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8 Tips On Attending A Dog Show Looking For A Breeder

8 Tips On Attending A Dog Show Looking For A Breeder

A few weeks I was asking around on our Facebook page about what people thought was the best way to find a responsible breeder.

We got a lot of great answers such as searching local and national breed clubs, searching health databases such as OFA, breed rescue groups, word of mouth, Facebook groups and attending dog events such as dog shows.

I’m a fan of all of them but I always recommend to people to try and attend a local dog show if they get a chance. A dog show can be a great way to meet responsible breeders and/or talk with other people who are familiar with the breed that you are interested in.

 

What I learned about this approach was that some people haven’t had much luck with it and that’s a shame but I can see why shows might be tricky for spectators and for exhibitors so I came up with a quick list that might things a little easier on both parties involved.

1. If you decide to go to a dog show check out the show’s Superintendent website. InfoDog is home to the Superintendent to MB-F and is one of the more popular shows. There is also Roy Jones and Jack Onofrio shows. Go to the judging program/schedule section. There you can find out what time the breed or breeds you are interested in seeing will be taking to the ring and you can plan your adventure around that. You can also purchase a show catalog at the show which will have the times and ring numbers listed. A show catalog will also have the name of the dog, the breeder’s name and the owner’s name in it.  If you get to the show early enough you can even walk around the rings and there will be a list of what breeds are showing in that ring and at what time.

8 Tips On Attending A Dog Show Looking For A Breeder

2. If you plan on speaking with exhibitors it might be a good idea to wait until after they have shown or if you get there hours before they are scheduled to show, that might work too. It’s probably not the best idea to try and speak with someone 20 minutes before they go into the ring. Some people are nervous, rushed for time or totally focused on their dog. After they are done showing give them a few minutes to get back to their setup. My husband would always run the boys outside for a potty break after they were done in the ring and I would stay and watch the rest of the Newfies show. By the time I would get back to our set up there would be groups of people gathered around Sherman or Leroy and my husband would be answering their questions. It got to the point that I think he knew more about the breed than me! But this was always a time we both looked forward to meeting and talking with new people and Sherman and Leroy loved the attention!

3. Try not to talk to exhibitors ringside. This is a time when many exhibitors are surveying the competition or making last minute preps to their dog. Some may be nervous or anxious to get in the ring. Also, try not to pet a dog who is just going into the ring. I know this can be hard but some dogs have just been groomed for a long time. Case and point: One time we were waiting to go in the ring with Sherman and someone walked up to him and gave him a good head rub. Not a huge deal but this person was eating a hot dog and had ketchup all over his hands. I’m not kidding. He had ketchup on his hands and rubbed it into Sherman’s head minutes before he was going to go in the ring. That would be like me accidentally spitting my red Slurpee all over your white shirt before you went into a big job interview. (I didn’t do it on purpose I was just so excited to see you that I spurted.)  I would also suggest not standing by the entrance to the ring. These areas get super crowded and dogs are coming and going fast. I always like to stand across the ring from the entrance when I’m watching because that area is less congested and I have a better view.

8 Tips On Attending A Dog Show Looking For A Breeder

4. After the breed is done showing and after a few minutes have passed check out the grooming area. It’s hard really to say where a dog will be set up but in some cases the breed will be near the ring in which they are showing and there might be some breeds who are grouped together, especially if a breeder has several dogs entered. Keep in mind though some dogs may be with their handler and not the breeder or owner. Benched shows, which there are only a few left, normally have the breeds all grouped together which makes it easier for spectators to locate a breed.

5. Some dog shows have a Meet the Breed area. This is an area, where at designated times, an ambassador of the breed and the breed itself will be available for anyone to come and interact with them. Some of the bigger shows will even have all or most of the breeds available at some time during the show.

6. Keep in mind that you never know who you are standing next to. If you’re watching a breed in the ring and you are on the outside trying to judge, be mindful of what you say because you never know who is in ear shot. Most of the time I never stood with the boys before they were going into the ring because Sherman especially, would be too focused on me. I stood across the ring behind people, way out of Sherman’s view and I’m not the only owner who did this. A few times I would hear spectators commenting about dogs in the ring and it wasn’t nice things. Unless you have a program and know exactly what dog you are criticizing and who their owners are you should be careful what you say, especially if you are looking to make contacts.

7. Use the buddy system. If you want to attend a dog show but don’t want to go alone try to find someone who has been to a show before. Way back in the day I use to go to dog shows with my sister and the very first show I entered with Sherman, I went with my sister. She knew the shows somewhat and some of the people so it was a lot easier for me to go with her and feel semi-comfortable.

8. Remember that all breeders might not be at a show but you should still try to talk with the owner of the dogs. Our breeder lives in North Dakota so of course she wasn’t attending dog shows in Ohio but I would always give her name and website info to people who were interested in contacting her. I would suggest that they told her they were at a dog show and talked to me this way my breeder would know where they came from and that they have seen her dogs in person.

8 Tips On Attending A Dog Show Looking For A Breeder

Dog shows are a great event that I wish more people would take advantage of to find out more about a breed of dog that they are interested in. If you encounter someone that is not willing to help you in your quest of learning more about a breed or breeder, move on to someone else. That’s not the type of person that represents the majority of dog show fanciers. Those are the people that are making the sport more difficult.

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2 Brown Dawgs

Tuesday 3rd of February 2015

Excellent tips. Benched shows are really the best way in my opinion, but there are so few left and they are hard on the dogs. Since we do not groom Chessies, the only opportunity people have to meet is outside the rings which as you say can be a tough spot. Freighter loves meeting people but he gets so excited we have had to limit contact pre-ring. Thankfully as he grows up, that is getting better. :)

Sam

Sunday 1st of February 2015

All good tips! I'll admit, I've given up talking to folks at the dog shows, but I will make notes of their kennel names, websites, etc. After the show I'll reach out and talk to them. It seems to work better.

Monty and Harlow

It's Dog or Nothing

Saturday 31st of January 2015

We had a dog show in our area last year which my husband and I went to so we could meet some breeds we've considered getting. We met a lovely lady with two Leonbergers that just chatted our ears off about them (which is exactly what we wanted!). It was a great way for us to learn a bit more about a breed that you don't get to see very often.

jan

Friday 30th of January 2015

Even if you are not in the market for a dog, most breeders that I've met are just fun to meet and talk with. They are usually glad to be approached and talk dog.

Jen

Saturday 31st of January 2015

You are so correct Jan. They are also a wealth of knowledge.

M. K. Clinton

Friday 30th of January 2015

This is a great post. People that aren't familiar with the stress or showing a dog don't know that talking to someone on deck is a no-no. They are a great place to see breeds that you are curious about. I imagine Sherman and Leroy draw a crowd everywhere. #TooCute

Jen

Saturday 31st of January 2015

Thanks M.K. I totally agree that shows are a great place to see breeds and to meet people also! They can be so much fun! I wish more people would take the time to attend one!

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