yea the post had me thinking so I added up quickly just my cost for show entries, never mind gas, food, hotel..products..etc and between the cost of the dog and entries I was almost at that mark...lol
If I Get a Sheltie should i show it?
- Thread starter SpecialEdition
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Ann
Moderator
Not to mention the cost of actually breeding those puppies...prenatal testing, supplements, ultrasounds, xrays, delivery + weeks spent watching over newborns, postnatal testing....you get the picture. A good breeder invested in bettering the breed spends far more than the cost of a show puppy, and deserves every penny that he or she gets when one is sold.
This is not meant to discourage you. There is a route to having a show dog, but it takes time and work. Join your local Sheltie club if there is one; go to every dog show that you can; watch, learn and ask questions. You need someone willing to mentor you who will help you find that show dog or puppy...usually, as Clantyre said, an adult rather than a puppy.
It took me more than two years of lessons, seminars, pestering my wonderfully patient mentor with endless questions and watching at dog shows before I had a dog to show, and I've been learning ever since. You can't do it without a mentor. The AKC offers a program that connects new people interested in the sport with mentors. That might be helpful to you. Good luck!
ClantyreSheltie
Forums Sage
I once heard that the average Sheltie takes 75 shows to finish a Championship.
Figure $28 in entry fees per show = $2100 just in entry fees.
Handler? $50-100 per show = $2750 - 7500, plus your portion of expenses
Maybe the handler takes less shows to get it done, that's the hope anyway, but still not cheap.
It took me 46 shows to finish my Collie. A handler could have done it in 12.
Figure $28 in entry fees per show = $2100 just in entry fees.
Handler? $50-100 per show = $2750 - 7500, plus your portion of expenses
Maybe the handler takes less shows to get it done, that's the hope anyway, but still not cheap.
It took me 46 shows to finish my Collie. A handler could have done it in 12.
SheltieLuver
Forums Enthusiast
You can read all the books in the world, but to me there is nothing like hands on experience in learning what a show quality dog really looks like. So visit lots of shows and ask breeders/exhibitors for a hands on feel of there dogs. In my opinion it is impossible to get started without a good mentor... find in your opinion the best breeder in your area and ask them if they will mentor you... go to shows with them and help out. Get tips on show grooming. One thing that will help you being from Canada. CKC shows aren't as tough in the grooming department as AKC.
To me as far as how long it takes to finish a dog... there is a limit... When you need to step back and really look at that dog and decide( and Ill leave it at that)
To me as far as how long it takes to finish a dog... there is a limit... When you need to step back and really look at that dog and decide( and Ill leave it at that)
HopeShelties
Forums Enthusiast
Between entry fees, and all expenses involved, I figure each show costs in the $4-500 range. It's just as bad to go for a high level performance title. If you q every time out novice-excellent and qq every time out in masters, you're looking at $14,500 :O And, I don't know anybody who qqs every time out. Estimate easily can rise to $20-25k!
ClantyreSheltie
Forums Sage
Depends on where you live. I can do about a dozen local AKC trials a year, where I only pay entry fee and gas. So the weekend, with one dog (and not playing the games) costs me less than $100.
HopeShelties
Forums Enthusiast
We have all of 3 local trials a year. Everything else is 2-5 hours away.
yea I quickly counted the # of shows the other day to "laugh" at how much it had cost me...I entered a total of I think if I remember 36 shows...there were I think 8 or so that majors broke so I paid to get his name in the catalog basically since he was minored out...To date we've entered around 50 shows...at figure $28/show..and a few higher priced entries...not a cheap endeavor...but than again shows how concerned I am about cost since in almost 3 years I never sat down to figure it out!
I agree get to as many shows as you can and find a mentor. Get your hands on dogs find what you like and what catches you eye...different lines have their look. And seek out that line...start with what ever you can get your hands on..keeping in mind your not going to start out with a BIS dog..its a starter dog, one you will make mistakes with and build on that. Just a word of advice if you can find a male thats nice grab it!!! They are great starter dogs. They are seldom out of coat, dont get "bitchy" like the girls and will love you pretty much no matter how bad you do
!!! And breeders are more willing to part with a better Dog than a bitch as you can only have so many Dogs.
I agree get to as many shows as you can and find a mentor. Get your hands on dogs find what you like and what catches you eye...different lines have their look. And seek out that line...start with what ever you can get your hands on..keeping in mind your not going to start out with a BIS dog..its a starter dog, one you will make mistakes with and build on that. Just a word of advice if you can find a male thats nice grab it!!! They are great starter dogs. They are seldom out of coat, dont get "bitchy" like the girls and will love you pretty much no matter how bad you do
!!! And breeders are more willing to part with a better Dog than a bitch as you can only have so many Dogs.Toffee's Mom
Forums Sage
I would evaluate what makes you want to show?
I have no interest in it, but really enjoy the expertise of responsible breeders like we have on here.
I think you're in Atlantic Canada?
It is still a little bit easier to finish a dog here than in the US, from what I understand.
However, even better we do have a thriving dog sports and positive obedience/rally community with exceptional trainers, where your dog can excel and you could train to your hearts content!
IMHO there are only a couple of worthwhile breeders around here, anyhow...
Conformation is one aspect of the breed, albeit an important one, but I leave that to others
I have no interest in it, but really enjoy the expertise of responsible breeders like we have on here.
I think you're in Atlantic Canada?
It is still a little bit easier to finish a dog here than in the US, from what I understand.
However, even better we do have a thriving dog sports and positive obedience/rally community with exceptional trainers, where your dog can excel and you could train to your hearts content!
IMHO there are only a couple of worthwhile breeders around here, anyhow...
Conformation is one aspect of the breed, albeit an important one, but I leave that to others
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SpecialEdition
Forums Novice
I am going to go to some shows and talk to some people about showing dogs. I am still going to get a sheltie weather I decide to put him in agility or obedience idk but I will make sure I understand I bit more about showing dogs before I get a show dog. And to toffee's mom I know there arnt many good breeders around here so I many have to head out of the maritimes to get my puppy.