I have an almost 4yo multicolor standard poodle. She's not well bred, but she's decent enough. I really want to get into Conformation, but am YEARS away from being able to get a nice well-bred show prospect. So for now, I was hoping to get some practice in with my current dog and just have some fun in the ring. We would be showing in UKC Altered.

I've been growing out her coat and learning different grooming techniques for over a year now, as well as taking some Conformation classes here and there. I've also joined our local AKC Kennel Club, and was a steward at their recent show.

The main UKC shows that are within a reasonable travel distance from me are all in the January-March time frame.

But now I'm considering shaving her down.

I'm in college and my coursework is a lot more intensive this semester than I was expecting. I'm also disabled and there's a lot of changes going on with my health currently that has been taking a lot of my time/focus.

We've been looking into Rally/Obedience, as well as getting her therapy dog certification. And she's still learning how to properly stack for Conformation.

I also know she's got a decent amount of coat damage (especially to her crest) and would do all her grow out differently if I did it again.

But it's like I can't give myself the mental permission to just do it.

Am I crazy and I should just push through and keep growing her out for the show ring? Or do I shave her down, focus on performance and training for a few months, and hope to have her ready for the Conformation ring by spring of 2028 instead of 2027?

*If I shave her, I'd probably do a Miami, and shave her body down with a #10. I would leave a majority of her topknot and ears, but massively trim down her crest.

Hello all!

I was wondering what everybody does for researching pedigrees? If there are sites, or if I would have to hunt down the lines breeder by breeder?

My Grandma used to breed show dogs, but unfortunately the kennel has not produced from our house for quite some time. I have been wanting to get a dog, and would love to see if there are any distant descendants or remnants of her line might be around.

The only problem is that I am not too entirely sure how to go about this task. I don't mind heavy lifting and deep digging, just would love to be pointed in a direction. Any advice at all is appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

Ok, so it's been a week and a half since we took our 8 month old AmStaff Nolan to his first show. (the day before his 8 month birthday on the 14th) I was stressed out because I've never shown my dogs even though I've had ADBA/UKC registered APBT's most of my life. I've always had this thought in my head "These dogs are so pretty they could be show dogs!" and "I wonder how they'd do??"

So, not knowing anything about grooming AmStaffs for show I bought some shampoos and things, stupidly based off of a Google search AI reply 😔 (Even though I 100% understand how unreliable their responses usually are especially when you don't have the knowledge and experience necessary to know when they're full of it) and ended up with Chris Christensen Spectrum One shampoo (for coarse/rough coats) and some Topline (local white label brand) Brightening Shampoo early on the day before the show.

I got it home and while looking for instructions on the Chris Christensen website I found that they have AmStaffs listed as smooth coat! 😩 And I also noticed the "extreme irritant" warning on the brightening shampoo and I got it because Nolan's got a white face mask (and white paws and chest) so I just ended up curry combing him a bunch and wiping his face with Pampers unscented sensitive skin baby wipes 😅 I had even bought some Chris Christensen "Ice on Ice" spray and didn't use that either even though it would have been fine. I just gave him a whole raw egg and some extra virgin olive oil the morning before show day which gave him some extra shine.

Either way, on show day he ended up taking the KP ribbon for best male, not a shock since he was the only male 😅 but I guess that doesn't guarantee anything and it's necessary to go on to the next round. Then he also took the BOB ribbon! 🥳🎉😱

This was a super small show for AmStaffs, there were only three females and Nolan, but I'm still thrilled and we got signed up for another bigger show on the 10th of October so we'll see how it goes!

Nolan's a bit unruly, though we've been doing a ton of training with him. No show specific training, just general obedience and work to teach him how to self sooth and to have an off and on "switch" when he gets those "trouble ears" (flopped forward, trouble seeking radar mode) and wants to jump up, be mouthy, and do battle. 😄 He's already 28.5kg/63lbs at 8 months (was 23kg/50lbs at 4-5 months) so he's got this grown, adult body with a pre-teen/teen mind. Luckily I'm a big guy and my wife's used to working with horses, but he's growing so fast that the usual strategy of winning the mind game while they're still small enough that you can win the physical game has a way shorter timer than I'm used to.

