Lexi The Looker's dog show - Page 1

Hi there, lexi and I are attending a KC show next weekend, we have attended a few shows but I'm still in the 'new' category to it all! 

Does anyone have any tips for us to give us a winning edge, I'm lead to believe that she will be up against some stiff competition so I'm hanging out for any advice...

She is a 4 year old Akita 

White and fawn

So far she's done very well in her shows but we are aiming for the sky...

 

Jess

Hello Jessica -  best of luck for the approaching Show.

When you say you are 'aiming for the sky' with Lexi,  it depends

partly on what your goals actually are;  are you thinking Akita

Breed Competitions ?  Crufts and/or major all-breeds Championship

events ?  I take it the Shows you've already entered are more than

just Fun / Companion Shows ?

Are you (and Lexi) okay for travelling far and wide ?

I do not pretend to be any judge of Akitas,  I usually know a good one

when I see one but its not 'my' breed.  But as with any dog and any

type of Show  your best bet for that 'winning edge' is to be sure your

exhibit is close to its Breed Standard in every way  (sometimes

you need a long hard look @ your dog, without any rose-tinted glass ! -

be honest with yourself);  is well behaved and Ring-trained (have you 

joined a Club ?);  and is presented each time to the very best of your

ability :  clean  ears, eyes, paws, teeth & well groomed, clean coat.

Have you discussed Showing with Lexi's breeder ?  If not, and if they

are Show people themselves, they will be able to advise you / give you

tips, and their own knowledge of their stock (and which Judges tend to

like and reward them ! ) could be much more use than strangers across the

Atlantic through PDB.  Though that doesn't mean experienced people with Akitas

overseas can't help you, too.

Hi There,

we have entered a couple of KC Shows and we did okay, ironically better then in the fun shows, she has been praised as a 'good example of the breed' and also I've been told by one judge she was 'like a rose' however she can be a little over Aloof with the judge...AWKWARD!!  I train her myself as I'm also a dog trainer and where we live the nearest ringcraft class is around 20 miles away

We are aiming eventually for crufts maybe 2017, Lexi is a rescue and so I really want to take our time and go easy for her. She was very badly treat and so I don't like to rush her haha

Every time I show her I bathe her and groom her freshly, as well as her twice weekly grooming routine, (she likes getting pampered)

Thank you so much for your reply and I hope to bring news of a red rosette :D

Jess

 

The Akita is a powerful, independent and dominant breed, commonly aloof with strangers but affectionate with family members.

Hi, I'm very happy that she is aloof as it is a large part of the breeds personality, however I'm unsure weather or not the judge will approve as she is very very aloof..some even say more then normal

Jess :) 

Yeah well @ companion show level often judges aren't people who

appreciate that sort of breed feature, they are more likely to appreciate

dogs who want to slavishly lick them to death !  That's why GSDs often

don't get placed at them either.  Even in the pedigree rather than the

fun classes.

Hey ho.  If you want to get serious about Showing though Jess,  I do

think you might need to up your game a tad.  The fact you haven't taken 

her to Ringcraft worries me a bit - the Americans will laugh when you think

 20 miles from the 'Toon is a long way, they drive for hours each week

to attend IPO clubs.  And you need the company for exercises which

simulate Show Rings and grounds,  unless you have an extremely willing

collection of friends and clients with their dogs to play exhibitors, audiences,

judges and stewards for you.  A Trainer can do a lot on their own but there are

many times its useful - even necessary - to have helpers.

Plus if you start really getting into Showing you'll need to travel.  [You do drive ?] 

 

If Lexi is a rescue dog, then obviously you can't fall back on her breeder for help;

maybe find another local Akita breeder and get them to be a mentor for you ?

You must have all her KC Registration details to make Show Entries, if you also

have a copy of her pedigree  (or get that from the KC online) you could try and

find someone among the Kennel Names featured on that.

Failing that you could always contact someone really well-known in show Akitas

(try Dave Kililea, maybe ?) and ask if they might help you out when you have

questions. 

Linda.

Hi, 

I have all of lexis papers I'm really lucky that she came with them, she has Redwitch and Anshee dogs in her pedigree as well as a few others... I've noted Redwitch seem to do well at the moment, my dad is willing to drive me places as he is my company driver too (lucky eh)  unfortunately Lexi isnt the best traveller! So i try to travel only to shows, however if it is that important we may have to include ringcraft!

Do you think that the well known 'names' in the akita world will be happy to help? I've been rather nervous to ask so far!

Thankyou so much.... 

Jess

I may turn out to be wrong 'cos I don't know him personally but Dave K @

Redwitch has, I believe, gone on record in the dog press about the ways we

should foster and encourage people new to Shows.  Can't hurt to try;  you

could email him through the Redwitch website.  'Mentoring' honestly is very

useful when you are starting out, in anything competative to do with dogs.

 

What is the difficulty with Lexi and travel ?   Car sick ?  Do you crate her ?

Hi there, 

I've got a crate on order for her so we will be trying it as soon as that comes, and we are trying a herbal travel sickness pill until, I've done some homework and email a few ringcraft classes for more information and I emailed Anshee and Kitsune Kennels, I'm just going to email redwitch after I post this reply

Thank you very much for all your advice so far, so helpful :)

Jess

You're welcome.