UKC Forums - New to UKC

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Posted by rmeerdink on 07-10-2011 06:14 AM:

New to UKC

Hello. I'm new to UKC and have entered my first weekend of shows. I've shown in AKC for a number of years, but want to try UKC. I have a few questions.
1-what is the typical attire? Suit/tie are the usual for AKC, but have heard a little more casual is suitable for UKC.
2-With 2 shows a day, doesn't it get to be a long day? Is show one in the morning and the second show in the afternoon?
3-I understand that bait is not typically used. toys?

Thanks for any help with my questions.....they may be stupid, but I want to be prepared. I am looking forward to the weekend of shows!

__________________
Rob Meerdink
www.littledutch.net

Posted by rosebud81592 on 07-10-2011 06:23 AM:

http://tinyurl.com/3gsx8ed
UKC Dog Show Information For Beginners.
You may find my booklet useful.
Linda Rusinko
Wooster, Ohio

__________________
Home of Warlord Dobermans:

12 X Alt BIMBS, 4 x Alt RBIMBS, 9 X HSIT, URX, UROC, UCD, UCH D'Lano's Guns N'Roses, CGC, TDI, TT, WAC, RE, BN, UDC VC, AKC CD, APDT RL3, AOE-L1, L2 & L-3, ASCA ODX, CW-SR', ODC BROM (aka Raney)

Warlord's Khaos v Whitedheim, WAC, CGC' (UKC pointed) (2-27-2007 to 1-5-2013)

Daker Drago, CGC

Posted by LoupGarouTFTs on 07-10-2011 07:47 AM:

Hi Robert and welcome! UKC is definitely more casual than AKC, so you can leave the tie at home if you want to do so. Dress neatly and in a way that is respectful to the judges and you will do fine. Toys are considered bait--if a judge doesn't allow bait, then s/he won't allow toys, either. The days do tend to get a bit long with two shows running, but sometimes they run concurrently (or nearly so, like with a one-hour or so delay starting show 2), in order to cut down on time. Some clubs like to have a leisurely break in the middle of the day for lunch, which helps everyone relax and regroup.

Coming from AKC, you'll need to keep in mind that grooming in UKC is minimal. You'll see some people using powder (they shouldn't; shame on them!), but dogs should be shown in as natural a state as possible. Bathe them, clean their ears and teeth, and show them as neatly groomed to the judge as possible. Pretty much that's it.

I think you'll find the UKC folks to be a friendly lot if you are willing to smile and learn how things are done "here." (My "here" is the Deep South--a bit different from your "here," but we're all "here" in UKC . . . if you catch my drift. :P ) People are happy to help handle dogs if you need it or to hold dogs if you need that, too. Juniors in my neck of the woods are always looking for people to whom they can lend a hand. Relax and enjoy yourself. Hope you have a great time!

__________________
Kimberly Egan
LoupGarou (mostly) Toy Fox Terriers

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

AKC and UKC Ch. UAG1 'PR' LoupGarou Kajun-Fox Beausoleil CD, RA, NA, NAJ, CGC
AKC Ch. And UKC GRC La Isla's Wickfair Watersprite, #7 Toy Fox Terrier 2011
U-Ch. 'PR' LoupGarou Cajunization
U-Ch. 'PR' LoupGarou Christmas Bayou
U-Ch. 'PR' LoupGarou Bay Toys Kyrie Eleison
U-Ch. 'PR' Stardust Saints Geaux Marching
Showboat Saintsational Season, HT, BN, CGC

RIP Roger Dodger Over and Out. Your time on this Earth was far too short. God bless and God speed.

Posted by A. Diogenes on 07-10-2011 01:15 PM:

Welcome, most of the shows here (midwest) will run almost simultaniously. Your breed will show in ring "A" and if all is running smoothly you'll go right into ring "B" under the 2nd judge. When Judge "A" finishes your group, typically Judge "B" will take a break so Judge "A" can do your Group.

BIS will go after both Judges finish completely.....MOST of the time

Part of the "Casual" you'll notice is unlike AKC, UKC rings are seldom run on time and alphabetical order is not always the alphabet you learned in grade school...LOL

Dress code is anything from proper ring attire ie. AKC to a "People of Wal-mart" fashion show. I respectfully and completely disagree with my friend from south on this point.

The lack of ring etiquette, at times, may make your head explode....LOL Do bring that element with you and lead by example. There are plenty of great people exhibiting in UKC that just haven't had exposure to the finer points of showing.

UKC prides itself on having dogs that "Do stuff" mine hunt, compete in Schutzhund, OB, Lure course, etc,etc. There are people that are more performance than conformation people and their dogs MAY be less "civilized" for show crowds & stress vs. AKC dogs you may be used to. Keep an eye out for "Casual" exhibitors NOT watching their dogs on loose lead.

