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Choosing The Right Show Dog Breed For You

If you have thought that you might like to get into showing dogs, but have not yet purchased your first one, allow us to give you a word of advice. There are so many wonderful breeds, each with its own particular charm, that I'm sure you can find just the right breed for you. However, decide on one whose size and temperament fit into your life. Don't get a Great Dane if you live in a tiny apartment, and don't get a tiny dog if a high-pitched bark grates on your nerves.

Once you have decided which breed you want, please do some studying about what is right and what is wrong for a dog of that particular breed. Read a book on your chosen breed, go to shows, watch the judging, talk to the breeders. Be sure you don't buy a dog which has a disqualification for his breed and, you will be ever so much happier in the show game if you at least start out with a dog which has no serious faults. I cannot tell you here what the disqualifications or faults are, as there are more than one hundred breeds for you to choose from and each breed has its own particular faults.

When you are ready to buy, go to a reliable breeder and tell him that you intend to show. A sincere breeder would not sell you an inferior animal if he knows it is to be shown. Many people when they are buying a dog ask for "just a pet," thinking they will get the animal cheaper.

A good breeder wants his stock shown and does not want to be embarrassed by having a dog of his breeding with a serious fault show up at a show, and by the same token he does not want to sell a top dog to someone who will never show it, as for all practical purposes the dog would be lost to the show and breeding world. He would rather sell you a good dog for less money if you promised it would be shown. If he is a big breeder, he cannot possibly get all the dogs he raises to the shows under his own name, and he is always looking for someone to come along who is interested in showing. He will not give the dog away, because experience has taught him that the dog receives better care if he has been purchased and he has a much better chance of actually getting into the show ring when the new owner has paid something for the dog.

Purchasing A Show Dog Puppy

It would be hard to tell you exactly what you ought to pay for a dog good enough to show and have some fun with. In addition to the fact that prices vary a great deal in the various breeds, and not taking into consideration the actual worth of a dog because of his good or bad points, there are many other things that enter into the price you must pay for a good dog. Here are a few:

1. How many other good dogs has the seller in his kennel? By selling you the only good one, he may be left without anything to show himself, and if he wants to show, the price may go up.

2. How crowded are the seller's facilities? If he is overcrowded, he may be willing to sell at a lower price than usual.

3. Can the owner afford to show? If not, he may sell for less in order to give the dog the opportunity to be shown more frequently.

4. How many other persons are interested? Naturally, if several persons express the desire to buy the same dog, the price of that dog might go up.

There have been show dogs which were sold for $50 and even some which sold at about $7,500 or more. But if you know your breed before you start out to buy, you at least will know what you are getting - and remember, the price paid for a dog is not the most important consideration. I once knew a man who thought his dog should win over another simply because he paid more for his dog than did the owner of the other dog.

Also, let me bring up another point. There is one thing you are going to hear frequently, and if you take my advice you won't pay any attention to it. You'll hear that in order to win at shows you must be rich or at least employ a professional handler. This talk usually comes from the disgruntled or bad loser. It is not true! And if the dog breeder tries to tell you this when selling you dog at an outrageous price, then walk away!

The advice and helpful hints you will find when doing your research will help you to understand the rules of a dog show, will help you to get your dog entered at a show, and into the ring. You will find all types of information as to how to show it to its best advantage, but remember, the quality of the dog itself is up to you. The price you pay for your dog has no bearing on how well he will score at a show.

Please click on More About Dog Show Handling for a longer description.