Hi
I've never been to a show before and had hoped to enter Clunie into one sometime. She has just hit the 7 months age and so I am now aware that she could be entered into a show. However as stated I am a complete novice, and would appreciate any advice, tips etc that anyone would be willing to give me (even if it is don't do it!).

Also as many of you are aware, Clunie had to have just lightly more than half her tail amputated. My vet said that she could still be shown as they would supply a certificate/letter stating that the tail had to be partially amputated due to medical reasons. Is this the case?

Also I am fully aware that she may never be show quality, but would just like to try anyway.
I will hunt around for some recent photo's of her to post onto the site.
many thanks
Vicky

There was a deerhound in Australia that showed quite successfully with only half a tail, but it might be different where you are. It's not a result of genetics though so it shouldn't make a difference.

I only started showing a year ago, and it's definitely worth a go even if you don't win. It's fun to meet other people with the breed and you can make some firm friends. As for the actual showing bit.. don't be afraid to ask the other deerhound people for help and advice, or to ask the judge/steward to repeat instructions if you don't understand or hear the first time. Also don't worry if your puppy acts up. My first show we got into group (being the only deerhound there it wasn't hard ) and he spent the whole run up turning around to chew the lead but the judge just laughed and said "he'll get there".

Anyway, good luck and keep us posted with how you go!

How exciting for you. The tail shouldn't be an issue, as Bundaleer said there was one here being shown and it was never non-awarded.
It may help to practise gaiting your pup to get it used to the pace that you want. But at a show the pups get quite overwhelmed with all the stimulus and tend to get very excited so don't worry if they don't perform for a while. The most important thing is that you and your pup have a good time and that it is a positive outing not a stressful one. Even as young adults they can really misbehave re: my post of Last Junior Show. It happens!
Good luck

Hi, The information your vet gave you is correct. The Kennel club needs to be notified of the surgery and then they give their permission for you to enter competitions. We usually take our puppies to ring craft classes for a couple of weeks, not to practice ring craft, but just to socialise them with other dogs and people. We have quite a few dogs at home but of course the puppies know them. If the showing schedule allows, we try and get the puppies to a few Open shows first before we take them to Champ shows. It just makes the Champ shows a little less daunting for them and Open shows are a good place to practice yours and the puppy's show technique. Sally

Hi Sally and everone
Thanks very much for the above advice. Will do a proper reply later. Do you happen to know where to find out about ring craft classes? I live just outside the Central Belt in Scotland and am not sure where there are likely to be such classes?
Thanks Vicky

Hi Vicky, Try asking at your local vets re. Ring Craft classes. Sally

Hi Vicky
We've been to some in Cupar, Fife. That any good?
Rob

Hi Rob
Thanks for the info that here are ringcraft classes in Fife. Unfortunately it ios a bit of a travel for me, However I was hunting on the web and have found some in Perth, which is much closer for me. So I'm going to try and find out some more.
I am hoping to enter Clunie into a local event in Callander in 3 weeks time, so we can find out what it's all about, and if she enjoys it etc. I believe her mother really didn't like shows. So, hopefully she doesn't follow that trait. However I'm not expecting anything from her, just a learning experience.
Cheers
Vicky:cheer:

A good place to start re showing is open shows and yes ring craft classes are good. Use the classes for socialising your pup, getting them used to different surfaces and having strangers look over them. When you're showing try and keep things fun for you and the pup - it's easy to get nervous but no one expects pups to be perfect. I just concentrate before hand on getting used to the speed I'll be running at with the dog and trying to get the pup running along side on a loose lead. Basically, you want the dog moving freely and striding out at a trot but not 'pacing'. Pacing is when the dog will swing two of its legs off the ground along one side with the other two remaining on the ground. The dog then looks like it's swinging its rear back and forth. When I'm showing I look out for this by watching my dogs back if it's seems to be swinging from side to side I can be pretty sure he's pacing. I don't think though you'll have problems with pacing with a pup. I usually find it's the older dogs who have 'got wise' to showing and who are being a bit lazy who pace! What you want is your pup to be trotting by moving the diagonal legs forward at the same time. Pups though do have a habit of getting excited and then the trot can become a bit like a hackney pony with the knees reacing skywards. When then happens I just slow down a bit - even to a walk - and start again if needs be.


