....has been really great so far - directing me here, taking many phone calls since we bought him, etc. :-D I know she'll help me meet people in the City and get connected as well.

I was glad to hear your "newbie" perspective....glad to hear I'm not the only one coming into this with 1-an old pup 2-as a newbie!

Do you do all the handling yourself? We will. Unless he takes his championship and we end up in Crufts or something. big grin I might hire a handler then. wink

Angela <><

yes, my husband handles Rocco and I wil show Carm starting this weeekend. we started stacking and working with her at 3 and a half months and what a difference. we joke and say that Rocco is like driving a hummer with no power steering. All his life has been play play play with other dogs, he does therapy visits as well, but when he sees his friends, he wants to socialize. He gets better all the time though, so if you have this problem, you can get past it. Maybe we will see you one day out there, I certanily hope so!

I wouldn't have it any other way. I really enjoy being in the ring.

Going to the shows is a lot of fun. I like meeting my friends there & making new ones.

Sue

alot of clubs will have an "adult" class which is usually over 12 months. So YES very likely you could take him for test runs at the puppy matches.

Max isn't a puppy though - would he be allowed in a puppy "test run" class?
He turned a year last week but has never been shown before and is blessed with a bulldog-newbie-owner. laughing

Angela <><

have Puppy Matches along with the regular shows. This is a great place to learn and practice your skills and a good place to help socialize your dog while having fun. Some matches even have a 'handling clinic' preceeding the judging.

Would that give me a chance to "practice" with Max before we actually get in the show ring?

I can just picture myself entering the ring for the first time and falling flat on my butt - or running the wrong way - or....or.....take your pick of embarassing escapades and insert here. **big grin**

Angela <><

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to go to a show & watch. You can't bring your dog if it's not entered. If you have a video camera you can video the show & then watch how it's done.

Most people are very open to talking with you & answering your questions.

You can also go to handling classes. Some dog clubs offer them as well as dog training facilities.

Good luck
Sue

We started to show Rocco for the first time when he was a year. It defenitly makes things harder, but it can be done. All I can say is WORK WORK WORK and work some more with him. Get into a great handling class that knows how to show Bullies. they are stacked and shown different from other breeds. In the classes you will learn and get experience showing them. I think going to shows is a great idea as well. we did that a few times. Rocco has done I think 4 shows now and while he sometimes is not as still as the puppies, but he is improving all the time. So is his handler!! Also, I think getting a mentor is very important. We got one and she is a dear friend. She has given us valuable ins and outs of the shows. I have to tell you that I thought "show people" were snobby. this is so far from the truth with the bullie community. Everyone has been so helpful and encouaging with us. One joked, "yep, we will help you until you start to beat us". They are the best group of people!! We also had Rocco evaluated by an AKC judge at a puupy match and some well respected breeders. We know he is beautiful, but as newbies were we being biased? They told us that they would be honest, but I didn't want to waste our time or $$ so I wanted an expert opinion. We got great feedback on our guy so we pursued showing him. Good luck to you guys!! It is a lot of fun!!!

Here is a pic of Rocco at our first show. it was a big huge show, and he placed a few times