Show future? - Chihuahua Forum : Chihuahua Breed Dog Forums

Autchi · #1 02-24-2013, 05:19 AM

My baby is just only 10 weeks old but I was hoping to have him involved in showing. Looking for helpful guidance and above all honesty from everyone.
we practice once a day for 5 minutes to stack & stand.

defiantly interested to know what color blue or blue cream possibly lavender blue!!! so many colors!!!

Brodysmom · #2 02-24-2013, 07:54 AM

Did you buy him as a show prospect from a breeder who shows her dogs?

Here's a good write-up in how to find your first dog to show...

Looking for your 1st sho dog

I would have him evaluated for show potential by a person currently in the dog show world. Perhaps there is a kennel club in your city with knowledgeable folks who are active with conformation?

Lavender is not an accepted AKC color choice. Neither is blue cream. He looks to be blue and tan with white marking to me (blue tricolor). Or possible blue fawn with white markings. What color is his nose?

So many things go into producing a dog that fits the standard and that will win at dog shows. Structure, gait, head, temperament, etc. A reputable show breeder can only guess at a puppy's potential at such a young age. Were his parents champions or at least pointed? Grandparents?

Autchi · #3 02-24-2013, 07:50 PM

I purchased my boy from a family home, no show breeding or prospect. He came out of a litter with 3 other siblings & no breeding mill. His parents are DNA'd for purity of the breed & there might be a handful of CH. Titles back from great grand parents. Nothing special.
But I wasn't looking to show crazy. I'm looking to have fun & get involved not go for the gold. And money is no option & if I waste hundreds of dollars, at least I had fun.
I raise and show horses if you want to talk about wasted $. Lol

As for everything else, I currently have one, that is 40miles but worth the drive & membership for what we are goal driven for. I have spoke with the show trainers, puppy club starting programs & all ready to start puppy classes in April.

I have been doing everything you have suggested, as I knew to do or am doing, well trying. Beside buying from a show breeder.
But iam on the correct path.

I come here to get opinions and ideas since I have to wait and wish to share, be better educated from experienced chi owners before I go and find out in person for myself.

I only have 1 mentor with 1 opinion. Here I have hundreds with thousands of show experience and there opinions.

My mentor is a chi owner & show handler that grooms dogs for a living.
As she has told me " you never know unless you try" he may not be champion champion lined but that doesn't mean he couldn't be the start to a bright future for us.

Evelyn · #4 02-24-2013, 08:29 PM

He looks like a winner to me.

Brodysmom · #5 02-24-2013, 09:00 PM

I'm glad you are going to conformation classes with the kennel club. They will help you and you will meet some great people there. 40 miles isn't that far to drive really. Their help will be invaluable. Whether or not they have any experience with chi's, they will have experience with other breeds and structure is structure. (As you probably know from showing horses.)

As long as he has both testicles, there's no reason he couldn't be shown. And you could learn the show ropes with him. (And build points for others! Which they will appreciate.

) It would be embarrassing if he was dismissed by the judge for lack of merit, which does happen. But it will be awhile before you get to that point. You have lots of time to learn in the meantime before you enter your first show.

You might as well give it a go and see if it is something you are interested in. If so, you can then buy a good quality show prospect and be on your way. We all had to start somewhere. Actually training and showing your dog goes a long way in showing a serious show breeder that you are truly willing to learn and then you may be able to purchase a quality dog.

In the meantime, study study study the breed standard and especially the illustrated standard. Go to any and all dog shows you can find. Invest in learning and it will pay off.

http://chihuahuaclubofamerica.com/im...d_standard.pdf

This is from the british standard, for example, but you get an idea on how an ideal chihuahua should be built and how to train your eye to look for faults ....

We are not a "head breed" as much as bulldogs are, for example, for the head is very very important. Spend time learning what a correct headpiece looks like, eye placement, ear shape and placement, the stop, the angles between the forehead and muzzle, a correct bite. A beautiful dog with a plain head will not go far. All the pieces of the puzzle must come together. This is called breed 'type'. Over time, you will learn what that is and how it applies to our breed.

You can even go to breeders websites that are currently out and showing their dogs (people active in the breed, not just cutesy puppy selling sites) and study their show photos and stacked pictures of their puppies and dogs. Look at the general appearance, the shape of the head, the set of the ears, the topline (which should be LEVEL), tail set, angulation of front and rear, feet, etc. This will help you develop a critical eye. Along with studying the standard, that should help you learn what is correct for the breed.

Last but not least - make sure you keep an eye on his joints, hips, knees (patellas) as he grows. Have your vet go over him critically for soundness. The most beautiful dog in the world should not win (or reproduce) unless they are totally 100% sound.

Good luck!

Edit: Just want to say to not use Brody as any kind of example of what a quality bred chihuahua should look like.

He is a wonderful pet. But he would never be competitive in shows. Not in the slightest. It doesn't mean we love him any less or that he is worth less than the most titled show dog out there. It is just the truth, he was randomly bred by pet people with no understanding of structure and conformation.

Autchi · #6 02-24-2013, 11:13 PM

Brody, I'm very happy to have great guidance, thank you.

I do wish to learn more of roach back in the chi. I can set (stack) my boy for a moment & see a quick glance, but not straight as an arrow from point of shoulder to point of hip.
Thank god for horse conformation!!! Lol
I snagged a few pictures of him, playing & I see his back is always arched a bit up, unless he stops to stand attentive or tug a toy.

I see alot of chi with a upward back, when at play but when stacked & trained to stack without fuss I see the topline level out.

Are all chis roached to a degree & need to stand correctly, head up neck reaching... Or nit roached to a degree, I don't know how to ask that since all back bend at the middle or huntch? Lol

Learning!!!!!

Brodysmom · #7 02-24-2013, 11:34 PM

No, a roached back usually doesn't correct itself. Although as he grows, it IS possible it could level out. Time will tell. That's why we don't put too much hope in puppies. Look at them at birth, 3 days, 8 weeks, and then again at 6 months.

Then decide if they have potential or not. They will go through all kinds of awkward wonky stages where things don't fit together and they look all out of proportion.

Another way to learn if you can't get to a real show is to watch judging videos on youtube. Chi's or course, but look at other breeds, especially the toys. And especially the smooth coated breeds. Long coats can hide a lot of structural faults. The faults aren't apparent until you put your hands on the dog. I've seen a pom puppy that could stop traffic, he was so beautiful. But when I went over him, OMG.

He was a mess. Cleverly groomed profuse coats can hide a multitude of faults.

You can tell when they move if they are structurally correct or not. Our breed should not have a hackney (prancing) gait. So many people think its 'cute' but it is not correct. This is when your horse showing experience will really help you develop an eye! Obviously if the horse is not put together correctly, he will not move correctly. Shoulder angulation is paramount to proper reach. A well angulated rear will propel the dog with drive from the rear. Too short in the body? He will crab or move sideways so that his back feet don't run into his front feet. Hard to explain... but you will know it when you see it.

Keep watching. Keep learning. Keep reading. Keep asking questions.

MChis · #8 02-26-2013, 09:42 PM

Tracy gave some great info! I'm just going to add a link to a sticky here that has a few videos that I think would be helpful as well. I'm more a visual person so...if you're anything like me they'll be helpful.

The Chihuahua--Video(s) of the Breed Standard