Showing when in heat??

[SuzieQ]

Have a show this weekend. Maggie is in the 12-18 mth. class. This will technically only be her second show. She was in a 6-9 mth class, and then a fun match, and we go to confirmation classes once a week. I am pretty sure she is just starting her cycle (2nd), or getting ready to start. What is the concensus on showing when in heat. Should i get Rx to delay the cycle or should i just go ahead "al natural" and just look at it as a training experience? All suggestions appreciated. Thanks

[spidey]

It's fine to show conformation with a bitch in heat, but be polite and inform people (especially the judge) that your bitch is in season BEFORE they go over her.

[VomWactherEngel]

Spidey has touched on propper ring edicate, do inform the judge.

Please concider showing her without drugs. No ribbon is worth doping your dog for.

I had one bitch that had consistant pose in the ring in or out of heat. My current bitch is Jeckle & Hyde when she's in...LOL...I don't know which personality will show-up at ring time. With her I just enter the show with the understanding I might scratch if she's too moody.

On the oither hand when I've shown male dogs I just hate it when people bring a bitch in heat. LOL

Best of luck in your show.

[marianne]

And PLEASE be considerate for others showing that day. Stay away from ringside as much as possible. Stand back from the ring till your number is called.

Oh them intact boys don't need your girl around them..LOL

Good luck!!!!

[SABELLESMOM]

Informing folks is one thing, as is being courteous, and neing watchful. If you see a group of males waiting to enter the ring, stay out of the way, of course

On the other hand, you are still "presenting" your dog. You have every right to your place in line. You do not need to hang out back as if your dog has some desease worth being ashamed of. Attitudes win in the confromation ring. I do NOTHING that will compromise my girls chances on any given day. She is solid and I am bold.

To some degree, I expect everyone to control their dogs, myself included. Who's bitch is in heat doesn't matter. Everyone's turn to cope just happens on a different day, part of the game.

PS: I would never give my girl a drug to stall her heat.

[marianne]

SuzieQ, as you show more you will SEE many handlers who DO not watch their dogs.....chit chatting away with other handlers is more important!
I did not mean to imply your girl needs isolation..BUT some handlers don't keep their dogs under control!!!!

Have a good show!!!!!

[SuzieQ]

Thanks for all your input. I guess we will see how it goes, "al natural"

[RottsNScotts]

Do be kind though and don't even THINK of even WALKING her anywhere near the obedience rings!

Best of luck at the shows!

[Ayoka]

Wow you learn something new every day, I didn't know you could show a bitch in heat...I know it's not permitted in obedience but didn't relalise you could in conformation....good call on not going near the obedience ring!

[fbkeays]

Originally Posted by Ayoka

Wow you learn something new every day, I didn't know you could show a bitch in heat...I know it's not permitted in obedience but didn't relalise you could in conformation....good call on not going near the obedience ring!

You can show a bitch in herding and if the club allows it, in tracking.
Go ahead and show your girl. It is perfectly acceptable to do so. As stated by others, keep her well away from the obedience rings and let others know she is in season.

[Ayoka]

Originally Posted by fbkeays

You can show a bitch in herding and if the club allows it, in tracking.
Go ahead and show your girl. It is perfectly acceptable to do so. As stated by others, keep her well away from the obedience rings and let others know she is in season.

I have seent that too in trial premiums but it usually says that the bitch would be trialled last and kept away form other dogs until then...which makes sense..the herding and tracking trials around here aren't huge but in agility and obedience where you have 2 trials in the same day, (not to mention the sits/downs) things could be a little difficult to organise...

[hcelsa]

If it's an indoor show it's also polite to bring a towel ringside for her to sit on while you're waiting to go in and/or for you to wipe up any discharge she might leave on the surface. Just keep an eye on the boys as some people don't do a very good job of keeping track of their dogs at dog shows (and even other bitches might be more reactive towards her...it's best not to consider a dog show an event for dog socializing in any case though )!

In herding (per AKC rules) bitches in season run last in the test classes, and in drawn run order in the trial classes. It's a practical application...if you have a job needs to be done on a farm or ranch you wouldn't wait 2-4 weeks to do it just because of a bitch in season .

On a side (but slightly related) note...with our sled dogs growing up everyone was intact, life went on as usual when someone was in season (they were actual working dogs that provided transportation/hauled wood/gear etc so it would have been inconvenient otherwise) and there were never any unplanned pregancies. I can never figure out why people can't manage to prevent canine pregnancy without spaying/neutering .

[Sharon Marples]

Originally Posted by hcelsa

On a side (but slightly related) note...with our sled dogs growing up everyone was intact, life went on as usual when someone was in season (they were actual working dogs that provided transportation/hauled wood/gear etc so it would have been inconvenient otherwise) and there were never any unplanned pregancies. I can never figure out why people can't manage to prevent canine pregnancy without spaying/neutering .

Hey Becky.........that is the million dollar statement! I have asked myself that a 1000 times!

[JemarsSerena]

The one thing that I do is to wait till the last possible minute to bring her to the ring. We may be facing this exact same situation this weekend. Serena is not bleeding yet but is starting to swell and there is some discharge. Good luck at your show.