Potential Show Dog

[TrishB]

I'll just echo fbkeays here. People in the park are not experts when it comes to showing. They don't know what they're talking about. Obviously some might, but in general? They aren't the audience you want to use for your showing questions. If your dog is registered with the AKC and is intact, you can show. Heck - even if your dog has a disqualifying fault, you can still enter - you would just be excused from the ring.

There are Correction Matches and Sanction Matches that you can try with a young pup. They'll help both of you get into the swing of things. When you do feel that you are ready for a real show - see if you can go with someone who is knowledgeable. It's really helpful to have a support system in there for the first few times. It's a little nerve racking, but it's exciting too!

Lastly, be sure that you and your pup / dog are ready for the show ring when you enter a real show. It's very serious business for many people and they won't appreciate it if you aren't ready / training in the ring. That's what the Correction and Sanction Matches are for.

[moho]

Originally Posted by mferg

Okay, great. So, how does somebody contact somebody else without having to broadcast to the entire world what they want to talk about? And, how do I convey my contact information to somebody who may wish to contact me if they'd like more information? I don't have a webpage.

Gads, I guess I'm way behind the curve.

Okay, I'm the Northwest Assistant Regional Director for the United States Rottweiler Club (USRC). Go to http://www.usrconline.org/contacts.html and find my listing there. An email address for contacting me is listed.

mferg,
Thanks for all the info.
If I need any more info. I will contact you through th USRC.
I would like to thank everyone for their input.
I would also like to mention that it's a shame that there is no PM feature
any longer on this site.

[laurlitt]

Originally Posted by AngelBunny

If your breeder thinks your puppy is show material, what makes you think you can't trust what the breeder of your puppy is telling you? I don't understand why you're doubting what your breeder is saying.

Perhaps the owner would like to be more educated and knowledgeable about what is going on... that is why we ask questions isn't it? I certainly would want to know what it is about my dog that makes him show quality (other than just taking someone's word for it blindly)... It's all part of the learning process...

[moho]

Originally Posted by laurlitt

Perhaps the owner would like to be more educated and knowledgeable about what is going on... that is why we ask questions isn't it? I certainly would want to know what it is about my dog that makes him show quality (other than just taking someone's word for it blindly)... It's all part of the learning process...

laurlitt,
thanks for the response.
i agree, i don't want to follow blindly because someone supposedly know
what they are dong.
i would much rather ask questions, then decide.

[mferg]

Originally Posted by moho

laurlitt,
thanks for the response.
i agree, i don't want to follow blindly because someone supposedly know
what they are dong.
i would much rather ask questions, then decide.

You have a good head on your shoulders, I would venture. I think one way of determining if your breeder (or anybody else for that matter) knows what they are talking about is look at that person's track record in shows over the years with dogs they've chosen to own and produce. If you look through the event results and repeatedly see that person's name in the placings with multiple dogs under multiple judges, you can pretty well conclude the person at least has a good idea of what has show potential and what doesn't. If your breeder is who I think it is, I think you will be pleased to see that she always has multiple entries of dogs with her kennel name doing respectably well at the German style shows in the Northwest and Southwest regions.

A good way to start is to build a good relationship with your breeder and ask them to educate you on what they feel is desirable in the makeup of a dog and to show you what are both the good and not so good points on your dog, your dog's parents, other dogs they own, and other dogs in the shows. It's a really good way to get started in your education. Yes, there will be bias, but you have to start somewhere and along the way, you will meet other people that have knowledge and can impart their impressions on all of the above dogs.

[s1960]

Just out of curiosity moho, do you have a contract with your breeder where you agree to show him?

[moho]

Originally Posted by s1960

Just out of curiosity moho, do you have a contract with your breeder where you agree to show him?

yes i did sign a contract.
i'm guessing you know who my breeder is.

[s1960]

No, I don't know. But whoever it is if they sold you that dog as a show prospect or show quality or how ever it's phrased, in just my opinion, you have an obligation to show that dog. If I remember right you did your homework ahead of time and chose a breeder you trusted. You entered into this knowing what you were doing so first and foremost ahead of what anyone else says you should trust the opinion of your breeder. I'm not trying to twist your arm at all, but if you do show him I think the time to start is when he's a puppy. Steve Strom

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by laurlitt1

Perhaps the owner would like to be more educated and knowledgeable about what is going on... that is why we ask questions isn't it? I certainly would want to know what it is about my dog that makes him show quality (other than just taking someone's word for it blindly.

The "someone" in question is the puppy's breeder--not somebody on the street.

If you, as a puppy owner, don't/can't trust/doubt what the breeder of your puppy tells you, why was the puppy bought in the first place? It makes no sense to buy a puppy from a person whom you don't trust or have doubts about accuracy of the advice provided.

[Shelby427]

I'm going to have to agree with Angelbunny - if you bought your dog from a COE breeder, the breeder themselves show or have their dogs shown. That's why they have litters, for another prospect for themselves IE: not just to make money. So yes, if I bought my pet from a COE breeder that shows her dogs, I would absolutely take her advice on whether or not I should/would show.

[fbkeays]

Most of the dogs I have gotten, the breeder was many states away. I do think it is helpful to have local show people give opinions on how a puppy is growing up and turning out. It gives the owner a better "eye" for the breed. No dog is perfect. Everyone has their preference on what is "important" in the breed and what they are willing to live with.
I happen to have a thing with ears and feet. I passed on an exceptional puppy once because both parents had, IMO, bad feet. I don't want to have to deal with bad ears so I look for parents with good ears. Now there is a whole host of everything else I look for naturally. I just don't want to "live" with bad feet/ears.
I think it is good that the OP is asking questions. I have no idea who the breeder is, but I respect the opinions of those that think they know who. Getting a puppy from that kind of calibre of breeder is extremely important and a huge benefit. But getting other opinions is also important. It keeps the brain open.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by fbkeays

I think it is good that the OP is asking questions. Getting a puppy from that kind of calibre of breeder is extremely important and a huge benefit. But getting other opinions is also important. It keeps the brain open.

The OPs initial questions--how do I know whether he is show material or not? Is there somewhere I need to take him to be examined?—would best, and most accurately, be answered by taking the puppy to shows rather than asking us!

In other words, showing the puppy--just as the breeder encourages the OP to do.

[Sharon Marples]

Originally Posted by AngelBunny

The OPs initial questions--how do I know whether he is show material or not? Is there somewhere I need to take him to be examined?—would best, and most accurately, be answered by taking the puppy to shows rather than asking us!

In other words, showing the puppy--just as the breeder encourages the OP to do.

Or at the least, taking him to some shows (before he is entered) and getting some breeders or professional handlers to go over him and give a critique of what they think he would do in the ring.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by Sharon Marples

Or at the least, taking him to some shows (before he is entered) and getting some breeders or professional handlers to go over him and give a critique of what they think he would do in the ring.

Indeed, a smart thing to do--have somebody actually see the puppy.

[LynnS]

I go on vacation and everyone starts talking about me behind my back LOL!

Hi Moho! You know what I think of your adorable puppy but most certainly you should listen to your breeder. I have no idea what in the heck that person at the dog park was talking about but I agree with FBKeays that there are a lot of Animal Rights people in the city.

If this was MY puppy (and I might just steal him so watch out) I would talk your breeder about entering him at Del Valle. The specialties are so much fun....