Conformation handling

JennSLK

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#41
Yeah that's odd. A dog isn't really mature until 2. Some earlier yes depending on the breed and lines, but what if your dog is slow maturing and isn't nice before they are two.

I have seen a few show contracts stating they must be shown routinely after 2 until the completion of a Ch but never finished by 2.
 

meepitsmeagan

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#42
I'm curious... what does that mean? Kili has been to 4 shows and no points. I mean, if the dog isn't placing even if you're showing... I just don't get that statement. If you show her but don't get the Ch by two then what? Just seems like a weird ultimatum....
I also wonder this ..is it common for this to be a thing? I know my breeder requires a Ch& hunt titles before she hands over the breeding rights to a dog. There's no time limit though. Just before it pops out/ creates baby dogs!
If she doesn't get a Ch by two, then I pay the last portion of the normal purchase price. Nothing bad happens or anything. Lol.
 

kady05

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#43
The contract for my ACD in a few months says I have to Ch her by 2. I don't think it should be too terribly difficult. My breed isn't insanely popular, but we do have some decent competition around here. Unless she turns out just phenomenally stellar, I highly doubt I will go for a Grand Ch.
That's.. different. I've never heard of that. I've heard of contracts stating dogs need to be shown in conformation, but nothing that says "They must have their CH by 2yrs." I mean.. it's a crapshoot with puppies. What if she turns out to have some kind of fault? Do the breeders expect you to owner/handle and pay all entry fees to get her CH (that can be pretty expensive depending on how much you show)?

Like this is what Barrett's contract says: Co-owner is required to attain the said puppy's AKC Championship and complete a minimum of OFA cardiac testing (cardiologist preferred) hip testing (OFA and/or PennHip), and Ataxia testing (if not clear by parentage) before this puppy is bred; these expenses are the sole responsibility of the buyer.

There's also a section that says if his breeder wants to show him herself, she will assume financial responsibility for everything during that time.

I personally would never sign a contract with something that said "Dog must have CH by 2yrs."
 

JennSLK

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#44
I guess it comes down to the individual and what they are willing to sign for said dog. There is one breeder that if they have me 1-3rd pick black bitch I would care what I had to sign.
 

Aleron

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#45
But then you have the opposite problem with an uncommon breed. We never had competition in the breed ring, so to get points we would have to win at group. Brand new handler, immature dog... tough to do. I would have stayed more interested and motivated if we actually had some competition!
The way this works in less popular breeds is to get to know other people who are in your general region that have your breed and communicate with them over which shows everyone wants to go to. E-mail, FB whatever - get a group contact list going because everyone is in the same boat with the lower number breeds - they all need competition :)

FWIW there's a good number of Greys in NE Ohio. No idea where you are and if you'd want to or be able to take a roadtrip but the Steel Valley Cluster in Canfield, Ohio in August is an awesome show and there is always a Grey entry.

I do still think a rare breed is easier, as long as you can find some competition. Many dogs finish in my breed by 13-18 months if the owner gets out to shows, while in some breeds you don't have a chance until the dog is 2 or 3.
It is usually easier and less expensive to finish a quality lower number breed. With the more competitive breeds, your dog has to defeat more dogs to get the same number of points. There could be 30+ class dogs/bitches entered but only 2 of those are going to get points. And in those breeds, one type seems to dominant the ring and most people don't bring out a "so-so could finish but..." dogs. Plus all the pro handlers.

Lower number breeds do present their own challenges though. A CH is geberally not a cheap, easy title in any breed.
 

SizzleDog

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#46
With the more competitive breeds, your dog has to defeat more dogs to get the same number of points. There could be 30+ class dogs/bitches entered but only 2 of those are going to get points. And in those breeds, one type seems to dominant the ring and most people don't bring out a "so-so could finish but..." dogs. Plus all the pro handlers.
Story. Of. My. Life. Makes it very frustrating when your moderate, correct dog is "outshined" by the flashier, less correct dogs... or pet quality dogs with a hotshot pro handler.


