How did you get started in Conformation

oranges81 · 11-26-2008, 05:18 PM

And how did you choose your breed?

I've always loved dog shows and dreamed of being in the ring at one time in my life. But in reality I have no idea where to start! Lol.

Right now I'm focusing on sports but in the future I would like to start showing.

Basically I'm just looking for suggestions/stories on how you got started, what interested you to start and how did you choose the breed.

mkennels · 11-26-2008, 07:23 PM

It isn't hard, get you a good dog and for me I just went for it, no classes as there isn't any around I just watched the shows and I started out with a siberian husky then went to shepherds (which is hard to show) I have only won in UKC but someday will hopefully win in akc, we love big breeds and we had a shepherd/husky mix for 15 yrs and we wanted to get each and that is how it all started, got those breeds and then things just progressed.

**JakodaCD OA** · 11-26-2008, 07:24 PM

well I showed Dodge (my gsd) for a time, I hadn't bought him to show in conformation, but I had a few people tell me I should try it, so I said what the heck,,took conformation classes(which I highly recommend, even if your NOT showing in conformation, it's a good socialization class and something new to learn with your dog))

Anyhow, I did loads of matches, where he always placed in Group. Then moved into the conformation ring,,well not ME at that time, I was to nervous! and he wouldn't gait for me he was to well mannered LOL...I had a handler,,he was always a 'best man' and never a "groom" LOL..as in he took RWD every single time we showed, after he hit 2yrs old, I said,,ahhhh this boy is being neutered LOL..so we did and he ended his short little career

)

It was a great learning experience and a real eye opener as to the goings on in the conformation ring..I have shown my aussie a couple of times in asca shows, as you can show spayed females in a special class, but I concentrate on other sports now a days..

So I didn't really 'pick' a breed to show, I just ended up showing what I had..

)
diane

**Andaka** · 11-27-2008, 08:55 AM

I grew up showing German Shepherds. The rule was, I had to be taller than the dog I was showing so that i could still see the judge. Our club had a juniors program where we learn how to care for, groom, and show our dogs -- we even put on our own matches!

Here is a photo of me when I was about 10 years old, shiowing our Troll v Richterbach granddaughter.

Smithie86 · 11-27-2008, 09:17 AM

We did AKC conformation to learn the ring and handling, to have fun, learn and understand both rings (akc and sv). We had a gentleman instructior/handler that liked both rings and wanted people to train and handle their own dogs as much as possible.

Friend of the family was also one of the earlier judges, then he moved over to the SV arena.

oranges81 · 11-27-2008, 03:15 PM

Are there any books I can use as a reference to get started? I'm going to the library to start the long long process of finding my breed. lol.

11-26-2008, 05:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
oranges81 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sechelt, BC, Canada Posts: 245	How did you get started in Conformation And how did you choose your breed? I've always loved dog shows and dreamed of being in the ring at one time in my life. But in reality I have no idea where to start! Lol. Right now I'm focusing on sports but in the future I would like to start showing. Basically I'm just looking for suggestions/stories on how you got started, what interested you to start and how did you choose the breed. __________________ Maze, 3 year old Mutt Sandy, 11 month old Jack Russell Terrier The most powerful feeling is the knowing you belong, and you are right were you should be

11-26-2008, 07:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
mkennels Master Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 932	Re: How did you get started in Conformation It isn't hard, get you a good dog and for me I just went for it, no classes as there isn't any around I just watched the shows and I started out with a siberian husky then went to shepherds (which is hard to show) I have only won in UKC but someday will hopefully win in akc, we love big breeds and we had a shepherd/husky mix for 15 yrs and we wanted to get each and that is how it all started, got those breeds and then things just progressed. __________________ Janet UKC CH Mystical Talyn D'Argo, TT, OFA H/E, CERF, AKC DNA UKC CH Gretchen Julika Little Star, TT, OFA, Cerf, AKC DNA Von Hornberger's Mystical Knight, TT, CERF, AKC DNA, OFA Ranita's Heavenly Angel R.I.P 9/15/07-10/15/08 http://www.mysticalkennels.com

