About dog shows....??

[Finsky]

Right then...
I've never been to a 'working dog' shows that are for terriers & lurchers etc. And normally things like this do not interest me, but I thought if we were to do it once, then I'm at least that little bit more knowledgeable and it could be quite a fun day out for all of us. As our girls are now in ideal state of 'affairs'...no false pregnancies/ on season etc. I'm rather curious what goes on in those shows and what is etiquette if you enter your dog to their competition categories?
We have one such a show coming up in Dronfield next weekend and after looking at their program, there is terrier racing and the 'showing off' of Lakie puppies under 12 months & Lakie bitch category too so our girls could be all catered for something or another. So any hints and tips would be welcome if we decide to go on and venture into wider dog world. I assume since it is more of 'family type' show that it is not dead serious kind of affair, though I'm sure there is some that do take these things into their pride and look upon their noses if things are not done properly..... hence asking so I can avoid the worst mistakes

 

[JudyN]

The terrier racing is hilarious - there's usually one who shamelessly cuts corners but as far as I know is still allowed to claim the prize.

Lurcher showing (I assume terrier showing is similar) - compared to what you see at Crufts, it's pretty relaxed - walk around in a circle with everyone else, then get called out to the judge. At the shows we've been to the dog isn't expected to stack, though the judge will look at his/her teeth. I don't get the impression that being well groomed is important, and quite possibly you get extra points for a couple of scratches and a bramble caught up in the fur

I knew I really wasn't at Crufts when I went to a lurcher/terrier show in the New Forest and the announcement came over the tannoy that dogs must not be allowed off lead.... and there were marksmen at each corner of the showground I think in previous years there had been cases of lurchers deciding to take off and demonstrate their hunting prowess

Basically, relax and enjoy! Jasper managed to pick up a few rosettes before he 'retired' after turning into a bucking bronco in the ring And there's no way anyone but me would be allowed to have a close look at his teefs once he grew out of puppyhood.

 

[Finsky]

The terrier racing is hilarious - there's usually one who shamelessly cuts corners but as far as I know is still allowed to claim the prize.

Lurcher showing (I assume terrier showing is similar) - compared to what you see at Crufts, it's pretty relaxed - walk around in a circle with everyone else, then get called out to the judge. At the shows we've been to the dog isn't expected to stack, though the judge will look at his/her teeth. I don't get the impression that being well groomed is important, and quite possibly you get extra points for a couple of scratches and a bramble caught up in the fur

I knew I really wasn't at Crufts when I went to a lurcher/terrier show in the New Forest and the announcement came over the tannoy that dogs must not be allowed off lead.... and there were marksmen at each corner of the showground I think in previous years there had been cases of lurchers deciding to take off and demonstrate their hunting prowess

Basically, relax and enjoy! Jasper managed to pick up a few rosettes before he 'retired' after turning into a bucking bronco in the ring And there's no way anyone but me would be allowed to have a close look at his teefs once he grew out of puppyhood.

Thank you for that.
We've been to see quite few agricultural shows and farmers do take those events very seriously indeed....hence I though to ask if there is something similar happening with dog shows. I'm sure the Kennel Club shows have more specific approach. Does it matter if dogs are shown with collar or wearing harness? I know our Iida is not too much of a wriggler and she would be safe enough wearing a collar but I'm not sure about the youngsters how they will react being surrounded by so many dogs...hence harness would be safest option.
'LOL'...I'm not competitive person but If I'm about to make an effort to have a go showing them off, I want to give my dogs a best chance to do well too.... Though I won't go as far as polishing & varnishing their nails

 

[JoanneF]

We went to an agricultural show when Timber was but a pup. They talked me into entering him into the terrier race. He was put in the trap with the other dogs, the gate lifted and they all went tearing after the lure. Except T. He ran right round the back of the trap and glued himself to my feet. I clearly got a defective one, because I'm sure I didn't break him.

 

[Finsky]

We went to an agricultural show when Timber was but a pup. They talked me into entering him into the terrier race. He was put in the trap with the other dogs, the gate lifted and they all went tearing after the lure. Except T. He ran right round the back of the trap and glued himself to my feet. I clearly got a defective one, because I'm sure I didn't break him.

Aww...bless. I can see it being quite scary situation when it is all new thing to experience.
We do have 'terrier race' going on every bleeding night....every time ours need to be let out in fact. So much so that one of them who has the most urge to be first one out I need to pick her up and let her out last as she has little too much of a 'competitive' nature and we don't want any injuries or fights breaking out because of her. And yet, once the eager one is out...within couple of meters from the door she puts breaks on, turn around and she wants to get back in With her It is all about the excitement getting through the door in the first place.
But yes.....terrier race is something I'm considering for our mum IIda...she is into racing after balls etc....our 'hunter'.

