rachael12

I'm looking at getting a third Sheltie. Currently 2 atm. One is American - brought him with me from the states when I moved back to Aus, the other is English, bought from a breeder in QLD. Very different dogs, both gorgeous. I'm looking to show the new pup we will get and just curious on peoples opinions. To be honest I do like the look of the American shelties more, but i do understand that they have collie in their background unlike the English type. Do one type do better in the show ring or are they judged equally? I have been chatting to breeders and it seems like there are people using American sires more and more. Thanks

thanks for your honest advice ELLZ, I have emailed her breeder and a breeder in my area and hopefully they will be able to look at her and tell me if she is worth showing... I would like to get a puppy sometime in the future from a good breeder and show a little more seriously, but I just thought that she would be a good dog to learn with (even if she isn't that great and never wins anything). Some friends from the local kennel club told me that I might find another 'learner' like myself on here who might be keen to learn as well, as most experienced people are breeders and show their own dogs rather than show other peoples... if that makes sense... Maybe I should have been clear that I was looking for someone like myself that would like to get experience but not necessarily win as I'm not sure if my dog is a good example of her breed still. But thanks again, I will hopefully hear from people tomorrow and have her evaluated to find out what I need to do and if she is a good prospect. :)

I have been talking to a few breeders around me but no one has seen her to evaluate her yet. She was shown as a younger dog before i got her... her last show was in 2009 and she has won a challenge certificate and a BOB challenge certificate which I have (these are the only placings that I know for sure that she was awarded). Just by going on that I suppose I was assuming she would be ok to show. I have been trying to get together with a local breeder/show family but because we are both busy it is a little hard. :)

She is over 3 so I think these are the only 2 classes she would be eligible to enter.

She is a shetland sheepdog.. I've been told it's probably not the best breed to start showing with competition-wise but I didn't buy her to show her, I just realised she was on the main register about 6 months after I got her and decided to try showing as a hobby. She was born and bred in Australia so I guess I will enter her in 10 to start with since 11 seems to be a bit more intimidating atm. Thanks for your advice ELLZ! Very much appreciated. :D

Hi, I have a quick question.. I want to enter my adult bitch in an upcoming show but I don't know which class to enter her in. Should I enter her into 10 or 11? Australian Bred 10 For dogs aged six months or over whelped in Australia. (A State and/or Territory may reserve the right to exclude all, or any, of the recognised Australian Breeds). Open 11 For dogs aged six months or over and of a breed or variety recognised by the ANKC. It will be my first show with her so I'm kind of confused. Any help would be greatly appreciated! thanks!!

Hi I am looking for someone to show my dog for me as I can't attend weekend shows. I have an adult female sheltie who I was planning on starting to show this year, hopefully in the next month. I am totally new to showing but I really wanted to get into it as a hobby with my girl. Unfortunatley my new job won't allow me to attend shows on the weekend. I am willing to pay someone to show her or come to some sort of agreable arrangement. There are a few shows coming up that are local so I thought I would ask if there is anyone who is willing to help me out? I live in the Young/Harden/Cootamundra area in NSW. I do want to be as involved as possible so I will do as much as I can to help out! If there is anything else I have left out please ask! Thanks :)

Thanks again. I went to a local show on sunday and got to speak to a lot of people there - mostly people with other breeds, but I did meet a great sheltie family! I have bought the Illustrated Guide to Sheltie Grooming, which looks really helpful! I have a few brushes but I would like to supplement my collection with scissors, combs, etc... Not sure where to buy scissor (also what type of scissors) as our local pet shop is pretty simplistic. Where do others buy theirs?? Also I thought I would get a child's play pen, rather than a crate as it would be better for me personally, i think. Also need to buy a gazebo? It's very exciting shopping, I'm just impatient waiting for it to come in the mail! :) Umm, one last thing! :) Where do you get bay rum? thanks!

Great thread!!! I am excited to sift through all of the patterns and ideas! Here are some crafty sites I have been told about with lots of patterns/ideas... http://tipnut.com/projects-pets/ http://www.favecrafts.com/Pet-Crafts/31-Patterns-for-Pet-Clothing-and-More-Pet-Crafts Greyhound Snood pattern: http://www.doggiestylish.com/store/blog/2012/02/daily-diy-pet-pattern-knit-a-greyhound-snood/

Hi, I just have a question in regards to feeding raw... do you add vegetables/fruit/cereals to the dogs meal or do you mostly feed meat/bones with little to no 'additives'? I feed my dogs dry food everyday plus meaty bones/oily fish a few times a week. I would like to feed raw but I'm a bit intimidated as I don't really know what I'm doing. I have been told that only 25% of the diet should be protein and that too much protein is really bad for the dog. How do you know if the raw diet you're feeding is balanced? Thanks!

