Top Tip #30
You must be consistent with the terminology for any command given for a desired response.
Take great care that you are making it clear to your dog what exercise they are being rewarded for.
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Tag: Dog showing
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Top Tip #28
Top Tip #28
Remember the show results are not final until the card/rosette is handed to you. Keep showing and presenting your dog to the judge until the card/rosette is in your hand.
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Knowledge of Dogs
Knowledge of Dogs
In handling classes you may be asked questions on dog anatomy or breed- specific questions about the breed you are showing or about other breeds and groups. Therefore it is important to know and understand dog anatomy and know the history of the breed you are handling and roughly know the breed standard and characteristics.
If you are handling dogs in the breed ring, understanding the dog anatomy, construction and the breed standard will allow you to ‘judge’ the dog you have in the ring and understand it’s streghts and weaknesses. Once you know what these are you can try and hide the faults where possible to make the dog look better.
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Respect and Manners
Respect & Manners to the judge and other exhibitors
Keep making eye contact with the judge but be careful not to stare them down. Remember you are there to show your dog off to the judge, be polite and always present the dog for the judge to see. For example, stand the dog where the judge wants them stood and get out the way of the judge by stepping aside if needed.
When doing circuits and if you are first in line, ask the handler behind you if they are ready to go and check the other handlers look ready before setting off. Also be courteous to other exhibit by not letting your dog wander towards the centre of the ring and keep your dog calm not jumping around in the line.
Don’t forget to always thank the judge and congratulate the winners of your class.
Which class to enter? Part 2 (Crufts qualifiers)
When entering a champ show to qualify for Crufts there are two things to consider. 1) does your breed have CC’s on offer and 2) which class is a qualifier?
Breeds with Challenge Certificates (CCs) in the UK
If your breed has CC status (I.e dogs can become UK Champions) then make sure the show you want to enter has CCs on offer for your breed. If the show doesn’t have CCs for your breed, only Best of Breed and Best Puppy in Breed can qualify. If the show does have CCs on offer for your breed, then you can qualify by winning first, second or third in a qualifying class. Qualifying classes for Crufts 2013 are;
Minor Puppy
Puppy
Junior
Yearling
Post Graduate
Limit
Open
Veteran
If your dog gains it’s Stud Book Number, this qualifies them for life.
Breeds without Challenge Certificates (CCs) in the UK
If your breed does not have CC status (therefore can’t become a champion in the UK) then all shows are qualifying shows if your dog wins first, second or third in any of the above listed classes or a Best of Sex or Reserve Best of Sex. You can also qualify in AVNSC or AV Rare Breeds if you win a first, second or third in one of the above listed classes.
Other ways of qualifying for breeds with or without CC status include;
- If you win a first prize in any breed class at Crufts the previous year.
- If you have won Best of Breed at a Premier Open Show provided there were more than three breed classes (more than five classes for Stud Book Band E breeds) scheduled for the breed.
- If you have won Best in Show, Reserve Best in Show or Best Puppy in Show at a General or Group Open Show for that qualifying year.
Import Register Breeds
For the first time, breeds on the Import Register can also qualify for crufts by winning a first, second or third in Puppy, Junior, Post Graduate or Open, or has been awarded Best of Sex or Reserve Best of Sex at General or Group Championship Shows in AV Import Register classes.
For full information on qualifying, including overseas dogs and other (rarer) ways of qualifying, all information is available at www.Crufts.org.uk and the Qualification rules for Crufts 2013 can be found here.
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Top Tip #24
Tip Top #24
In handling classes there is rarely a right or a wrong way. As long as what you do is neat, tidy and seamless.
For example, showing teeth can be side, side front or side, front side. Neither should be marked incorrect. It is more important to show the teeth clearly to the judge without blocking the dogs nose or poking their eyes.
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Show Etiquette
Show Etiquette
Etiquette: the customary code of polite behaviour in society or among members of a particular profession or group (Oxford dictionary)
There always seems to be discussions about the show world and a lot of people believe that those in the show world are “bitchy”, “nasty”, unkind” or “unhelpful”. I’m not going to defend everyone, some people are, but this is no means the majority, half or even a quarter. In fact, it’s a very small percentage.