Don't be surprised to see a loose dog either, a loose Chinook in the poodle ring can be a bit of a distraction while you're doing a down & back...LOL

Posted by AnkhuIGs on 07-10-2011 02:26 PM:

Welcome to UKC. Its a whole different world!

i show both AKC and UKC avidly. Love both, but fully recognize both have issues.

UKC is not run like an AKC show with specific times. Time...is sorta...a "general guideline"...in the UKC. I tell folks...UKC shows are an all day event, so come prepareed to camp out ringside. Comfy chair, comfy something for the dog, maybe a sammich, soda, book to read etc. Be...prepared for this.

The lack of a regulated pace is the ONE thing that drives AKC folks nuts....and if your not prepared, it can make an uncomfortably long day.

Ring procedure is very like AKC, so no shocks there, just different classes and order to those classes. Watch the signs for BAIT, or NO BAIT. even if you use bait, you are NOT allowed to drop it...so keep that in mind. Also...no grooming in the ring.

UKC shows can be quite social events, with various potlucks going on around the venue. it also gives you a relaxed chance to observe other breeds, and i will have to say...that especially for the novice handler/exhibitor...the BUCHO ribbons are a huge factor!

As for dress...many disagree, but it is a relaxed atmosphere...and you will encounter the "people of walmart" exhibiting dogs. However, we prefer to maintain our AKC standard of dress, and since we started showing UKC...here...locally...the standard of dress amounst exhibitors has gone WAY UP...and we see fewer and fewer walmart exhibitors. So....its bascially whatever you want to wear to show your dog. If you feel best in a suit...wear your suit...if you prefer jeans...wear jeans, but everyone agrees...please be clean and neat.

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Home of Multi-BIS U-GrCh, Multi Group Winning/Placing AKC Bronze GCh, MBIS/MRBIS Int'l Ch, CKC Ch. Pineridge-Anji's St. Cecilia

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No part of this message may be forwarded without permission

Posted by rmeerdink on 07-10-2011 06:16 PM:

Thanks again all for your help. I am looking forward to this new experience!

__________________
Rob Meerdink
www.littledutch.net

Posted by A. Diogenes on 07-10-2011 07:39 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by AnkhuIGs
.... since we started showing UKC...here...locally...the standard of dress amounst exhibitors has gone WAY UP...and we see fewer and fewer walmart exhibitors. So....its bascially whatever you want to wear to show your dog. If you feel best in a suit...wear your suit...if you prefer jeans...wear jeans, but everyone agrees...please be clean and neat.

As much as I poke fun and the flip flop army I must admit it has also been my observation that at the shows I've been in over the last three years the exhibitors have improved the standard of dress.

Posted by FoxFire Farms on 07-10-2011 08:06 PM:

If you have a white dog u can wear black or dark jeans , u should wear opposite of what you dog is to show off the dog.
I have my show jeans one set for indoors which is new shape ( thou bait pocket is torn on most of them) one for outdoors they have grass stains on knees not work no rips to tears just not spanking new. Since i am a bigger person i buy relaxed fit jeans and they move well and dont gap up when on knees with dogs.

I dont wear BLUE jeans or shorts or t shirts with sayings.

So just dress like you dont want attention, you want a clean nice neat frame for the wonderfull pic of the dog.

Bait i bring variety dogs will get sick of one quick and i check the board UKC to make sure bait is allowed,

Hope you have a great time at your first UKC show.

edited removed shopping tips im long winded on sharing deals

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#1 2003-present UKC.
1st Rally + breeder handled Total dog
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Posted by A. Diogenes on 07-10-2011 09:06 PM:

Rob - Bait is an all or nothing thing, set by each judge. It's either toys & food or nothing.

I looked at your website, it's clear you how what you doing in this sport. Best of luck

Posted by A. Diogenes on 07-10-2011 09:46 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by FoxFire Farms
...So just dress like you dont want attention, you want a clean nice neat frame for the wonderfull pic of the dog...

I could not agree more!

I also agree with your point about hair pulled back.

I was watching a Gaurdian breed ring at the Premeir in 2010. Two men had sports coats on. The older had long hair but, he had it tied back in a Pony Tail. Both men looked equally sharp. The long hair might have been a distraction. That would have been a shame as he CLEARLY had the best dog in that ring!!! If I remember correctly he took BOB.

Posted by rmeerdink on 07-11-2011 12:46 AM:

I am showing a havanese and I am very happy about the no over grooming or product. I have battled the flatironing, backcombing, hairspray, etc. since showing him. Bathing, bruching and show...glad for natural!!!!!

