[cbrand]

Conformation (pro-handler) and Obedience. I'm currently showing Sabrina in
Utility. I put CDs on Izze and Gracy last year. Izze is trained through Open but she will be going to her new home in 2 weeks. I started Delilah and I hope to get her CD this time next year.

Classes help, but there is no reason you couldn't get a book and do it yourself. I trained Sabrina myself all the way through Open. I didn't even have jumps back then. I just used two Tiki torches and a piece of cardboard. :rofl:

 

[cbrand]

If you have a really nice dog and you work hard there is no reason you couldn't handle your puppy yourself. Your dog *might* finish his/her championship faster with a handler and they might not. As with everything Its more difficult when you first start out and then it gets easier, especialy if you get really into it and show a lot.

I have three teenagers, I work, I run the Youth program at our church, I sit on a church board and I volunteer 3 hours a week at the high school. I can't be away weekend after weekend showing my dogs. I made the decision long ago that it was worth it to me to pay someone to show for me. This way, my breeding stock gets proved in the conformation ring and it frees me up to do competitive Obedience. Plus.... my dogs finish faster and they get to be cut down sooner.

As far as coat care goes, I could never afford to send my Poodles to a handler to grow coat. I do all that myself and only send them off when they are ready to show.