Dogsey Virtual Companion Show FAQ

In anticipation of the start of the first Dogsey Virtual Companion Show, here are some tips, rules, and general info.

How can we have an on-line Companion Show ?!

Classes will be announced as `open for entry` in the main Dog chat section to invite all members to enter the Show.

Classes will be based on real Companion Show classes where possible [ as its a competition by photo entry ], and some additional classes specifically suited to photo format.

Who can enter ?

Novelty classes open to all Dogsey members.

Pedigree classes are open to all Dogsey members with a pedigree / purebred dog of recognised breed.
KC registration is not necessary

Same limitations in Pedigree classes as a real companion show in terms of no entry to dogs which have been placed CC, RCC or Junior Warrant in the actual Breed Show world.
There will however be class/es especially for those dogs in the Pedigree category

Longcoated and white Alsatians are eligible in Pedigree/purebred classes in the Dogsey Virtual Companion Show as are dogs of `colour fault` /coat length `fault` in other breeds.
Why ?
Cos this is a fun show and as the one making up the rules I say they can enter applicable classes

But what about unrecognised breeds ?

There will be classes for purebreds of currently unrecognised but established breeds ie NIs. Lurchers, being recognised as a Type for several hundred years will also have a Class. Lurchers qualify to enter if a dog is a cross of any sighthound with any other breed. Longdogs will be eligible to enter under the Lurcher class.

How do we enter ?

A volunteer will be named and all entries must be sent via pm to that person. The entries will then be posted by that volunteer [ do not post your own entries ], so that owners are not known for the dogs entered. This keeps it anonymous and is fairer that way.

Who will Judge the classes ?

Dogsey members will be invited to Judge the classes. Selection of judge will be random so some will happen to have breed knowledge [ Pedigree classes ], some will not [ they`ll use best judgement based on the overall dog, not Crufts level scrutiny of conformation / coat etc ].
Anyone may be invited to judge any class and please remember this is purely for fun

Judges are not to be approached about their choices and no hints of who owns which dog may be posted on any class threads and no discussions on the Class threads until a class has concluded and winners have been announced.

Virtual attempts to bribe judges will be confiscated and snaffled by me :smt005


How often will the classes occur

Hopefully weekly or bi-weekly. Entries can be submitted to the named volunteer at any time until the deadline which will be given as soon as the class opens.
Classes will vary between Pedigree and Novelty as much as possible from week to week so that no one is waiting toooo ong for a class they fancy or are eligible for.

Placings

The judge will announce the placings, up to six places depending on class size. Once the winners are announced, Virtual Rosettes [ individually named ] will be posted for the winners to `keep`

Can I enter more than one dog in the same class ?

There is no limit on the number of dogs you can enter in a class but only one photo of each dog in each class may be entered

Qualifying photos

Pictures must have been taken by or specifically on behalf of the owner/handler and copyright must be with the dogs owner. This flexibility is to enable people to have a friend or relative take a photo for any classes where a `proper show pose` may be a requirement and the handler needs to...handle the dog, funnily enough

I found a better photo than the one I entered, can I change it ?

Yes, photos can be changed at any time until notification of `No More Entries` is posted on the thread by myself. This gives the Judge notice that there will be no further changes after that time.
PM the new photo to the class`s Collator and only type in the message `Please change my photo in post number ... to this one`, and supply the required details for the new photo.
The Collator will then edit the relevant post to remove the old picture and replace it with the new one so the post number will remain the same.

Professionally commissioned photos are not admissible.

Poor sportsmanship will lead to disqualification

All classes will be posted in the Companion Show`ers Member Group section, not the main forum threads so that there is no confusion between this Show and any other photo competitions.


Further points may be added [ things I have`nt remembered to put in already iow :smt101 ], or finetuned as we go along, [ oh boy, this a heck of a learning curve ], and specific details of each class will be posted as and when relevant.

Feel free to ask questions or make suggestions [ please !! ], specifically pertaining to the Virtual Show in this thread

This seems great fun. Especially over the winter when we don't have many shows .

For those of us who are new to the site and still getting our heads round how to do replies; pms and photos could we have a few idiot proof instructions how to do this? (I'm still new and find the technology a bit scary still.)

Some of our dogs are on our avatars and profiles- does that matter? I can't see judges doing detective work to match which dog belongs to who.

Do you think we should keep a track of dog's wins and points and have a Dogsey top dog at the end of the year or is this moving away from the fun element and stretching a good idea too far?

You got it in one If things take off as hoped it will mean heats and finals all year round for us

I`ve been using a PC for years and still find most things daunting about this technology lark :smt005
For the technical side of posting pics its the same as for all other threads, nice easy to follow intructions are here :

http://www.dogsey.com/showthread.php?t=10395



It would be a heck of a job for anyone to try looking them all up, it would take forever and of course new members join all the time
Avatar catagories will probably be split [ funniest, sweetest, most character etc ] and I can`t see anyone trying to find all applicable ones to see whose they are so no worries there, and whoever Judges will have too much integrity to go searching or be biased anyway

There will be an ongoing record kept :smt001
Hey, points for places, cool idea, well done you ! I think that will add even more fun to it :smt026

At the end of the year, all who placed First will be in the Grand Final for Best In Show and I think the top so many point scorers who did`nt get a first might be in the running as well

Can we enter dogs which are at rainbow bridge?

If its not painful to do so [ for the owner ], and could bring an owner pleasure to see their much missed dogs included I don`t see why not :smt001
The Judge will not know if thats the case as all entrants pictures will be posted by the collator only so no specific details will be revealed of any dog or owner until the placings are announced and entrants do not need to divulge that information specifically.

So long as all dogs are owned by the entrant, thats the main thing.

Excellent question, thank you for bringing it up :smt058


*I will not be putting on a class specifically for rainbow bridge dogs, I don`t think that would be in anyones best interests.

Great idea

Do they have to be photos of undividuals or can there be more than one grubby dog in the photo?

There can be more than one dog in each photo in this class yes, each dog in a multi-dog photo will be judged as an individual

Many thanks for another great question, I`ll add this point to the Class Faq

When we get to puppy classes is it the age the dog is in the photo or does it have to be a puppy now?

Sorry for all the questions

Puppy Classes will be by the age in the photo, yes :smt001

Don`t apologise for asking questions
Its all a learning curve for me as well
When people bring up something I have`nt thought of or have`nt covered, the input and questions are extremely helpful

how exciting, well done on a great idea, have fun everyone