 

[Hemlock]

Terrier racing is so funny, but I recommend you watch it without your dogs (maybe at another show where you leave them at home) as they get very ramped up, and there can be fights. The people in charge know terriers, so anything unwanted is firmly broken up, but I did see a chap get his shirt ripped up a few years ago when he lifted a terrier out of a fight. And it will take yours a couple of days to decompress, which may make things tricky at home.

The showing is taken very seriously. Clean teeth, short nails, clean brushed coat but no trimming or other coat work. Collar not harness (you'll be laughed out of the ring and need therapy if you present with a harness). Scars, shredded ears etc. are not penalised - these are working terriers. They must be spannable (no wider at the chest than an average man's two hands can span with thumbs on top and fingertips meeting underneath).

They have to stand upright with weight evenly on all feet but not stacked with hindlegs in the next county. Judge needs to see them at walk and trot, round the ring in profile, then each individual will be assessed in turn with hand run over the whole body, then dog assessed going away and coming back in a straight line. Individual judges differ, and most are tolerant of puppies' behaviour. Don't let your dog touch another - keep one dog space between you. Body-block if someone else is not as considerate - there can be a bit of skulduggery with a few very competitive people who let their dog invade your dog's space so that yours does not show as well. Make sure yours faces the same way as all the others.

I'd recommend you watch a few classes before you have a go yourself. Enjoy!

 

[JudyN]

TMake sure yours faces the same way as all the others.

I've fallen foul of that one! But at the time I was more than happy with four paws on the ground

 

[Finsky]

Terrier racing is so funny, but I recommend you watch it without your dogs (maybe at another show where you leave them at home) as they get very ramped up, and there can be fights. The people in charge know terriers, so anything unwanted is firmly broken up, but I did see a chap get his shirt ripped up a few years ago when he lifted a terrier out of a fight. And it will take yours a couple of days to decompress, which may make things tricky at home.

The showing is taken very seriously. Clean teeth, short nails, clean brushed coat but no trimming or other coat work. Collar not harness (you'll be laughed out of the ring and need therapy if you present with a harness). Scars, shredded ears etc. are not penalised - these are working terriers. They must be spannable (no wider at the chest than an average man's two hands can span with thumbs on top and fingertips meeting underneath).

They have to stand upright with weight evenly on all feet but not stacked with hindlegs in the next county. Judge needs to see them at walk and trot, round the ring in profile, then each individual will be assessed in turn with hand run over the whole body, then dog assessed going away and coming back in a straight line. Individual judges differ, and most are tolerant of puppies' behaviour. Don't let your dog touch another - keep one dog space between you. Body-block if someone else is not as considerate - there can be a bit of skulduggery with a few very competitive people who let their dog invade your dog's space so that yours does not show as well. Make sure yours faces the same way as all the others.

I'd recommend you watch a few classes before you have a go yourself. Enjoy!

Brilliant! That is exactly what I needed. Yes, I was wondering about the harness business and I'm glad you confirmed my suspicion...though I didn't realize how big faux pas it was....nobody likes to be laugh at, but even if we manage to cause some giggles, so be it. Everybody has to do their 'fist one' and not everybody is born into the right circles....so we have to learn the hard way.
But I'm VERY VERY happy that I asked so I might escape with just some minor bruises for our pride

 

[Finsky]

I've fallen foul of that one! But at the time I was more than happy with four paws on the ground

And I was going to say that we might have issues with the 'four paws' with the youngsters...following what others do might be the easiest bit I will have to check my manicure and make sure there is no lettuce stuck on my teeth on day then....

 

[Hemlock]

It would be good practice to have suitable friends run their hands over the dogs, open their mouths gently to check their teeth, and pick up each paw in turn. Terrier judges are pretty tough but they'd rather not be bitten.

 

[Finsky]

It would be good practice to have suitable friends run their hands over the dogs, open their mouths gently to check their teeth, and pick up each paw in turn. Terrier judges are pretty tough but they'd rather not be bitten.

