[KPoos]

No brainer, absolutely. In my opinion it shows off the dog's qualities and not the groomers so that there would be less professionals showing poodles and more owner/handlers. I think the pros dominate this breed because of how difficult it is to maintain a show poodle clip and the hair at home.

 

[bigredpoodle]

I agree I think that the grooming competition part of AKC should be reserved for BOB . The rest of the poos could be shown in sporting .
I hate the fact the the long time show folks discourage the newcomers, perhaps if we flooded the ring with owner handlers perhaps the jusdges would notice ?
Geogre Alston always said "Owners handlers have the advantage over the professionals " We live with the dogs. We know what turns them on . I will always show my own dogs....

 

[roxy25]

I agree Rox, I think it would benift the new comers to showing and the breed. Its discourging to love a breed and want to show it but when you see what it takes to keep up with the Jones's you back off.

I have always wanted to be an owner handler yet when I told people I wanted to show Poodles they told me I would never place and I HAVE to have a pro show my dog. I think thats crazy, how many other breeds HAVE to be shown by a pro handler?

PP don't let people tell you this ! I am sick of people saying this to me as well. You have to start some where. you can handle your own dog there are plenty of poodle people I have met that are the breeders/handlers. I think if my sister starts going to classes she can show Enzo her self. We even had a fellow handler asked if we will finish enzo our selves so imo that tell you something. If you have a good dog show it and keep trying.

Enzo has done well his first show out and people said reds are hard to show. I believe it but then you have to look at it and think what red dogs did they try to show where they of good quality ? Some people are kennel blind also and will tell you you can't finish owner handler because they tried to but again what did their dogs look like? You have to always look at everything inside the box and out side the box IMO.

 

[bigredpoodle]

PP don't let people tell you this ! I am sick of people saying this to me as well. You have to start some where. you can handle your own dog there are plenty of poodle people I have met that are the breeders/handlers. I think if my sister starts going to classes she can show Enzo her self. We even had a fellow handler asked if we will finish enzo our selves so imo that tell you something. If you have a good dog show it and keep trying.

Enzo has done well his first show out and people said reds are hard to show. I believe it but then you have to look at it and think what red dogs did they try to show where they of good quality ? Some people are kennel blind also and will tell you you can't finish owner handler because they tried to but again what did their dogs look like? You have to always look at everything inside the box and out side the box IMO.

When I was first learning the AKC show ropes I was told you "Pay to show your dog that is what you do Win or lose You got what you paid for" . Some of those friends that i made are some of the most wonderful people you will ever meet. So I had fun , my dog had fun and we learned more every time . So where is the loss the 25.00 entry fee? There are health screenings available and free advice everywhere I Love the AKC shows
Another really good place to learn is the AKC sanctioned matches, almost every kennel club has one at least once a year . Those are fun ! I guess I just had great support at the beginning.

 

[KPoos]

When I was first learning the AKC show ropes I was told you "Pay to show your dog that is what you do Win or lose You got what you paid for" . Some of those friends that i made are some of the most wonderful people you will ever meet. So I had fun , my dog had fun and we learned more every time . So where is the loss the 25.00 entry fee? There are health screenings available and free advice everywhere I Love the AKC shows
Another really good place to learn is the AKC sanctioned matches, almost every kennel club has one at least once a year . Those are fun ! I guess I just had great support at the beginning.

I've been told that I can have fun at smaller shows but when it comes to majors there are kennels that dominate around here so I'd have to avoid that name or hire a handler to finish my boy. I personally am not all about finishing him quickly. I know what I can handle and what I can't so this is my show dog for years. I hope it takes him 5 years to finish because when it's over it's over and then I have to wait a long time before I can build the suspense of winning for the title again.

 

[bigredpoodle]

I've been told that I can have fun at smaller shows but when it comes to majors there are kennels that dominate around here so I'd have to avoid that name or hire a handler to finish my boy. I personally am not all about finishing him quickly. I know what I can handle and what I can't so this is my show dog for years. I hope it takes him 5 years to finish because when it's over it's over and then I have to wait a long time before I can build the suspense of winning for the title again.

Good Attitude ! Just go into that ring KNOWING that you have the best dog there that day You will win ...The more you go and the more fun you make it for your dog the better the show carrer he will have. Take him to the vedors. Buy him special things pretty soon he will be dragging you into that ring

 

[SECRETO]

Also, dont let UKC fool you into thinking there isnt politics in that registry. The politics comes along with showing and its present in all the breeds. Im not saying some arent worse then others but its really present in all breeds. With UKC they dont allow handlers so people assume that politics isnt a factor. Most of the judges are breeders and judge there own breed. Believe me, they will pic a dog based on a friendship they have with its owner or the lines that interest them....not by the best dog in the ring. However, its not something that happens everytime with AKC or UKC, it just does happen and people that are familiar with showing know it ahead of time.

On another note, I personally dont think politics are that big of an issue with in showing......not like people make it out to be. If you truely have a nice dog and werent sold a pile that someone told you was a winner, you'll win. You cannot be kennel blind and have to be real about what your dog looks like. The breeders that complain the most about politics are usually kennel blind. They walk away from most show's thinking they should of won and dont see that they did not have the best dog in the ring that day. Then they complain to everyone about how bad the politics are and thats why they didnt have it. Its just silly.

 

[SECRETO]

I've been told that I can have fun at smaller shows but when it comes to majors there are kennels that dominate around here so I'd have to avoid that name or hire a handler to finish my boy. I personally am not all about finishing him quickly. I know what I can handle and what I can't so this is my show dog for years. I hope it takes him 5 years to finish because when it's over it's over and then I have to wait a long time before I can build the suspense of winning for the title again.

I see what your saying but you can always take your dog out after he's finished and have fun in the ch class. Then as they age you can enter them into the senior class at speciality and etc. It feels good to know your dog is just hanging around at home a ch and you can take them out whenever just for fun because he's a ch. You'll enjoy it either way.

 

[wishpoo]

Absolutely true !!! There are MANY owner/handlers that successfully finish their dogs even as a puppy !!!! Actually - there are some that would not even consider handler due to bad experiences with those.

I think that if one shows her/his own dog actually has a better insight in what is going on in the ring.

It takes a lot of time and effort but rewards are great. I know a breeder who took her 4 month old and 5 year old kids to show , so she could show herself.

Politics are equally present in the UKC and AKC for any breed. Some breeders are also very hostile people and would try even to sabotage opposing dog . As with everything else in life - show rig or grocery store - one can find fantastic human beings there as well as really crazy ones.

 

[SECRETO]

Absolutely true !!! There are MANY owner/handlers that successfully finish their dogs even as a puppy !!!! Actually - there are some that would not even consider handler due to bad experiences with those.

I think that if one shows her/his own dog actually has a better insight in what is going on in the ring.

It takes a lot of time and effort but rewards are great. I know a breeder who took her 4 month old and 5 year old kids to show , so she could show herself.

Politics are equally present in the UKC and AKC for any breed. Some breeders are also very hostile people and would try even to sabotage opposing dog . As with everything else in life - show rig or grocery store - one can find fantastic human beings there as well as really crazy ones.

I absolutely agree!