To Old To Show?

[LovaStaffChih]

Hi All,

I'm pretty new to this Forum and I usually only come on because I enjoy reading the convo's and getting some great tips. I have a 2 1/2 yr old mains reg. bitch who has never been shown before. My question is what age is too old to enter the Show Ring? Should I not even bother?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

[SpikesPuppy]

IMO there is no age that is 'too old' as long as the dog is sound and happy to be there :D

2 and a half is still quite young, some breeds don't even reach their prime until older (4-5).

[WreckitWhippet]

They are never to old to start. I don't always start with baby puppies some of mine are closer to 12 months before they see the show ring.

Sometimes it takes a bit more of an effort to get older dogs to settle down and ignore the other dogs but it can be done. My hound was 2.5 and he took to showing like he'd been in the ring all of his life.

If you are interested in it, then join the Canine Council in your start and do it. If you give a general location , there might be a DOLer who can either help you out or point you in the right direction for some training help and getting started.

[LovaStaffChih]

I'm so glad to hear that. I was a bit concerned that her age would go against her. Thankyou for your comments, I feel more enthusiastic about our propects.

I will be joining the SBT Club of Vic also, I hope to get some extra info and advice from them. Thanks guys.

[Owned by Shelties]

My bitch has just entered the ring at 4 1/2 yrs... it's taken her a couple of litters to mature up :D since having a handful of shows she has picked up some lovely RCC and a RUBOB amongst some lovely competition who are titled and nearing their grand..never too old to start

Edited January 18, 2010 by Owned by Shelties

[Ceilidh]

I had a cocker bitch that I nearly lost as a 3 month old, she lost every skerrick of feathering, I mean EVERY, she looked like a GSP, and was pin thin. I had judged her to be pick of the litter so decided to keep her around to see if she would bounce back. Well bounce back she did and I started showing her at 18 months of age. It took her 4 months to be able to get around the ring on more than one leg at a time Nearly every judge told me that 'when that girl gets her act together she will win!' And the rest, you could say, is history.

Here she is: http://www.mydogs.com.au/ceilidh/dog.asp?dog=55

[ellz]

A few years ago, I imported a 7 year old American Cocker from the USA. Primarily as a stud dog. He had been shown as a puppy in the USA but had spent the bulk of his life in a kennel being used at stud only.

When he arrived here, he had already been clipped off. It took a year to grow his coat back. He hit the ring at just past 8 years of age. Was titled and an All Breeds Best In Show winner at 9 years and 2 days.

If they've got the attitude and the quality, it won't matter what age they start!

Good luck!

[poodlefan]

Ooops wrong thread.

Edited January 18, 2010 by poodlefan

[Sandra777]

I seem to collect other people's older dogs and have started the show career of two bitches, one nearly 5 one just gone 4. The older bitch we titled in three weekends, the younger bitch never managed to win a CC, but did get a ResCC at a specialist show under one of the most respected breeders and judges in the world, so that was good enough!

[Bilbo Baggins]

I stared my ruby girl at 5 years took her a few shows to get the drift but now loves it.

Has a few reserves and 1 CC.

BBJ did report that a Judge siad thankyou for bringing her out. She is now 7

Mind you she really only matured around 4 years.

[Asari]

No never to old i would be in trouble if there were i have two that should have been in the ring early last year but due to unforseen curcumstances that was imposible so this year all going well i will get them there i have my fingers and toes all crossed. So goodluck with your new venture!!!!!

[BC]

My boy turned 2 in September. I have only shown him 4-5 times but felt he was not mature enough so I will get him out more this year

[LovaStaffChih]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I sort of feel silly now for asking. I guess 2 and a half is still quite young. She has only just filled out in the past 6-7 months and shes looking really good. She has been doing obedience for quite some time, the funny thing is I thought "oh she knows her sit, stand drops, how hard can stacking be?"

OMG she looks terrible! We have alot of homework to do. Anyways thanks everyone.

[angelsun]

My bazillion performance titled Manchester didn't hit the AKC show rings til he was six years of age and had half of his bazillion performance titles....he was never meant to show there as I felt he wasn't competative, and put in to help build majors for others....oops...he snagged four of the five majors and fell three points short of his AKC title because of it (one weekend) As an older dog, he was in the Open class where most judges award points from, and had more brain cells working compared to young silly dogs....by waiting, I saved a TON of money (at $30/entry)

[SnoPaws]

Myself and my dog are complete newbies to showing and would have to agree that you are never too old to start, neither is the dog!.

I didn't start until my dog was a junior due a variety of reasons, but we had our seventh show last Saturday and our first in intermediate. We won the challenge, best of breed and even got shortlisted for group

It has been hard work more because his handler is a complete nuffy rather than anything to do with him.