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| Helpful Hints for Newbies |
There is so much information to learn when you are getting into dog conformation showing. It can be mind blowing. When I first started, I printed off reams of paper containing information from A to Z. This is what I finally did to get organized and to help me so I didn't have to commit every detail to memory.
Items Needed
- 3 Ring Binder with a front and back pocket
- Notebook Dividers that you can write on the tab
- Notebook A - Z tabs
- Labeller or Black Sharpee Pen
- Page Protectors
- Printer Paper
- Printer
- Computer
- Internet
Tab Titles and Information for that section
Registration and Championship Documents: You will want to make a copy of these documents for your binder. This is a good place to also have a copy of your dog's pedigree.
Medical Info: Make a copy of your dog's vet records and rabies certificate for here. You may also want to have a page of Emergency Phone Numbers in case of accident. Make sure to either copy your dog's chip information or write the Chip Number and Chip Company name and contact info on the Emergency Phone Numbers Page. You will want to use this section to put information that other pros and breeders give you regarding supplements, vitamins, dietary recommendations and stress reliefs. You will find this information handy if you have a dog that has diarrhea, thunder stress, goes off its food, etc.
Breed Standard: Go to CKC or AKC website and print off your breed's standard and any pictures that show proper standard; body parts, etc. Typically if you go to your National Breed Club website you can get all sorts of great information.
Points System: Go to CKC and print off the Canadian Points List. If you plan to show in the USA, you will want to go to the AKC and print their's off, too. In the USA, the points are set up by Division. For instance, I show typically only in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. For those states I needed Division 2, 5 and 15. Each country has different requirements for Championship points, so be sure to look for that information, too.
Glossary: You will hear a lot of terms you may not of heard of, so I suggest that you get a glossary. There are several online but this one is good, http://www.showdogs.org/NipissingKC/glossary.htm
Dog Show Necessities: You can find a nice list at www.kaylor.com/dogshows/page28.htm
Pictures: Use Page Protectors in this section. This is a great place to keep your show pictures if you are not hanging them on the wall. Two pictures back to back in a page protector makes a nice display of your show pictures.
Points Earned Sheet: Make a sheet to record your earned points. I have one for Canada and one for USA. I type the championship requirement at the top of the page.
Make a six column table that looks like the example below. It is really up to you to keep up with your points, so a record keeping system is needed.
"Canadian Championship requires a minimum of 10 points under at least three
different judges and have earned at least one 2 point win, either at the breed
or group level."
DATE
|
SHOW
|
JUDGE
|
EVENT
|
POINTS
|
NOTES
|
Judges: Unfortunately, there may be judges that you don't want to show to again. Perhaps you felt like they didn't have enough breed knowledge to properly judge your dog, or you have shown to that judge a number of times and he/she can never find your dog in the ring. Vice Versa there may be judges that you would like to make a note about. The judge likes heads, or takes extra time watching movement. Or the judge is a breeder judge that understands your breed and you would like to show to him/her when available. That is information you will want to remember for the next time you see that judge. So when you are entering a show, you can look the judge up in your book to make a decision about that show.
This section will require the A - Z tabs and you will use this section like an address book. You will make your notes under the judge's last name.
Front Pocket: I place a copy of my show registration receipt, hotel reservation confirmation, front page of the Premium List with the Show Name and Venue Address, and driving directions to the show venue and hotel with phone numbers. That keeps all my show information handy.
Back Pocket: I slip any information I might pick up at a show, Breeder and Handler cards I get and my show schedule or catalog. That is a safe place for all that information until I get home to go through it.
Good luck getting yourself organized. Next week, I'll give you some websites that are very helpful.
ASK THE EXPERTS
This is a regular feature of my blog. I will be asking a question to a cross-section of Canadian experts involved in various areas of the dog world. If you would like to participate or have a question you would like to have asked or have an expert you would like to answer a question, feel free to contact me.
I am so excited to announce a New Monthly Feature you will see here. Dr. Joanne Fagervik, Forest Veterinary Clinic, Forest, Ontario, has agreed to be a regular contributor to this blog. She will be lending her knowledge and expert opinons on varying dog health issues. Feel free to send me your health questions via email to djenkins@shaw.ca
Dr. Fagervik graduated OVC in 1987 after first earning a B.Sc ( Honours Zoology). She has been in private practice in Forest, Ontario since graduating. Dr. Fagervik bought the practice in 1991 and built a new clinic 2 years later. Her practice includes large and small animals, primarily dairy cattle, dogs and cats with a smattering of other livestock and exotics. She owned dogs all her life but mostly mixed breeds and rescues. She was introduced to obedience training with them while still in university. Dr. Fagervik purchased her first purebred dog in 2005, and she started showing dogs in the conformation ring in 2007. Shortly after that, she started training and competing in obedience, rally, earthdog and, most recently, field trial. Dr. Fagervik particularly enjoys the performance events, especially those that showcase the dogs’ talents in sports that they were bred for. She says, "It is very exciting to see how form follows function in the culmination of these beautiful animals doing what they were bred to do."
