of money to get a large breed handler for a toy etc..many judges favor handlers they know..knowing they will not take a poor quality dog..gives you a great headstart.

So i should basically wait until they get there adult coats then? I'm not a good trainer at all, I still trying to teach Gia how to sit and we've been doing that for about a month.

Where can i look to find puppy classes in my area so that Chewy & Gia (possibly) will be able to get points?


Is there a web site or something I can go to?

Some training/obedience schools do have handler/puppy training classes. You could check with your local kennel club. Or if you live in an area that has a Yorkshire Terrier Specialty Club, you may contact them.

I used a handler with my first Champion, but traveled with him to learn the ropes on training, grooming and showing.

Sometimes it is cheaper to hire a handler, since they split your expenses with other clients.

training
 

You start at 8 week or 12 whenever you get your pups...you socilize them with people..stack them on the table etc..but you need to contact local dog clubs for classes.
IMO it is a waste of money for a handler to do what you can do in classes with your pups now...a handler is for winning a dog show, when they are ready to win..

AND unless a trainer breeds or shows Yorkies, they really can not give you much info about the quality and potential of yoru dog..go to INFODOG and see when some shows are coming in your area..you can watch and learn.

Karma,

If you are trying to train your dogs, you are a good trainer!

Just show your dogs. Do not ask for opinions. Do not be afraid of rejection. Do what you want to do. Just know the rules not opinions

I found that finding classes was hard in my area, I finally found them but it took weeks of calling around.

What I did first was learned the rules of a dog show, then went and attended one, wrote down EVERYTHING that confused me and then researched that...while at the show I asked questions. I tried my best to learn dog show etiquette.

I then started researching everything I could find online about yorkies (the search still continues), I read every post in this section (and leanred quite a bit), asked some silly questions and big questions (I still have more...).

A few things I have learned (thanks to the lovely people here);

There is a differnce between show "quality" and show "potential"
Majority of breeders will not declare a dog show quality till they are at least 6 months old.
Most breeders keep there good quality dogs for themselves.
Look for a breeder who has several champions from there program.
There is so much to dog showing.
It is a rush (this is from my own personal experience)
It can take years to finish a dog.
It is daily work, a great sport and tons of fun!!!

I am just starting my quest to show, I still do not have a show dog, it may be many moons before that happens. But i am absorbing everything like sponge!!