Dog shows and high gas prices

diamond · 07-03-2008, 04:01 PM

With gas prices getting crazy and our economy under pressure I was wondering how it has affected people who are currently showing. Has the number of dogs entered decreased? Are handlers raising their prices to compensate for increased travel expenses? Will this eventually impact breeders ability to place show puppies or even any puppy for that matter due to economic hardships (e.g., housing crisis, increased food costs, etc)? I like to remain optimistic but I can't put my head in the sand and pretend things are not going to change.

gracieface · 07-03-2008, 04:21 PM

I know entries are down, we are worrying about our show next month. Not sure if handlers are increasing their price, but I'm sure they must be. I know myself I have reduced the number of shows I'm doing, my boy pup is ready for the ring but his sister isn't, so I'm waiting on her so that I'm taking 2 dogs to the same shows- wanted Rex out there but not worth my while till Anna is too. I'll definitely be sticking to shows closer to home, missing a few of my favs just b/c of the distance and gas price.

**dobermansrule** · 07-03-2008, 04:25 PM

can't speak to all of that, though, we have been on a six month hiatus from showing to let our dog mature some more. We are debating ever getting back into showing due to the expense. We use a professional handler and we have not asked yet about any fee changes. If he has gone up, that might put us out of the game. But then, not sure we will be missed as we are novice newbies anyway. Maybe it will return to being a pastime for the financially well off. I can only imagine this will greatly decrease the pool of available show homes to place show quality puppies in, meaning more placements as pets, assuming no significant reduction in the pool of available pet home as well. But, BYBs keep cranking out dogs to serve some market - so buyers are out there, just maybe not for premiumly priced AKC purebreds.

**velmadobe** · 07-03-2008, 04:49 PM

I've got a boy that I will start showing later this month. It will most likely be a mix of owner/breeder/handler (me), and my regular handler. I'm not in a rush to finish him and have already told my handler that I want to keep him close to home so that I can see him at the shows. I will also be showing/handling his sister starting in August. I am no great shakes as a handler, and can't run worth a plug nickle, but will do my best to get her trained and used to the ring.

The cost of gas is definitely a factor for me - sending a dog with a handler means that you pay your share of expenses - I think the expense of gas for a deisel motorhome would be more than the handling costs for away shows. I don't know if her rates have changed - will have to ask.

The shows I have gone to recently have been affected from what I can see. My club's specialty in conjunction with an all breed show barely pulled a major in dogs and did not pull one in bitches - the bitch got the crossover major by going BOW - and IMHO not because she was better. It did not help that two big local Dobe handlers were out of the country at the time, but we should have pulled majors anyway.

since I am just starting out puppies, I'm not worried about majors..........yet.

diamond · 07-03-2008, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by velmadobe

I've got a boy that I will start showing later this month. It will most likely be a mix of owner/breeder/handler (me), and my regular handler. I'm not in a rush to finish him and have already told my handler that I want to keep him close to home so that I can see him at the shows. I will also be showing/handling his sister starting in August. I am no great shakes as a handler, and can't run worth a plug nickle, but will do my best to get her trained and used to the ring.

The cost of gas is definitely a factor for me - sending a dog with a handler means that you pay your share of expenses - I think the expense of gas for a deisel motorhome would be more than the handling costs for away shows. I don't know if her rates have changed - will have to ask.

The shows I have gone to recently have been affected from what I can see. My club's specialty in conjunction with an all breed show barely pulled a major in dogs and did not pull one in bitches - the bitch got the crossover major by going BOW - and IMHO not because she was better. It did not help that two big local Dobe handlers were out of the country at the time, but we should have pulled majors anyway.

since I am just starting out puppies, I'm not worried about majors..........yet.

My boy is just shy of 4 months, but I can only imagine that gas will be even higher when I put him out there. I have considered showing him myself but after looking at my stacking abilities I realize I could make Crytonite look like pet quality. I pretty sure I will use a handler.

rainddobes · 07-03-2008, 05:10 PM

This overall inflation has really hit home. I have been letting my daughter show Layla at some small shows, but gas is still a very hugh issue.
Canidae went up $5.00 a bag and I go through a bag, at least, a week.

Most handlers have increased their milage prices for travel. I can only imagine what it costs to fill up a motor home these days.

Entries are also down across the board.

When Jaden is ready to be shown, Chelses, will be his handler.

**ellenm** · 07-03-2008, 05:23 PM

I am just doing obedience right now and am trying to stick close to home....maybe an overnight if it is a 2 hr drive or so. The costs add up real fast with gas so high. I have put all my obedience training classes on the same night now...I drive 1 hour to train from 7-10 pm one night a week! Marathon dog time!!

Cheers just got spayed so her breed ring days are over, so I did not have to pay expenses when gas went $4/gallon. It was expensive enough at $3 a gallon!!

Dobes&Hounds · 07-03-2008, 05:32 PM

My handler's prices have not gone up. Just the gas surcharge. She doesn't charge by the mile, she takes the cost of gas and divides by the client dogs. I can't afford to go to every show and watch like I wish I could. She likes to go north, and there seem to be a fair number of entries in MN, WI, IL etc.
I am waiting for my bill for the last cluster. I am sure it will be about $700. I can only do that maybe once a month. It's high, but it's cheaper than trying to do it myself.

Dobemom2b · 07-03-2008, 07:50 PM

So what are you all that have show to akc ch co-ownership contracts going to do if you can't afford to finish now?

I knew this would be my obstical and admitted it to the breeders I have talked to right from the begining of the convos.

The ones I talked to mostly agreed that if you do not show to finish you forfeit the ownership of the dog.

It will also put a dampner on those who chose pups to finish and use as foundation breeding stock, since many nice dogs will not finish through no fault of the dog but pure economics.

I was worried this female may not be showable and ask several here opinions on her, I guess it doesn't much matter now.

Cathy43 · 07-03-2008, 07:58 PM

My dilema for the shows that I am going to is whether to drive home each day(at 90-100mile one way) or get a room. It may be a combination od both. The gas is still cheaper than the room and there is a lot to be said for sleeping in one's own bed . And letting Pullo run in his own yard versus being closed up in a hotel room.