Which is why my next show dog isn't going to be a Doberman.
 

crazedACD

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#47
The show in W Springfield? We'll be there Saturday and Sunday. You should go!
Yes! I'm going to go and watch, and not enter. I took Fiona to a Halloween thing this weekend and she was a bit overwhelmed at the other dogs. I think we need to build up a bit more, and not jump right into a huge show at a huge venue :). I really need to find some classes!

We should meet up and say hi at the show though, for sure!
 

tempura tantrum

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#48
I've been trying to find Westminster show clips on Youtube and it's not going well. I can't find any decent video of people running around, tbh.
Skip Youtube and go straight to the source for some good video!

http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/videos/Breed Judging/2013/Herding/vid:2624785

That link should take you directly to breed judging for ACDs. :)

Keep in mind that not everyone you see will be a great handler. The people you don't want to emulate are the ones that can't. stop. touching. their. dogs. Constantly adjusting your dog just tells the judge "Heeeey look at this! There's something wrong here and I keep fixing it!" Really good handlers make the dog look like it's showing itself. They're the people that make everyone think that "showing dogs is easy."

I have consistently battled anxiety and CRAZY ring nerves over showing my guy, so I will give you some advice that has helped me.

The most important thing of all is to SLOW DOWN. Your immediate compulsion when you get in, is to go like a bat out of hell. You're going to feel this desire to do everything fast because there's people waiting behind you, or the judge is staring, etc. Don't fall victim to it. Just breathe deeply, and move smoothly. Smile at your dog. If she already knows how to free-stack, go with that this first time around, so you don't feel pressured to set her up perfectly without a lot of practice.

When you move her, be sure to ease into the preferred speed (whatever movement SHE looks best at) for a few steps. Giving her a slow build up into that pace just looks better, and also lets the dog know what to expect.

Good luck! Honestly, as nervous as I get, it is still addictive. The minute I walk out of the ring I am already excited about doing again (even if I spent the past week being nervous!) I am sure you will have a great time.
 

Elrohwen

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#49
Yes! I'm going to go and watch, and not enter. I took Fiona to a Halloween thing this weekend and she was a bit overwhelmed at the other dogs. I think we need to build up a bit more, and not jump right into a huge show at a huge venue :). I really need to find some classes!

We should meet up and say hi at the show though, for sure!
Come and find me at the Welsh Springer ring! I'm the tall redhead with freckles, showing the short dog with red hair and freckles. lol I can let you know my armband number once I find out.

I haven't been to Springfield yet, but from what I hear it's huge and chaotic. I was hoping to watch some friends in agility, but I'm going to be lucky if I can find my way to our own ring.
 

krissy

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#50
The way this works in less popular breeds is to get to know other people who are in your general region that have your breed and communicate with them over which shows everyone wants to go to. E-mail, FB whatever - get a group contact list going because everyone is in the same boat with the lower number breeds - they all need competition :)

FWIW there's a good number of Greys in NE Ohio. No idea where you are and if you'd want to or be able to take a roadtrip but the Steel Valley Cluster in Canfield, Ohio in August is an awesome show and there is always a Grey entry.
I'm in Lindsay, Ontario.

My breeder sends out e-mails but the problem is the shows she and others who own her babies enter are all down south... 3-4 hours away. I am not so interested in conformation that I'm willing to routinely travel that far for a whole weekend (and ALL the shows fell on weekends I had to work). So I've only entered her in CKC shows (breeder shows mostly UKC). There are a grand total of 3 greyhounds showing in CKC in Ontario according to my breeder (that includes my puppy) and both of the others are mature and champions. I've only managed to run into ONE of the other 2 so far.

Would love to get her out to one show so my breeder can see her before she gets spayed in February though!
 

meepitsmeagan

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#51
Skip Youtube and go straight to the source for some good video!

http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/videos/Breed Judging/2013/Herding/vid:2624785

That link should take you directly to breed judging for ACDs. :)

Keep in mind that not everyone you see will be a great handler. The people you don't want to emulate are the ones that can't. stop. touching. their. dogs. Constantly adjusting your dog just tells the judge "Heeeey look at this! There's something wrong here and I keep fixing it!" Really good handlers make the dog look like it's showing itself. They're the people that make everyone think that "showing dogs is easy."

