KENNEL CLUB CREATES DOG SHOWING GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS

The Kennel Club has created a guide for people starting out in dog showing, which aims to encourage newcomers and help them navigate their way around what is required when competing in this activity.

With the information in the guide, owners will be well equipped to start their competitive journey and enjoy a successful and rewarding partnership with their dog in dog showing.

The 13-page guide answers questions of a general nature on dog showing: where to start, breed standards, types of shows and classes and how to find and enter shows. It also provides essential information on how to prepare for a show, what to expect on the day and how to gait your dog correctly.

Details are also provided of how dogs progress from the breed to the group and ultimately to Best in Show competition, depending upon which awards have been accumulated along the way. Useful contact information, suggested reading and a glossary of terms are also provided.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “Starting out in any new hobby can be a daunting time, so we hope that this guide to dog showing will prove useful to beginners. Participating in any canine activity is always enjoyable for both the owner and dog and also provides the opportunity to socialise with people with a common interest. Hopefully this guide will point dog lovers in the right direction.”

The guide can be found at www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media/1159438/beginners_guide_to__dog_showing.pdf.

For further information on dog showing, please visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/activities/dog-showing/ or email breedshows@thekennelclub.org.uk.