Perhaps this is why you (not you personally hun!) hear so many people saying that judges don't place neutered dogs? We've always taken in a copy of the letter every time we've shown Gabby and, lately, Baggio - the steward has always kept it and as I said above, we've had numerous placings and BOBs.


ETA - as for needing permission - the wording on Baggio's letter (dated July 2010) states: "Your application to continue showing has been approved in line with existing policy and having been supported by a Vetinary Certificate". I haven't got a scanner or I would scan it it for you to see.

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Bergies and borders - what more could anyone want? Siamese and maine coons, of course!

From the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam:
The Moving Finger writes, and, having writ,
Moves on, nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.
(But you can always edit your post, of course )

Not me - I agree, if a dog is good enough, then there is no reason why it should't get placed - I've known of entire dogs placed and written up as bitches which does raise some questions

I've got a bitch here that will never be bred from, yet she has done superbly for me in the ring - I've not made a final decision on whether I will neuter her or not yet - I do get concerned when I hear of disagreements between resident bitches, and invariably it does seem that at least one is neutered - and I know of friends who have had resident dogs neutered and it's changed the dynamics of the 'pack' so severely they've been unable to have the dogs together under the same roof.

I am incredibly lucky in that all five of my girls get on famously, and when they are living inside, that's absolutely imperative, I would come totally unstuck if one or more of them fell out

I am not disputing the content of the letter - it's just as I understand it - previously (a fair few years ago) each individual case had to 'apply' for permission to show - whereas now, permission is, as I understand it, granted by default - therefore technically you are not asking for permission, even though that's how the letter reads (if that makes sense) - and the owner is advised to take it to shows with them in case it's requested.

One of my girls was recently up against a neutered dog, very little to chose between the two dogs, but we won the class, I never did get to speak to the judge - but it would be interesting to know whether the neutering was a factor - I know I've placed a neutered dog 1st in a class of around 15 at a Companion show, but then with equivalent quality entire dogs alongside him in the final line up, been unable to justify giving him BIS

I am absolutely horrified, as I imagine most would be, at even the thought that an exhibitor could be dragged from the ring because their neutered dog won the class I can understand someone not being overly happy if they believe their dog is better, and maybe not going under that judge with that dog again, but - well.......... words fail me

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What you need to know before buying a Labrador puppy

Tashi - it wasn't you that imparted that information to me - it was a guy at a show that we visited who mentioned it and it is something I had never thought of!!! hope his coat doesn't begin to resemble candy floss or i'll have to eat him!!!! Yum yum - i'm not far off eating him now with the amount of kisses and cuddles I give him!!! Anyway - it's job done now and he will always be 'special' to us whether he's got his nuts or not lol

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Having read through this again and having given it some consideration I have deceded that castrated or not 'showing ' is not for me!! I have decided that Harvey is too damn amazing to be sat in a show all day - he's better off at home running free in the garden!! However - I shall be going to some shows to see all the dogs and speak with owners etc - I loved doing that the other week!!! (and my kids did too!!!). Good luck to all that show their dogs - AND Tashi - you are amazing and I can't wait to meet up again!!! (with Diesel of course!!!).

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That could be construed as very condescending to people who do show.

Firstly, with the exception of Crufts - dogs don't do a great deal of sitting at shows, and are seldom there all day.

Secondly, most of us show one, occasionally twice a week - others much less frequently.

Thirdly - my dogs spend the remainder of their time running free in the garden, on the beach, in the park, going for swims, rolling in mud - finding the occasional compost heap or pile of 'interesting' pool, in and out of the pool for most of spring, summer and autumn - and basically having a ball.

But they also have a ball when they go to shows - because in very simple terms - if a dog doesn't like showing, you will seldom see it in the ring after the first couple of attempts.

Some dogs are literally 'born to show' - but enjoy all the other luxuries of other pet homes - the biggest fuss we get in our house, is not going out for a walk, or to the park, or to the beach, or even food time - their utmost pleasure lays in going to a show - with right humphs from the ones being left behind It's also, for a lot of dogs, a surprisingly tiring activity.

In addition to the above, certainly in my own breed, an increasing number are training / working their dogs, and some even doing things such as agility, companion dogs (as in going in to old people's homes etc), Good Citizen awards - the list goes on.

All these dogs are amazing - because they can and so adapt happily and easily to whatever you want them to be on the day

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What you need to know before buying a Labrador puppy

Said much better than I could have done swarthy thank you

It is a nightmare in this house to try and only get one dog out when you have the showbag in hand, they all want to come


Us enjoying a show as a family





and Percy loves sunbathing and a tickle at Windsor





Like Swarthy the rest of the week they are running and playing like any other dog but they thoroughly enjoy their days out at shows. I wouldnt take them if they didnt.

Infact my Goldie despite being out of breed standard and not great conformation I will still spend amounts of money entering her into companions and some opens just because she loves it so much
They all do agility as well as training for their Kennel Club Good citizen awards, Willow has passed gold, Rocky is doing his silver and Percy is doing his bronze.

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The New Look Willow's Place Website
http://willowsplace.weebly.com/

I am soooooo sorry and didn't mean any offence I promise!!! It is just my sense of humour and ignorance I guess. What I meant was that I am too bloomin useless myself to be as committed as the people I saw showing the other week and was just blarting about how handsome my little boy is. Please, please do not feel that I was being 'cocky' in any way - if you knew me personally you would understand. I have the greatest respect for people that have the dedication and committment to show their dogs and really wish I had that quality myself but I just don't have it so i'd rather go and see others do it 'properly'. Again - I did not mean to cause any offence and am sorry if it came across the wrong way.

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No worries, I understand



Vicki
c

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The New Look Willow's Place Website
http://willowsplace.weebly.com/

i've judged a neutered rc, fortunately for me he was not a good specimen was unsound and had a glaring fault, pricked ears so was placed last. I never saw him again in the ring.Before i started the class the steward gave me a letter from kc giving them permission to show him.

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love me love the dogs

I showed mine for the first time the other week at an open show and he's been done. We came last but it was more the taking part for me and learning new things. We did better in the companion show. I just enjoy the day out and meeting new people.