Could he show?

2202 Views 11 Replies 8 Participants Last post by LindaH, Jul 18, 2007

DoberLu

Discussion Starter · Jul 15, 2007 (Edited)

Hello,
I have a 6.5 month old Doberman. I would love to show him, but (along with not knowing the first thing about showing) I don't know if he is quality enough to be productive in the show ring. I'm in the process of getting pictures. He won't stand still long enough from me to take a good one...which is another thing...training. I've enrolled him in a basic obedience/manners class, so it should help with all of his flinging around, etc. But, depending on the answers I recieve about him, I will take him to conformation classes. Would the classes be worth it, though? Would he really learn from him. The "teach an old dog new tricks" questions pops up in my mind. The breeders never tried stacking him...they didn't take very good care of the litter at all. He was 25 pound at 4 months, ribs and hip bones visable, he had tapeworms and was internally weak (was being fed adult food once a day) So, I was too worried about him even surviving (legs were very week, painful to sit, was falling a lot) to do anything but check for a heartbeat. All of that also played a part in the delay of training, obviously. So, after I babbled about all of that, I'm back to would be learn anything from conformation classes?

Also, more possible things that could keep us out of showing are his ears and tail. Ears are more of a military crop (breeders cropped before I bought him) which from what I've seen isn't preferred in American show rings, and his tail is slightly longer than normal. These things don't really have anything to do with his actual body and the standard, but I know people are picky.

Whew, okay. Finally to some very awful pictures I just took. He was everywhere! The other two weren't very happy with all of the wildness, either :biggrin55

My view:
His shoulders are smooth, no big bump. His back is pretty straight. His butt look slope-y in the pictures because he was tucking his tail. he's also a little bony, but we're in te process of building muscle. He's come a long way from when I got him. Arms and legs caved in and chest was awful. So, as far as body condition, that's very fixable and he's on his way.
So, with those pictures...poor quality, wriggley dog and all...how does he look? :confused2

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Julie W

· #2 · Jul 15, 2007

You really can't tell anything from the pictures. But if you didn't get him from a breeder that is consistently successful in the show ring with her dogs then he wouldn't be suitable for the conformation ring. A winning conformation doesn't happen by accident, they have to be well bred for it. From what you have said about the breeder, it sure doesn't sound like she is somebody that shows her dogs, and certainly not successfully.

There are certainly a lot more options out there though. You can show in obedience (that's how I started in the ring, with a pet quality dobe male), or agility, or any of the sports they excel in that interest you. You can also go to conformation class and even fun matches with him just to get experience in handling a dog. Handling a doberman well in the ring takes practice, and there is no reason you couldn't learn on him.

There is only a small percentage of the doberman population out there that is destined to have a successful show career. The rest of the dogs are every bit as lovely and wonderful. So enjoy your pretty boy for what he is and whatever venue he may excel in if you decide to pursue any.

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robinb

· #3 · Jul 15, 2007

As far as having fun and really bonding with your own dog, I would tell you to look at the Obedience ring, Rally or Agility. Those events are every bit as competative, but it's in your hands as to how hard you work at it.

Go to some AKC shows and watch the Obedience and Rally, I think you will find those people are actually having more fun with than those in the conformation ring!

Robin and Rex

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MaryAndDobes

· #4 · Jul 15, 2007

From the history you provided, I agree with the other poster that quality for showing rarely arrives by chance, and it sounds like the breeder was less than stellar.

You haven't given us much to go by with these pictures but even so, there is a lot more to judging than the few areas you mentioned. It doesn't look like his brisket reaches his elbows, his markings are very light and not the desirable rust colour, his feet don't look very impressive. I suspect that his neck set and shoulder assemby are not good, but as I said, the pics are not good ones.

Please realize that the Doberman conformation ring is very, very competitive. It takes a really good Doberman to be considered show quality in the US.

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LindaH

· #5 · Jul 16, 2007

DoberLu, I agree with the other posters. His start sounds rough and I really don't understand why the breeder cropped the ears if they weren't going to take care of the pups. Cropping is expensive and people who don't care usually don't do it to save money.
By all means take him to the conformation classes and learn from them. They will be good for him and you. Just remember never to get frustrated with him while teaching him anything. If you feel you are getting frustrated have him do something he can do easily and end it on a good note.
Honestly, I've never met anyone who said they were having fun while showing. It is very serious competition and no one is in it for a good time.
Go to shows and watch and you will pick up a lot too. Look at the dogs closely and you will see what a show dog looks like.
Use your fellow to learn on and enjoy him. Dobermans are wonderful dogs, but they are very sensitive to correction, just raising your voice is usually enough for them. Do not spank.
I am with the rest on doing the agility or obedience or both. The agility is fun and the dogs love it.

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Julie W

· #6 · Jul 16, 2007

Honestly, I've never met anyone who said they were having fun while showing. It is very serious competition and no one is in it for a good time.

Actually, there are a lot of people that have fun showing, me being one of them. I would even venture to say that most people that do it enjoy it, or they wouldn't be doing it to begin with. Lord knows we aren't in it for the money that the public thinks we make doing it! LOL

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Murreydobe

· #7 · Jul 16, 2007

Julie W said:
Actually, there are a lot of people that have fun showing, me being one of them. I would even venture to say that most people that do it enjoy it, or they wouldn't be doing it to begin with. Lord knows we aren't in it for the money that the public thinks we make doing it! LOL

I agree with this 100%. Showing dogs isn't a sport for everyone, I can't think of any sport that has universal appeal. But the people I know who do it *do* find it enjoyable and fun.

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jdd

· #8 · Jul 16, 2007

I'm very competitive and LOVE to win (who doesn't) but we certainly have fun!!!! Why do it if its not fun! Sure there are days that are the pits, but when we go back to the room to let them dogs romp....it gets fun again!

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Blackdog

· #9 · Jul 16, 2007

I also had a lot of fun showing. Sure, you hear some sour grapes, but for the most part the people I met were very supportive. I made a lot of nice friends while Cy was showing.

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LindaH

· #10 · Jul 18, 2007 (Edited)

Yes, I agree a person can have fun showing if their dog can place or win some of the time, but if they have a dog that never places I dare to say it would not be fun for long. Competition is the name of the game and winning is part of competition.
IMHO people don't show for fun, but to win. If you lose some and win some it is fun. Show me a person that loses all the time and still thinks it is fun and I'll show you a masochist without the sex.:smile1:

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Julie W

· #11 · Jul 18, 2007

Yes, I agree a person can have fun showing if their dog can place or win some of the time, but if they have a dog that never places I dare to say it would not be fun for long. Competition is the name of the game and winning is part of competition.
IMHO eople don't show for fun, but to win. If you loose some and win some it is fun. Show me a person that looses all the time and still thinks it is fun and I'll show you a masochist without the sex.

Why would you bother showing a dog that isn't good enough to win in the first place? It is a dog show after all.

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LindaH

· #12 · Jul 18, 2007

Julie W said:
Why would you bother showing a dog that isn't good enough to win in the first place? It is a dog show after all.

That is my point.

I actually misspoke before and am trying to correct it. If I try to explain futher feelings will possibly get hurt. So I just have to leave it at this.

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