Dog Showing: Essential information

Dog showing is more than having a well groomed, appealing dog. There is hard work and commitment on the owner's part as well as the pet.

Begin doing your homework by checking out a variety of dog shows. This is the best place to start. Attend a few dog shows to see what is expected.

They are generally advertised in your local paper, pet shop or even advertised on your local radio stations. Once you've established a show to attend, arrange to spend the whole day there.

Soak up what is going on around you. Watch the judges and find out what they look for in a winning dog. Watch the pets with their handlers. Notice how the handlers deal with their dogs before they show them.

After the judging, check out the score sheets to see how and why the dog was given its score. For a beginner, the score should rank between 170-200. This is a great way to incorporate winning techniques into your show dog's grounding.

Choosing a breed for dog showing

If you haven't chosen a dog yet, it's best to research what kind of breeds are qualified to enter for dog showing as well as what breed would be best for you to work with. There are certain requirements to abide by such as, your dog being AKC (American Kennel Club) registered.

He must also be at least six months old on the day of the show to enter. If you're having a hard time choosing a breed, talk to show breeders. Ask questions about their particular breed's temperament and the pros as well as the cons of showing their breed.

Read plenty of magazines about dog showing as well. Perhaps the most popular breeder's magazine would be the AKC Gazette. You will find lots of useful hints on dog showing here.

Training for dog showing

Once you've chosen a dog, it's best to start training right away. It would be beneficial to you and the dog to take an obedience training course. You will discover the basic techniques needed for dog showing. In this course, you will learn how to handle the leash, move, stand and even train your dog.

It also allows your dog to be trained around other dogs so he can get used to distractions.

Of course, if handling the dog is not something you want to do, you can always hire a professional handler. Talk to and get a copy of several different professional handler's fees before choosing one. You may wish to go to a show where a particular handler will be showing other owner's dogs to see how well they do.

Before entering the novice level, your dog should be able to heel while on the leash as well as off the leash. He should be competent to make left and right turns with you as well as about face. If you come to a stop, he should follow by sitting.

Your dog should also be able to stay in a sitting position for at least 2-3 minutes at a time. If your dog is on the rambunctious side, you will have to practice this more frequently.

When the dog is being examined by the judge, the handler should be able to walk six feet away from the dog with it standing in a stay position. After the handler gives the stay command, the judge usually runs his hand across the dog. There is also the sit and down exercises that all the dogs carry out at the same time in the ring.

What to wear

The recommended dress attire for the handler when attending dog showing, is dress pants and a appropriate top. No low cut shirts or jeans (unless they are white or black dress jeans). Good tractions shoes are also recommended. Sandals are prohibited.

The goal for dress is to wear something that is tasteful yet comfortable. You need to wear something that is easy and breathable for you to move around in. Stay away from noisy, clanging jewelry or loose hanging accessories that will distract you or the dog.

Dogs also must abide by a rigid attire. They must be shown with only a normal training collar. The collar must not be too loose or too tight; it should fit just right around the neck. It can be made from nylon as well as metal. The connected leash can also be nylon as well as leather. Leather is the preferred material for leashes.

Remember, when dog showing, getting your dog started can be fun, but also demanding on both of you. Be both patient and firm with your canine, and before you know it, you will reap the harvest of your devotion and hard work. Have fun!