Who breeds and Shows dogs?

[EweSheep]

Used to have my parent's raising show Rough Collies. Wonderful times until politics took over and it killed their hobby and their interest within ten years.

 

[flnatv]

I showed my own Wire Fox Terrier and I can tell you the show ring is BRUTAL!!!
I thoroughly enjoyed it, but was glad when I stopped. I enjoyed her being a housedog more than a show dog.
Lots and lots of time, energy, and money... loved having the time to just sit with her, or go to the park, etc.
I quit worrying about her getting dirty... who cares... shes a dog that wants to hunt squirrels.
I now work with rescue and groom... would rather use my skills and knowledge to help

From my experience... the poodle ring is the most political...

Good luck in deciding breed... and the show ring (I don't envy that part at all).

 

[hollyclyff]

I think a lot depends on the breed. I showed smooth dachshunds and since there is no special grooming involved, they're completely free to just be dogs all the time. Also there are plenty of owner/handlers in dachshunds so if you want to show your own dog it's not too difficult. I know you aren't interested in dachshunds, I'm just saying there are breeds that you can do what you're saying you want to do - just have a pet that you can also show yourself. You just have to find the right breed.

 

[CrazyFowlFreak]

I used to breed Pugs way back in the olden days when I lived in Montana. I also used to handle a friend's Dobies and another friends Yorkies, as well as my own (champion) Smooth fox Terrier, who paassed away 10 years ago. Loved it and miss it terribly! It's funny, of all of the places I've lived, the UK and Montana were the most dog friendly and dog educated. I would die to handle again, but with the kids and the old man, it's not feasible for a few more years yet. My oldest just turned 18, but the littles are 9 and 7 still.

 

[greyhorsewoman]

MOST AKC dog shows have conformation and junior showmanship along with obedience and rally. Occasionally agility might also be included, but not often, as it takes a lot more space. In recent years, AKC has experienced a steady decline in registration and dog show attendance. This has resulted in more and larger 'circuits' to help defray the cost of locations. The reduced numbers of exhibitors means stronger competition. Owner handlers have a harder time attending 3-5 day 'weekends,', but handlers make their living this way, so the more shows in one location the better and they become a major contributor to the entries. (Each day is a complete show and you can pick and choose the day(s) you wish to attend.) Many of the judges are also there for the whole weekend, being juggled around to judge different breeds/groups/BIS on different days. It is sometimes difficult to 'pop in' for one day of a circuit and do well.

In the past several years, AKC has added incentives to attract more exhibitors with BEST PUPPY IN SHOW, BEST BRED BY EXHIBITOR IN SHOW, GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE, and, most recently, mixed-breeds welcome in obedience, rally, and agility. (These are 'options' each club can partake of, to help enhance their show, it is not required.) Personally, I haven't seen them make much difference.

In addition, entry fees have escalated. When I started to show in 1968, a single entry was $7.00 with free JrShow and reduced fees for Puppy & BredBy. Now it's $25.00 to $30.00 a dog with no freebees or reduced rates. Of course, everything else has increased, so why not that? But, along with traveling expenses, motels, and meals (not to mention the products & do-dads you may purchase), it can become a pricey weekend. If you go home with nothing (no points), it can be depressing. There are RARELY any trophies (except for groups & BIS) and there is NO MONEY to be won.

It takes 15 points to complete a championship title with two major wins (which are 3,4,5 pts) under two different judges. The points are calculated by the number of entries in your breed. There are no points if you end up being the only dog of that breed (unless you get a Group ONE).

 

[carolinagirl58]

For about 6 years, before Jack Russel Terriers became an AKC breed, I used to raise and show them. The breed club used to hold huge Terrier Trials. Boy was that a FUN day!! They had terrier racing, ground work, agility, obediance, and comformation all in the same show. When the dogs saw me loadng crates into my van they would all start going NUTS because they knew that meant a day of terrier trials. I don't know who had more fun....me or the dogs! and my children loved it as well. I wonder if terrier trials still exist now?

 

[Celtic Hill]

Okay thanks! So much to learn. You said there are alot of shows up at the eastern states? Good to know because I have family that lives about 5 min away from the fair grounds! lol. At shows are people generally good to talk to or, not so much?

 

[greyhorsewoman]

You can check the Big E events calendar: http://thebige.ntelligentsystems.com/ns/calendar/calendar.asp -- as you can see, there is a 3 day dog show cluster there this weekend. The next cluster is over July 7-10. It is often difficult to talk to folks ringside ... they are concentrating on watching, preparing, or connecting with others to get dogs in and out of the ring. At the conclusion of judging, folks are more apt to partake in conversation. If you see a dog that sparks your interest, a compliment to the person on the end of the leash is a good opener. The 'grooming area' is a better place, but, unfortunately, there is no rhyme or reason as to where dogs are (if at all, since folks often groom at their vehicles). Handlers, for the most part, are totally uninterested in talking to 'newbies.'

Once you have narrowed your breed selection down, you can also look for any local and/or national breed clubs.

 

[Big Dreamer]

Alls i know is that i got a Jack Russel Terrier from a family friend that breeds and shows exclusively Jack Russel's..She gave us the Riplee for free, but she is worth A LOT of money from her bloodlines, her grandparents, or great-grandparents were dogs that were supposedly very good in the show ring..

Thats a really bad picture of her, but just wanted to show that she was a split face

 

[flnatv]

I honestly had more conversation at a one breed show...
If you can narrow down the breed to one or two... go to a breed specific show... they will be more than happy to talk to you (at least with the fox terrier people).

If you go to a regular AKC show with lots of breeds... I would do as said above and not talk to them on the way into the ring or IMO while grooming. Grooming some dogs takes a great deal of concentration and if they are getting ready on a timeline can be rather snappy (but that is understood).

Hang out with the audience and listen to the conversation... many people are there for the enjoyment and you can hear a lot of good information as well as find out who the owners are and whether they are open to conversation.

Best of luck in finding the right breed and a good quality showdog.... take your time!!!!