Can't take my dog to watch the dog show

[Petepreston]

I was going to arrange to attend the Scottish Kenel Club show at the end of May but just discovered this;

"NO UNENTERED DOGS WILL BE PERMITTED INTO THE SHOWGROUND"

Is this normal? They've lost two attendees (plus dog) as a result of this. If this is the norm then none of the shows will be getting my money.

[Jane S]

I was going to arrange to attend the Scottish Kenel Club show at the end of May but just discovered this;

"NO UNENTERED DOGS WILL BE PERMITTED INTO THE SHOWGROUND"

Is this normal? They've lost two attendees (plus dog) as a result of this. If this is the norm then none of the shows will be getting my money.

It's a KC rule that only entered dogs are allowed at KC shows but the bigger Championship shows often have a tent where unentered dogs can be safely left (usually manned by charity volunteers who charge a small fee) I don't know if SKC has this facility but hopefully one of our Scottish members may know.

At other shows, you can often enter your dog "not for competition" in advance which means you can bring your dog with you to the show (it depends on the show - not all offer this)

[LynneB]

There may also be the security issue as well. All entrants are given an entrance ticket and an exit ticket which have to be shown on entering and leaving. As this is a benched show, many dogs are left unattended. I have 2 dogs in different classes so they will both be alone for at least the duration of the class.

[Helen]

I'm not sure why this is such a problem?  Why would you want to take your dog anyway?

TBH when I go to a dog show I'm there to look at other dogs and linger at various rings and do a bit of trade stand shoppong and my dog would be very bored with the whole event and especially being on the lead all day.....

[Petepreston]

I'm not sure why this is such a problem?  Why would you want to take your dog anyway?

Because she goes everywhere with us and I wanted her to get used to the atmosphere of a show. I wrongly assumed that a big show like this would be where people went to admire each other's dogs and be sociable. I thought it would be like walkies but in one place. 

Maybe I'll just stick to the field trials where I know she can come along for the day out.

[Helen]

I'm sure people will be sociable but they are there to show their dogs and are grooming and getting them ready and focussed for the ring so often you only get snatched 'hello's' anyway - and they won't have time to admire your dog 

If you want to socialise her in a busy environment go to game fairs or fun dog days, it's a far better opportunity to show her off and have her join in   

[SkyeandOllie]

you've also got to think about just how many dogs would be there if everyone took their dogs, there would be hundreds more!!  It can get crowded at the best of times,  if your looking round the tents quite often you cant get near the rings! its a shame your not going,  its a good day out! 

[Petepreston]

The problem we have is that up here in the north east of Scotland we have so very few opportunites to get to these things without a long drive. If we go, we have to either leave Posie with in-laws who aren't really up to having her (plus their two Westies) for such long days or overnight, or we take her with us. There are a few country events but they're not exactly advertised widely because they're only really attended by the local community, and are often still 40+ miles away.

I do understand that the contestants are busy and I wasn't really talking about meeting them. I thought the people attending would have plenty to do outside the ring and that would be where we could hang out. I've no real interest in watching people in the ring as much as soaking up the atmosphere of the event in general.

I haven't been to an event of this size so I hadn't really thought about how many people there would be - it's a problem with living in such an insular location.

Roll on the summer dog show in Aberden: attendee numbers = a couple of hundred.

[Joyce]

Is your dog KC registered and transferred into your own name, if so you can enter your dog under what we call NFC not for competition and pay a fee of £7 at SKC plus your own entry fee , your too late to do it for this show but you can at the next show in August closing date is Monday 11th July look out for entry schedule on www.fossedata.co.uk or phone the Scottish Kennel Club 01316653920 for a schedule. I have done this I'm showing 3 but taking another 1 under NFC

[SkyeandOllie]

Is your dog KC registered and transferred into your own name, if so you can enter your dog under what we call NFC not for competition and pay a fee of £7 at SKC plus your own entry fee , your too late to do it for this show but you can at the next show in August closing date is Monday 11th July look out for entry schedule on www.fossedata.co.uk or phone the Scottish Kennel Club 01316653920 for a schedule. I have done this I'm showing 3 but taking another 1 under NFC

are you sure you can take one NFC when not having one entered?

[Joyce]

As long as a dog is KC reg it is entitled to go to any Show CH or Open as long as the fee is paid and goes on the day of the breed

[Petepreston]

That's very interesting. What are the conditions? I mean, can I wander around most of the place with her on a lead? I wouldn't mind if I couldn't get in to see the ring but all the other stuff is what I'm really interested in.

She is KC registered and all in my (and my wife's) name.

Thanks for the info. 

[Joyce]

Just keep her on her lead that's all, there will probably not be as many trade stands at the August show compared to May show but you do get things cheaper for your dog than at pet store, any more questions glad to help just pm me