Fun dog shows....actually seem to be really serious?

[Slicedpineapple]

I've been to a few fun dog shows over the last few months. Went to a lot last summer when ddog was a pup and he really enjoyed them, was always very enriched and tired after, so tried to go to some again this summer.

But now he isn't allowed in the puppy categories, I've noticed that actually, they seem to be taken very seriously?
We still get a couple of rosettes which is lovely, but people are frantically prepping their dog like it is crufts, some dogs are very aggressive to others which is overlooked by all (recently a child let two leads go which resulted in another dog in the ring being bitten), but me and my dog get the raised eyebrows because he gets excited about being there so is very waggy with the judge, or won't stack for ages. I'm talking charity events!

I was quite pleased when he beat some crufts show dogs in Best Condition recently because of the fact he was getting disapproving looks for having fun (and by having fun I mean wagging his tail, sniffing the floor when we were walking around the ring behind the world's slowest dog therefore I couldn't pick up the pace. Not running riot. He's only just older than a pup). Are they all like this or does it just seem to be our local events so far?

[Walney]

I really hope yours is the exception, we've only been to one and it was for charity and a lot of fun. I hope you have better luck and go to more, but it's such a shame that you've had a bad experience as I think they're great fun for children as well.

Ours won best eyes and 2nd in prettiest girl under 15 inches (latter was a group of two!)

But surely anyone prepping for crufts would be going to proper pedigree and group shows? I like to think fun shows are just for family pets as it's what we go for, not for serious competition.

[Slicedpineapple]

Exactly! We go for a family afternoon out, a bit of fun etc. I was very surprised to find lots of dogs in a recent one were all Crufts show dogs...at a charity event! I also thought that KC reg dogs couldn't be shown in non KC registered shows, but could be wrong.

Last year I went to quite a few and didn't get the vibe as much but so far this year have been a bit shocked.
One was advertised as a fun show, only for everyone to be expected to do proper ring craft (in novelty categories), and some serious tutting if you weren't up to scratch with it.
And dogs scrapping with each other in the ring was totally ok, but not a dog that was super excited to see the judge.

Don't let it put you off, I might have been to some duds so far this year. Last year's batch were great fun. I'm going to try and go to some more run by rescue centres as they seem more laid back.

My boy just loves to chill out ring side and get some fuss from passers by. He is always shattered when we get home from being so happy.

[NicoAndTheNiners]

God yes.

We used to take bonkers dog to try and socialise him a bit. I remember once there was a bloke with two dogs who he pulled to the ringside in cages on some sort of trug. He then got a folding table out and got the first dog in the table and was grooming it before that dogs first class.....with multiple different brushes!

Same show the people in charge of entry gave me a right grilling about entering the sighthound class with a "terrier". He was actually a podengo so very much a sighthound.

Dog was so mad that dd generally won child handler though which was nice. 😁. Think they felt sorry for her with the psycho dog.

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

I'm not sure I've noticed this personally!

We did a couple last year and I did give him a bath the night before a class for the dog in best condition (mainly because he threw himself in a muddy puddle) and we revised some tricks on the morning of a best trick class. Not taking it seriously, just hoping to avoid public embarrassment!

Years ago, when I was a child, we had an ex Crufts dog (rehomed by the breeder) that we occasionally took to charity shows. I can't say we took that seriously either, and he appeared to have totally forgotten all his ringcraft anyway

[Namechangeforthiscancershit]

I'm organising a fun dog show this weekend. DDog loves it. It definitely won't be serious but any other tips?

[Frouby]

You think dog shows are serious, try fun or local horse shows! It's brutal, hence we don't tend to bother anymore.

Some people do go to these things for a fun day out. Some go to try and win, or as prep for bigger events.

Best thing to do is go, have fun and bring the best dog home regardless of where he comes. Make sure you are aware of the rules and regs, be respectful to the judge and polite to other competitors but generally just have a fun day out.

We stopped doing horse shows because it was getting oh so very serious and because it was getting very expensive. But if we do any again we will definetly be doing it for the fun factor, not the win factor.

[ScreamingValenta]

I took mine to one or two when he was young. I quickly realised it was a waste of time, because the contest wasn't really looking for waggiest tail or most obedient, or whatever, but simply for 'most winsome child handler'. Every time.

[BlueMerchant]

I find the other dog owners(most of them) awful. Judgey and ultra competitive. They are more interested in putting your dog down than they are in the dogs having fun.

[stucknoue]

People did seem to take it very seriously so we only did a couple, ddog did like sausage catching, but did not understand why he had to be on a lead in the park (at the second one I slipped the lead off as he walks to heel whereas he pulls on the lead)

[Fucksandflowers]

I have no time for dog showing. Or pedigree dogs/breed standards in general really.

The priorities are all wrong IMO.

All about appearance and training and rosettes instead of the stuff that actually matters like health, decent temperament and the ability to do the job required.

To be honest, I view ANY animal based activity with great suspicion these days.
I find that often, as with showing the priority is not where it should be.

[ScreamingValenta]

Fucksandflowers A 'fun' dog show isn't aimed at pedigree dogs and assessing breed standards.

[Fucksandflowers]

A 'fun' dog show isn't aimed at pedigree dogs and assessing breed standards

I am aware of this but you will find that an awful lot of judges and competitors DO treat them as ‘proper’ shows, or as training for a proper show.
They still expect stacks, proper grooming etc.

[Namechangeforthiscancershit]

The judge we have definitely won't be looking for any kind of breed standard and we should be a good mix of pedigree and not.

Dog really enjoys the attention but he is all about the fuss!

I definitely agree that whoever is "shown" by a cute kid will usually win. That is a frustration for sure.

[Maneandfeathers]

There’s nothing more insane than dog showing

Try agility or obedience! Much more fun

[Lovemusic33]

I took one of my dogs a few years ago now and found the same. We went for a bit of fun but there seemed to be far too many serious show goers there. We didn’t do very well but that was probably because my dog pinched a burger out the hand of one of the spectators 😁

[Slicedpineapple]

Sorry for the very late reply - our baby was born this week!

I do agree judges or competitive show-ers use them to practice. We just go for some fun, normally a cup of tea and a cake, something different to do on a sunny afternoon. Interesting that others have experienced the same thing.

I have been lucky and found the odd charityone that isn't so bad.

We do obedience and scentwork which we also love, fun shows are just something different, it is a shame they get taken so seriously.