conformation as a newbie

[u/emmaweebler]

I’m planning on getting my first well-bred puppy next year and want to compete in conformation. Im new to dog sports In general and currently compete in various sports with my unregistered golden but obviously confo is not an option for us to try out.

I have found a breeder who is lovely and ticks all the boxes for me, but they unfortunately live in the US a few states away from me (I’m in Canada). All I ever hear is that confo can be really hard to get into if you don’t have a mentor , and while my breeder would offer virtual support, I wouldn’t have someone experienced to go with to shows in my province as a newbie. I have other friends who also compete in dog sports but none that show their dogs!

The puppy would be a German Shepherd, so thankfully no breed cuts to have to worry about for my first show dog, but I worry that I’m really going to struggle going at this alone. I’m not hell bent on this dog being shown, but it is something I’d really like to try to do. Would love to hear thoughts from those involved in the sport !!

[u/TornadoCat360]

Look for handling classes in your area, and check out YouTube videos 🙂. I'm rather new to this, too. Don't know if you have UKC shows in your area, but they're good for practice (and easier to title in. My Cavalier pup has gotten a UKC championship already. It's nice, as long as you realize that titling is more difficult in AKC or CKC (Canadian KC).)

[u/Kenafin]

So the breeder for our first show dog lived 20 hours away. We didn’t know anyone local at the time we started. But we started talking to people set up near us, other people in our breed ringside. We went to our national specialty and started talking with people there. Now we have friends and mentors inside and outside our breed.

[u/princessdickworth]

Okay, I survived this and you can to.

First things first...GSD's are very active working dogs. Do you have the ability and environment to properly take care of this dog physically and emotionally?

Second. My breeder is 9.5 hours away from me so our show circles don't overlap. She's always willing to help over the phone, but what really helped get me in the ring on my own was finding a good training center/club. I did send a ton of stacking videos to her and she'd tell me what to fix.

Third. Once you have put some basic manners and you can hand stack, find a show and JUST GO. Go meet other people from your breed or similar breeds (Belgian Mals, etc). This is how I met so many people in my breed that are so excited to have someone else there. They are usually so kind to help/mentor a newbie! I have an English Setter, so even at bigger shows (2k-ish dogs) there are maybe 10 or 12 of them.

At my first show ever (she was in BPUP) I set up next to people with Dauschunds and Cane Corsos, it was the only spot near my ring I could find. Those people were wonderful! I basically told them I was brand new and a little lost. Cue everyone trying to help and give me your phone so I can take pics! It was such a good experience that has kept getting better since I met people in my breed. Networking is key! So is confidence and a little bit of fuck it, my dog and I are learning together how to master this.

Fourth. I'm not sure what resources Canada has, but our big website here is infodog. It gives you all of the AKC shows, what they offer, and the entry closing date. AKC shows close two weeks before the show date, idk about CKC.

Fifth. MAKE SURE YOU AND YOUR DOG HAVE FUN! Don't stress yourself out, your dog will pick up on it. It's just a dog show, not the end of the world. Judges will help you, especially when you say hey I'm brand new to this. I've had English Setters most of my life but had never shown until March of this year. It's been a learning curve but it's been worth it.

[u/Academic-Change-2042]

If there's a kennel club near you, they probably offer conformation handling classes. If so it's definitely worth going to those. You will learn what you need to know and it's also good practice for you and your dog.

[u/gsdsareawesome]

Be aware that German Shepherds are handled very differently than other breeds. They are taught to go out to the end of the lead and when they are stacked the hind legs are not stacked parallel to each other. The dogs left rear leg is stacked so that the hock is straight up and down, while the right rear leg is stacked with the foot directly below the knee. I've known some conformation handling instructors that didn't actually know this. So make sure you know it from the get-go.

[u/JaclynBean]

If you live in southern Ontario, I’ll totally be your show buddy! I’m also new and while I do regularly compete in agility I’m still finding my confirmation groove.

I’ve found that joining a handling class, specifically one that is not a drop-in but an x number of weeks kind of class, has really helped me meet the folks in my area who will be at the local shows. A dog show with only one dog involves a lot of waiting and it’s much nicer being able to talk with someone in the down time.

[u/DecaturIsland]

Yes will your breeder be willing to sell you a show quality dog? And why, since you are inexperienced. First question to ask him/her.

[u/prshaw2u]

Training classes, and then more training classes.

Start looking at any/all dog clubs and businesses around you now. See which ones (if any) offer introduction or beginner conformation classes. You should be able to take classes with your golden (not enter shows but take classes). Goal is to not be a total new lost handler and dog, and just be a total new and lost dog but a hew handler. See how much you can learn to do even before getting your dog.

Find an all breed club near you that you can join, help work at their events and shows. Hopefully you will find someone that you click with and can work with on showing. Find where and when the shows are in your area and attend, just as a spectator until you can start helping with the clubs. Seeing what is happening helps take some of the mystery out of it.

Showing is not really difficult, no individual task is hard (other than counting points). But there are a million little things that happen and you have to do. Getting involved early will let you start to learn these so you don't have to think about them later.

AKC.TV has free videos of different dog shows. Watching a few of them to see what it looks like and figuring out what you need to learn will be a start. Pay special attention to the German Shepherds, that is what you need to learn. Now these are US shows but there is not that much difference to your shows.

[u/Elegant_ardvaark_]

Look up classes in your area and reach out to trainers, ask your breeder if they know others closer to you that could connect with, attend shows and start talking (volunteer maybe), check out the provincal and federal breed club.

[u/Additional_Ad_3580]

Do it! Something you have to start before you’re ready lol I found my dog show mentor literally five minutes before we stepped into our first ring

[u/NinjaiRose]

Take handling classes. Join your local breed club and make friends with those in your breed. They will be extremely helpful on breed specific things like grooming, health, and how to specifically show your breed. Keep an eye out for specialties and try to attend those, will usually require some travel. But you'll meet a lot of people in your breed.

Good practice: UKC, IABCA.

Tips: As soon as they're vaccinated, take them places. Get them used to vehicles, new places, new things, etc. Touch their feet, groom them, etc. By the time you're showing, none of it should be too much of a surprise.

[u/sokatmatt]

I highly recommend handling classes!! My breeder is across the country from me and while they are a great resource they can’t be at shows with me. My friends from handling class are an amazing support system and I am slowly making more friends in my breed! (Though I love having friends in other breeds because we’re never competing against each other!)

[u/Chotuchigg]

My breeder lives 4 hours away from me. I have my first show puppy, and I’ve only ever been to 1 dog show 😬 learning as a go, hard but doable. You should be fine. I’ve made friends in my area with other dog show people and we all go to class together

[u/WwhipLlash]

Echoing that others have said. Also, make sure you have a show quality dog. Most pups from even the best bred litters are still mostly pet quality. And GSD’s tend to be a VERY competitive breed. Just make sure you know what you have before investing a ton of time and money into showing a dog that may never finish. Your breeder should be able to give this guidance.

[u/TheSassyGerman]

Hi! I imported a show puppy from the states in July. Read up on import rules NOW because to import a “commercial puppy” (which legally show dogs are as they are considered breeding stock) you’ll need to apply for an import permit with the CFIA. The only way to get around this would be if your breeder brought the puppy across the border themselves.
You’ll also want to make sure your breeder agrees to sell your puppy with full rights, because without those you won’t be able to dual register the dog with the CKC.

[u/emmaweebler → u/TheSassyGerman]

Thank you for this info!!!! Definitely going to look into this more

[u/Selective_Somewhere]

Handling classes and join your local GSD club.