johntychwith 68 Posted July 13, 2012 Report Share Posted July 13, 2012 i am thinking of taking my lurcher bitch to a few shows this year. any tips on preperation and inside the ring? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
donnyc 1,203 Posted July 13, 2012 Report Share Posted July 13, 2012 £10 to bung the judge send a bird in wearing a see thru top ..good luck 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
skycat 6,173 Posted July 13, 2012 Report Share Posted July 13, 2012 Make sure teeth and inside the ears are clean. There should be no tartar (plaque) on the teeth: pick it off with your fingernail or better still feed the dog on a diet that contains whole chicken carcases: they are nature's finest way of cleaning teeth. Claws should be clipped it they are too long.............but of course you will do that on a regular basis if the dog doesn't get a lot of exercise on hard roads. Rough coated dogs should be well groomed with a rake or comb to remove dead fur, ditto smooth coated, though use a hacksaw blade to remove dead skin flakes as well as moulting undercoat which shows as dull fluffy fur a shade lighter than the dog's proper colour. Dog should be neither underweight nor fat, and should show correct muscling. In other words reasonably fit, though no one expects a working dog to be in really ripped, hard condition in summer. Teach the dog to stand still, four square: well balanced. Don't stretch it out like a bloody dachshund: its legs should be vertical to the ground, not at an angle. Use a slip lead rather than a wide greyhound collar which can detract from the dog's shape, and use the toggle on a rope lead to keep the lead up high on the neck, just behind the dog's ears. This will keep its head up when you show it, but don't string it up so it has to walk on tip-toes. Make sure the dog trots round the ring. Don't let it amble or pace around like a sleep-walker. If the person in front of you is moving too slowly, wait a few seconds so there is enough space for you to run with the dog to make it trot, and make sure the dog is between you and the judge, not on the outside of the circle! Lastly, a lot of dogs hate showing, so talk to your dog, jolly it along, don't drag it about, but encourage it with a few kind words if it is feeling nervous. If the judge says walk away from him/her in a straight line and back again, make sure it is a straight line, not a curve. If the judge tells you to move in a triangle: away from him/her, across the far end of the ring, then back again, make sure the dog is moving in a straight line: do a triangle, not a circle; because the judge wants to see your dog moving away, across and towards him/her. Don't babble away to the judge telling them all the 1000s of 'things' your dog has killed. Don't mention the breeding unless asked. And thank the judge when he/she sends you back to the line up of waiting competitors: join the end of the line of dogs the judge has already looked over. And yes, I used to show my dogs many years ago! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
the_stig 6,614 Posted July 13, 2012 Report Share Posted July 13, 2012 learn how to spit your dummy out ... stick a thread on here when you dont win calling the judge and moaning about it being a long day ... most of all enjoy it 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
skycat 6,173 Posted July 13, 2012 Report Share Posted July 13, 2012 I remember seeing one woman, who used to win a lot, throw her second place rosette on the ground as she left the ring! Spoiled cow! Nowt as sad as a bad loser. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
the_stig 6,614 Posted July 13, 2012 Report Share Posted July 13, 2012 I remember seeing one woman, who used to win a lot, throw her second place rosette on the ground as she left the ring! Spoiled cow! Nowt as sad as a bad loser. got to admit i only kept the red ones ..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kimhall 32 Posted July 13, 2012 Report Share Posted July 13, 2012 Stay relaxed and most of all have fun, after all thats all its meant to be, dont get offended if the 'regulars' get annoyed because you dont know what your doing, we all started somewhere, and did i mention have fun, good luck Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chartpolski 23,771 Posted July 13, 2012 Report Share Posted July 13, 2012 Only enter shows where the judge is your mate !! LOL !! If you want a chance of winning at most shows ! Cheers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kimhall 32 Posted July 13, 2012 Report Share Posted July 13, 2012 Only enter shows where the judge is your mate !! LOL !! If you want a chance of winning at most shows ! Cheers. And make sure you havent beaten the judges dogs in the past lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
johntychwith 68 Posted July 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2012 thanks for the great advice guys especially skycat! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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