~ Breeding ~
~ Hoops to Jump in Conformation? ~
You bet your sweet bippie there are hoops, and yes, I do realize conformation is not even remotely like obedience or agility, in fact they are entirely different and separate venues in which we may enjoy our dogs. But yes, there are hoops to jump in conformation.
I would love to admit to one and all I was part and parcel to the creation of this piece, but I was not. This piece comes to you through the gracious generosity of Laura Wilson of WildWest Shelties; it is a letter written by Laura to another member of a sheltie breed e-mail list, and because I felt this was valuable information to ANYONE who is new to the wonderful world of sheltie breeding and showing, she agreed to allow me to use it on my web site.
The information you are about to absorb is all-too-painfully true. I would gladly title this -
"Yes, Virginia, there are Hoops to Jump in Conformation"
But the title of the piece, as given by the author, is -
Advice For A New Person
To The Breed Ring
~ As written by
Laura Wilson, who gave express permission for Ailea's use ~
I am almost 7 years in this ring and still get discouraged about all kinds of things, from my dogs to my skills to maybe feeling a little bit like an outsider on occasion. I am a member of a great club and have made even better friends through the club and participating in sheltie conformation, but sometimes this (dog shows) is just plain discouraging. Every year is better, and overall I feel a part of something fun and great and I really enjoy the people I meet, but I know it wasn't that way when I started: Everyone seemed so busy or I felt invisible! I have thought about it some and these are my opinions only:
1. Just because you don't win the points or even place first in a class doesn't make your dog any less valuable or lovable. A nine month old puppy is more likely going to need a year or two to mature so use this time to improve your skills and instill a love of showing in your dog.
2. A dog doesn't get noticed much by others until he starts winning and very few comments are made until that first or second WD. It seems to just be the way things are. People don't comment on another's dog a lot of times, especially a young dog because SO much can change.
3. Watch the ENTIRE entry of shelties. Watch people fluffing at ringside. Watch people handling in the ring. Watch what the judge does and where he looks. Do you see someone who consistently has beautifully groomed and presented dogs? Watch them like a hawk and try to pick up something from watching. I learned how to be a better groomer by quietly watching a pro handler in our area fluff at ringside. I didn't ask to watch, I didn't make a nuisance of myself or be real obvious. I just paid attention to what she was doing while I was grooming my own dogs. From techniques to tools, you can pick up something at just about every show with a good-sized entry.
4. Make your goal for each show be to put
on the best performance you can. Groom that dog prior, fluff ringside, practice
gaiting and baiting. Pay attention to what you're doing and what others are
doing. Make a mental note of one or two areas you need to improve on and
practice. Visualize you and your dog in the ring before the judge and what you
and your dog look like together doing it perfectly. Be happy with your
accomplishments and don't beat yourself up to badly for flubbin' it.
5. Be friendly and courteous even if those around you ignore you or are rude. It ALWAYS pays off in the long run to be friendly and courteous. One of the few "always" in life.
6. Be consistent in attending meetings and shows. Especially as a new person, go even if you are not showing. Have you made any acquaintances? Maybe you could offer to help them carry something to the ring or back to their set up. Don't focus on just the people who had WD/WB. That will change depending on the judge and the competition. For one, they are going to be busy with photos and everyone will be saying congrats, etc. Others will be less busy. Also, try to get to know the people a bit by just paying attention to what's going on and how they interact with others. You may find yourself drawn to someone or a group that seems open and friendly.
7. Be patient. It takes time to make friends. Someone on this list years ago said that sheltie owners can be a lot like shelties - Slow to warm up and very sensitive. Also for me, the more "into" this I get, the more intense I am in pre-show activities. I am focused on the dog and doing everything I can to make my dog look fantastic. Lots of people seem to be like this. Right afterwards is really busy too because we are getting out of the way for the next breed and pulling all our stuff back to the set up. If you are going to your club meetings and arriving early-ish at the show and are prepared to stay for awhile after shelties show, you will eventually find people to hook up with.
8. Would you like help with a skill? Are
there handling classes in your area? This can be a way to meet conformation
people. Is there someone who seems not-to-busy and open that you could approach
about improving your handling/grooming and maybe strike up a friendship.
I know a lot of these things sound simplistic and like you wouldn't be "doing"
much or whatever. It really does take time and determination and openness to
develop a little network of friends in this arena. It can take over a year to
feel comfortable, at least it did for me. But, I am actually pretty shy about
really making friends. I'm much better at acquaintances. :)
Lastly, I think it is a bit more
difficult for folks in conformation who purchase their first dog outside of the
local network of Sheltie conformation breeders. Part of the purchase price of
your first conformation dog should also be some mentoring. At least if you buy a
dog from someone who actively shows in your area, you will know that person when
you go to the show and hopefully
they will take you under their wing some, give you tips, and share their shade
with you. If you bought your dog from out of the area, does the breeder know
anyone in your area they could recommend? If not, just keep plugging along, keep
showing up, keep learning and being friendly and courteous. Things will open up
for you eventually.
I truly feel this is about as great advice and encouragement to those struggling (and perhaps discouraged) newcomers to the breed ring as might be possible to give. Facts on how the folks who have been at it awhile and what they are going through, intermingled with great suggestions of things the newbie can do in order to eventually find their way into the "inner sanctum" we know as the breeders or owners or handlers or any combination of these, that are found at dog clubs and dog shows.
So give a tug to those boot straps, find that thicker coat of skin you are working to acquire, open your mind, close your personal emotional triggers, and have yourself a grand time in the world of dog shows. From bathing to brushing to trimming to grooming to how you hold the leash to where the leash attaches at the dog's neck to how you do the go-round to how you place your sheltie on the table to how you look at and to the judge who's making the decisions that day. Each class will bring a new lesson or technique to be learned, so open that brain and LEARN it! But most of all, have FUN! I have seen too often those who are so intense they miss out on the best aspect of showing dogs - the FUN of it all! So what if you don't win or even place? You had a whole day of practice doing the REAL THING, which is invaluable and never a waste of time!
And... Welcome, welcome all, to the world of owning, breeding, showing and handling the Shetland sheepdog. It's a really nice place to be!
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The Breeder and the Puppymill
"Leave the War Behind!"
A Breeder's Responsibility to Rescue
One breeder's point of view
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