Young champions

[Hawkblack]

I agree with Ann Felske-Jackman on this. I will take a young dog out once in awhile for experience. But ususally don't start showing until they are older. Also I think it is a good thing not to heavily show a dog before you obtain the health Certs. many puppies could finish and you may wonder where and why they never came back to the Specials rings. To special a dog is not everyones cup of tea but I sure would love to see some of the young CH once in awhile at specialties and Nationals.

[nlavett]

Our girl Xasha is 8 months. We have participated in 2 shows (IABCA & USRC) at which the whole family attended. Also, we live in Tampa and the shows were in Orlando. We have another IABCA coming up in Orlando again in May. It was fun for us and our dog. An amazing amount of socialization! She was in the baby class the first show. However in the 7-9 month show at the USRC, I was shocked at the size of the pups in her class. I wondered if our dog was not maturing as quickly as she should. I soon learned that it is common for these dogs to fall apart later. Or I should more correctly say that is what several people said. I will be looking for these same pups later on.

We don't plan on entering Xasha into any shows that we are unable to attend ourselves until she is much older. Even then, I don't know if you'll be able to tear her away from her Daddy, lol. I would think it would be too stressful for a pup to run a full circuit.

Before I make the next statement, please note that we are extreme novices in conformation. Xasha is our first. Having said that, I have ascertained that this breed takes longer to mature, and therefore wouldn't it be better to see them take the points after that process?

[Hawkblack]

Depending on the lines some line mature faster then others. I have been explained by several breeder and handlers that you should show the dog when it is ready. Like some fruit it matures and ripens quickly and fast other takes time before it even baers fruit.
I thought it was corny the first time I heard it but I see now that this breed has lines that are ready to show young but like you I would also like to see them in the future how the turned out after full maturity. old then 2 years old.

[OnyxGold1]

Another thing to keep in mind also is that it is good to bring out a young dog for them to learn the show ring, and socialize them to everything related to a dog show earlier as opposed to later. I like to bring my youngsters out shortly after 6 months as I think they acclimate to new experiences better, however I certainly don't expect them to actually be competitive at that age. At that age its more important that they have fun, have a good experience at the dog show and learn what is expected of them for when they are mature enough to be competitive.

I've seen it many times that someone who is an obvious dog show "newbie" shows up at ringside with a big teenaged male rott who has obviously never been in a ring or handling classes before, they don't have the right type of collar or lead on the dog and the dog ends up dragging them around the ring trying to catch other dogs, and the handler leaves the ring discouraged and in tears. I hate seeing that and its more because that owner didn't have an appropriate mentor. I like having my youngsters out earlier in the ring simply for the socialization but you just have to keep in mind that its just for fun and that you aren't out there for the points.....you're out there for your pup to learn what will help him/or her be competitive in the future.

Heather