But, still it is important to be reminded of show etiquette of polite behaviour towards each other while at shows and while discussing shows.
Remember to smile, speak to new people in the breed and encourage them. Share your tips (or at least share the Winning Paws blog!).
Congratulate the winners
Have a laugh with friends
Don’t say bad things about other people or dogs in public
I saw a lovely thing on Facebook yesterday where someone offered to make and give a lead to a 9 year old handler who wanted one. I saw lots of congratulations flying around the internet to people who had done well at shows.
Lets remember to keep the show etiquette and all play our parts in being friendly and approachable to keep this hobby fun and inviting.
I think most/all of us feel sad and guilty when a new person is made to feel unwelcome. After all, they didn’t meet anyone who has probably read to the end of this post.
Like if you agree!
Winning Paws First Junior Handling Training session
Yesterday (Saturday, 18 August) was the first handling session I organised under the Winning Paws name. Having been a Junior Handler myself, I wanted to offer the chance for the juniors to attend a training session. I was so pleased I was able to offer this session for free and I enjoyed myself and learnt something, I hope the attendee’s did too. Numbers were kept to a minimum but allowed the handlers to train with a different group of people.
The weather was hot and this meant keeping the dogs in the shade and lots of breaks back inside where it was slightly cooler to allow dogs and handlers to have drinks and a rest. Lots of mini Q&A sessions did lead to some interesting discussions with parents getting involved too.
Well done to those who attended. You all listened well and wish you all the best for your future handling classes.
What’s planned next?
I plan to run some more training sessions in the future and already have a waiting list. If you would be interested in being the first to know about any future training sessions, please get in contact via the website and as soon as any events are planned, I will let you know before posting on the website events page and Facebook.
Future sessions will include;
- Junior Handling
- Adult Handling
- Breed Showing (getting the most from your dog for the show ring)
- Different Breeds (A variety of different breeds available for handlers to practice with to acknowledge and respect different styles of handling required to suit different breeds)
- Many more…
Don’t forget, I’m also available for group bookings for pre-existing ringcrafts or groups. Contact me for more details and costs.
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Top Tip #21
Top Tip #21
Attend a breed specific judging seminar for your breed, even if you don’t want to judge.
You don’t need to take the exam, just attend to learn more about your breed.
This knowledge is good if you are showing to help you understand your dogs faults. It will improve your handling as a result!
Another good seminar is the Kennel Club conformation and movement. Again to give you the understanding of what makes a good show dog.
You can find more information on these though breed clubs, dog papers and the Kennel Club website.
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Armbands or ringclips?
Armbands or ringclips?
At a show each dog will have a number allocated to them. This is their ring number and at benched shows will also be the bench number. Each dog has the number to identify it in the catalogue and in the judges book so it is important that the numbers are worn and displayed in the ring at all times.
In fact this is a Kennel Club rule (F, 17, i. Every exhibitor shall ensure that whilst the dog is being exhibited, its handler shall display the correct ring number.)
To display the ring number you can either use a specially designed clip, or an arm band.
There is no rule as to where your number should be displayed but it is helpful to both judge and steward if it is easily visible to them.
You have a large range to choose from for ringclips from 40p-60p basic clips (always worth having a few with your show kit) to handmade ones of your breed down to the detail of looking just like your dog. Armbands can range too with basic simple clear ones to sparkly, patterned ones which you insert the numbers into a pouch or just an elasticated band (with diamante of course!) . A type I haven’t yet used is the mixture of the two. The ringclip is on an elasticated arm band. They come in some lovely looking designs to match any outfit or lead.
Some different types for ring clips and arm bands can be found below:
Edited on 01/10/12 to add a new style of Armband:
This is the style of an armband with a ringclip. As I wrote previously, this is a design I haven’t used but I can imagine it’s great for when changing your ring numbers over.
For cheap ringclips click here