Should I show her?

AmyB · Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 4:34 pm Post subject: Should I show her?

Holly is 4 months and I really wanted to show her in 2 months as soon as she is 6 months but an old friend who is a breeder and her husband is a judge told me to wait until Holly is a year old before I show her because they go through their ugly lanky stage. She's not the first person who told me that or the second for that matter so I was just wondering if any of you thought the same way and what are your reasons. Are people looked down upon for showing their dogs that young?

anne · Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 4:44 pm Post subject:

Hi Amy,

No you won't be looked down upon, but why waste your money? Some dogs grow nicely, ie, they grow evenly, but most young dogs grow all out of proportion so it's mostly a waste of money unless you are going to chalk it up to experience.

This is not to say that experience isn't worth it, if I had a show bred dog, then I would probably show a young dog, but if it may or may not make it based on pedigree, I would wait to see how she grows up.

To put it into perspective.... My Riley is a Dual Ch (show and field champion) but I consider him more of a field dog than show dog, ie, his field ability is stronger. He was bred to a dog that was also dual bred, weaker on the show side. The pups turned out pretty good, but they are only 18 months old, and the breeder and I re-evaluated all the pups recently now that they are adolescents. We have decided to show one. Although the pups turned out good, they were mostly all very small, and it's probably only worth bothering to show one of them. Part of this decision was made based on what's being shown in our area now.

Anne

PS - Just curious, what's Holly's pedigree? Do you have any 8 week old stacked photos of her?

josie · Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 5:01 pm Post subject:

Just wanted to add by saying that perhaps this depends on your own experience of showing as well. If you're experienced, then you might not want to show her now for the reasons Anne says. But if you're a novice as well, then you might be able to gain valuable ring experience, learn how to present her nicely and move her etc, and spend the months while she matures practising your own handling skills.

The first show I did was a pretty big one and my Weim girl was just 6 months. Every time I had to move her she just bounced up and down like a living yoyo on the end of the lead. The judge told me that she couldn't assess her movement unless she could see her move without jumping Embarassed

She gave me another go, but exactly the same thing happened again Embarassed

Well, that was embarrassing enough but it gave me a lot to practise and after a month or so I had the jumping sussed. Imagine how more embarrassing it would have been if I'd turned up with her at 1 yr old bouncing around in an adult class Embarassed

So sometimes the puppy classes are good if you need to practise as well!

AmyB · Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 5:33 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the reply Anne. I don't have her pedigree, the lady hasn't sent it to me yet. Not that it matters because it's nothing special. It was an unplanned breeding with a bitch that she had recently adopted that she didn't know was in heat. Neither of her parents were in conformation or field so I don't expect anything but I would love to get the experience and if she does well than thats a bonus. I'm planning on taking handling classes in a few weeks once our 1st obedience class is over but I'd really just like to get out in the ring.
For 13 years I have wanted to breed and show in conformation and field and hopefuly start my own kennel. Those dreams have been on the back burner for a long time now but it wasn't until I got Holly that I realized that now is the perfect time for me to start. I'm currently looking for a breeder so that I can hopefully purchase a show quality pup in the near future. So basically I would just be showing her for my own experience so when the time comes I will know what I'm doing.

AmyB · Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 5:42 pm Post subject:

Josie, thanks for your reply. That's exactly what I was thinking. But I've been to quite a bit of shows around here and haven't seen anyone show thier puppies. If I'm going to do something that people will remember me by I want it to be positive. Very Happy

That brings me to another question, am I going to a laughing stock if I take my "ugly" weim out in the show ring? I'm not saying that she's ugly, I really don't know. She's beautiful in my eyes.

I've wanted to have her evaluated by a breeder but I don't feel comfortable asking someone to evaluate thier "competition".

anne · Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 6:21 pm Post subject:

Hi Amy,

Josie brings up a good point, and since she's in the UK, they may not have matches like we have here. This would be a less expensive way to get experience. But going in the ring is also very good experience. Most new handlers will take handling classes like you are, then they will go do a few matches (you see LOTS of young puppies in matches) and then they will go into the ring.

I've seen quite a few young dogs in shows and often ill behaved, jumping, and whatever else puppies do. Don't be embarrassed by it, most judges are very understanding about it.

I think it's a good idea to get her evaluated by a successful Weim kennel in your area. Most people are pretty helpful. Another idea would be to get someone in another sporting breed to evaluate her, not exactly the same but would be similar.

As for laughing stock. Well, showing is competition. And there's good sportsmanship and bad sportsmanship in any competition. You will find that there are sincere people that will help and then there's the back stabbers. In some ways you have to have thick skin in order to show.

One time I was showing Riley and my exboyfriend was ringside and someone was doing a play-by-play on a cell phone to someone else and she started talking about "that puny little dog" just won or something like that. Well I had to go back in for winners so handed my ribbon to my ex and you should have seen the look on her face. That's a basic lesson -- you never know who is standing near you ring-side! LOL. That type of stuff is just... whatever. Can't let stupid stuff like that bother you.

Anne

PS- When I finished Riley, I actaully tripped in the ring and almost ate dirt. I've also spilled bait all over the ring before. LOL

BEANSnBERRY · Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 7:16 pm Post subject:

I know I'm late for the party here, but I thought I'd check on your progress. I'm getting my puppy tomorrow (finally!) and was hoping to show in the baby-puppy class, thought I'd see if you were having any luck .. or had any advice!

Hope it's all going well for you, Amy Smile