11-26-2008, 07:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
JakodaCD OA Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Location: Old Lyme, CT USA Posts: 14,237	Re: How did you get started in Conformation well I showed Dodge (my gsd) for a time, I hadn't bought him to show in conformation, but I had a few people tell me I should try it, so I said what the heck,,took conformation classes(which I highly recommend, even if your NOT showing in conformation, it's a good socialization class and something new to learn with your dog)) Anyhow, I did loads of matches, where he always placed in Group. Then moved into the conformation ring,,well not ME at that time, I was to nervous! and he wouldn't gait for me he was to well mannered LOL...I had a handler,,he was always a 'best man' and never a "groom" LOL..as in he took RWD every single time we showed, after he hit 2yrs old, I said,,ahhhh this boy is being neutered LOL..so we did and he ended his short little career ) It was a great learning experience and a real eye opener as to the goings on in the conformation ring..I have shown my aussie a couple of times in asca shows, as you can show spayed females in a special class, but I concentrate on other sports now a days.. So I didn't really 'pick' a breed to show, I just ended up showing what I had..) diane __________________ Diane Danger Danger vom Kleinen Hain aka Masi "Angel" Jakoda's Bewitchen Sami CD OA OAJ OAC NGC OJC RS-O GS-N JS-O TT HIC CGC "Angel" Steinwald's Four x Four CGC HIC TT Harmonyhill's Hy Jynx NA NAJ NAC NJC RS-N JS-N HIC Jakoda's Jagged Edge

11-27-2008, 08:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
Andaka "I like Daffy" Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: New Douglas, IL ( near St. Louis) Posts: 2,435	Re: How did you get started in Conformation I grew up showing German Shepherds. The rule was, I had to be taller than the dog I was showing so that i could still see the judge. Our club had a juniors program where we learn how to care for, groom, and show our dogs -- we even put on our own matches! Here is a photo of me when I was about 10 years old, shiowing our Troll v Richterbach granddaughter. __________________ Daphne and the Gang at Andaka Where Beauty and Brains Come Together http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/germ...&results_in=10 Home of Ch Natty; Ch Doll; Jag RA (ch ptd); Sara RN (ch ptd); Bella (the new one); and Fisher (Mr. Evil) At the Bridge: Ch Kahla CD; Ch Keno UD HSAs OA; Ch Kizzy HSAs RE; Ch Tag CD RAE2; Ch Pharra; Bee PT; Ch Red the Dachshund

11-27-2008, 09:17 AM	#5 (permalink)
Smithie86 Crowned Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Nashville, TN and Budapest HU Posts: 3,810	Re: How did you get started in Conformation We did AKC conformation to learn the ring and handling, to have fun, learn and understand both rings (akc and sv). We had a gentleman instructior/handler that liked both rings and wanted people to train and handle their own dogs as much as possible. Friend of the family was also one of the earlier judges, then he moved over to the SV arena. __________________ Sue www.k9imports.com V KK1 Molinari Enzo SCH3,IPO3,VK3,FH(WUSVx3, FCIx4) HOT KK1 Frodo v Biezenhoeve SCH3,IPO3,HPO3 (WUSVx2, FCIx2)HOT KK1 Tarnoki-Felvigyazo Quamatz SCH3 (HOT), KK1 Griff v Tajgetosz SCH3(BHOT)

11-27-2008, 03:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
oranges81 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sechelt, BC, Canada Posts: 245	Re: How did you get started in Conformation Are there any books I can use as a reference to get started? I'm going to the library to start the long long process of finding my breed. lol. __________________ Maze, 3 year old Mutt Sandy, 11 month old Jack Russell Terrier The most powerful feeling is the knowing you belong, and you are right were you should be

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