kosmology

Yes, free-stacking is the way to go, especially if it's suitable for your breed. Don't get too concerned with speculations over which handler or what dog a judge will favour, or if other exhibitors are judges. I've only witnessed blatant favouritism a couple of times, and it seems to happen less often than legitimate judging. I may be wrong, after all I don't watch everything with an eagle eye...:)

You also need to take into account the experience you gain as a handler by attending shows early on. The more shows you attend, and the more training (from decent training sessions) you get the more confidence and skills you will gain. This travels down the lead, as they say, and it's true! It also depends on your pup's attitude. Mine was a nervous little thing at first (at training) but was fantastic at his first show at 4 months. (I also took him to puppy school before he started show training). He's got better on the table since and is even better around the ring after I did some extra training with a more helpful trainer. Once you pick up a few things then you can adapt it to suit yourself and your dog and go from there :) I hardly train at home anymore (except to make him 'earn' his titbits), but maintain a strict lead training regime on his daily walk and briefly train at the shows. He's a Minor, and I'm a newbie, and he won his Class In Group a couple of weeks back.

Gee, that is sad news. Horrible way to lose beloved pets

I believe everyone involved is at fault - the breeder, owner, anchor-woman, producers etc. Heck, even the dog dare I say that, but only in a superficial way because it did the deed! The dog is actually the innocent party, subject to human infatuations with being broadcast on television live. I reckon they (the humans) would have acted differently if they weren't in front of the cameras... Good to here the dog will be released back to its owner.

A sad story of the mistreatment of yet another innocent animal, the responsibility for which lies with the breeder, owner, and supposed professionals employed to control dogs.

Poor guy. He obviously didn't kick them in the head hard enough.

Wow!! She was relentless...

Thanks everyone for your comments and concern. Thank you so much Kerry for the post. The story.... He disappeared just before 9pm, on our nightly walk at the local playing fields a few blocks from home. He was scared off by some people (there were a few out that night - Australia Day) who were walking in the park without a dog and started 'approaching' him. When I called him they started too - whistling etc!? They were older folk, but seemingly ignorant of dog behaviour. Of course he became confused/separated and suddenly completely disappeared in the dark. I frantically looked for him then rushed home. A lightening storm had also just begun in the distance, but thankfully didn't reach our area. I bumped into some other people who's own dog, a kelpie, had just disappeared also from his home across from the park. After driving around every street in the suburb in my car for 2 hours I went home. Posted some lost ads online. Tried to sleep, and even dreamt I found him!! Next morning I rang all the vets and prepared to ring the council rangers who were due in at 8.30am. As I jumped in the shower before I went out looking for him again, my partner yelled something out to me. I couldn't here him. He kept yelling something out, then finally "HE'S HOME!!!!". OMG, he was at the front door when my partner opened it to go outside at 8.30am. He rolled over onto his back when the door opened, seemingly saying "I've been naughty". No he wasn't naughty, we were ecstatic. What a great feeling....

We attended a show near Perth that started at 6.30pm on NYE, towards the end of a heat wave. While the ambient temp' was still warm, the grass provided a cool platform, and a stunning sunset then (thankfully distant) lightning storm provided the backdrop! I would definitely recommend other States/Territories commandeer this (night shows) approach to showing over the summer months, if they don't already.

Group 1 (Toys) 1) Italian Greyhound 2) Miniature Pinscher 3) Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Group 2 (Terriers) 1) Bedlington Terrier 2) Fox Terrier (Wire) 3) Kerry Blue Terrier Group 3 (Gundogs) 1) GSP 2) Irish Water Spaniel 3) Pointer Group 4 (Hounds) 1) Foxhound 2) Pharaoh Hound 3) Bloodhound Group 5 (Working Dogs) 1) Belgian Shepherd (all varieties) 2) Australian Kelpie 3) Dutch Shepherd Group 6 (Utility) 1) Schnauzer (Miniature) 2) Dobermann 3) Portugese Water Dog Group 7 (Non Sporting) 1) Schipperke 2) Dalmatian 3) Poodle (Standard)

Hey! Don't get me wrong! Yes, I too wonder how many people with a (real) interest are "put off". I went through a lot of breeders, a couple of rude ones, even ones that never returned my call and are now stuck with pups they can't seem to get rid of. I assume they're on limited register. I even had a backyard breeder trying to convince me to buy one of their pups. But hey, I'm just one of the lucky ones I guess. It was a real blessing to acquire my pup, and I'm glad I wasn't "put off". I think it's called determination? And you know what, if I couldn't find someone willing to sell me a pup in my chosen breed on the main register, I would've still got one on the limited register, and showing wouldn't have crossed my mind. Interestingly, I had a Katydid GSP bitch on 'breeders terms' back in the day, didn't even think about showing back then, let alone breeding. She was sterilised at 6 months and was of course a lovely, gentle companion for 14 years. The breeder retained her very similar looking litter sister for showing, and I assume breeding.

Yes, I understand that. I own a Belgian Shepherd who was bred by a backyard breeder. I purchased her as a 10wk old pup from Belgian Shepherd Rescue Grafton NSW. I'm pretty sure her parents were registered (main or limited - who knows). Anyway, I still reckon "If someone really really wants to show dogs, they'll find a breeder willing to sell them a pup on the main register".

I believe if a breeder thinks a potential purchaser of a pup is worthy of obtaining one of their pups on the main register, then they may agree to place it on the main regsiter. e.g. If the potential purchaser inquires about future matings and tells the breeder of their desire to show/breed; if the breeder trusts their credentials; if the potential purchaser asks to be put on a waiting list - well ahead of time!! That then shows the breeder the purchaser is genuine and dedicated, especially if they are prepared to wait months for a particular pup from their kennel. Limited registering may then ensure against compulsive buying of puppies, and potential unscrupulous breeding practices. I have always viewed limited regsitration as an opportunity for breeders to, as much as possible on their part, prevent unscrupulous/irresponsible breeding. Any measure put in place to prevent any facet of irresponsible pet ownership gets a big from me. If someone really really wants to show dogs, they'll find a breeder willing to sell them a pup on the main register.

How to keep me as a newbie interested in showing, and enter the sport regardless of all the 'horror stories' I hear?? I tend to think there are alot of wankers in most facets of life. For instance - a lot of bitchiness and bullying at Uni, a lot of bitchiness and bullying at school, a lot of bitchiness and bullying in the workplace, etc etc, hell even a lot of bitchiness and bullying amongst some families!! Why should the dog showing world be any different? In fact when I think about it, the bitchiness and bullying is pretty lame compared to many other arenas. I suppose at least everyone involved in dog showing (I hope!) loves animals. And any bitchiness and bullying coming my way? Well I'll just deal with it when/if it happens, but it won't put me off.