Puppy showing

[Justicemom]

I show UKC as well (I have the #1 UKC Sheltie right now, it won't last long. my next shows are in May, people are bound to catch up) and my dogs are always clean, brushed, *and* trimmed. They are not chalked, though.

Not wanting to chalk is one thing, but the dog has to be trimmed. Having horns around the ears, rabbit feet and hairy faces is not the look you want. I made a statement last month about whiskers, and left them on my dog for an AKC show. His breeder/co-owner was horrified. I was amused, and I lost.

It always amuses me about the whiskers. My friends uncle shows a Samoyed and it is a crime to take off the whiskers and with Shelties is must be done.

I learned first hand how alittle trimming can make a difference to a judge. Several years ago my friend was showing her Rottweiler(her first) for her CH. This dog finished easily in Canada(with group placements) and UKC but was having a heck of a time getting points in AKC. She was queen of the reserves though. She was talking to another handler at a show who own the male she was going to breed her dog to on its next heat cycle regardless if she finished or not. The handler gave her a few tips on trimming the throat latch,neck and chest. Frankly I couldn't really tell a difference, (this was a Rottweiler remember). The bitch who struggled for 3yrs to get points,finished that weekend with back to back 5pt majors. Trimming isn't about making something they are not but highlighting what they are so like missyjenny said the judge can see it in the 2 minutes they have with the dog.

 

[tofu pup]

Trimming isn't about making something they are not but highlighting what they are so like missyjenny said the judge can see it in the 2 minutes they have with the dog.

The flip side of this is that if you are, in fact, "carving a decent dog out of a lump of hair", it's going to show as soon as the judge has his/her hands on the dog, or sees it move. Extensive body-trimming can only do so much - so it's not as if a pet-quality Sheltie is going to take the major on trimming alone.

Here, I'll put my own dog on the line. Mark had a lot of virtues, but, like any dog, he had his faults. One of them was a short neck. The appearance of that short neck was compounded by a) showing him with his face pointing up and/or b) the immense, harsh, bushy coat he always grew in the winter. So, when I showed him, I always made sure that he was looking out or down while the judge was looking at his outline, and we enlisted the help of a friend who is good with scissors to do an occasional body-trim, to take out some of that excess coat (and show off what neck he did have).

Now, do I think for a minute that any judge worth their salt would think he had an elegant, swan-like neck? Of course not! But as a handler, my whole raison d'etre is to recognize and minimize my dogs' faults, and to maximize their virtues. By helping Mark (though handling in the ring) to "use himself" and by practicing conscientious grooming, I brought the judges' eyes off of his neck, and onto his sweet face, glorious coat, and excellent movement. I certainly don't think that he "didn't deserve to be there" because he needed a bit of a trim each January to keep from looking like an ottoman.

Again, though, it's all personal choice. Herd4Fun, you mentioned that you've only been to one dog show before, and that your pup isn't even home yet - there'll be plenty of time for you (and your new puppy) to figure out this dog-showing stuff. You are going to have so much fun together (especially if you pursue agility, too!), and it's going to be a great journey.

 

[Lightplum]

exactly very well put. You WANT to highlight your dog, and if its hidden behind the fur and doesnt stand out within those two minutes (if your lucky) in the ring than your not going to get it. If you have a stunning nice smooth head, but the fur is grown long and doesnt appear nice and smooth, your making the judge work hard on your dog. Not that im saying they should be able to spy it though the fur, but it just makes it a clear decision to the judge if some of the work is done and it looks correct!

 

[Herd4fun]

Part of my breeding requirements is a HC from the ASSA, but we definatly will be running around that agility ring. I think I spend more time on the road to agility lessons and practice each week than I do going to and from my second part-time job.

 

[ClantyreSheltie]

Part of my breeding requirements is a HC from the ASSA, but we definatly will be running around that agility ring. I think I spend more time on the road to agility lessons and practice each week than I do going to and from my second part-time job.

What is an HC from ASSA?

 

[Lightplum]

exactly what Tofu pup said...she beat me to the post!!!
This is your first show dog, its going to take time, learning and above all Patience!
My first year of showing I was most likely looking like a train wreck in the ring but we had fun. Everyone has to start somewhere and have their first show. Enjoy it and try to find some mentors in your area who can help you with grooming and showing tips! Heck after 5 years I am still learning heaps every show I go to!!

 

[missjenneygirl]

I don't understand what you mean by "breeding requirements" from ASSA? Do you mean to become a member?

 

[Justicemom]

My first year of showing I was most likely looking like a train wreck in the ringbut we had fun. Everyone has to start somewhere and have their first show. Enjoy it and try to find some mentors in your area who can help you with grooming and showing tips! Heck after 5 years I am still learning heaps every show I go to!!

My first year showing was a distaster how I finished Justice's Canadian CH I will never know.

Diva's co owner and I are still new to breed showing. We consider it a good show if we end the weekend with atleast one more good grooming or handling tip we didn't know before. I feel the same was about showing in obedience and agility. Sometimes it isn't the win but the journey.

 

[missjenneygirl]

Okay, I think I figured it out...you mean an H.Ch. meaning a herding Champion title. You can also have an OTCH, (obed champion), or a CH (champion in comformation), or MACH (agility champion). You must be involved in one of these venues for 5 years, have put a champion title on a dog owned by you, and then you can apply for membership in ASSA.

 

[ClantyreSheltie]

Okay, I think I figured it out...you mean an H.Ch. meaning a herding Champion title. You can also have an OTCH, (obed champion), or a CH (champion in comformation), or MACH (agility champion). You must be involved in one of these venues for 5 years, have put a champion title on a dog owned by you, and then you can apply for membership in ASSA.

I would hope that if a breeder asks for an HC, you tell them NO!! Holy cow.

ASSA got rid of the 5 year requirement. Your name only has to appear on the certificate, you don't have to own first to last point, and you don't even have to have ever laid hands on the dog. Checkbook and a handler is all you need.

That is partly why I fought for (and won!) an ASSA membership application that asked for more than your name, address, and check number. The application that is currently on the website was written by me, with the exception of the badly worded garbage on the first page.