I don't know why, but I have been asked several times recently whether you can genereate an income from dog showing.
The answer is very sadly not!
Allow me to explain.
There are a number of different types of dog shows:
*Companion Shows - these are for family pets - crossbreeds, one legged, one eyed dogs etc anything goes at these shows and the funds raised usually are for charity. Classes cost around £1-2 each and top prize is a rosette (and a packet of treats if you are lucky) entries are small - usually around 50-100 participants.
* Open Shows - these are held under Kennel Club (KC) rules and are for pedigree KC registered dogs only. Dogs are expected to have a degree of training when entering these shows. Classes are generally £5-10 each, plus catalogues, parking etc and there are usually a few thousand entrants. The top prize for the dog that beats every other dog at these types of show is usually £10-20.
* Championship Shows - again these shows are held under KC rules and for pedigree KC registered dogs only. The difference with Champ shows however is that you have the opportunity to win a Challenge Certificates and have the ability to make your dog into a Champion. You can also qualify for Crufts. Classes are generally £25-30 each, plus catalogues, parking etc. If you want to claim rosettes for any placement at a Champ Show, you'll also pay an extra £8-£12 each for them. There are usually 5-10 thousand dogs entered at these shows and the top prize for the dog that beats every other dog in the show is usually around £25-£50.
* Crufts ( arguably the biggest dog show in the world) this is exactly the same as any other Championship Show, but around 45,000 dogs enter per year. If you beat every single one of them the top prize is £100. Each class costs £35 to enter, parking is £16 a day and again rosettes are an extra charge.
So, aside from actually entering the shows what other costs does a show person incur?
Well...
Firstly I have to maintain a full show coat on my dogs. This means a weekly bath and blow dry which takes around 4 hours per dog - this costs me in gas, electric and water. Shampoo is around £100 a bottle, as is conditioner. A can of dog hairspray is £18. Clipper blades are around £40 and require regular sharpening. Scissors are anywhere between £50 and 250 a pair and also require sharpening when they become blunted, a dryer is around £600. A nice show lead is £50 and my own outfit to show my dogs in is around £200.
Ringcraft classes are £5 a week per dog and again, I have to travel in order to attend these.
Then there's the travel - there's only one Championship Show for the whole of Devon and County. All of the rest mean a travel, and sometimes a couple of nights in a hotel too.
Needless to say it is impossible to make any money at all from showing dogs.
So why do people show?
It is clear that showing is a very expensive hobby!
We show for many, many reasons - the prestige of potentially winning.We show because we are proud of our dogs and want to showcase that. We show because we are passionate about our breed and hope that showing will encourage others to help us to preserve and protect our beloved dogs and build for the future, where the gene pool is struggling. We show to train and socialise our dogs. We show to form friendships with likeminded people. We show to maintain those friendships. We show to learn more about our breed.
We show for so many reasons!
Personally speaking...
Personally for me, a big benefit of showing is that it helps my mental health. As a person who suffers from anxiety; the act of actually getting out there and running my dogs around the ring is a real challenge for me. But when I do manage it, I am always so proud of myself afterwards.
I worry about everything before hand. I pace, I shake, I get a dry mouth and I feel sick etc I stress about how I am overweight and worry that everyone must be looking at me. I worry about falling over, or that Peggy will poop in the ring. I literally worry about everything!
But pushing myself and putting myself out there is such a positive thing for me to do and the fact that I have my canine best friend by my side is just the best feeling ever.
I'd honestly encourage anyone with an interest to go to a show because it can be a lot of fun and if nothing else, it allows you to switch off from life and just spend time with your dog.
For me the potential of winning is an added bonus; we don't win often and when we do, we don't win any cash prizes. BUT, what I do win is a fun day out with my dog and the ability to spend time with likeminded people, and that to me is the best prize of all.