I have consistently battled anxiety and CRAZY ring nerves over showing my guy, so I will give you some advice that has helped me.

The most important thing of all is to SLOW DOWN. Your immediate compulsion when you get in, is to go like a bat out of hell. You're going to feel this desire to do everything fast because there's people waiting behind you, or the judge is staring, etc. Don't fall victim to it. Just breathe deeply, and move smoothly. Smile at your dog. If she already knows how to free-stack, go with that this first time around, so you don't feel pressured to set her up perfectly without a lot of practice.

When you move her, be sure to ease into the preferred speed (whatever movement SHE looks best at) for a few steps. Giving her a slow build up into that pace just looks better, and also lets the dog know what to expect.

Good luck! Honestly, as nervous as I get, it is still addictive. The minute I walk out of the ring I am already excited about doing again (even if I spent the past week being nervous!) I am sure you will have a great time.
Great post! Thank you for all of the great points. I spent a little time on Westminster's site watching the herding group, but couldn't find the breed specific shows so MUCH APPRECIATED!

Moving slow is definitely going to be a struggle point for me, as I do get self conscious about other people.

I go out to get my suit in a few days. The show is coming up SO fast!

Also, I appreciate the points on the contract issue. 2 years is the average that the breeder puts titles on a dog, so she just uses that as a baseline. I'm sure if I ended up needing more time that it could be arranged.
 

tempura tantrum

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#52
Great post! Thank you for all of the great points. I spent a little time on Westminster's site watching the herding group, but couldn't find the breed specific shows so MUCH APPRECIATED!

No worries!

WKC's website isn't always the easiest to navigate, and honestly, you would think there would be MORE available on Youtube, but there isn't a whole lot. Watching all-breed judging is helpful too, but I think it's important to get a general idea of how your breed is shown, especially when you're just starting out.

You really will have fun. I have found that I do best when I focus on just trying to present my dog as beautifully as possible, and less on "I've got to go Winners! I've got to go Winners!" Even if you can pick *one* thing that you want to nail, whether it's "a solid free-stack at the end of the down and back," or "going around the ring without breaking gait once," having a goal to focus on that is under your control (as opposed to winning points, which is entirely up to the judge), can take up so much brain space that you don't have time to worry!
 

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#53
One of the biggest things that helped me, was remember have fun. I always told Ivan(was really telling myself) lets go have some fun. Do you know if you are going to go to the lansing shows? If you are let me know and we can meet up at some point either friday or sat.
 

meepitsmeagan

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#54
One of the biggest things that helped me, was remember have fun. I always told Ivan(was really telling myself) lets go have some fun. Do you know if you are going to go to the lansing shows? If you are let me know and we can meet up at some point either friday or sat.
No Lansing shows for us that I know of... Just the Fall Harvest in K-Zoo.
 

Gypsydals

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#55
No Lansing shows for us that I know of... Just the Fall Harvest in K-Zoo.
Darn, I won't beable to go to that one at all. Even if I was able to get the day off from work, we have a birthday party to go too. And the inlaws had a hard time understanding when I was showing Ivan why I couldn't go to them. To not go to the birthday party for a dog show that I'm not showing in. Just won't go over good. :(
 

Elrohwen

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#56
An opportunity came up recently and I'm hoping the more experienced conformation people here can help me. Similar to the OP, I have the chance to show a dog for someone else in November, but I'm a novice.

Basically, a Canadian breeder (who is friends with Watson's breeder) wants to send her girl down to the show, but can't come herself. It seems that most (or all) of the other people on the FB group are also showing class girls, so they can't show this one. Not 100% sure, but if someone can show this Canadian girl, it would probably make a major.

