Showing On Your Own.

[Sir Sniffalot]

Hi all,

We had our first show last week and my troops won their bitch and dog challange, as it was my first show l had my support team there so had someone to handle one of them for BOB. l am just wondering what people do when they are showing on their own as l wont have the support staff next time ?

[Sayly]

I'm lucky with the Aussies here in SA, everyone is willing to help someone else out for run offs if need be.

[Rebanne]

ask around, there is always someone happy to help, that's what I've found anyway

[Dogsfevr]

Yep ask around,many of the juniors will help or other people within your group BUT be prepared early,don't wait till last minute.

Ask your support people to introduce you to people who may be able to help.

I show on my own & often need to call the troops in but i am lucky that in our camp we all help each other

[Blakbelgian]

I often show on my own as OH has taken up stewarding.

Make friends within your breed or group and ask some one to help you but not right before your breed is judged.

Ask some one probably with a breed that is shown several breeds before or after yours so you are not disturbing them while preparing their dogs.

eg IF you show Fox terrier ask someone with a breed starting with "A" or an "S"

BB

[GoldenWei]

If you were in Sydney I'd help you in a heartbeat, I need all the practice I can get.

[TerraNik]

We just help out within our breed. We're lucky that way!

Edited August 14, 2010 by TerraNik

[Sayly]

And if you are willing to help out others they may be willing to help you out when you need it later on.

[Blakbelgian]

If your stuck for a handler come & find me and I will give you a hand. (I am in Melb)

And in return you can have puppy cuddles.

BB

[Wyntervale]

Agree with what everyone has said Just try to find others who are willing to give you a hand.

Sometimes they might be excited at the opportunity to handle another breed. I was quite happy to have a play with some Papillons the other week

[Bilbo Baggins]

From your Avitar I would say its a cocker.

Shame cockers clash with cavs. BBJ is always available.

[poodlefan]

We just help out within our breed. We're lucky that way!

Same here.. in Whippets everyone chips in. I've only got one dog so I usually help out with the larger show strings.

I'll handle for anyone if it doesn't mean I have to rush my own dog. In Group 4 I've handled a Basset, a Beagle, a Borzoi. a Standard Smooth Dachsie, a Deerhound and multiple Whippets - fortunately not all at the same show.

Pays to look down the lead before you start though.. not a good thing to be ready to run with a sighthound if you've got a Havanese on the end of the lead. I nearly launched poor Arkie at Bairnsdale last year.

Edited August 16, 2010 by poodlefan

[Bilbo Baggins]

We just help out within our breed. We're lucky that way!

Same here.. in Whippets everyone chips in. I've only got one dog so I usually help out with the larger show strings.

I'll handle for anyone if it doesn't mean I have to rush my own dog. In Group 4 I've handled a Basset, a Beagle, a Borzoi. a Standard Smooth Dachsie, a Deerhound and multiple Whippets - fortunately not all at the same show.

Pays to look down the lead before you start though.. not a good thing to be ready to run with a sighthound if you've got a Havanese on the end of the lead. I nearly launched poor Arkie at Bairnsdale last year.

[poodlefan]

We just help out within our breed. We're lucky that way!

Same here.. in Whippets everyone chips in. I've only got one dog so I usually help out with the larger show strings.

I'll handle for anyone if it doesn't mean I have to rush my own dog. In Group 4 I've handled a Basset, a Beagle, a Borzoi. a Standard Smooth Dachsie, a Deerhound and multiple Whippets - fortunately not all at the same show.

Pays to look down the lead before you start though.. not a good thing to be ready to run with a sighthound if you've got a Havanese on the end of the lead. I nearly launched poor Arkie at Bairnsdale last year.

Not to worry though - first time I ran with a Deerhound, she nearly launched me!!

Edited August 16, 2010 by poodlefan

[Sayreovi]

People are usually very helpful.

At the Murray Valley shows I had the only two of the breed there, and as one was desexed I didn't need a hand with run offs, but after the first show I had a couple people offer to hold one while I showed the other instead of running to crate and swapping dogs! I usually have a second person to help me but she wasn't able to come for these shows.

While I have been showing for years, I do it so infrequently I doubt people would remember me, so for experienced people to help a "newbie" was a great thing to see ;)

[Sir Sniffalot]

Thanks for all your advice and yes we do have cockers. BB if your at Horsham on the weekend come up and say hi, l'll be the one looking out of place.

[Bilbo_Baggins_Junior]

Thanks for all your advice and yes we do have cockers. BB if your at Horsham on the weekend come up and say hi, l'll be the one looking out of place.

I will be there but not mum.

Come find me at group 1, I will have 2 Black and Tans, 1 Tricolour and 1 Ruby.

We should not clash either day at Horsham so if you need a hand let me know.

[Jsk]

I will be showing on my own alot, although travelling to shows with friends, they have dogs in different groups to mine.

I will have 2 bitches of the same breed that will ALWAYS be up against each other for challenge, and it wont be uncommon for me to have the only 2 for the breed.

Thankfully I am not new to showing and know heaps of people.

So its all a matter of getting to know people and figuring out in advance that you will need help and to ask someone (most people wont mind helping).

Good luck!!