It is true, showing GSD's is totally different to showing any other dog so that would not be such a good idea particularly at the moment when there is so much us and them going on between those who wish to see the breed split.

CKCS are shown on a table, would you be comfortable with that? I prefer dogs that are judged on the ground and are free stood but you may want a breed that is placed and involves a lot of preparation. There is lots to consider and although you must love the breed you must also like the way they are handled and be prepared to groom and tone your exhibit for the ring.

Think going and watching some judging is a very good idea also talking to some of the more successful exhibitors to see how long the preparation takes and ascertain if loads of lead work up and down hills is required, mind you there are those who love to walk 10 miles a day and or spend a couple of hours grooming.

hi pita...do a lot of breeds require that kind of exercize? more different from normal walks? i dont mind a lot of exersize as my gsds have 2hrs daily but im not to sure about the hikes up and down hills lol.
i would be comfortable showing on a table but most of all i want a dog to fit in with the family and the showing would come second as a bonus.
my auntie(who i dont really know that well!) shows and breeds irish water spaniels and i do seem to like this breed but i know its not just the look of a breed! ill have to do more research...im not in any rush anyhow

Extreme exercise is usually only needed if you have a dog with open feet or slack pasterns however it is often needed that you undertake more controlled lead work than you may need with a pet dog who will be happy running lose around the park for half an hour, that will keep the dog reasonably fit but not tune the muscle tone that may be needed if you are serious about showing.

Even toy dogs should be well toned if you are really keen to show, dogs in soft condition just don't do as well as perhaps their conformation suggests and of course the dog will move at it's best if it is fit and at the correct weight, that is often less than you would keep a pet dog at.

From your avatar it seems you do agility and that would be a good way to keep your show dog fit you would then only need some road work to tighten the feet.

SORRY, went on a bit

People often have one of a certain breed as a pet and like the breed and then fancy a go at showing so then go on to get one to show, or perhaps have met a lot of them and fell in love with the breed that way.

It's just that when you start to show, if you enjoy it and it becomes a hobby you will find you stick to the breed you choose as you learn a lot about them and the various people involved in the breed, or maybe a couple of breeds, particularly in the same group, because it's difficult to keep up with what is going on in different breeds when you are showing and then having shows clash or classes clash when you have different breeds.

So it has to be a breed you love really as the chances are, if you are bitten by the show bug you will probably stick with the same breed for a long time to come so be sure when you choose!

JMO. Best of luck!

I second everything Pita says but if your looking for suggestions you do worse than look at mine and Pita's breed.
The only down side would be the coat....its not too long but is a double coat so does shed.
The plus'.....easy maintenance(I bath twice a year and no trimming),easy going and sociable with other dogs(need to be socialised as with any dog obviously),reasonable numbers in the ring,great with children and the freindliest people round the ring you are ever likely to meet.We have many first time owners who do very well as we are lucky enough to have several very good breeders who are willing to sell show quality pups to novice show homes!

Agree with everything everyone else has already said. You must be 'into' a breed to enjoy showing it. That way you are already ahead when you go to your first show, all the nattering that gets done!
If you do not want a show GSD, yet you like shepherd dogs, perhaps a belgium Shepherd would be better suited? Only a suggestion as i have no experience of either breeds really . Everyone on this forum likes their own breeds for various reasons, and can all give the pro's and con's of showing each of them, only you know your situation and your prefrences. I wish you luck with whatever breed you choose. The most important thing with showing to remember is have fun

Just popped on this thread for a quicky! A few random thoughts!

Remember show Cockers need quite a lot of grooming!

Also, I know someone who shows a Lhasa Apso. She also did agility with her too, but at a show a few months ago she didn't get placed the class because the muscle tone/definition wasn't right for the breed. The judge knew, without asking, that this bitch did agilty and that was, according to the judge, the reason the muscle tone/definition wasn't "right" for the breed standard. I know you aren't wanting a Lhasa Apso, but you get my drift!

Better go for a working dog then, that is a hound, gundog, working or pastoral, mind you I think that judge was mad all dogs should be presented in a compact tight fit state. Now if the dog looked like a staffie I could understand it, your dogs exercise program needs to be undertaken with common sense, over development of muscles in a dog is as ugly as it is in the human.

Ours enjoy Agility too, though few UK owners do it as it needs a fit handler.

Hi Barbara, nice to see you, agree agility is not for me or you but some enjoy it.

Merry Christmas to you and yours both 2 and 4 legs.