__________________
Rob Meerdink
www.littledutch.net

Posted by FoxFire Farms on 07-11-2011 07:32 AM:

Could not agree more pulling hair back is best for men or women.
I miss my hubbys pony tail.
Best dog in the ring is a subjective term . Not based on the dress of the person but the features of the breed to the standard.

I I believe in the total dog concept.

edited off topic dont wish to hijack

Posted by A. Diogenes on 07-11-2011 04:23 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by FoxFire Farms

Best dog in the ring is a subjective term .

But thankfully i dont base my opinion on a breed such as a guardian on the dogs showing ability . I base it on temperament working ability and health conformation as it relates to the ability to do that job. .

I believe in the total dog concept.

I believe in the total dog also. I completely agree correct movement, proper temperment for the breed and MOST importantly correct conditioning is what a Conformation Ring is all about. Anyone thinking it's a beauty pagent is clueless

I really don't feel I am a very "subjective" dog person. I'm actually brutally honest and extremly objective. I will offer I know good movement when I see it. I've studied it for 30years. I pride myself on being able to notice movement fauls. When looking for future dogs for myself and a few close friends, I follow-up my observation with OFA reseach and when I can observations of that breed actually work at the job it was "built" for.

I try very hard to write in generalitys on this board as the tpoic at hand is the point NOT the individual. Also kennel blindness runs deep, very few people can be objective and not get emotional when talking about their dogs.

I didn't get to see any of the gaurdian breeds in the ring at this years Premier as I was too busy in the Herding ring, lure course, dock dive, rally not to mention helping out friends with their Northern dogs due to ring conflicts they had and one friend that twisted her ankle on Friday.

I was was talking about the 2010 Premeir. The dog I watched could have won with a blind monkey as a handler compared to the other dogs in that ring. It's gait was smooth & effortless. It was amasing to see a huge dog move so well. It would have been a shame to have anything detract from that picture that the man with the Pony Tail "framed" so well dressed properly in a sport coat with his hair neatly tide back.

The judge obviousy shared my opinion that day...LOL. Brutally honest now ...those other dogs....handlers in a Gown or Tux couldn't have helped look better.

So again I agree with you it remains all about the dog.

But, I would add that it still is important to present every dog to it's best. Those other dogs? Maybe it was that they came in a little heavy? Maybe the OHs just haven't leaned the correct pace for those dogs? Those issuse are easily fixed.

On the other hand maybe under all that fur is very poor bone structure and terrible joints. No question that you add excessive weight and poor handling skills marginal dogs look worse.

Objectively, it was hot in that building and I'm not a fan of small rings.

quote:
Originally posted by FoxFire Farms

"PS Hope you did well with your guardian dog."

While I don't own a guardian breed that I compete with in UKC, I was happy with our efforts but, Thank You, non the less.

Posted by LoupGarouTFTs on 07-11-2011 05:25 PM:

May I suggest that this thread is not the appropriate place for people to air their animosities?

rmeerdink, I had no idea that so much grooming went on with Havanese. I thought they were supposed to be a "natural" breed in AKC, as well? I show Toy Fox Terriers, so the thought of all of these grooming tricks is foreign to me . . .

Posted by A. Diogenes on 07-11-2011 06:01 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by FoxFire Farms
Well i repeat subjective since you refuse to give a real name .
Thus it is a opinion of a nameless person who makes claims of expertise . So i cant give credit where credit is due.

What a strange comment? Considering I just posted how I agree with several of your points??

I'm not really looking for allicades for my life in dogs. I'm perfectly at peace with my achievements. I was just sharing my observations.

I'd offer the bred ring I refered to has nothing to do with the point of this thread. We were discussing how presentation can affect the dog. You talked about how the OH should frame the picture for the judge and I agreed with you.

I do believe I was very clear in what show I was talking about. I am habitually precise in my writing. I'm sure that stems from writting documents that were subject to review in a Court of Law for so many years...LOL

Posted by rmeerdink on 07-11-2011 10:08 PM:

I had some ask about showing Havanese "natural" in AKC. Yes, they are supposed to be shown natural. I have friends that are trying to show naturally, but when they get to be champions and if they are "specialed" then the excessive grooming really begins. I had hopes of showing my boy as a special for a while, but stopped when I was told that I would NEVER win if I didn't flat iron, trim, spray, etc. I did bring him back out to complete his Grand Champion in AKC (which he finished easily). But again, it is hard to get breed wins in AKC if you are not a professional handler with exceptional grooming. So again, thanks to all who emailed me, and responded to my post. It is all most helpful and am really looking forward to this weekend!

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Rob Meerdink
www.littledutch.net

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