Looking for information on Showing Saint Bernards

[mezmerelda]

Obedience was something I meant to do w/Gryffin because he was good at it and loved the attention. I do intend to do general Obedience and Rally with Ozzy, assuming he likes it. He seems to be much better in class than out. I finally found what I think will be a great training facility, so we'll see what happens.

Thick skin helps, but I almost think it might be more useful to be an oblivious air head. It's much, much easier to handle a dog that is not your own. I am a pretty good handler as long as it's not my own dog.

[Lora]

Any sort of dog competition is wacky. It kind of reminds me of the shows on TV I've seen about mom's having their girls in beauty pagents when they're 3 or so. It's silly. But at least the dogs don't (usually) go all diva on you. I met some great people while showing Indy my first time. Complete strangers were very supportive and very helpful to me. It was a small showing for Swissies, and the Swissy people that were there (with one exception) were so great with me. The thing is, those people would still be great now. That's the type of people they are.

Ever seen that movie "Best in Show" - wacky

[Moni]

Sorry to hear that Jenni. I guess that I've been lucky and our obedience competition experiences have all been very positive and the people have been supportive. Though from the sidelines I have seen crazy competitive people who get upset when their dog doesn't do a 'perfect run', most people I know are just having fun with their pups.

As for the Conformation ring, I'm glad that Francie & Katherine show Kedge for now, but once I'm back up to par I'm going to be starting him in UKC. It is more nerve wracking to me since I feel WAY out of my league in there.

[ToBScholarly]

Ever seen that movie "Best in Show" - wacky

I LOVED Best in Show! I love that whole group of actors (although A Mighty Wind was my favorite).

What kind of prize money are we talking about with these competitions?

[Swissies4Me]

I LOVED Best in Show! I love that whole group of actors (although A Mighty Wind was my favorite).

What kind of prize money are we talking about with these competitions?

I love all the movies those actors do too! They are too funny!

As for prize money, it's like none. To win any money at regular weekend shows, it's usually only the Best in Show dog that takes home $, sometimes the group placements as well. And, even with that it's usually like $100, maybe? For the big on tv shows, the prizes are much more grand and elaborate, so if you take Best in Show there, there's some money to be won. Although to get to that point you've also spent a ridiculous amount of money. You can also earn some neat trophies, etc. at Specialties (both National and Regional). Really though, people aren't doing it for the money, because show entries alone add up really fast, then on top of that you have pictures to buy if you win, hotel/travel costs, handler fees - if you go that route. It's definitely not cheap. You do get ribbons though, lots and lots of ribbons Duke has his Championship and the only 'special' thing he won (aside from all his ribbons) was a Mikasa butter dish...that was at a sponsored show that he took Best of Winners in.

Obedience has been good to Duke though. He's gotten a lot of neat 'trophies' (one of which is my husband's favorite beer mug). And, at one weekend of showing Duke made more money than the entry fees, so that was kind of cool. He's only been in 3 obedience shows, so I'm not sure if that's normal or we just happened to enter in good shows

[bren]

I LOVED Best in Show! I love that whole group of actors (although A Mighty Wind was my favorite).

What kind of prize money are we talking about with these competitions?

Walnut, pistachio nut, pinenut, macadamia nut ...

[gotbigdogs]

UKC is a blast... a lot of AKC people dont take it seriously and most of the people I know think its BS but its so much more down to earth, you dont have to dress up, its less political. All in all more upbeat and fun !

Im hoping to get my guys into UKC pretty soon.

Sorry to hear that Jenni. I guess that I've been lucky and our obedience competition experiences have all been very positive and the people have been supportive. Though from the sidelines I have seen crazy competitive people who get upset when their dog doesn't do a 'perfect run', most people I know are just having fun with their pups.

As for the Conformation ring, I'm glad that Francie & Katherine show Kedge for now, but once I'm back up to par I'm going to be starting him in UKC. It is more nerve wracking to me since I feel WAY out of my league in there.

[Hounds_N_Leo]

UKC is a lot of fun. I highly recommend it. It is what dog showing should be like. Fun, low pressure, and about the dog as a whole.