Where to start?

scrbear11 · Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 8:21 am Post subject: Where to start?

Since getting out of showing horses (I showed show hunters for years and have recently decided I need to take a vacation), I think I want to get into showing Weims, but I have NO idea where to start. Zehen isn't show quality at all. My husband had already OKed spending the money to get a dog that's show quality. (It's got to be cheaper than a $30k Show Hunter!!!). Can someone explain the basics of a dog show. I'd love to learn to handle myself- and there is a dog club here that teaches handling classes. Any advice or tips would be wonderful!!!

PamK · Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 12:14 pm Post subject:

I don't know where you live, but you can start reading here.

http://www.weimclubamerica.org/

Maybe you can find a club in your area that will help.

BEANSnBERRY · Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 1:16 pm Post subject:

Good advice, what Pam said. What region do you live in? They have local clubs in most States and throughout the world.

I also want to add you need to find a mentor as much as you need to find a breeder. You need to be VERY picky about where you get your weim, discussing both your goals and the goals of the breeder, healthy history of their dogs and that they are willing to take a novice show home on. This is a huge expenditure of resources and time for them, not to mention giving you a pup that has lots of promise. You will find that most are VERY open to this though. Finding an excellent home and someone interested in showing their puppy is what they are all about.

What I do is spend lots of time on www.infodog.com and look up results at shows (all over the place not just locally) and then google the kennel names (most of the time the kennel name where the dog came from is the first word in the dogs registered name. Logan is Waltz To The Top v Anson, so he's from Waltz Weimaraners.) You will also want to make sure they are part of the WCA and abide by their COE (Code Of Ethics) and verify parents are at least 2 yrs of age, and health screened, etc.)

From there you'll want to discuss who they are breeding and why, why did they chose these two dogs to breed, there will be lots of answers, but this is a great learning opportunity, what makes these two dogs outstanding?

Then you'll want to look into handling classes, you can get into those immediately with one of your current dogs... this is much, much harder than you'd think (handling not getting into classes). I thought showing was prancing your dog around the ring and making them stand there. HAH! Was I wrong... there is a lot of skill and timing, etiquette, etc. I'm sure you know that from showing horses Smile

If you want help discussing breeders or what you like/don't like in weims (which is why I suggest looking at a ton of breeder websites, there are many different TYPES in the breed, some like X thing... others like Y... it's all personal choice as to what you want in your dog, anyway, feel free to PM me.

GOOD LUCK! Have fun... looking at all those beautiful dogs is exciting and really gets you in the mood!

CherrystoneWeims · Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 5:12 pm Post subject:

Lani posted some good information.

You also want to look for a breeder who is breeding well rounded dogs. Remember first and foremost that the Weimaraner is a Versatile Hunting dog. MOST show people are breeding strictly for show and to win in the show ring which in my mind is a travesty to the breed! Look for a breeder who is breeding for conformation AND hunting ability. Some show folks think that a Junior Hunter title proves that their dog is a hunting dog. A JH title is pretty much a worthless title when it comes to proving hunting ability. I almost fell on the floor when I saw a recent ad in the WCA magazine for Dual Quality puppies when in fact the mother only had a CH/JH!!

Where are you located?? I show, hunt test, and field trial my dogs and pretty much know litters that are available.

Lani's Logan is the grandson of my stud dog, CH Silversmith Ethan Allen JH,NSD,BROM. Ethan is the sire of multiple Best in Futurity, Best in Maturity, Best in Show Weimaraners. With over 20 champions that he has sired he will now be listed in the new Weimaraner Ways book.