I have been reading a few posts that have mentioned "stacking" and having never shown and only been to a handful of shows (although my life does revolve around crufts on TV) I am wondering what exactly this means. Is it when the handler is pulling the lead tightly upwards so as to stretch the dogs neck and it looks almost like the dogs forehand are being lifted up slightly? Thanks.

No, it is the presentation when the dog is not moving.  Not all breeds need to be stacked.  They are shown naturally, and free standing.

> Is it when the handler is pulling the lead tightly upwards so as to stretch the dogs neck and it looks almost like the dogs forehand are being lifted up slightly?

No that is being moved 'Strung up' rather than on a loose lead.

Stacking is where the dog is placed in position, feet positioned and often head and tail held.

Free standing is where the dog is encouraged to adopt an alert but natural stance, usually suing food or some other method of getting the dogs attention.

Ive been told the pug should be freestanding by someone at ringcraft, then other people have said they need stacked..

Which is correct?!

I think they are freestanding?

I showed someone's griffon at the weekend which was fun, I was only loitering ringside to see if they were breaking before AV Veteran. I love finding out about other breeds!

I show my pug freestandingm though when she is on the table I sometime have to slighly adjust her feet (that's when she stays still) but she is only a baby and still learning, with the bullies I stack them.

Only ever seen freestanding pups.

Thanks Brainless.... That was easy to understand. 

HA! I have this problem, when my pug is on the table and i tought his feet, he goes mad and wants to play!!! puppy puppy puppy!!

Don't worry too much about behaving on the table yet, Scotgal, very few jduges would penalise a pug pup for wriggling and wiggling and even trying to give kisses whilst on the table.  Concentrate on making him confident on the table and keeping him interested and enjoying himself.  Pugs are expected to be "Multum in Parvo", so it is excusable it is a bit too "Multum" whilst still pups.  You need to practice freestanding on the floor, and ideally on the table too, but whilst training you are probably going to have to help him into position on the table, and you can help keep  him in position by holding the lead in one hand upwards to support him and help keep still.  Make sure he will keep his tail up and use his ears - much more to the point than being stood stock still.

Thanks for this info.
HEs getting on great at Ringcraft, hes very confident actually to confident and seems to be loving it. As soon as i think hes not i will stop showing him. But i dont think hes going to dislike it, hes far to nosey!

I was trying so hard on Sunday to keep her still on the table, when the judge (Michael Quinny) came over and promptly picked her up, that was it she went mad, kisses and bum wriggling everywhere, nothing I could to do stop her LOL. She did show her socks off though on the move and she got 4th in a big stakes class, she is just 6 months it was her 2nd show. She has her 1st in Saturday and got best puppy in breed, she reallt enjouys herself, which is great.

That's great that he enjoys it - I'd far rather see a naughty puppy having a whale of a time, and hopefully just settling for a few strides to be assessed, than see a perfectly behaved puppy that is cowed into submission and will become a bored and droopy adult. My dogs even at 5 and nearly 8 are just barely this side of under control, it does make them hard work at times but nobody can say they aren't enjoying being shown!

I actually LOLd ready this as i no what you mean!

Great results tho! Well done you

Thanks, I was thrilled. She really is a show off, so much fun.

Is she a pug? did you have problems with her when she was younger with biting? and wanting something in her mouth all the time!? Im having these problems with my 4 month old pug. ;-(

Yes she is a pug, I have sent you a PM.