Showing info for newbies

[WalnutHill]

I am writing a 'how to' for novices about showing. I am hoping for some feedback/advice as to what to add to my little article.

Showing Your Yorkie - The basics for beginners

I don't want to get too detailed since it's for beginners, but there is so much a newbie should know. Any suggestions?

[ritzydaisy]

I think this is a great idea. I don't want to show my dog, but am interested to know what is involved in the process. Thanks for doing this.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by WalnutHill

I am writing a 'how to' for novices about showing. I am hoping for some feedback/advice as to what to add to my little article.

Showing Your Yorkie - The basics for beginners

I don't want to get too detailed since it's for beginners, but there is so much a newbie should know. Any suggestions?

I know your intention is to make it simple. However, I think you'd want to begin with informing a newbie on how to find a reputable breeder/exhibitor first. It seems that is where so many newbies go wrong and have to restart once they've made the wrong choices. The importance of finding a reputable breeder/exhibitors being at the top of the list, since said breeder/exhibitor will be the newbies mentor. That mentor instructing them on everything.

I know my breeder/exhibitor/mentor, taught me everything, instructed me on everything (and still teaching me), from telling me which handling classes to attend, nutrition, genetics, pedigrees, training, coat care, grooming, presentation, and when I was ready was there on my first whelp.

She was there for my first show dog's first puppy match and every show that she was entered in, through her Championship and there on her last show, the day my girl retired from the ring.

So, in my oppinion a good mentor and how to go about searching for one should be up front.

[WalnutHill]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

So, in my oppinion a good mentor and how to go about searching for one should be up front.

An absolutely excellent point! One I hadn't even thought of. I think I will write a seperate article about selecting a breeder / selecting the "right" puppy for you, then link the new page to the page about showing.

There is so much I can write about selecting a breeder! I guess I jsut thought most people already knew about that, but, you are right, that's where most people make a mistake. If you choose a breeder who is hard to get in touch with and unwilling to help, you will have a much harder time learning anything. I know my menotors have always been there for me, from teaching me how to do a proper top knot to the best products to buy.

Thanks for the advice!

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by WalnutHill

An absolutely excellent point! One I hadn't even thought of. I think I will write a seperate article about selecting a breeder / selecting the "right" puppy for you, then link the new page to the page about showing.

There is so much I can write about selecting a breeder! I guess I jsut thought most people already knew about that, but, you are right, that's where most people make a mistake. If you choose a breeder who is hard to get in touch with and unwilling to help, you will have a much harder time learning anything. I know my menotors have always been there for me, from teaching me how to do a proper top knot to the best products to buy.

Thanks for the advice!

No, most people don't know about how to select a breeder/exhibitor/mentor. Most are in a hurry and go to the first one that will sell them a dog on open registration. Believe me I get so many calls, e-mails from YT members that have done just that and have been bitten. I try to console them and help, but when all is said and done, I'm pretty blunt.....it's their fault, they were in a hurry. The consequences are the same.

The articles and instructins are on google....I've found them....even 10 years ago when I was looking for said articles for newbie. There are also great how to in YT Magazine and The Gazette. The key is to find a breeder that has a great line, been showing and has at least 10 generations of Champions in that line. Once you've found that mentor.....everything else falls into place, they are your teacher....on everything "Show"

Finding a mentor and building trust between the two of you is a 2 way street. A novice needs to be respective to learning and willing to listen.....be a sponge.

I will say, as a newbie, I still hadn't developed or determined my type of yorkie. So, I put my faith and trust in my mentor and she selected my first Show Dog

[YorkieRose]

How may Yorkies have you shown and finished?

[WalnutHill]

Originally Posted by YorkieRose

How may Yorkies have you shown and finished?

Me? I have only been showing since June, haven't finished anyone yet.

But, the article covers the basics. I know that a lot of people want to get involved in showing, but are too imtimidated or something. The point of this article is to break it down into the nuts-and-bolts so it doesn't seem so intimidating.

And, I feel that the only way that the AKC and the sport of pure bred dogs is going to continue to grow and thrive is to get new people involved in the dog fancy. The AKC needs new people to continue the tradition

I am 29 and the youngest person (by far) in our local AKC club. I think the next youngest person is about 45. Where will the AKC be in 30 years without "fresh blood?"

I think new exhibitors should be encouraged. The average length of time a person spends showing is 5 years. Why? Because in order to attain greatness, there are a LOT of hurdles to overcome, most people don't have the tenacity to withstand it. Every new exhibitor or potential exhibitor should be supported and encouraged - it benefits everyone: the future of the dog fancy in general, and, im my case, Yorkies in particular.

[Brooklynn]

I have to agree with Mary...finding that mentor is the best way to get involved in showing....all the reading is good but the mentor is the best way possible!! They are the ones with the knowledge!! I'm lucky enough to have several mentors and gain new mentors even now. I'm so lucky but without their knowledge about showing/breeding all the reading is secondary.

