Getting started "into" the show business/training?? - Page 1

So I've become more and more interested in the GSD as I've gotten older. Currently own 2 of my own whom I've just done "practical" training on such as heel, stay, sit, down to make them behave. I think it'd be kinda fun to do a bit of showing but don't really know how to go about getting started or how to find shows to go to to see what they are like. We don't just have tons of money to fly all around the country to go to shows just to see if I'm really interested and if I am interested and would like to pursue it, how do I find a club, get decent help to train myself and the dog, etc...How much does showing cost in the US?? Just lots of questions I have and don't know how to get answers! Was hoping some of you experienced showers/handlers/what-not could give some advice on figuring out if I'd like to pursue showing and how to get started if I AM interested...Thanks!

I am sorry no American citizen is stepping in. I am German, so I am not that used to the different kennel clubs of the United States.
Given that we are talking about the 2 dogs you registered on this board, both of them are more or less West German Showlines. That said, in case you want to join a SV style show, your dogs have to be titled ( IPO/RH2/HGH ) as soon as they are 2 years old - no title necessary, when they are younger.
The dog should be fit, used to other dogs, know how to stack, how to pull on leash, and for an SV show you should use a handler. Most often the show secretary will know about available handlers. I´d suggest to join a club prior to showing your dog, some ringtraining will help a lot.
I don´t know if you need to be a member of the breed club in question, and I absolutely know nothing about the requirements for an AKC show, sorry.

Google AKC. Google UScA.

Maiya, again its like Susie writing from Germany, I can't advise you about how best to get into the loop re USA Shows; but in case it is of any help (to you or anybody else reading) I can tell you how it would be for someone in your position to get into Showing in the UK.

As Joan suggests, using the internet search engines for the pages of the Kennel Club and/or major Breed organisations wherever you are located is an excellent first step especially if you have no other information. These websites almost always have pages or links to the calendar of forthcoming Shows and other events.

What usually happens over here is that the GSD breeder you initially obtain your dog(s) from might well be into Showing themselves, and may undertake to 'mentor' you, take you along to see their dogs being shown, help you with the ring-training, and help with paperwork (entry forms etc.)

Failing such a helpful breeder, the other thing you can do is to find a local dog club of any kind; a place where you and your dog can go along every week or so, meet other serious dog owners, pick up news about Shows and the preparation of dogs for them. A 'working' eg IPO Club will have people who know what is going on in terms of working competitions, and, in America, SV style Shows. A 'ringcraft' club or even a basic obedience class will generally have people who can tell you about the AKC scene.

In the UK we have a further resource, in that we have two weekly dog newspapers ["Our Dogs" and "Dog World"] which routinely publish the dates, venues, closing dates & Judges for almost any forthcoming dog show nationally. All-breed or single breed. Get to some that way, and you can often pick up flyers advertising other Shows while you are there. If you get onto Clubs and Show Societies mailing lists, you can sometimes be kept informed on a permanent basis.

In the UK we start showing dogs at six months of age; but in terms of teaching 'ring manners', and how to run in front of you - for the larger Germanic (SV-style) rings where more notice is taken of movement during judging - there's no reason not to take your pups to Club while quite a lot younger than that, to get started. Its good for socialisation, even if they are too young to run around for very long.

Best of luck whichever you get involved in, hope you have some successful placings and that you and your dogs have a lot of fun.

Are you trying to make showing dogs a business.  Do you wish to show dogs in the SV ring or AKC ring. This will make quite a difference in how you show the dog.

There is also the UKC ring similar to AKC

Assuming you're referring to getting your dogs into the breed ring, as opposed to training and trialing in Schutzhund/IPO. If that's not the case, then disregard the rest of this post.

Both kennels behind the dams of your dogs do or have done some showing in the German-style conformation shows in the US; from what I can tell, Haus Ortiz is more actively involved in that area than Von Rheinhardt, so if you're in proximity to Haus Ortiz that might be the best place to start off if that's the type of showing you think you'd like to try out. If you're not located near either breeder, there's likely someone on here who is in your vicinity if you'll share the general area where you are situated.

Dogs from the European import lines tend to get passed over in the AKC conformation shows, but you could certainly enter if you want to experience some frustration and pay for the privilege. The American line dogs are presented differently than is done under the SV system, and the judges tend to favor a dog that's got a different structure than what you see in the European lines.

European-line dogs do well in the United Kennel Club conformation shows, however, so that may also be something to look into, as Western Rider suggested.

Regardless of which type of conformation showing you're interested in, you should try and attend several of the shows in your area as a spectator, and get a feel for what it entails.

More specific suggestions are difficult without knowing the general area you're in, unfortunately.

Wow! Ok, to answer some more questions that arose from your guys' answers...IF i would do it, it'd initially be out of curiosity of how showing works and how to title a dog, if i like it, maybe do it as business but as of now it'd be more of a hobby. I'd be more interested in the IPO/SCH (same thing, right) although isn't the conformation showing required to get points for a title? or not necessarily? I googled usca as joanro mentioned and I'm located in the northeast, PA to be exact, closest club would be state college, which could work if I could get my husband on board with my "hobby". I wouldn't use either of the dogs i currently have, would prob get a puppy and start from scratch. What i have now the female is already 4.5 and the male is too skittish, kinda disappointed in how he's turned out thus far. So thanks everyone for your input, i think I have enough info right now to at least find some shows/trials to go to and to get in contact with a club at least. I'm guessing a club could help me further? At least with learning how to train and such???what exactly does a club do for a person?

Contact the club in state college and they’ll help you, there are people there that are experienced in both the trial work (schutzhund/ipo) and the showing. You’ve got it a little backwards, in order to achieve the highest possible rating in the breed ring (the show) you need to have an IPO title. The highest rating is only achievable in the working class (titled dogs over 24 months old). Other ratings are given in lower classes to younger dogs and can also be achieved in the adult un-tilted class but to those following the SV system those other classes aren’t the focus.

The club itself will give you access to information and access to people that will be able to help you. Most people don’t have access to a helper outside of a club, also to the field to get ready for an IPO trial.

so, Bavarian Wagon, are you saying that the work done before their 2nd birthday is all like a pre-requisite to be able to earn a VA, V, SG, etc??? Like in college how you sometimes have do a certain class before you can do another one? So for example/clarification, you'd have to go to a TRIAL and get enough points to earn IPO 1, than go to another trial and earn IPO 2, etc. Than when you have IPO 3 you can go to a SHOW and earn the final rating which would be VA, V, etc..? Or am I still not getting it?? Thanks for trying to get my understanding straightened out, I may just have to get my foot in the door to fully understand how it works...

Oh! Another thing i've always wondered is if you make it a business how does the money come in? Do you win money by placing higher or is it all just in puppy sales?