Age of dogs in the ring...

[JaspersMum]

We were talking today about how long we would be able to "have a go" at showing and the knock on affect to daughter doing Junior Handling classes.

Heidi will be out of puppy classes at the end of October and we will enter her in the next available class in order for Meg to do her handling, but what is the average age that dogs tend to be shown in the open classes (pre coming back for veterans)?

We did not buy Heidi with a view to show but have been bitten by the showing bug a tad; one persons view last week was that "well if they don't make the grade OR you need a better model, you just rehome one that you have" just ain't going to happen because first and foremost they are all part of the family 

So other than the fact that she might never win a class unless no-one else shows up, how long could we theoretically continue to do the Open shows? 

[Jane S]

So other than the fact that she might never win a class unless no-one else shows up, how long could we theoretically continue to do the Open shows? 

As long as you like really There's no reason why you can't continue showing Heidi at Open shows for as long as you are enjoying it. Sure, you get some exhibitors who always seem to have a youngster to come out and never seem to show anything older than 3 but you get others who just enjoy their day out with their dogs and will carry on showing them when they're 4, 5, 6 etc and then on into Veteran classes. Some dogs are late maturers anyway and look better when they're 5 than they did when they were 2

[JaspersMum]

Some dogs are late maturers anyway and look better when they're 5 than they did when they were 2

Thanks Jane

We live in hope then    Meg is 14 anyway, she may not want to do handling for long and if she is any good, perhaps we could hire her out instead  

As much as it would be lovely to say we'd have another puppy in a few years time, we have to be realistic about time and money and as the eldest of our dogs is only 3, I hope they are all with us for a long time to come   I hope that we can all continue to enjoy each of them for what they are for all that time and if Heidi hates it in the ring well we'll still have the Prettiest bitch and the most handsome dogs  

[cockers mum]

Hi  I know you posted this a while ago. Our Spice is 6 years old next month and still doing well. All our dogs are our babies and live in the house. Pets first show dogs second we could never part with any one of them.