Arriving At The Venue
Set off for your show in plenty of time and allow for traffic jams. It isn't good to arrive in a panic - the dog will sense it and will be not give his best. Remember to take your entry pass (sent out by the Show Society in receipt of your entry) if you are off to an all breeds Championship Show.
Arrive in time to allow the dog a brief walk to stretch his legs and do what comes naturally (hence the poop bags - don't leave them beside the car, dispose of them in a convenient bin or take them home!). You may want to leave him safely in his crate while you check in and have a look round.
If the show is a Benched Show, your exhibit will have been allocated a bench in a tent alongside others of his breed and the bench number will also be your class number. Refer to the catalogue to determine where your tent and show ring are located. For security, most people now take their travel crates onto the benches to keep the dog free from poking fingers and disturbance.
There will be a gate steward at the entrance to welcome you, whether it is a small or a large show. Breed Club shows are fun events which are managed by volunteer members who are the Club Committee. Home made refreshments are provided and there is always a raffle.
All breed Championship shows have food stalls, clothing, dog beds, coat preparations, pictures, books, veterinary products, grooming aids, carrying crates of all types, weekly dog press representation, photographers and the dog food manufacturers have a huge presence and often sponsor the shows.
Show technique
Disguise the fact that you are new at showing by getting it right first time!
Check where the dogs are standing in the ring. "Seen dogs," dogs which have been judged in a previous class, will be always be asked to stand in a particular place in the ring, previously discussed between the stewards and the judge and "new dogs" will stand opposite. You will be a "new dog" so you will know where to go. Watch and listen for your class to be called. This is also your responsibility. If your class is called by the stewards and you miss it, you may have come a very long way for nothing.
Comb and settle your dog just as the previous class winners are clapped and the judge is writing his/her critique. Memorise your ring number and when the class is called, tell the ring steward your number and in exchange, you will be given a card carrying your catalogue number.
(At an all breeds Championship show your ring number will be above your bench. Don't forget to wear it before you get to the ring, which may be a distance from the benches). Pin it to your ring clip in a visible place - both spectators and ring stewards will want to see it.
Stand in the line with the new dogs. If you feel the dog next to you is noisy or obstructive, this is the time to change your position, so go to the end of the line. If this is your first show, try and find a spot in the middle of the line so that you can see what others do. Make a mental note of which dog is at the front of the line, so that you can have your dog on his toes as soon as the judge completes the individual assessments.
At home, you will have practiced many times standing your dog to look like the winning dogs in the Border Terrier books. You may even have been advised to take your potential show dog to ringcraft classes. So if you have you will be prepared, but relax and don't fuss the dog. Just set him up to look his best, keep him still and wait for the judge to walk down the line and have a first look.
The judge may then ask for the new dogs to move round the ring once or twice, while he/she watches movement. Always show your dog on the judge's side, never get between the judge and the dog. If you do, the judge cannot assess the dog properly.
When the dog in front of you has been moved and the judging table is free, (don't walk in front of the judge) lift your dog onto the table and again, stand him to look his best. Always retain control of his lead and avoid feeding him while the judge is examining him. Speak when spoken to and when asked to move, the judge will say whether a triangle is required or 'straight up and down' the central floor mat, once or twice. Always finish in front of the judge and try to have your exhibit looking up at you or the judge and standing still. When dismissed, go back to join the line of new dogs.
Allow the dog to relax - but not interfere with others - while you wait for the judge to finish. As soon as the last dog has been seen, stand your dog again, looking at his best, while the judge moves between the dogs, making up his/her mind.
If you are called out to the winning line, for example in second place, be sporting and congratulate the winner. It could be you next time.
If you are placed in the first two, wait while the judge writes a report about your dog. If you have entered another class with your dog, you will then be a "seen dog" and must stand with the other seen dogs.
Your dog may be fun at home when he is leaping about and barking, but you may be asked to remove your dog if it is unruly in the ring. Similarly, if your dog shows any aggression towards other dogs, you may consider withdrawing it before you are asked to do so. So do socialise your Border - they are naturally gregarious, and if at first you don't succeed. Practice makes perfect - Try again!
Showing On A Loose Lead
website by Alexis Filby