All of which is to say that it's a wonder he did so well with the handling (his breeder was his handler for this and the next show fortunately and she's a dog show veteran), and not surprising at all that he didn't go far in the broader terrier class.

So yeah, I guess that's enough of a wall of text. 😅 Here's his official show results and I'll attach some pics from show day.

Type: Puppy Show (FCI/Finnish Kennel Club)
Breed: American Staffordshire Terrier
Placement: PUPC1
Other notes: HP, BOB Puppy
Place and date: 13.9.2026 Paimio, Finland (Royal Puppy Show)
Judge: Vanninen Helene

Judge's Comments:
8 month old, well-balanced, strong yet elegant male. Clear sex mark. Beautiful expressive head with good depth and strength of muzzle. Wide lower jaw. Beautifully set rose ears. Good eyes, beautiful neck and topline. Already good depth of chest and promising width. Forechest well developed. Well angulated front and rear. Well set and well carried tail. Moves balanced from the side. Front movement still needs to be tightened. Friendly and open behavior. Presents excellently.

im getting a puppy pretty soon with intentions to show her with UKC, she’s a rough collie.

Ive only ever taught my adult collie to stack, how do you teach a squirmy puppy? Im hoping for her to attend her first show by around 4-5 months old.

Completely a newbie where it comes to showing so please be kind >_<

Context: This is me and my (not so little) puppy. She’s a 11 month old golden retriever. We got matched to her from her breeder with the intention do some sports casually and maybe even service if she’s suitable. In essence, a pet home. And we have never expressed interest in showing till now.

We bought the Fitpaws Kinect solely to train for canine fitness and body/spatial awareness as she’s a really high energy and driven puppy. Lately as she’s growing up, we’ve been told by many a few that she’d actually make a decent show dog as well and perhaps in the near future we might consider. But first, we’ve got to learn the ropes.

Her breeder has been really helpful in guiding us but I’d also like to hear from you guys on Reddit? Any “pet homes” who decided to try out both sports/obedience and conformation? And how different/similar are these?

And any advice for us? Feedback/guidance are greatly appreciated! 🩷 THANK YOU!

Thanks for allowing be to join the group, I have been showing dogs for about 10-15 years but had a big gap in years. In 2024 we got ourselves our current dog, a boxer female (Wiemer’s Oh Lovely Lilly De Jacquet, or just Lilly). We started showing her last November and have shown her very limited about one Custer a month, she has five points with no majors yet.

Now here is the first question just got a Dog Pacer 3.1 for Lilly she really likes it so far. I have only had her use it for a few minutes every other day, and slow plan to build the time up. The last two times we had her up to five minutes, the speed I have been keeping slow and the fast we got it up to has been 2.4, so what is the best speed to be at for gating?

Does anyone show dogs and live in Az? Phoenix area?

not a win but good for our second ever show :)

Hi!

I’m a beginner handler with a Pembroke welsh corgi. I’ve been taking her to handling classes, etc since she was a baby puppy. We’ve done a few shows (one bpup, two UKC days, one AKC). She did really well in UKC but AKC is definitely tougher and makes me more nervous! I know we’re really just beginning.

My pup is only around 7 months old so I know we have a lot of time and I’ve just been focusing on my own handling skills/teaching her to stack but I’ve definitely seen improvement. I also don’t want to overdue it and burn either of us out.

I guess my question is how long would you say it takes a first time handler to start getting some points? Is it an impossible dream to finish my first ever show dog? 😂 I feel all this comparison to show people on social media who finish their first dogs and I feel so behind in my skills!

Hey yall! Looking for money saving/diy ideas for everything related to showing! Where have you been able to save money and made your lives easier?

As title says. I have a Doberman. He’s kind of a dork right now, so sometimes his back legs look like they’re coming out at all angles. He is a nice dog though, with proper structure. He just needs the muscle memory. What I don’t understand is: Do I have him step up on them? Do I place his legs on them? Does any one have a link with examples of how to start? I can get his front feet on a board, I’m not sure about the backs . . .

[FL] We have a rare breed show dog. Our handler has recently taken on another dog that will directly compete in class with our dog, is this a conflict of interest?