This thread is great! Thanks for starting it! I'm starting out and this is a good list to start with!

Thanks so much for your advice guys! I really appreciate it. I have tried to use the suggestions of my dog's previous owner, especially with the grooming products and shampoos, but as for leads she basically told me to buy what suits me. I think I will buy a simple slip lead as my dogs is small and listens well. I'm only 5 foot 2 so I think a shorter lead will be ok for me too. Thank you jr_inoz for your suggestion of "The Illustrated Guide to Sheltie Grooming". I am going to see if I can get my hands on a copy. I haven't been able to find a lot of books that were really helpful in the area of showing and the sheltie breeders/showers I have talked to haven't really been able to suggest any either. I guess first hand knowledge and experience are better than a book though. Can I ask people how often they wash their show dogs? I have been told different things from people, varying from twice a week, to only when absolutely necessary, ie before a show.

Hi guys, I am still new to DOL and excited to start showing my pooch. I have had her since May last year and she is an adult dog (5yrs). I have decided not to enter her in a show until May/June, mostly because I feel there is a lot I still need to learn! She has been shown before by her previous owner so I'm sure it won't worry her at all. Anyway, the point of this thread is that there are SO MANY products out there and I was hoping for some guidance as to what would best for a 'newbie'. Her previous owner recommended PlushPuppy Natural Body Building Shampoo and Eqyss Survivor Detangler and Shine Spray. I saw the PlushPuppy whitening shampoo and thought that would be a useful product as she tends to get her white paws tinged brown from dirt and mud. Is it a good/appropriate product? Also, I am a bit confused about show leads... there are far too many types! Someone recommended glamour leads on Facebook which I had a look at. They are beautiful but I'm not sure which type/length to get. Is there anything that people feel is an absolute necessity to have when starting out showing? I appreciate your advice and opinions very much! Thanks! P.S. My girl is a shetland sheepdog.

Ok. Thanks! So what exactly is an associate registered dog? Just our of curiosity...

What is an associate member dog? Are there limitations on showing, etc? I couldn't find any info about an associate membership and what it actually includes or excludes.. I might just call dogs NSW today and ask. It was too late yesterday to call which was the only reason I asked here instead.

Thanks. I will join as an associate for now in that case. If I ever wanted to vote, or get a prefix, or sit on a committee I guess I will just upgrade to an ordinary membership:)

Hi all, I want to join DogsNSW so that I can start showing my girl sometime this year, probably much later in the year as I have no idea what I'm doing, haha... anyway, I was just wondering what the difference is between an ordinary membership and an associate membership? Any info would be much appreciated! Thanks guys!

I'm sure she could, but she is from Lisemore area which is up by the QLD/NSW border, and I'm way down almost at the VIC/NSW border. haha. I bought the dog from a 'middle man' so to speak. She bought the dog from the breeder and I bought the dog from her. The dog is on the main register as I understand it as the woman I bought her from bought her with no papers (cheaper for her I guess as she wanted her as a pet) and the breeder originally had her on the main registry. I am buying the papers from the breeder this week. We are just negotiating a price. Confused yet? haha. I find it all a bit confusing so I was hoping that I could find someone kind enought to let me tag along and help them... There ara about 4 or 5 breeders within an hour and a half from where I live, but like I said, I'm super nervous of scaring them off. haha. Oh and I joined Dogs NSW today! And am looking into joining a few clubs in my area for some support and to learn a bit more!

Hi there, I am new to DOL and want to learn more about showing and my chosen breed. I bought a 5yr old female about 8 months ago just as a pet and companion to my other dog. Recently I have been thinking that I might enjoy showing her as a hobby. I know she has won a few things in the past, so I thought she would be a good dog to start with to hopefully teach me a bit. I really want to contact someone experienced in my area (South west slopes/riverina area) but I'm really nervous about it!! haha. I'm not sure whether to phone or email, and I have no idea what to say. I dont want to say something to put them off helping me or giving advice. Does anyone have any suggestions with regards to emailing or phoning and what to say? I have been looking on the dogsNSW site for shows in my area that i can go to just to see what is involved, but i'm really keen to spend some time with someone experienced to see what is really involved - grooming, how to handle, etc. thanks so much! :)