Scout's breeder just asked....

..if we would be interested in showing him.

Does anyone know anything about showing a dog?

No flames please - we did not get him for show, or as a status symbol. We got him from a breeder because it took me a long time and lots of $$ to get pregnant and we wanted a certain sense of security about the dog we brought into our home 5 months before the baby is due. I did not want to take any chances, because in the end the baby comes first. If we adopted a dog that turned out to be agressive we would not be able to keep him so this way, we are pretty sure about what we are getting into.

Anyway, anyone know anything about showing dogs?

Re: Scout's breeder just asked....

The place where I take Misty for agility also does show handling classes.
Even if you don't want to drive out there the women are very nice and may be able to refer you to a more local trainer that specializes in show handling...
Blue Ribbon Training

I knew Scout was special!!!!

Re: Scout's breeder just asked....

Well I know it is expensive & time consuming, especially to get to the point where the pup is "finished" enough to be considered a champion. There is a points system, so winning one show does not consitute a dog as a champion. Also, (jes if you are out there please correct me if I am wrong) at a certain point I *think* that you have to go to a regional then a national to truly finish. Oh and to finish a puppy you ony have until a certain age, so the shows have to be within a certain amount of time.

If you decide to use a handler (which the breeder may make you do since you are not experienced) then of course they get paid for that. Also the groomer, etc.

Ask the breeder what your responsibilities would be both physically (if you have to actually be there, training etc) and financially. Also once the dog is finished the breeder will most likely want to use it to breed. Also find out at that point the costs to you as well as the future revenue due to you to off-set any costs.


Also know that the breeder may hten be very specific about the food you feed the dog, training schedule for showing, grooming schedule & routine, etc.

Good Luck!

Message edited 3/2/2007 7:48:13 AM.

Re: Scout's breeder just asked....

the main thing you have to ask yourself is if you want to get him fixed or not....
you cant nueter him if you show him

Re: Scout's breeder just asked....

Thank you for the info ladies -- the breeder has basically offered to show him so I guess I would have to find out, as you mentioned, exactly what OUR repsonsiblities would be....

No he isn't getting neutered yet -- we agreed with the breeder that we would wait until he is at least a year and then evaluate him in case he is stock material.

Even my vet recommended NOT neutering him...

Message edited 3/1/2007 6:02:57 PM.

Re: Scout's breeder just asked....

That's an exciting possibility!

The other ladies gave you some great advice and I really do not know anything about showing EXCEPT that if Scout does well, I am sure they would want to breed him. I believe you would get a stud fee and/or pick of the litter but you may want to think about whether or not you would want him to breed before you decide whether or not to show him. Good luck

Re: Scout's breeder just asked....

We looked into showing Bama - Bama's dad is a Champion, so we took him to his handler. She basically told us she would show him but that he'd never finish (Champions are "finished"), so we didn't bother.
The dog will spend a lot of time away from you and with the handler. We didn't want that for Bama. He's our first dog, and we wanted him home with us, unless he proved to be a successful show dog (in which case we'd have him finished and then retire him). As MrsMBV said, there's money involved - you pay the handler, groomer, etc.

And the dog can't be neutered, which may or may not be a problem (if you ever have to leave your dog at a kennel where it's allowed to be loose with other dogs, the kennel may not take him).