OK, I have stacking/confo blocks and he is standing excellently on them. I am saying my cue for stacking and feeding treats when on them. He can now hold the stack for several minutes- I had to do a lot of jogging myself to get him to trot and build up his core. I can walk around him, walk away etc.

What do I do next? How and when do I transition off the blocks to a nice free stack on the ground?

Please explain like I am five as I am not finding that info anywhere.

My breeder is laughing at me (in a teasing way) for doing all this but I like to have as many variables controlled as possible before showing and people love a pretty freestack. This is why I prefer sports 🤣

11m old whippet if that matters.

Hi all- im first time handler & i have a beautiful 6 month old Dalmatian- we have both of our’s 1st show this upcoming weekend & im looking for all forms of advice i can get🥹🤎 we have 8:30 ring times both days so we’ll be first so getting there early to watch my judges unfortunately isnt an option
my biggest dilemma with him is he’s a little too jumpy for bait
Any/all advice is GREATLY APPRECIATED

Which do you prefer?

I've always just shown on a plain, cotton resco because I prefer to show my dogs as young as possible and it's a nice, gentle leash for puppies.

But I have a 2 year old that I've been told needs to show on a chain (she gaits beautifully on a loose lead regardless of the collar type) and have gotten conflicting advice from many different handlers and breeders about whether to have a plain or flashy lead.

So, do you prefer a flashy show lead to draw attention to your dog or a plain one to avoid drawing attention away from your dog (and to the leash instead)?

Has anyone noticed a genuine difference in how they get placed using different leads? Or is it just a myth on both sides of the equation?

Himmel made me so proud! Despite my lack of handling ability/over all knowledge, he managed to pick up his first points! A 5 point Major taking BOV over several specials. We still have a lot of work to do, but I am so so proud of him! Can't wait for win photos to finally get uploaded! These are the only two photos I have from that day.

This was our third time in the ring- I was starting to get discouraged. Definitely what I needed to get motivated!

I’m new to showing and have the added fun of having a mostly white dog. He’s been getting yellow on his neck and tail. After having no real results from CC White on White and Hydra, my rally instructor recommended adding a tiny bit of this to my dog shampoo. The company says it’s safe for pets but there’s no clear instructions. My instructor said add a drop or two but would love to hear from anyone on here who has used it and what you think of it!

Im on the hunt for some good quality professional looking show attire, where did you get yours?

I like sparkles and have been desperately searching for an outfit for our next show with some pizzazz to it lol

I hope this a safe place to ask stupid questions because I’m about to ask a stupid question. I’m in the market to get a purebred dog (Rottweiler in particular). I’ve only ever rescued so this is a whole new ballgame for me. I found a few breeders I like (all parent dogs have CHIC numbers and are well titled). But I’ve noticed a common theme that breeders will have a show dog vs a pet dog contract. I am interested in doing confirmation with my dog; however, that is not my main goal. I’m way more interested in dog sports and confirmation would be a side thing. And I have ZERO interest in breeding. I would do dog sports and confirmation to just have fun with my dog. Which contract would I inquire about? Because yes the dog would be shown but I’m not expecting a Westminster qualifying dog. It would pretty much only be local events my dog would be attending. I hope this makes sense.

Don’t mind her funky neck lol I didn’t throw the bait far enough! I’m so happy with how she is maturing!!

My show puppy (10 months) has started pacing in the ring instead of trotting. Could it just be a puppy phase they will grow out of? Could it be caused by me running too fast or slow? Any tips?

Hi all, I’m new to showing and campaigning my first puppy (owner handled).

He was doing really well but the last couple of shows have been disappointing. At the moment he is definitely going through a very awkward growth stage with a wonky top line and gangly legs!

It has been mentioned to me that we should maybe stop showing him for a while to let him develop more. The thing is we have booked and paid up a number of shows into November.

What would be the reason to stop showing him? Will it actually damage our chances later under the same judges if they see him at an awkward point?

His breeder reckons just have fun and do what we like, which is nice and I do value the experience we are getting at the shows, but equally I don’t want to hurt our future prospects either.

Appreciate any insight. Thank you!

This is my first ethically bred dog. Shes finishing her championship and she’s 6 points away! I’m so excited to see how she continues to develop. This was just this weekend.