Now, as the only one showing a class boy that I know of, I'm in a position to possibly show this girl. I'm assuming that if she won Winner's Bitch and Watson was Winner's Dog, someone else would step up to take her into the BOB ring.

I'm really on the fence with this. I've only shown a handful of times, so I feel like I should be concentrating on my own dog. I'm also worried about doing an awful job with somebody's dog who I've never met. Then again, if nobody else steps up to show her, it would probably break the major which would effect all of us (including me, because I could get the points as Best of Winners).

So for those who have shown a dog for someone else, what are your thoughts? Is it more trouble than it's worth in this situation? Should I look into it more and find out the details? I don't want to bite off more than I can chew, but it could be a good opportunity.
 

krissy

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#57
If the person knows you're a novice and is okay with that I'd do it. Personally, my view on it if it was MY dog is that either the dog doesn't get shown because I can't go, or a novice handles her and she has a shot. Maybe she doesn't show as well because of your lack of experience, but it sounds like the alternative is that she doesn't get a shot at all. If it was my dog I'd just be grateful that someone is offering to show her at all. :D


Looks like Kili might get out in the show ring one last time. Plans I had fell through 2 weekends from now and there's a UKC show that there will be other greyhounds at. So I'm thinking I'm going to go. Would be nice to not be the one lonely greyhound, Kili will have a shot at some points (not that I'm expecting any... I don't take this conformation thing seriously enough to get enough practice in, hee hee), and her breeder can see her again.
 

Elrohwen

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#58
If the person knows you're a novice and is okay with that I'd do it. Personally, my view on it if it was MY dog is that either the dog doesn't get shown because I can't go, or a novice handles her and she has a shot. Maybe she doesn't show as well because of your lack of experience, but it sounds like the alternative is that she doesn't get a shot at all. If it was my dog I'd just be grateful that someone is offering to show her at all.
Thanks for the help. That's kind of how I'm leaning right now. I'm interested in finding out more details, like how the dog will get to the show and whether someone else will groom her. In her FB post she said she could get her to the show, so that would be much easier for me. I don't want to run all over getting another dog, having to groom her, taking care of her all day, etc.

I think I'll send her a message on FB and get some more info, and let her know I might be a possibility.



Good luck with your pup! I hope you pick up some points.
 

meepitsmeagan

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#59
An opportunity came up recently and I'm hoping the more experienced conformation people here can help me. Similar to the OP, I have the chance to show a dog for someone else in November, but I'm a novice.

Basically, a Canadian breeder (who is friends with Watson's breeder) wants to send her girl down to the show, but can't come herself. It seems that most (or all) of the other people on the FB group are also showing class girls, so they can't show this one. Not 100% sure, but if someone can show this Canadian girl, it would probably make a major.

Now, as the only one showing a class boy that I know of, I'm in a position to possibly show this girl. I'm assuming that if she won Winner's Bitch and Watson was Winner's Dog, someone else would step up to take her into the BOB ring.

I'm really on the fence with this. I've only shown a handful of times, so I feel like I should be concentrating on my own dog. I'm also worried about doing an awful job with somebody's dog who I've never met. Then again, if nobody else steps up to show her, it would probably break the major which would effect all of us (including me, because I could get the points as Best of Winners).

So for those who have shown a dog for someone else, what are your thoughts? Is it more trouble than it's worth in this situation? Should I look into it more and find out the details? I don't want to bite off more than I can chew, but it could be a good opportunity.
Do it! As long as she knows you are a novice and you are up front, I don't see why it would be a problem. Better than not in the ring at all!
 

Elrohwen

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#60
Do it! As long as she knows you are a novice and you are up front, I don't see why it would be a problem. Better than not in the ring at all!
I'm more worried about being overwhelmed myself than the breeder thinking I did a lousy job. Haha. One good thing is that my parents and husband will be with me, so dragging two dogs around wouldn't be impossible. I worry about Watson though because he can get overstimulated at shows and takes some time to chill. I also worry that he would shriek while I went in the ring with another dog and embarrass the crap out of me. Lol
 

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