SO...YOU THINK YOU WANT TO SHOW YOUR DOG?

Maybe you've just attended you first dog show and it looks like great fun. Maybe you've read Albert Payson Trerhune and showing dogs sounds like a worthwhile endeavor. Maybe everyone says how pretty your dog is and you'd like to show him off. Maybe you think your dog is good enough to stand at stud, and maybe make some money, and someone has said you need to show him before anyone will use him.

All of these are seasons someone is interested in showing dogs, plus many others. How do you begin?

First you attend some dog shows and find out how they are run. There are pamphlets at the superintendents table on the rules, regulations and explaining the competition. Spend some time and look around at the different breeds, the grooming and handling techniques, etc. Talk to some exhibitors, but only after judging. They are frequently nervous and or rushed before going in the ring and may appear rude. In fact, they are usually preoccupied. Be sure to watch the judging of your chosen breed, mentally compare your dog with those being shown. Decide, with your family, the level of competition you are interested in. To begin with decide on whether you are interested in conformation or obedience. If conformation is your field do you want to show a few times just for fun, complete a championship, or try for Group and/or Best in Show wins. If Obedience is your bag, so you want a dog that will earn a CD, complete a CDX and/or UD, or go for an OTCH or Obedience Trail Championship. The levels of competition vary drastically in the time, money and emotion required to participate.

If your field in conformation, the initial step is having your dog evaluated or finding a puppy if you don't already have a dog. Either a dog consultant or a professional handler is the one to appraise your dog. If the breeder of your dog has finished a number of Championships they are probably qualified to appraise the quality of your dog. If the breeder has never shown a dog or finished a Championship they are probably not qualified to pass on the worthiness of your exhibit. The breeder of a dog is simply the owner of the dam of the puppies. Many are excellent and very well qualified; many are simply producers of puppies who know very little about the conformation of the puppies they produce.

If your interest is Obedience, your appraisal has to be two folds. Both your energy, talent, and interest and the conformation, talent and energy of your dog need to be taken into account. Most dogs can get a CD, many can get a CDX and/or UD. Relatively few can qualify for the highest honors in the field and earn an OTCH. The physical and mental talents of both of you need to be considered. A consultant who has experience in Obedience or a trainer who has completed at the highest levels can give you needed insight,

It is much easier and immeasurably cheaper to have your assets appraised than it is to spend time and money working worth a non-competitive, get a second opinion. If the second opinion matches the first just love and enjoy your dog, and if you still wish to compete, get another dog. The money will be well spent. With show expenses as high as they are today the cost of a counselor/consultant is well worth it. Make sure you are, indeed, competitive.

Most important of all Love the dogs that you have win or lose. That ribbon or placement is important to you, your dog is working hard for only the reward of your affection. The dog you take home is the same prospective winner you brought to the show; he is as good as he was before the judge placed him. Win or lose

Tam Cordingley resides in Colfax. She is a Pet Consultant and has been raising purebred dog since 1954