Thinking of showing

I don't know much about how it works but I think were going to give it a shot.I have a few questions though.Do I show my dog or do I hire someone to show in the ring for me?Is there special training needed?Can I train him on my own or do I need to hire someone?
I am in the US so this will be AKC shows and I would be entering just for conformation puppy to start.Blue is just over 4 months old and will not be able to show until October but if there is training needed I would like to start soon.Any other tips or advice is appreciated as I'm a complete rookie.

I think in the USA it's normal for the owner to show at the smaller shows, but a professional handler to show at the bigger ones (I could be wrong!).

If there are any ringcraft classes near you I'd join one so that your dog will get used to being handled by strangers, and will be happy to walk calmly with lots of other things going on.

You can certainly train him on your own - it isn't difficult. Just teach him to stand squarely every time you stop, to stand still & look at you or look at a treat/toy. You'll need to get him to trot by your side, but not too close and be happy to trot on either side of you. Practice moving him in straight lines, round in large circles and in a triangle.

Always keep him on the side nearest where the judge will be - you don't want to get between the dog & the judge's view.

I did a bit of research and found out that there is indeed an Amateur-Owner-Handler division so it looks like i will be trying to learn the basics.There is a Free AKC sponsored clinic at the end of the month so I'm going to take Blue there and see what it's all about.
I watched a few videos and got to see what you are saying about him trotting and staying under control while walking the ring.As you said it doesn't look difficult and I'm sure my little man can do it.I did notice that the dogs are all on very thin leashes and it doesn't look like they wear a collar.Is this a special leash for showing?

Some people use a rope or chain slip lead to show. I'm not keen, to be honest, although I used one to show Dempsey. But then Dempsey was easier to handle in the ring than my staff, Bandit!

Bandit used to have a 'show' collar (about 3cm wide, black leather) and matching lead.....


Until your dog is fully ring trained, I wouldn't recommend a slip lead - if the dog gets a bit flighty it can easily back out, and I'm sure you can see the problem with that, in a ring full of Staffordshire Bull Terriers!

I think a simple leather collar is much more 'showy' than a slip.

Thanks for the advice I am going to pick up the collar and lead and start working with him.It must have been the slip lead I was seeing in the videos.I will leave that one to the pro's.
I have been doing more reading on the staffy standard and It's a bit puzzling.There are formulas for proportion in adult dogs but do these apply to pups?I have not put a tape measure on Blue to check his measurements as I'm not sure if pups are judged in this way.He is so young and I'm not sure that any measurements mean anything at this point.Like I said above there is an AKC clinic run by AKC handlers coming at the end of the month.Should I just try to use the handlers as judges and get there opinions on whether or not Blue looks to be within the standard?I know for sure he has no major faults like color or ears and in my opinion he is perfect but I know the show types are sticklers for the standard.

Pittboss wrote:there is an AKC clinic run by AKC handlers coming at the end of the month.Should I just try to use the handlers as judges and get there opinions on whether or not Blue looks to be within the standard?I know for sure he has no major faults like color or ears and in my opinion he is perfect but I know the show types are sticklers for the standard.

I'd use it for sure. Pups will be judged slightly differently than adults, although it will still be to the standard. Judges should also be breeders & will know what they are looking at as far as a promising pup goes. However, they might say something like " "Good angulation, but needs to tighten up - will come with age" or "Movement erratic, but still time to improve".

Thanks for your help.It sounds like I will have a good idea where he stands after the clinic on the 27th.I'm going to start some of the lead and pose training in the meantime.I'll post up some pics when I get him to pose for me.

Awwww wow cant wait for the pics to follow. Great advice there
The main thing for a puppy is to have fun and make it fun the judge will make provisions for a puppy my boys first show when the judge approached he sat down gave a paw and rolled over to a applause from the spectators.
I think you are going into everything with eyes wide open everyone thinks there dog is the better one but when you can appreciate how a nice dog is constructed then you can only see others faults.
Very often people say that everyone knows who is going to win at shows so it must be fixed well I say so they should know a good eye should all agree to the winner.
Showing is conformation , movement and presentation and you both can only present yourself at your best so good luck

Thanks for the kind words Gem.I plan to go into it with low expectations although Blue has a full pedigree there has not been any show dogs on either side for a couple generations.I have also read that blue's don't fair as well in the ring not sure how true that is.We really have nothing to lose so I figure why not it will be fun and I'm sure I will learn a ton about the breed.Pics coming soon my little star is already holding a pose for me.

Wish I'd seen that!

Caryll wrote:Some people use a rope or chain slip lead to show. I'm not keen, to be honest, although I used one to show Dempsey. But then Dempsey was easier to handle in the ring than my staff, Bandit!

Bandit used to have a 'show' collar (about 3cm wide, black leather) and matching lead.....


Until your dog is fully ring trained, I wouldn't recommend a slip lead - if the dog gets a bit flighty it can easily back out, and I'm sure you can see the problem with that, in a ring full of Staffordshire Bull Terriers!

I think a simple leather collar is much more 'showy' than a slip.

no trouble with my boy in that regard he got attacked by a cat lol and chased out of garden by another cat lol,hes not your typical staffy .lol