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Getting started

Crufts 2013 – 9 days to go

Crufts 2013 – 9 days to go
Crufts is now only 9 days away, time to start getting planned for the day(s) at Crufts.

First thing to remember, the West carpark will be in use. When considering where to park, the map (linked below) may be useful. West is nearest to the halls, but South and East have shuttle buses running between the hall and carpark.
NEC map

If you are showing, then make a note of your ring and hall that you want to head towards. Your bench number will be on your passes. Make sure you also take a look at the show offers for exhibitors, there might be something of interest for you.

If you are going for the shopping, have you looked at the trade stand listing? If there are any companies you want to make a point of visiting, it’s always worth making a note of where they are.

There is loads more information at crufts.org.uk. Take a look, plan your day(s) and have a great time.

If you want to keep up to date with travel on the roads, I’m sure there will be loads of updates on the Dog Show Weather and Travel News UK Facebook page.

 

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Crufts early and late starts

Crufts early and late starts
Each year at Crufts, once entries have been published, the Kennel club will have some breeds as early starts and others later. This has now been published on the Crufts website on the below link

Judging ring order 

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Crufts 2013 entries

Crufts 2013 entry figures
Entry figures for Crufts 2013 are now out. Find them by following the link below.

Crufts 2013 entry figures

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Top Tips

Top Tip #38

Top Tip #38
Do other activities as well as show training to bond with your dog. Try conditioning exercises or trick training for quick wins.

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Getting started

What is a match?

What is a match?
Matches can be held by a canine society, normally as an evening event once a month (Maximum of 12 in one year). They are good practice both for those hoping to attempt entering formal shows and for those who are interested in judging. But they are also equally and good (and fun) for more experienced show people. Matches are run for the benefit of members and you must be a member of the society to enter the match.

Entries are taken on the day and dogs are randomly drawn in pairs to compete against each other with the winner of each pairing going forward to the next round until a single winner is reached. A Best in Match and a Best Puppy in Match will be declared at the end of the night.

Judges can be of any level and many societies will choose to have a mixture of new judges and some experienced judges to give their members an opportunity to be judged by different people.

Dogs, which have won a Challenge Certificate or obtained any award that counts towards the title of Champion under the rules of any governing body recognised by the Kennel Club, are not eligible for entry in Matches.

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Getting started

Marketing

Marketing

Definition of marketing; the action or business of promoting and selling products or services

Marketing is a must in any business to sell products and services and to win in their market.

Over the last few years I have noticed the increase in marketing in dogs to “sell” dogs as being the best (Top Dog, Top Sire, Top Kennel etc). Of course this isn’t new. You just need to look back though the dog papers and annuals from the early 1900’s) to see that adverts have been taken out to “sell” the best dogs to viewers around including fellow exhibitors and judges.

But is it going a step to far for what is a hobby? We now see clothing being worn around shows highlighting details a dogs or Junior Handlers wins rather than just the normal identification of kennel names.

Social media plays a big part too, just like for businesses, it’s a great way to target a large audience and you can often find after shows full adverts highlighting a dogs win, rather than just the post and a picture.

But is it correct? Should a hobby be full of adverts which could influence results for future shows? Or is it just a way of sharing and celebrating success with friends all around the world?

Most judges aren’t influenced by adverts so therefore I believe that the marketing of show dogs must be more to share success with friends.

I just hope this doesn’t go any further and once again be only for the rich who can afford to keep up with the latest trends, leaving the rest behind.

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The British Weather

The British Weather
The British weather is always there to test us when we least want it and quiet often weather conditions over our shows are not ideal. Last year Blackpool was cancelled due to rain and this weekend just gone, many people didn’t make it to Manchester due to the snow and ice.

This weekend a new group was set up on Facebook to use Social Media for good to help spread the word of weather conditions around the country to show venues. I would advise anyone who is one Facebook to join the group. Turn off notifications so you don’t get pings every time someone posts though!