And guess who has been doing 'spanning' with my dogs...to see if they have got some potential... I shall have to tackle some nail work as well, some that is on going 'all the time' as ours won't allow me cutting their nails without struggle more than couple of nails at the time.
They are fine being inspected it just that when I put my glasses on and try to grab the cutters, they become very suspicious of my actions..and with reason too.
When they were little, they didn't have no objections for nail cutting what so ever and I was cutting their nails all the time...now that they are 'big little girls' they have minds of their own. Though they did go through the stage that I wasn't allowed to cut at all....so we are heading to the right direction...some tolerance is coming back.
Little bit of stripping for loose hairs is on agenda today as well, just little touching, that's all...and they like that!?
So even if we decide to take this first trip to dog show as a 'look and learn' experience and if they don't enter into any categories...at least they look their best and who knows, we might be able to pick some brains and get some opinions from more experienced folk to see if they have some potential in a first place.
Our girls are essentially pets that come with some pest control benefits when needed that sort of work...'beauty shows' are not something I've previously considered but It would be interesting to try it once or twice to satisfy my curiosity if nothing else. And it is good to give dogs some new experiences as well....they do learn something from them.

 

[Hemlock]

Working dog shows are less about beauty (it's enough for them to be clean with short nails) and more about function, hence the spanning. When you walk/trot round the ring, step out smartly. When you trot away from/towards the judge, they want to see straight movement and even strides, and that's easier to show if moving briskly. Some competitors string their dogs up a la Kennel Club, but most allow a natural head carriage.

 

[Finsky]

Just to report....
We did it....took our lot to see lot of dogs in a small 'space' and we survived I didn't enter our dogs into any competitions...to start with, dog races were we limited to few runs with big dogs and then called off because of the weather made the conditions 'not so safe' for racing. Despite weather forecast promising dry morning and rain in afternoon......it was absolutely TIPPING all morning, giving only few short breaks from it in afternoon. And yes, we were all dripping WET..but at least it wasn't cold day.
There was still quite good turn out and the wet stuff didn't seem to put people off...even hunt protesters found their way there.
But it was a educational day for us. Not only to see how judging is done and it was fun making one's own mind of the 'best dogs' and then finding out what dog was rewarded those colour coded rosettes.
As I started to suspect, Iida might have been little too big in terrier bitch category....she is on the larger end of the Lakie framework and many other Lakies, even dogs were more for 'underground' work size. Somebody mentioned to me that, although being 'good looking' in general....she would be ideal for 'higher ground work on the hills' situation for being quite high on her legs....and as our Ella is more and less same size, same would go for her too. But they do judge Lakies for the 'ground work' potential size. Looking at the other Lakies in the under 12 months category, Ella looks more like adult than a pup!
Then there is our Aila......she little smaller on the frame so in that way she would have had more chance in the judging...BUT....she didn't really enjoy the dog show what so ever and found it very stressful. She wanted to have 'a word or two' with EVERY dog there and possibly a 'wrestling match' too if given a chance. I don't think the weather helped her mood neither, she does not like getting wet..
So today is going to be quiet day to get her adrenalin levels down. Previously she has been ok with other dogs in general, though cautious in her approach so we've always taken meeting and greeting slowly and in encouraging manner to give her time to make her mind up and adjust if needed.
But being suddenly plunged amongst so many noisy yappers and HUGE big hairy lurchers...that was a tipping point.

Ella on the other hand...she soon adjusted to new surroundings and dogs and was happy to mingle....meet and greet her relations. Literally so too....she met her lovely her dad & uncle Both parents met each others again too and since their last 'date' was almost year ago...it was evident that they did recognized each other! Though this time Iida wasn't quite so keen for being too close for keen & virile male of the species.. understandably so.. But they did put their noses together...said 'hey up...oh, its you' and that's that.

So, all in all, it was good day...just shame about Aila. We are not going to repeat it again in a hurry. I think it is more important keep these family outings to her comfort levels and go and see places where she can enjoy the day too...that way we can all stay together and l be in good moods and relaxed.

 

[Finsky]

Oh..one more, nearly forgot...
While all the terriers were busy trotting around, trying to look their best our Iida got bored for looking all that nonsense. She decided to show what proper working terriers are made of....
Girl put her head down got positively muddy on the face while ripping into grass/weed roots and clearing the ground for digging...she was like a badger, no root too big
I have to point out that I did gave the event owner a questioning look over the ring...and he didn't mind, so I let our girl enjoy her activities The event was organized on a rough growing field, recently chopped down so there was no harm done.

 

[Hemlock]

Sounds as if you spent a very useful (albeit wet) day and made some good decisions.

 

[Finsky]

Sounds as if you spent a very useful (albeit wet) day and made some good decisions.

It was useful in some aspects. I was in terrier heaven....seeing all the different sorts and wondering what kid of mixes there was in a making the x-breed types. Oh terriers are so funny....you cannot but laugh at them and stories their owners come up with...