well I have entered my first champ show for next month, have been to a few open shows and a couple of breed shows, but my main concern about the champ show, is whether everyone will be superbly well-behaved and will my girl be frowned upon for being a bit skittish at times?? I know open shows are very relaxed, and at the breed shows everyone is very friendly, I guess I'm just a bit intimidated by a champ show and worried that my girl will be too naughty

No different to any other show really as in the breed ring it will be like it would be at a breed show.  People may dress more formally, and there will be a bit more tension in the challenge as CC's may be at stake, but for those not likely to be gaining top awards it will pretty much be as normal.

If you enter stakes classes then you may feel you have to seem more with it, but in any breed a judge should understand pups being playful, overawed etc, as well as expect Novice handlers.

It is perfectly OK to tell the steward you are green, and if they can make sure you are in the right place at the right time, like setting your dog ready while the judge is finishing with the previous one etc.

I always found my boy behaved better at a Champ show. Still bouncy but showed much better. He misses going I think!

well I don't anticipate I'll get as far as challenging for CC's, maybe in a few years time with a bit more experience under my belt heh heh;)

I guess I just don't want to look stupid,if my girl plays up at open shows I just laugh it off cos I'm there to have fun more than anything else, I suppose I should just treat the champ show the same, other than paying a fair whack more for the privilege

Some people make out a champ show is a big deal but it is true that there is very little difference when you take the dog into the ring and if you are anything like me I am concentrating so hard on my dog and what the judge wants that I don't have time to feel nervous or concerned.  And for me personally that also applies at Crufts.  So go and enjoy.

Louise

Now when someone take a vetern into the vetern class at crufts and has to try and do the first leg of the triangle 3 times before getting it right due to jumping, shaking and generally not behaving! :D  Our first red and white did that to me at her last year in Crufts (had to be PTS few months later) I was not ashamed, or annoyed at her behaviour, I found it quite amusing!  She got a good place that year aswell!

Champshows are still to be enjoyed by yourself and the dogs.  Yes you will find people are more serious about champ shows, and more dogs are well behaved, But even my best handling dog (who is ment to be well behaved, knows everything, can do everything etc etc)  can still have days where she plays up! :D

Just remember to have fun and enjoy yourself!  Don't worry if your girl misbehaves, it's nothing to worry about.

I know a few old hands, some of them also judge at Ch Sh level, who have been made to look like real novices by their usually well behaved dogs   they usually laugh about it and comment that it's just when you think you know what you're doing the dog has other ideas and brings you back down to earth  LOL

You will be in good company, just don't be afraid to let the steward know you're new at it, and don't forget to enjoy yourself and try to get to know a few people

Have fun and good Luck

That's what we have dogs for isn't it, to make total muppets of us!!?

Sarah.

I recall a couple of years ago in the next ring, a skye would simply not do anything - when it lay on its back and refused to move after being "gone over" the handler eventually simply picked it up and did the triangle with it over her shoulder....to raptuous applause from all rings!

Our first Bernese once lay down in the ring and refused to move , it was a summer champ show, Exeter I think and it was really hot, he was just too hot after being moved first time and would not go again!! Not the only one that year I recall. Ours were never perfectly behaved and we just laughed it off usually   Dakko once barked just as the judged was about to look at his teeth, the judge nearly jumped the height of herself and needless to say he wasn't even placed

I can sympathise, but we've all gone through it in one form or another so don't let it put you off. 

I am currently showing a little madam who refuses to be trained in the art of ring etiquette.  She will stand like a rock (all day if necessary) but when the judge has her in their line of sight she twirls this way & that.  I have at least managed to get her moving in the ring now on all four legs & not her tummy so I shouldn't complain

Oooh that all sounds familiar and my little tyke is in junior now!

wouldn't mind but mine's in P. Grad now

I'm so glad I'm not the only one - my girl is a complete little Madam too....and just gone into PG class....ah well, grin and bear it eh

As long as the judge can see the dog stand and move well for most/some of the class the exhibits that display a bit of spirit and individuality are refreshing and often shine more than the cardboard cutouts.

As long as the dog doesn't show ill temper, a little devilment will add interest (at least to the ringside).