Dog Show Weather and Travel News UK

I would class this as one of the most useful groups on Facebook for dog showers!

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Show dog training

Alert on the table

Alert on the table
I’ve always believed that training a table dog is the hardest. You have to get the dog used to, and happy to stand on the floor and on the table.

The table can be a scary place for dogs at a show. The surface could be one of many things from carpet to rubber and any colour. The table could wobble and there is the height where each table at each show will put your dog at a different level to you each time.

Therefore, it’s important you get your table dog used to tables and different surfaces. To do this, make sure you make the table a positive experience such as giving loads of yummy treats just for being on the table, play a game when they get off the table and make sure they are used to being on different surfaces.

This will also help to get ears and tails up in breeds that require these features.

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Dog Show Terms Defined

Dog Show Terms Defined
By Bonnie, Nickolai Borzoi – Ohio

1. Great stud dog…..Mounts anything that can fog a mirror.

2. Excels in movement.….If he gets loose, runs like Hell.

3. Personality Plus…..Wakes up if you put liver up his nose.

4. Good bite…..Missed the judge, got the steward.

5. Large boned…..Looks like a Clydesdale.

6. Good Obedience prospect…..Smart enough to come in from the rain but ugly.

7. Quiet and good natured …..In his kennel.

8. Excels in type and style…..However, moves like a spider on speed.

9. Won in stiff competition…..Beat 4 puppies and a 9 year old novice dog.

10. Multiple group winner…..At 2 puppy matches.

11. Pointed…..His head is shaped like a carrot.

12. Noted Judge…..He put up our dog.

13. Respected Judge…..He put up our dog twice.

14. Esteemed Judge…..He puts up anything that crawls.

15. Specialty Judge…..Puts up anything that looks like his own breeding.

16. Won in heavy competition…..The others were revoltingly overweight.

17. Shown Sparingly…..Only when we had it in the bag.

18. Show Prospect…..He has 4 legs, 2 eyes, 2 ears, and 1 tail.

19. Finished in 5 shows…..And 89 where he failed to win a ribbon.

20. Well Balanced…..Straight as a stick, front and rear

21. Handled brilliantly by…..Nobody else can get near him.

22. At stud to “approved” bitches…..Those bitches whose owners check is “approved” by our bank.

23. Linebred from famous champions…..Ch Whoozitz appears twice 6th generation.

24. Terrific brood bitch…..Her conformation is the pits, but she throws big litters.

25. Wins another Best In Show…..His second, under the same judge, our uncle.

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Getting started

Winning Paws Ringcraft (Stotfold)

Winning Paws Ringcraft (Stotfold)
I’ve just got in from the first Winning Paws Ringcraft, held at the Roecroft Centre in Stotfold, Bedfordshire.

I (Roxanne) and my friend Jane Ashwell-Carter have taken on the slot of Roecroft Ringcraft after it faced closure. Both of us wanted to keep this local, friendly ringcraft going and it has been in my mind for ages to set up a ringcraft class and with Jane this will be a great partnership and with the help of her son Michael.

Our first night I can only claim as a success. We are so pleased with the amount of support that turned up for our first night and hope you all enjoyed yourselves. Although we weren’t expecting the amount that turned up and didn’t plan for it, we think it went well. Don’t think every session will be the same, we will try and do different things each time to get the dogs used to different things.

I just want to share some lovely comments we have received already on our opening night from Facebook;

“Thank you both for a most enjoyable evening, thank Michael for helping look after my dogs and look forward to the next one. Good company, good training and nice cuppa and cake.”

“Viva sleeping soundly after her first session. Many thanks ladies, see you in two weeks.”

“I am looking forward to the next one! Excellent environment for my pup to be in and chatted to some lovely people and not forgetting the first class training too! So pleased with Bo this evening. Thank you.”

Editor note: Due to time commitments of both Roxanne and Jane, the ringcraft in Stotfold has now closed. This was a hard decision, and we both miss the club.