I used to want a chi to show, but looking into it a friend of a friend used to show her dogs (cant remember the breed) and she said it was all very close knit, and just the people friends/relations of the judge or show owners won,..

If you have shown whats your experience? and what do you think of showing?

Maybe this bit should have been in the show/breeding part, but im not involved in any of it my self im just interested in peoples opinions!!

xxxxxx

__________________
xXx PrEcIoUs xXx

I've been doing handling for a while now and my mum used to show/breed Chihuahuas and I'll be getting my own Chihuahua to show in a few months so I know a lot about the whole showing community.

One of my best friends won her first show with her Malamute and she didn't know anyone there. She won a big trophy and everything, it was great.

I think if you have a really well bred dog, if you are social and friendly, you'll easily fit in.

Just keep in mind though that the breeders LOVE to talk. I was talking to my puppy's breeder today and all she did was slam other breeders and say how hopeless they are. (A lot of the people she was talking about were, but she shouldn't be discussing it with everyone LOL) I was called "a stupid bitch" when I beat another breeder's daughter in junior handling. I was only 14!

But if you're serious about it, go for it. It's a lot of fun and if you mingle with the right people, it's a great place to make friends.

You should also contact freedomchis and sunshine45 (or 42? I don't remember, sorry!)

Contact the BCC, you will find a lot are lovely people others are umm less desirable much like general society, show people range, so you're probably better off going along and speaking to some people and deciding for yourself who you would like a dog from. You will find that the reasons as to why they show also varies quite a bit.

I was involved within the show world when I was very young and did a lot of junior handling, some people are incredibly supportive and will always give you help and advice, others hate outsiders but everyone warms up when they realise you're serious about it and your persistent in it. As for why I don't show now as I've previously stated one I don't have the time to give to a show puppy, it wouldn't be fair to take on a dog that could go to someone who has more time to put into the ring side of things and two there are only certain people I would consider having a puppy from anyway

Oh yeah and I definitely agree with one of the names mentioned above, but the BCC should be able to give you a few pointers at least.

jezz i have only started so dont really know that much
but from my experience yes it was tough getting into i met a nice lady whos shows chihuahuas she told me how to get into it and what to do
my hubby is really the talker i let him then he introduced me to everyone i now have confidence to speak to everyone with all difference breeds quite alot are really encouraging and very helpful i have a few who sent me emails now about up and coming shows and a few who text the hubby about shows too
showers love talking about their dogs and i love listening to all their stories
once you get in their you actually see and meet the same people all the time
one of my shower friends started when i started and we always do the stake classes together its so funny as she has a mastiff and i have my chihuahuas
so we are learning together

sunshine45(angie) and jesshan(denise) have been showing for years they would tell you a lot more better than i can lol as i am only a beginer
but its good to get info from all sorts of people beginers and people who have done it for years as all info counts

I would say my advice would be to keep yourself to yourself, show people can be extremely bitchy and two faced. It is the same in some breeds, but not all. I have a friend in bulldogs that says they are nothing like the chi showers, so its a shame some can't act like the adults they are. I would say the most important thing is to not give a *&** what others think and keep on enjoying what you do!

You have posted pics of that boy before and he is just Awesome I soooo love his coat

Here in the states I have been told that the Chihuahua show world was one of the worst. I am not sure about the UK? I know they can be mean here and nasty when it comes to danes. You have to keep a thick skin and not believe everything they tell you There are some politics to it here as well but as said above if you have a nice dog then you shouldnt worry. Also it is not all about politics here as alot of new people can come in and win I have made alot of friends here in the ring that have been very helpful and informative, but some are real jerks

As for him being intact you could have some issues down the road if your girls are intact? I have seen intact males get terriotrial over a bitch in heat and attack the neutered males in the home. I think that you should be fine but just keep it in the back of your head that you may have to seperate sometimes when the girls are in heat (this ofcourse only if your females are intact?)

__________________


The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten....

I had no idea it would be the same in the US Michelle?

The other advice I forgot to say earlier pinkglitterybunny is be very careful what you buy.... some breeders palm off dogs to newbies saying they are great and will do well, but you can't even put them in the ring! Then you get looked down on for selling them on because they are no good to you, when the breeder has done exactly the same thing in selling that dog to you!The best advice I have been given by a breeder of one of mine was "nobody is your friend, they are all out for themselves" and I am afraid that is true from my experience so far. Also it seems that some breeders turn a blind eye to misdemeanors made by each other, but if a new person did it, oooh heads will roll! LOL. It is such a case of double standards....and sometimes it seems to be who is on the other end of the lead that counts with winning too

But if you enjoy it you will carry on doing what you love regardless, I hate the way it works but I wouldn't stop because of others, why should I, they are the ones with the problem I say! It just makes me more determind to carry on when they try to put you off and try to bring you down, if you give into that, you are giving them what they want! It is supposed to be fun and for the love of the DOGS. It is a shame that this gets disillusioned.

Aww doesn't anyone like you anymore Lucy I have more faith in the show world than I did previously lmao