Breed ring training - Page 1

Just curious if anyone has used AKC breed specialty shows to give their dogs ring experience as they are so much more frequent/accessible in some areas then USA/WDA shows. Of corse not expecting any wins, just training. How were you recieved?

My expierience. The participants sneer a little. German dogs don't go higher than 4th. You do get some ring exposure and lots of people ask you afterwards why your dog didn't win. Keep in mind they are two different types of dogs. Go for the fun and you probably won't be disappointed.

I have taken River to one UKC show and will do two more in Jan and Feb that are just tiny shows for experience. She got to see the show, the dogs, the people plus she got experience in how to behave in the ring. I can't go to AKC as River is a White Shepherd but I'm guessing it's about the same. Dog1 is right. Just go for the fun of it and you won't be disappointed. I was actually very pleased as River took reserve best in show in the first show (judge said she'd have given her first but River was tired and wouldn't stack). But that was just an added bonus. The second the judge didn't even look at her and only glanced at one of the other pups because he didn't like the breeds. Since I was there for fun I wasn't TOO pissed at him. Just remember that everyone has a preference in dogs and don't take anything personally.

I agree with Dog1. I do the same thing for as many as four of my males and bitches, and the reaction from the AKC GSD crowd is always the same. "You know, if you want to win you must use different breed lines because these will go nowhere in this group." To that my reply is usually "I know that, but I think that everyone needs to see dogs that are examples of the CORRECT standard." "We are just here to further socialize the dogs and have some fun." Which is the truth. It really excites people when we bring in as many as four-all pulling hard and shoulder-to-shoulder. And we are the ones that people come to visit between the rings because we allow them and their children to pet the dogs. I think we have sold a couple of puppies because of this exposure. The judges know ours are German dogs before they come in, and they ocassionally offer a nice critique. But, they must judge by the AKC standard that prefers a lightweight sometimes skittish animal as long as it has overdone rear angulation and the "rolling side gait". I guess that ours goosestep too much. Anyway-go for the fun and enjoy yourself. It's a good experience for the dogs and they will certainly have a good time. Just don't be disappointed because the AKC's GSD standard describes a very different dog and not one that most of us prefer.

There are AKC judges that judge by the standard and except for a few differences, they will place a correct german dog in a higher placing. just because a dog is german does not mean it is correct in either interpretation of the standard. i entered my Kliff daughter in a match type show against 3 other females, and she placed first under Dan Smith. She also showed at another match in the open class under an AKC breeder judge, and out of the 5 placed 3rd and the ONLY reason she didnt go second was because if that judge did that, the 2nd place person would have been mortified LOL the judge pulled me aside and said "wow, what shoulder and front reach and power" and told him she was german bloodlines... and he said she would finish LOL as did the other judge.. she has a correct back and front and follow through etc... for anyones interpretation of the standard... best bet is if you are looking for practice and ring training, go to an All Breed Show and show under an All Breed judge... do some research ask around the AKC shows and find out what judges judge what.. and HAVE FUN... i know its hard to have fun when we are in last... been there too with my Yani puppies, my VP puppy female was 4th out of 4 bitches LOL but one of the males from the same litter was 2nd place out of 4 so.. go figure and he lives in a companion home!!! bottom line HAVE FUN!! go to the Sanctioned Matches too those are only 6.00 to enter :) Dawnmarie