Some info on showing..

[pennygirl4107]

Hello,

Just wondering if anyone could give me some info on the showing process and how to start up in something local. My female rottie is 10 months, AKC registered and she is spayed. I read up some info on showing and saw that we would need to be part of a rottweiler club to enter shows.. I have her in obedience and pre-agility classes at this time, and many people have encouraged us to show her. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Penny's mom

[TrinaJ]

In Australia a spayed dog cannot be showin in confirmation, I am sure the rules would be the same in the States. Not sure about Canada though.

The original purpose of a dog show (in fact, most animal confirmation shows, really) was to determine, promote and evaluate quality breeding stock for each breed of animal. If you look at it from primarily this perspective, it makes no sense whatsoever to show an altered animal, as they can never be bred.

You would be able to trail her (obeidience, utility, tracking etc). I am sure you would find it a lot of fun too and not so political

There maybe some shows that allow 'altered' dogs, i am not sure though.

[targonrotts]

in conformation shows, the dog must be intact.unless it is a veteran in a specialty show(over 7 yrs of age). in some organizations such as IACBA international shows, they offer a altered dog class.

in obedience,agility,rally,ect your dog can be spayed. look up local dog clubs and training places in your area for the sport you want to do, enroll in classes and find out thru them or get the akc gazzette to check out upcoming shows. you do not have to a member of a club to show, but membership in a club does have its pluses to keep informed. go to American Kennel Club - akc.org to get more info on types of shows, descriptions, rules, and to locate a dog club near you.(check out for obedience/agility clubs too).

[RottsNScotts]

Spayed/neutered dogs may not compete in conformation events in AKC. They may compete in performance events. The Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) does offer "altered" classes for Aussies but I am not sure about other breeds.

If you were interested in getting into conformation showing, you could take your current dog to handling classes to learn how to show then find a dog you can show.

You do not need to be a member of a Rottweiler club to be able to show although it is likely that the club would be a great help in finding an appropriate handling class.

You can find upcoming shows on AKC and Infodog.com websites. Follow the links for Events or Show Information, respectively. At the show, get a catalog and look to see who might be from your area that is showing a dog; it may not matter the breed. Go watch and if you like what you see - dog is happy, works well, handler is proficient and relaxed - ask them if they know of a handling class (when they are done showing!) Be sure to go to the Rottie ring and visit folks there as well.

If you are thinking performance, the events can be found in the same way.

And TrinaJ, it is "conFORMation"; they are judging the dog's "form". ConFIRMation is what they send me to tell me that my entry to the conFORMation show is received and FIRM (that is how I remember it!).

[Luvtails]

UKC also offers altered dog classes at some shows. you can have fun and show in obedience. just go to a show. you can get info at infodog.com and watch for a while. maybe you can the the name of a good trainer for competition obedience by asking around at the shows

[TrinaJ]

Originally Posted by RottsNScotts

And TrinaJ, it is "conFORMation"; they are judging the dog's "form". ConFIRMation is what they send me to tell me that my entry to the conFORMation show is received and FIRM (that is how I remember it!).

Please accept my apologies if my pronounciation and spelling offended you (if you say it in an Aussie accent they both sound exactly the same, hence the spelling error )

[RottsNScotts]

Oh TrinaJ! I wasn't offended! I know they sound very alike - even here in the US! - and was just sharing how I remember which is which!

[TrinaJ]

Originally Posted by RottsNScotts

Oh TrinaJ! I wasn't offended! I know they sound very alike - even here in the US! - and was just sharing how I remember which is which!

:smiles: Am glad to hear it - its so hard to tell with written words in a forum. I will remember the way you remember which is which, that will make it a LOT easier.

Cheers!
Trina

[RottsNScotts]

If you liked that one, you will really like another one I have...to tell the difference between Norfolk and Norwich Terriers, the NorFOLk's ears are FOLded and the NorWich terrier has the W inverted on its head (M). VBG!

[TrinaJ]

~*nodding*~ now 'that' is a good way of remembering! I wouldn't know what either of those dogs looked like if one run me over on the street. But now i know that a Norwich terrier has a W on its forehead, so i will look out for those at the Dog Club. You never know what you're going to see.

[RottsNScotts]

The inverted W are its EARS!