Clipped Dogs in shows?

[Oliver21508]

Hiya

A lady rang my mum up today to say that it was odd for us to enter Ollie as NFC and go all the way to Ipswich (we live in London) just to look around. And she said to just enter him anyway. We haven't asked her yet, but we are going to say that he'll be clipped by then. Can you have clipped dogs in open shows?

[Beth]

AFAIK any dog can enter an open show, just don't expect to get placed.

[Michele]

Beth is right, it is a beauty competition after all, it'd be a bit like a girl with a mohican turning up at Miss World, nothing wrong with said girl but not appropriate for that environment. 

[wendy]

It is interesting as other breeds sometime do it differently, in American cockers some of the breed champ shows have 'cut down' classes for dogs that are clipped off either because they are stud dogs, or breeding bitches.  The last American open show I attended had this class also.

Wendy

[Beth]

Beth is right, it is a beauty competition after all, it'd be a bit like a girl with a mohican turning up at Miss World, nothing wrong with said girl but not appropriate for that environment. 

Actually i'd quite like to see someone with a mohican enter Miss world!

[Oliver21508]

We just felt like we shouldn't really go because we are doing nothing. We are using open shows as a fun day out for Ollie to interact with other dogs and for us to just watch other dogs. Now, we feel a bit stupid.

[Brimbeck(Dyllan)]

Were you going to the Herts and Essex show?
If so we will be there too. Perhaps you could delay the clip show him (I'll help) and then decide what to do
Sarah

[Oliver21508]

This is the Herts & Essex Show. We want him clipped more than we want to show him, cos he's uncomfortable. I think we'll just go to open shows to watch and go to companion shows to enter fun classes with him.

ETA: All sorted. But do you think we are odd for just going to open shows for a day out than experience?

[Cob-Web]

We just felt like we shouldn't really go because we are doing nothing. We are using open shows as a fun day out for Ollie to interact with other dogs and for us to just watch other dogs. Now, we feel a bit stupid.

There is no reason for you to feel stupid - I used open shows to socialise my two; and still enter them NFC on occasion   

What a shame that this particular Club seem not to welcome visitors to their shows; perhaps some COL members could suggest clubs that they are members of which would be more welcoming?

[devondumpling]

I have shown my clipped boy at a small open show and he was placed 2nd in a class of 5. I would only show him at a small show and certainly not under a breed judge.
He loves being shown and that's the reason I occasionally show him.
Give it a go, what have you got to lose.

Chris

[JaspersMum]

Laura, if you are coming to Coventry on sunday, have a look around and decide after whether to clip or not....

once clipped you will have a job to get the coat back to a "showable" state.  Heidi is not clipped, just a fine coat and she doesn't get well placed against any that have full coats. The majority of our placings are because of small entries, it isn't a huge issue for us as my daughters main aim is the junior handling (but h has to be in a breed class to qualify)

You are doing a LOT of travelling to look at shows and view to take part, you could be throwing away your chance    I show the boys at fun shows and we thoroughly enjoy that experience too, but I wouldn't take them to an Open.  Louie has been well placed in fun shows but wouldn't get a look in with a breed judge because of his part worker looks

[Penelope]

Hi Laura
I don't think you are being silly at all - how can you know what it is like if you don't go along?
Hope you come to a show we are at, as I would love to meet your gorgeous boy!!!
Hopefully the companion shows will start up soon and we may well see you at some of those.

[Michele]

ETA: All sorted. But do you think we are odd for just going to open shows for a day out than experience?

There's nothing wrong or odd about going along to watch, I had a time of over two years without showing a dog but I still went along to shows to watch and meet up with friends.

My earlier comment was with regard to you showing him when clipped, but as Rachel says if you want to take him along to socialise it would be cheaper to enter him NFC (not for competition) and as a complete novice you wouldn't then feel out of your depth or overwhelmed by ring procedure and how to get the best out of your dog at a show.

Once you've seen what happens at a show that'll be a great bonus for you if you decide to take him along to any companion shows, where everything is much more relaxed. 

[Oliver21508]

We are really happy to get him clipped as he'll be so much more comfortable, and I don't think he would like a full show coat. I'll just go as NFC to open shows and enter fun classes at companion shows.

[Michele]

We are really happy to get him clipped as he'll be so much more comfortable, and I don't think he would like a full show coat. I'll just go as NFC to open shows and enter fun classes at companion shows.

Good idea  :