First Dog Show

Went to my first dog show today with my 6 month old bitch, the working and pastoral championship show in Ingliston, Edinburgh. I was so nervous, I actually thought I was going to be sick and couldn't sleep the night before, haha.

Does anybody show their dogs? What do you think about showing your GSD's? I must say it wasn't really what I expected, not in a bad way.

Lynds

[Stuart]

I dont show, my guys are just rescue dogs, but many here do,..I can well understand your nerves, but I am sure that you will become less aprehensive the more shows you do,... how did your show go?

Well she came second in the minor puppy class. And I think she done very well for her first, and my own, show. I think I let her down as I kept winding the lead around my hand (with nerves) as we were running around the ring.

I did feel very nervous about handling my own dog though after speaking to a few of the owners (who had handlers). I don't think there can be a better feeling, or a better bond, though than handling your own dog and placing.

[wildmoor]

well done, used to show not competed since the late 90s last one if I rember right was Manchester CH show at the GMEX after it moved from Heaton Park

[Caryll]

That's a really good result for a first show! Well done indeed!

Don't suppose anyone took any pics...........

[Tedsmum]

Hi well done to you for such a brilliant result.
You must be very proud.
I only show at local fun shows as my dog is
a) not kennel club registered
b) long coated, which evidently do not do well in KC shows

However, I still get a real buzz if he wins something and he often does.
Last summer he got 2 best in shows!
I know it is not the same as the serious KC shows but I am content at that as I have had some insight into that world and I don't think it is for me anyway.

Good luck for the future, I am sure you will continue to do well. x

[Stuart]

Very well done,.. more shows to come by the sound of it

I kind of feel the same Tedsmum. It is taken very seriously. A few people said I should have a handler for my dog! I want to do agility with her when she's old enough, looks a lot more fun. Your boy is beautiful.

No pics taken. My partner, who had the camera, had to move away from the ring as she kept looking for him.

xx

[Caryll]

Originally Posted by lyndsay

I kind of feel the same Tedsmum. It is taken very seriously. A few people said I should have a handler for my dog! I want to do agility with her when she's old enough, looks a lot more fun. Your boy is beautiful.

No pics taken. My partner, who had the camera, had to move away from the ring as she kept looking for him.

xx

I don't know why people insist on having handlers to do the showing. If you're confident about handling your own dog, then do it! I've never had an outside handler when I've shown.

I'm afraid you're right about the seriousness. It gets way too intense at some shows. I gave up showing my GSD (years ago) because of the cut-throat attitude at even the smaller shows. Showing staffs was almost as bad, and showing EBTs not far behind them!

I've entered a few fun shows & in the main enjoyed them much more, although even there, some people treat it too seriously!

[Stuart]

If I had a dog good enough to show,..and I wanted to show, I think I would also stick to the none serious events, owning a dog is all about enjoyment, and although I dont know a lot about showing, it does come across to me as not only being hard work and time consuming but also very stressful and in many cases appears to be a bit bitchy.

apologising to anyone who shows, I might be wrong, but it is how it often seems from the outside looking in