Visit A Dog Show and Talk to Dog Breeders
Dog Show Etiquette
Going to a dog show is a great way to see good examples of the breed and to meet breeders and owners.
Ask Before Touching or Feeding a Dog
Although the Weimaraner requires very little last minute grooming, people with coated breeds have often spent hours grooming their dogs. Some dogs are nervous or may not yet be used to crowds or children. Some dogs grab and snap for treats, may be on special diets or have finicky stomachs.
Never Let Your Child Hug A Strange Dog
Just like most people object to being grabbed and hugged by strangers, so do many dogs.
Respect A Dog's Space
Don't poke fingers or objects into crates or exercise pens. Some dogs are protective or possessive about their crates. It's impolite to stare in dog language and may be taken as a challenge.
Watch Where You Step
Make sure you don't step on any feet, noses or tails. Also, unfortunately, not everyone cleans up after their dogs right away. It is appropriate to bring a clean up situation to the attention of the nearest ring steward or club official.
Keep All Family Members on the Outside of Ring Barriers
Each dog and handler has only a few crucial moments in the ring with the judge. Any distractions (food or objects thrown into the ring, body parts hanging over or under the ring barriers, and/or loud disturbances) can throw their performance off.
Always Ask if it is a Good Time to Talk
You might be catching someone as they are nervously waiting to go in the ring for hopefully a finishing win or they may be closely watching the dogs they are interested in. Quickly introduce yourself and ask when it would be convenient to talk to them about their dogs.
How to Find Out About A Dog Show Near You
Most all breed kennel clubs and some specialty clubs hire a dog show superintendent to send out information about their show, take entries, mail out entry acknowledgments and judging programs and to handle the multitude of paper work required by The American Kennel Club. This information is now available online.
The premium list for a show tells you the who, what , when and where. A dog may be entered in a show and/or obedience trial up until noon on the Wednesday two and a half weeks before the weekend of the show. A few days after the entries close, the judging program will be listed. It tells you what time a breed will be judged, the ring number and how many of a breed have been entered. Premium lists and judging schedules usually include directions and map to the show site. A parking fee and/or admission fee may
be charged for spectators. The most frequently used superintendents for this part of the country are:
Information, then click on Request Upcoming Shows Index. Scroll down &
click on show you are interested in.
Calendar. Scroll down to Upcoming Shows Within: (choose a beginning and
ending date) and click on for a list of shows. Scroll down and click on
show you want information for. Options for MB-F superintended shows are:
View Judging Panel, View Judging Program and View Premium Lists
Lists and scroll down and click on name of show you want info on. Similar
options as other two sites.
Provi
To find out about the American Kennel Club sanctioned and licensed dog show rules and rugulations visit their site at www.akc.org