Donna Bird

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by WalnutHill

Me? I have only been showing since June, haven't finished anyone yet.

But, the article covers the basics. I know that a lot of people want to get involved in showing, but are too imtimidated or something. The point of this article is to break it down into the nuts-and-bolts so it doesn't seem so intimidating.

And, I feel that the only way that the AKC and the sport of pure bred dogs is going to continue to grow and thrive is to get new people involved in the dog fancy. The AKC needs new people to continue the tradition

I am 29 and the youngest person (by far) in our local AKC club. I think the next youngest person is about 45. Where will the AKC be in 30 years without "fresh blood?"

I think new exhibitors should be encouraged. The average length of time a person spends showing is 5 years. Why? Because in order to attain greatness, there are a LOT of hurdles to overcome, most people don't have the tenacity to withstand it. Every new exhibitor or potential exhibitor should be supported and encouraged - it benefits everyone: the future of the dog fancy in general, and, im my case, Yorkies in particular.

There are few that have attained greatness......very few.

Yes, there are alot of hurdles to overcome. The reason the length of time in showing is 5 years, is because most don't have a commitment and find that it does take tenacity and a passion. Few have it, few do it for the right intentions.....so, they give up.

There are several things that will attribute to bringing in the newbie......First the newbie that has all the right intentions and deligence, 2nd the mentors that will spend the time training these newbies and then of course AKC, though the registry and Kennel Club of my choice, has to do their end of it too. They are making it difficult for the exhibitor......

[WalnutHill]

One of my dearest friends has been involved in the dog fancy for a little over 30 years, and to date has bred 78 champions (almost 79). She has told me more than once that she still doesn't know everything and learns something new all the time. At the Pat Hastings seminar here back in November, she said, "You can dedicate your life to the sport of dogs and still feel like a newbie when you hear something and think 'Man, I should have known that'."

[Brooklynn]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

There are few that have attained greatness......very few.

Yes, there are alot of hurdles to overcome. The reason the length of time in showing is 5 years, is because most don't have a commitment and find that it does take tenacity and a passion. Few have it, few do it for the right intentions.....so, they give up.

There are several things that will attribute to bringing in the newbie......First the newbie that has all the right intentions and deligence, 2nd the mentors that will spend the time training these newbies and then of course AKC, though the registry and Kennel Club of my choice, has to do their end of it too. They are making it difficult for the exhibitor......

Also the reason it's over for most in 5 years is also because the newbies are competeting against the pro handlers and they get frustrated because showing is a very political game...it's tough for a breeder/owner/handler to compete against the handlers, you have to have tough skin and keep up the deligence and the heart and passion.

[WalnutHill]

Originally Posted by Brooklynn

Also the reason it's over for most in 5 years is also because the newbies are competeting against the pro handlers and they get frustrated because showing is a very political game...it's tough for a breeder/owner/handler to compete against the handlers, you have to have tough skin and keep up the deligence and the heart and passion.

SOOO true. And, the handlers walk around a show site like they own the place. When I was stewarding at our show in November there was a pro handler that got mad at me - The breed had started, and I had marked this handler as absent, then he showed up at the ring right as the class before him was finishing up. I hurried around and gave him his arm band and he said something like "You guys are marking people absent way too soon. You should wait until the class is OVER before you mark someone absent."

Of course, I was thinking, "Hey buddy, everyone else was here before the breed even started, so don't yell at me." But, I just bit my tongue.

[tegamom1]

Mardelin and Brooklyn are absolutely right!

I know your intentions are good, but, there are numerous books and videos that go into great detail. I just feel you need a little, actually a lot more experience exhibiting and breeding before you attempt a "how to" article.

[Brooklynn]

Originally Posted by WalnutHill

SOOO true. And, the handlers walk around a show site like they own the place. When I was stewarding at our show in November there was a pro handler that got mad at me - The breed had started, and I had marked this handler as absent, then he showed up at the ring right as the class before him was finishing up. I hurried around and gave him his arm band and he said something like "You guys are marking people absent way too soon. You should wait until the class is OVER before you mark someone absent."

Of course, I was thinking, "Hey buddy, everyone else was here before the breed even started, so don't yell at me." But, I just bit my tongue.

we as breeder/owner/handler will always have to deal with the handlers because it's their lively hood and their job and those of us that show our own it's not our job but our love and hobby for showing....that is what scares most newbies away because it will always be harder for us to get ahead in the political arena. We have to continue the passion and obsession and then eventually a owner/handler can keep up with the big boys but that's after many years LOL...I just think more need to find the mentor/exhitor first and foremost before attempting to go it alone

[WalnutHill]

Originally Posted by tegamom1

Mardelin and Brooklyn are absolutely right!

I know your intentions are good, but, there are numerous books and videos that go into great detail. I just feel you need a little, actually a lot more experience exhibiting and breeding before you attempt a "how to" article.

Point taken, fortunately the article isn't personal opinion or conjecture, just the facts.