Click here for Kusa Official Show Entry Form
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What a wonderful way to spend the day
- focused on your dog!
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SHOWING YOUR BULLMASTIFF
Not sure how? Look here:
Showing your dog in Conformation
There is no greater pleasure for the owner than showing a beautiful dog, perfectly groomed and trained for the show ring. Whether he/she wins or not, it is gratifying to show a dog in superb condition, one that is a credit to your training and care. A great deal of preparation, both for you and your dog, is needed before the day before you can contemplate any serious winning. Showing is not quite as easy as it looks, even if you do have a magnificent dog. He/she must be presented to the judge so that all the good points are shown to advantage (and possibly learn how to mask some of the not so good!) This requires practice in gaiting, daily grooming from puppyhood, and of course the proper diet to make your Bullmastiff sound in body.
When purchasing your puppy you will obviously think it to be the best in the country, not to mention the Universe, but before you enter the highly competitive world of dog shows, get some unbiased expert opinion (not that of the breeder!) Visit a few dog shows as a spectator and make mental notes of what is required of the handlers and dogs. Watch how the experienced handlers manage their dogs to bring out the best points.
There are various types of dog shows, The Kennel Union of Southern Africa sanctioned shows are for those purebred, registered dogs:
Open Shows – are those which do not award championship points but are an excellent grounding for both you and your dog to gain practice and confidence. There are both Bullmastiff Open Shows (Gauteng) and All Breed Open shows (Countrywide) held throughout the year. Should your dog be placed at any of these shows then you might seriously consider entering the “big-time” shows.
Championship Shows – you may hear the term “benched or unbenched”, the latter is the norm for RSA shows where your dog remains under your control, either in your trailer, gazebo or at your side for the duration of the show. Both All Breed & Speciality shows attract championship points and it with this objective in mind that one enters these shows in order that when sufficient points are gained (5 present KUSA requirement) that you may apply for champion status. Obedience trials held at such shows are different in that the dog is judged according to its obedience and ability to perform, not by its conformation to the breed standard.
Sometime before the show, give your dog a bath so it will look its best. Get together all the things you will need on the day, water dish, bottle of water (so it won’t be affected by a change in drinking water). Take your show lead (shorter the better) and an additional longer lead for walking, extra choke chain, brush and comb, please note the start time, name of your Judge and show venue : it’s always better to arrive early to avoid unnecessary stress on both you and your dog.
Do not feed your dog on the morning of the show, at most give only a light meal this makes both traveling and showing more comfortable for you both!
Locate your ring, ensure you have your entry number well secured and visible on your person and be on time. Your dog will have been groomed before the show, but give a final brush before entering the ring, a useful addition for Bullmastiffs is a “gob cloth” – prevents those shoelaces from flying everywhere at the shake of a head…
As you step into the ring try to keep those knees from knocking! Concentrate on your dog and before you realize you’ll be out again, perhaps back with the winners of each class for more judging and finally, with luck, it will be over and you will have a rosette or a trophy and of course, most importantly, the most wonderful dog in the WORLD.
(Extracts taken from 'How to Raise and train a Bullmastiff' – Mary A Prescott)
Show Etiquette
For many people dog showing is a pleasant hobby, in much the same way as stamp collecting and woodturning, however for many it is a way of life and a very lucrative living. There are rules in dog showing that are set in stone, to break them could get you in deep water with the Kennel Club – even ban you from your sport. Then there’s the etiquette of dog exhibiting, some rules overlap each other, some are common sense and good manners, here is a selection of them:
Inside the Ring
• Never obstruct other exhibitors, in some breeds this is rife with handlers stepping forward so their dog is more prominent than others. It can be quite funny to watch this practise as dog after dog is shunted forward until there are dogs and exhibitors standing far into the ring and trying to look as though they aren’t aware of what they’ve done!
• Try not to bait your dog with food – it not only upsets the other exhibits but food dropped on the ground can upset breeds that have to use the ring later in the day.
• Dress to impress. What’s the point of preparing a dog for exhibition and not yourself? No ‘builders bums’ or scruffy jeans. Women practise bending over a dog and check to see if your skirt rises up or your top is too low. A top female judge once reported that every outfit she buys for the ring is checked rigorously in the changing room before she buys, stretching and bending to the amusement of other shoppers – a well fitting bra is a bonus as well! Keep shorts and skimpy tops for the beach.
• Never speak to the judge unless spoken to first. The judge doesn’t want to know that your exhibit is related to his own dogs or that you won your class the week before, basically this is cheating.
• Do not storm from the ring when you have been dismissed – no dog can be a winner every week.
Outside the Ring
• Keep the entrance to the ring clear.
• Never touch a dog or speak to the handler while they are waiting to enter the ring for their class. Keep questions until after they have been judged.
• Ask permission before you touch or stroke a dog.
• If you are sitting ringside try not to distract the dogs by eating food or making loud noises. Your own dog may be well trained and ‘bullet proof’ when it comes to distractions but other handlers may not be as lucky. It can be hard to keep a lively young dog under control.
• If you have children with you keep them in eyesight at all times. It’s amazing what mischief a child can make.
• Be nice to newcomers – remember you were one once.
• Applaud the placings even if you don’t agree with them.
• Carry a plastic bag or pooper-scooper with you at all times and use it. Exhibitors should always set a good example to others.
• Mobile phones are a modern menace and a distraction – turn them off!
Judging
• Don’t leave the show before your breed has finished judging stay and applaud the Best of Breed winner.
• If you are using a video camera never film other dogs and handlers unless you have their permission. There have been instances of handlers filming dogs who are not having a good day and passing them on to future judges – to make their own dogs look better and improve their own chances. This is poor sportsmanship.
• Never enter the ring to take a photo until the class has been judged and the judge has finished his notes.
• Thank the judge – regardless!
When to Leave a Dog at Home
• If your bitch is in season never take her to the show. Even though your bitch may be entered into a bitch only class there will be dogs around the showground. This can upset many dogs, especially those that have been used at stud, who pick up the scent of the bitch and it’s not fair to the owners. Also the bitch may not feel up to her normal affable self.
• Never take an un-entered dog to a show – leave it at home.
• If your dog is not well leave it a home – remember when you signed your entry form you agreed to this very point.
Benched and Grooming Area
• Trimming is forbidden at the show.
• All grooming waste should be picked up.
• Keep within your bench area, never overlap onto another persons benching area.
• Bin all your rubbish: don’t leave it on your bench.
• Exhibit your place card on your bench, whatever place you won – you’d be amazed how many cards are torn up and dropped – even at Crufts!
If You Are the Judge
• Give equal attention to all exhibits.
• Don’t forget the ‘seen dogs’ from previous classes.
• Thank your stewards.
• Don’t take too long at lunch.
• Arrive on time.
• Be pleasant to exhibitors, they have paid for your opinion.
• Don’t be dismissive of the ‘not so perfect’ exhibit.
• Remember to write a critique.
• Smile.
At the End of the Day
• Take your rubbish home with you if there isn’t a bin.
• Never bitch about the judge and other exhibitors – if you have a valid complaint, lodge a complaint with the show secretary.
And remember, we all take the best dog home with us.
Reference http://www.greatdogs.co.uk/ShowEtiquette.html