Also try and get your pup used to standing still. This I must say is easier said than done and will take time to master. As I said pups aren't expected to be perfect so just concentrate of keeping your pup happy and you relaxed at you won't go far wrong.

We're hoping to be at the SKC show at the end of August perhaps see you there.

Yes it isn't pacing you have to worry about but galloping. They can get a bit excited sometimes. Again don't stress about it, just gently pull up and start trotting again. Lockie will still break sometimes. Another thing Lockie will do sometimes is prance. He would have made a lovely show horse

Hi All

Thought that it was about time that I put on some pictures of Clunie. So here goes, taken yesterday. We did manage to get her to stand but not stacking. . Also one before the accident taken when she was just over 5 months old
Vicky

OK the photos didn't work properly. The 3 were Clunie at 5 months.
Here is one from yesterday

and finally

What a lovely looking puppy, she looks to have a super rear end how is she bred?

I would get along to ringcraft and get her out have some fun with her, any judge worth there salt should be able to see past the injury. so do not give up hope, and do not listen to negative people

look forward to hearing how she and you all get along

Hi
Clunie's mum is Bulka Shurrey who has Ardkinglas and Rohanis ands Almondbank in lineage.
Her father is Rathcreevagh Sherriff at Kinnauld (I know he is of Irish descent and he has Doxhope lineage). Hope ths helps.
Vicky:)

Lovely Bloodlines, that explains that great rear end
thankyou for letting me know them

I agree that those are good bloodlines. Alice is Doxhope with arkinglas and Rohanis. Tess {Leoch Falla} has Kilburn, Arkinglas. and Rohanis. Unfortunately I don't think that Bill is breeding any longer. And I saw something that made me think that the same has happened to the Rohanis line. There was a reference to the late Dr. Sharon McRea, though I've not been able to find anything definate about the situation. It's as loss in both instances. Perhaps someone can shed more light on it all.

Bill Docherty has certainly given up breeding. He established the Doxhope line with his father but gave up when his father died. If you want to know more about the Doxhope line read Bills book, Working Deerhounds and Lurchers and Longdogs. It's mainly about hunting but you don't have to hunt to appreciate it. A very good book about the dogs, and some interesting thoughts about the future at the end. I believe Bill is a member of this forum, but how often he visits I don't know.

Allan

I've talked to Bill though not recently. I did see some posts he made a while back. He's into birds pretty heavely I believe. Gary Hosker was instrumental in my getting Alice my Doxhope Lady of Lewis. He brought her and a sister, Socks, Doxhope Lustre [she is pictured on his web site], and a brother to the States. They, Doxhope, are georgeous dogs. I do intend to get acopy of his book.

Mcrea and sheperd did not breed that many litters, firehawk, firshadow this litter were excellent coursing hounds. and I believe have Beardswood behind them, one of the two ladies suffered badly with depression.

Bill I know is very involved and writes for " Cage and Aviary birds", I know his line was founded upon Pat Airds Shenval.

There was a time when people were breeding to win on the Hare coursing field, which did mean alot of the hounds lacked the substance that would be required to put a Stag to bay, ( now someo you do not start tutting says me smiling. excellant on the hare! but handsome is as handsome does and its whats between the ears that truly matters.

We have to remember the original purpose for this magnificant breed and I remember very well when out coursing with Miss Noble with Azalia who won a 32 dog stake and then the very next day went to a Championsip show won the ticket and Best of Breed.

Sadly those days are long gone,along with the type, substance of her magnificant hounds.
todays deerhounds generally speaking do not have this.