Lurcher Shows And Castration

[whippetmad]

I've been led to believe that a neutered dog cannot be shown.........

My whippet, Merlin, is a JR Whippet Rescue dog and therefore came to me already neutered. He is a pet, first and foremost, but he is KC Reg and a lovely looking boy with good conformation, so I decided to have a bit of fun by taking him to some Companion Dog Shows. We have never been to a ringcraft class in our lives - we just watch and learn from others.

There is nothing in the KC Rules to say that competitors in Companion shows have to be uncastrated, but a lot of professional dog showers use them as 'practice' for their young dogs. I had always assumed that Merlin had no chance in the pedigree classes against such dogs - if it was between him and one with 'balls', I thought the entire dog would always win (pretty unfair on castrated dogs, when you consider that you cannot see whether a bitch is speyed or not!).

However, despite my misgivings, Merlin won three Best in Shows last summer - on one occasion (Frampton Country Fair) the Hound, Terrier and Gundog class consisted of 30 very strong competitors. To say that I was stunned to win it, and then go on to get BIS, is an understatement! Proudest day of my life with my little rescue dog!

So I would say to anyone wanting to have a bit of fun with their castrated dog - go for it! If the judge is worth his/her salt, they will choose the best dog on the day and you have as much chance as anyone else.

Edited to add: I realise that the thread is mainly about lurchers, but I know that owners of other breeds read these threads, so I hope I have not hijacked the OP's topic!

Good for you :thumbsup: ........Lovely to hear that Merlin is doing well at these shows

 

[columbusrat]

If it doesn't make a difference if a dog is entire or not, why do judges feel their 'bits' . I have had comments like 'nice dog, what a shame'If you want to show your dog I would think it over carefully. Once they are off you can't put them back on.

For me, showing isn't a priority at all - Jasper is 'just' a pet and showing would just be a hobby. As they say, 'andsome is as 'andsome does'. It's much more important to me that he isn't responsible for a litter of unwanted pups and I don't want to spend all our walks worrying about what his recall would be like if he scents a bitch in season - though I know some lurcher owners don't find this a problem, but we've several months before we need to make a final decision.

Bu who knows, we might end up getting into agility, racing, lure coursing, obedience... well maybe not obedience....

 

[Eleanor Gibbins]

For me, showing isn't a priority at all - Jasper is 'just' a pet and showing would just be a hobby. As they say, 'andsome is as 'andsome does'. It's much more important to me that he isn't responsible for a litter of unwanted pups and I don't want to spend all our walks worrying about what his recall would be like if he scents a bitch in season - though I know some lurcher owners don't find this a problem, but we've several months before we need to make a final decision.
Bu who knows, we might end up getting into agility, racing, lure coursing, obedience... well maybe not obedience....

The great thing about owning a sighthound is that there are so many activities - racing, coursing, showing etc - that you can do 'for fun' together. Good on ya for doing the right thing and thinking about possible unwanted pups. Hope you have a long and happy life with Jasper - whatever you decide to do!

 

[Happy Humber]

Neutered dogs may now be shown at all kennel club shows. All you need to do is inform the KC the op has been done.

Of course they must be pedigree ant registerd.

 

[moretoniacarol@tiscali.co.uk]

You can show neutered males at companion level but for open and champ shows you do have to notify the KC but you also have to have permission from the KC they will decide if you are able to show