Dr. Fagervik graduated OVC in 1987 after first earning a B.Sc ( Honours Zoology). She has been in private practice in Forest, Ontario since graduating. Dr. Fagervik bought the practice in 1991 and built a new clinic 2 years later. Her practice includes large and small animals, primarily dairy cattle, dogs and cats with a smattering of other livestock and exotics. She owned dogs all her life but mostly mixed breeds and rescues. She was introduced to obedience training with them while still in university. Dr. Fagervik purchased her first purebred dog in 2005, and she started showing dogs in the conformation ring in 2007. Shortly after that, she started training and competing in obedience, rally, earthdog and, most recently, field trial. Dr. Fagervik particularly enjoys the performance events, especially those that showcase the dogs’ talents in sports that they were bred for. She says, "It is very exciting to see how form follows function in the culmination of these beautiful animals doing what they were bred to do."
Dr. Joanne Fagervik
on Your Dog's Health |
| Julie & Chance |
Julie, I talked to
my friend, Dr Rick Quinn, a veterinary ophthalmologist about this
question. In his opinion, one shouldn't use products such as Angel Eyes
because many of them, esp. the ones that seem to work well, contain
antibiotics. As we know, there can be problems associated with
antibacterial resistance when one uses such products inappropriately or intermittently.
His suggestion is that a person who owns a dog with problem tear staining have
a careful evaluation of the pet’s ocular health (by a specialist, if necessary)
and overall health as tear staining can be a reflection of yeast or bacterial
infections in the eyes or systemic allergies among other things. If
possible, it is best to try to first eliminate the underlying cause of tear
staining.
Another
quick note regarding “banned” substances. Many products of US origin
become at least temporarily unavailable because of labeling issues. Our
Canadian regulations are very stringent with respect to bilingual labeling and
this is often the cause for products to be withdrawn from the Canadian
market. When labels are corrected, they become available again. In
general, Canadian testing of products with respect to safety and efficacy is
very strict and passing our testing procedures can take longer than it does in
the US. As a result, some manufacturers never undergo testing of their
products in Canada since cost of doing so may not be justified by the size of
the perceived market.
Remember, during the Holiday Season keep your dogs safe from the many hazards they can encounter, such as tinsel, poinsettias, chocolate and alcohol.
Happy Holidays and Safe New Year!
Please remember that Dr. Fagervik can not diagnose your animal with the limited information you provide in your question and without the benefit of having examined your dog and diagnostic tests. Dr. Fagervik and I encourage you to use our blog information only as a point of reference and to please seek your veterinary's care and treatment for any issues your dog may be having.
I like to see people do nice things for others. If someone does something nice for you at a show or you see or hear about something nice being done, please send me an email at djenkins@shaw.ca. Be sure to put in the subject: Nice
We will mention that person by name in the blog.
This week's spotlight is on Ilene Danby from Vernon, BC
Ilean has always freely given her help to Newbies. She says, "when you see a person sitting at a show all alone with a scraggly looking dog in a crate, and looking wistful, you should go and talk to them. Give them a bit of a pep talk, show them which end of the brush, or which brush to use and send them home with some work and some hope for their future in dog fancy. After all, without hope they are not going to continue to come to the show. We will lose their entry, energy and enthusiasm."
Ilene spent a mere 15 minutes giving a mini-lesson on basic grooming to a Newbie in Cairns. The lady, who didn't give me her name said, " Oh My! It looks like a different dog, already. She has a coat now!" I've been needing this help and I'm so grateful."
Ilene is another example of "Nice Deeds" that should not be overlooked. We can each make a difference. Every small "Nice Deed" done adds up to make our sport BETTER.
Remember to watch for "Nice Deeds". They are happening all around us. Let's talk about the people helping others.
Be sure to go to Canuck Dogs, http://www.canuckdogs.com, to see all the upcoming events and to check stats. You should bookmark it. That's where you will find my blog.
XXXOOO
Be sure to go to Canuck Dogs, http://www.canuckdogs.com, to see all the upcoming events and to check stats. You should bookmark it. That's where you will find my blog.
XXXOOO
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