>>As long as the judge can see the dog stand and move well for most/some of the class the exhibits that display a bit of spirit and individuality are refreshing and often shine more than the cardboard cutouts

Absolutely... My Ollie (again) behaved abominably at Leeds last year.. played ragger with the towel which I was using to 'try' to keep him clean  in the ring... bounced around the judge (normal for Ollie) but moved to perfection...

Judge made a superb comment to me when he saw me about to blow a gasket.. ... "A wonderful 'baby'.. would rather see them with too much spirit than none at all...   I burst out laughing and suggested he lived with him for a while  (blush)  to know my Ollie is to love him..   grrr  (and book into a local phsyc clinic )

at 19months he was still  baby really.. but he was in Post grad class lol

I remember watching at a Champ show many years ago, the Open Dog large breed class, there were lots of dogs in the class and many champions. One Champion dog in particular was really playing up, but his handler seemed to be encouraging him and hyping him up.. I thought he must have blown it by bouncing around like a lunatic and playing up.. that dog went on to get the ticket and BOB! I asked the person I was watching with about it, who said "oh the handler always does that with him, to make sure he stands out in the judges mind and doesn't get overlooked" !!

Thats the same as wearing something noticable like a bright jacket, or having a bright lead on the dog, make the judge remember you!

Exactly, Brainless - my "little terror" gave the Crufts judge a big kiss, we thought he had def. blown it as he was just so excited the whole time, and got 3rd. His litter brother had only been attending ringcraft since Jan, fidgeted like a good 'un and took the class! But luckily the judge obviously saw enough of their movement etc. to be able to assess them. (Thank goodness!)

To be honest exemplary performance really only coems into play when ahri splitting say in the challenge for CC or BOB, and of course does really coem into play in the Group and BIS judgin where all teh exhibits are of high quality and yoru judgign apples and oranges so presnetation/performance and that bit of extra soemthign play a part.

In the breed classes the judge needs to see the dog shwoign that it has correct breed type adn that it is sound and moves typically for the breed.  Judges expect young or inexpereinced dogs to perhaps be lively or a little unsure.

For instance having teeth looked at.  It seems very common in my breed for young dogs to dislike having there moths looked at, not fearful or anything just object and fidget.

My youngest I can happily do teeth til the cows come home at all, but in their ring she will just seem to not want it done, and leans back or wriggles.  Better when I show them myself.  Push her too much over this and she will sulk.

With ours, its front legs - supposed to have black nails but can get into all kinds of positions in an attempt to snatch their legs away Most of them seem to have ticklish feet.

it's just that in all the other shows I've been to with my Bea, she is the only one who seems to misbehave - all the others are quite docile and stand well etc....where I'm the one trying to adjust her and hoping that at some point the judge will see that she stood well for one nano-second.....aaaargh....but she always moves nicely, but she needs more practice of being "gone over" as she is a fidget....but I feel better knowing she's not the only one

>it's just that in all the other shows I've been to with my Bea, she is the only one who seems to misbehave

Thats how most of us feel!!!!! :D

You are so busy concentrating on getting her to behave you are not noticing when the others are playing around!

Lol... you realise its just dawned on me, that Ill be handling Kel myself... for the first time... at a champ show..

So just watch me, ill fall flat on my face, she will bounce everywhere or have a complete tantrum (shes gotten VERY good at those lately, goes into 'cant shant WONT' mode over something she normally LOVES).... so we will look fairly ridiculous!

All you really need worry about is disowning us!

Em x

At his first show my boy snogged the judge, danced round the second half of the triangle on 2 legs, decided that he wanted to play not stand & came second (only an open class at the show) behind a champion!!!

> I am currently showing a little madam who refuses to be trained in the art of ring etiquette. She will stand like a rock (all day if necessary) but when the judge has her in their line of sight she twirls this way & that. I have at least managed to get her moving in the ring now on all four legs & not her tummy so I shouldn't complain

LOL this made me laugh we have a girl exactly like this also in P Grad.  Thing is she behaves herself in training, so when we insist this is what she does they laugh and say it's us, hmm they haven't seen her

Paula