Dog showing?

Question

How do you start showing dogs? What breed is good for first-time handlers?

Answer 1

You want to choose a breed that you are passionate about. A breed that you like in every way ant that you want to promote 100%.
Here are a couple of wonderful links that will help to get you started on your research.
Good luck to you.
Tyed~

Answer 2

First, you get a dog that has show potential from a breeder with a proven show record. In terms of breed, I would get something that's an easily trained, easy going dog, medium sized, maybe something like a sheltie. Join your local kennel club to begin to make contacts with show people. Kennel clubs will usually have classes to teach you ring procedure, or conformation classes as they are called. Better yet, if you can find a professional handler or breeder that handles their own dogs, and who is willing to give your private lessons, you'll learn much more quickly. You have to learn how to "stack" the dog, how to have it stand for inspection, how to properly gait it, and the various patterns that judges use when judging the individual dog's gait. There is also a lot of ring protocol that you need to learn. There is much more to it than just running around the ring with a dog. Once you have selected a breed, get to know others who have the same breed, as most will be glad to offere advice and help to a newcomer.
You will also need to learn about the grooming requirements for your breed - some require extensive grooming, such as poodles, others much less.
Once you have learned the basics, then you enter your dog in a show and put it into practice. Many times, there will be B matches at shows, which are not for points, but more to try a new dog in the ring, practice ring skills and so forth.
I don't know your age, but for young people, there is Junior Showmanship, in which the skills of the handler are judged, not the dog's conformation to breed standard.
The one most important thing, perhaps, is to find a mentor who can teach you how to show, even if you have to pay for their time. As I mentioned, that could be a professional handler or trainer, a breeder or owner-handler who will be willing to act in that role for you.
When you win, win graciously, and do the same when you lose.

Answer 3

If you are doing conformation, go with a breed you like.Join a breed or kennel club, take handling classes, get a good show potential dog from a breeder who has a good track record in the show ring.

If doing obedience or rally again any breed you like.All breeds can do very well in these venues. Take obedience and/or rally classes, join an obedience club, breed or kennel club.Go to some obedience/rally trials and watch the dogs/handlers, meet people.

******* to the poster that mentioned "showing" in good citizen...you do NOT show in canine good citizen. The AKC CGC is a 10 part test that a dog/handler takes. They must pass all 10 parts..if they do they get the CGC certificate. This is NOT a title or an award and has nothing to do with showing. This test is open to all breeds/mixes*******

Answer 4

If you are a Junior, under 18 years, you can start by attending local dog shows and seeking out a breed you admire. Then you start talking to some of the breeders/owners and ask about them taking you on as a mentor. If you show responsibility, dedication, and a true desire to learn, you will likely be welcomed in to their program.
Another way to get involved as a Jr is to join a local dog club or 4H club with your own dog, which does not have to be a purebred or papered. You can take classes in conformation handling, agility, showmanship, obedience, and so on.
When the local clubs have shows, you can enter with your own dog, and plan ahead to purchase your own show quality dog.
Junior shows are not about points or ribbons, but the showmanship and handling of your dog are judged.

If you are not of Junior age, you can still seek out a mentor, but it is more difficult as an adult. The best way to get invovled is to seek out a breed you admire, and find a breeder who is involved in conformation. This way they can guide you through the process, while mentoring you. Usually the breeder will co-own the dog, so you know they will be involved this way.
Once you have taken some classes such as obedience, conformation, and others, you can sign up for a puppy match and this is the best way to get a feel for the ring. No points are awarded in this ring, only puppies competing to get used to the ring.

As far as breeds, you just have to research and attend some local dog shows to get to know what breed appeals to you. There is no magical breed to start out with, however a male is said to be easier to handle in the ring.
I personally prefer rare breeds in the ring, but it is totally up to your tastes. You don't want to be handling a breed you don't really care for.
Heck, I started out showing Golden Retrievers, Boxers, and English Setters, and now I know I would NEVER want to handle any of these breeds ever again, much less own them, however I do have two Goldens myself still :)


Good luck and I Hope this has helped.
Remember, dog shows should remain fun, and if the people piss you off so much, as they have me, you know it is probably time to stop. Trust me, "they" become hard to deal with once you have been involved so many years.

Answer 5

PUGS...they dont have a lot of energy and are easy to show
I showed my PUG when I was 11...she's currently a champion in the Eukenuba Champs...so start as early as possible

read books on how to show dogs as well
go to a dog show and watch a couple rounds too
its so fun! best of luck!!!

Answer 6

If you are showing for obedience and good citizenship, german shepard dogs, poodles, golden retrievers, skipperkees, and corgis are all highly trainable breeds.

If you enjoy being out in the open air with other dogs and their humans, you may want to consider tracking as an alternative to the obedience ring. Some good trackers are flat-coated retrievers, german shepard dogs [but not the white ones], collies, and springer spaniels.

If you enjoy being out on lakes and bodies of water with other dogs and their humans, you may want to consider water trials. Some good water trial breeds are labs, portuguese water dogs, and chesapeake bay retrievers.

If you enjoy being outdoors with dogs who like to pull things like carts or sleds, the newfoundland is especially suited for carts and huskies and malamutes for sleds.

One of the things that is good to do is to attend some traditional dog shows and watch the dogs in the breeding rings as well as the dogs doing obedience. By watching the dogs, you can get a sense of which breeds you may especially enjoy working with.

You may also want to seek out agility meets, flyball competitions, and herding competitions as well as field trials for tracking, water trials, and sledding races. Talk to the owners or handlers and ask them how they decided on what breed of dog to get.

Once you find a dog, the first thing to do is to take him to obedience classes. Obedience classes are good for dogs and most dogs look forward to them. Through exercising your dog and spending time with her, you can get a sense of which activities she might like and then head in that direction.

[Alternatively, if you know you want to get involved with water rescue, don't get a boxer].

There are non-breed meets and competitions available also and many mixed breeds who need homes would enjoy that sort of thing.

Best to ya.