You Have A Star At Home
You have been told that your young Border may shine, but both you and your four legged friend need to learn about etiquette in the show ring, grooming, stripping, and how to get the best from your young dog without tiring him, boring him to death or frightening him. A show ring is not the natural habitat of a Border terrier, but in the current political climate his natural working abilities are extremely limited, so he has to learn new tricks.
You have read the available handbooks while researching for your chosen breed, so you will be aware of the top winners, and will have looked at the photographs showing winning dogs prepared for the show ring. That is your objective.
Where to start
Join one of the seven Border Terrier Clubs, ideally the nearest one to you geographically. Check out www.theborderterrierclub.co.uk for links to all the UK Clubs and their secretaries. Most of the clubs have fun events as well as three shows each year, so by contacting the secretary and going to a show where you can join as a member (you will need to be nominated by two current members), watching as well as asking for explanations of what is happening, you will soon make friends and learn the basics about showing.
Try to be objective. You love your Border and you are anxious to find out what people think of him in a show environment, but be prepared to enjoy your hobby first and don't be afraid to lose. If you do, be a good loser. Each judge has a different perspective and interpretation of the breed standard -' the template' - so today you may not win, but tomorrow you may be placed in the line-up.
Once you are a Club member you will be sent regular show schedules - and you are on your way.
The show schedule
Breed club shows are divided into classifications for dogs and bitches, and begin with classes for the youngest (6-9 months) and then for puppies (6-12 months) and then Junior (up to 18 months). Thereafter the classes graduate to the senior, Open Class, for which any dog is eligible - but it is principally designed for experienced, winning dogs, many of whom are already Champions. A win in minor Puppy, Puppy or even Junior (if your puppy is still under 12 months) can put your in competition against your breed counterpart to win Best Puppy Dog or Bitch and ultimately, Best Puppy in Show.
If your youngster starts to win and is eventually too old to be eligible for Junior, he will work his way up the ladder from class to class; pushed on to the next level all the way by virtue of his wins as he progresses. Both dogs and bitches go through the same process.
Championship Shows (each of the seven clubs is authorised by the Kennel Club to hold one of these per year) are prestigious events and it is here where your young dog may find himself winning a Challenge Certificate* or a Reserve Challenge Certificate.
*These precious green cards are valued by all exhibitors as they represent the judge's view that in his or her opinion, your dog is the best representative of the Border Terrier breed standard on the day. The Reserve Challenge Certificate means that should the CC winner be disqualified for any reason, the judge believes that your exhibit is also fit to be worthy of a CC.
At the end of the show your CC winning dog will go head to head with his breed counterpart for Best in Show.
Canine Societies and other…
Are wonderful platforms for novice judges who want to climb the judging ladder and great starting points for novice exhibitors and tyro dogs. This could be you. (Information about these shows can be picked up at breed club shows or details will be found in one of the two main weekly dog papers 'Dog World' or 'Our Dogs'). Novice judges will be invited to judge just three or four classes of Border terriers. Often these classes at an Open Show are a 'supported entry' which means that the nearest Border Terrier Club has put up rosettes and prize money and may even donate a perpetual trophy.
If the Open Show is judged on the Group system, to save expenses, Societies will often invite a breed specialist judge qualified to award Challenge Certificates to judge the whole of the terrier group, sending the Best in Group terrier through to the Best in Show judge. Otherwise the Best of Breed winning Border must wait to appear in the Best in Show ring later in the day, with all the other Best of Breed winners.
Completing your show entry
Look carefully at the classifications offered. Ensure that your Border is eligible for the classes you wish to enter. Has he won too many prizes to be in that class? Is he too old for that class? It is important to remember your dog's date of birth, not just for the schedule but also because the judge may ask you how old he is.
No-one tells you about all this. You take responsibility for getting your entries right.
If you don't, the Kennel Club will disqualify any win you have, or if you are lucky, someone will point out your error at the show before you break the rules.
Check the closing date for entries and get your entry form posted in time.
Going Into Battle
website by Alexis Filby
