What does Fun or Companion dog show involve?

Hi Guys,

I've never been to these kinds of show before and would like to go along to one or two in coming months.

What do they involve? If I enter a class what do I have to do once in the ring? I am totally clueless having never attended a dog show before.

I assume taking Archie for now would be a bad move since he has alot of fear aggression towards other dogs. Willow, as many of you know, is minus a leg, but I assume there will be classes that she can join in?

I have no idea of the whole process.... Please walk me through it s l o w l y !!


EDIT TO ADD: If anyone knows of Fun shows coming up in Norhtern Ireland or Donegal please let me know. I have posted another thread with dates that I have heard about. Thanks!!

There are often people in fun classes who also enter Breed shows so always useful to watch how they handle.
That said, for fun shows you dont need to be a practised handler at all, just tell the judge you have never entered a fun show before and they will guide you happily for what to do in the ring, the gait they would like handlers to try for, which direction to go etc, and its always useful to be one of the last in the line so that you can watch the others go first.
Handling-wise, though I used to be a Junior handler many years ago, I dont try for Ring Craft type handling at companion shows, I let my dogs show themselves off, [ or show me up more like ].
In Defa`s case that usually means him waiting for the judge to be right in front of him then throwing himself on his back for a mega happy wriggling session resulting in his pristine white coat being totally messed up, grass stained, and him standing up to have a good shake, twigs and leaves and grass usually hanging off him, then grinning his head off at the judge while doing a perfect sit :smt044

On one occasion, in Dog The Judge Would Most Like To Take Home, I stuck some wild flowers in his harness for him to give to the judge at which the judge and the others in the line up had a good laugh about clear shameless bribary by my dog, [ he picked `em, it was his idea honest guv, he`s a smart alec collie after all ]


If a dog isn`t keen on being handled too closely dont worry, just tell the judge ie ` he`s not keen on strangers opening his mouth, [ if the judge is looking at teeth ], the judge will happily let the handler do that or will put the handlers mind at rest and say not to worry, [ fun/novelty classes are exactly that, they are not looking for Crufts winners ]

It would depend on how he copes and at what distance he feels comfortable with other dogs. My Gremlin used to be very dog aggressive but through careful socialisaion and taking her to shows but letting her have as much space as she needed to be comfortable, she has come on to the point where she is perfectly happy in a companion show ring surrounded by other dogs, in fact she loves it but only you know what your lad can cope with or not of course. Perhaps something to consider in the future if he improves ?

Heck yes !
If I were judging a class for Prettiest Bitch for instance and she was in the line up, she would stand a very good chance with me, she`s gorgeous :smt049 , [ but you know I adore her anyway ]
If there is one place in Showing where a dog being a tripod just does`nt matter, its fun shows. She could enter all the same novelty classes as her four legged peers as an equal, lack of a leg wont go against her, [ though it might seriously melt a lot of judges hearts ].


Have a look at these threads, they will give you a great idea of what they are like generally

http://www.dogsey.com/showthread.php?t=60406

http://www.dogsey.com/showthread.php?t=60965

http://www.dogsey.com/showthread.php?t=59895

http://www.dogsey.com/showthread.php?t=60477

Thank you Patch for your reply. Helpful as always.
You've put my mind at rest about joining in the fun. We are def gonna go to the show here next Sunday in Derry.

This time out I'll just bring Willow along so I get an idea of all involved and can judge wether or not Archie could handle going along to one. He can be an odd wee fellow and highly strung, esp on lead.

I'm actually going to order some Scullcap & Valerian Tablets for him; I believe they also help with travel sickness which he also gets. (I feel that is also related to him being so highly strung.)

Perhaps if the herbal tablets work well on him we could eventually look to bringing him to things as well.

I'm loving the image you paint of Defra in the ring, so funny. I bet that catches the judges eye, lol.

Willow melts the hardest of hearts out on her walks, she knows how to work people... We'll have to see if her charms work in the ring.

If you enter classes like most appealing eyes, waggiest tail etc you don't have to do much more than be in the ring at the right time with your dog & if you watch the other classes you can decide which ones you think you could cope with.As said above tell the judge you're new to it & they'll be really helpful.

I can't add to the info you have already been given except to say hope you and Willow enjoy it and let us know how you get on and if you get the chance some pics would be nice.

Good luck

Good to know that the judges are helpful to us first timers.

I will certainly try to get some pics, although it is just my camera phone, so they might not be great quality.