Showing

First and fore most always remember the golden rule when it comes to showing, whether its championship level or at the local fare. Showing is supposed to be for meeting other people with the same breed as your self, enjoying the day out and if you are placed.....it's a bonus. Never think that just because you didn't get a rosette and not placed that your Saint is no good. Always remember that YOU take home the BEST DOG ANYWAY. !!!!!!

Showing:
When I got my first two Saint's, I was no stranger to the show ring, as I was pervasively exhibiting Old English Sheepdogs. But I do remember the first time I started to show my dogs at championship level. Yes it can be a bit scary at the beginning, as you don't know what to do, how to groom your dog for the show, and even little details like having a leash that you only use when showing. But different breeds are showed in different ways and all breeds have their own way of stand.

Preparation:
Its best you do this a day or two BEFORE the day of the show, as the long haired saint Bernard takes a while to fully dry out. Yes it is HARD WORK but if you keep your saint reasonably clean between shows, the task will not be too much.

You must bath your saint. Yes! A good soaking never hurts. The smaller ones can be bathed in a large basin out side. It's best to get them used to bathing at a young age, it makes it a lot easier when they are fully grown. Use only dog shampoo, and lather all over, you may need to rinse and shampoo a second time if your saint has recently found a favourite muck puddle, which is often the case the week of the show ! Be careful not to get shampoo in the eyes and ears. Always keep a check on the temperature of the water, not too hot and not too cold. Use a garden hose for rinsing off.

Saints love to shake the excess water off after rinsing, be ready to stand back. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear, not forgetting under the dog.

When drying you're saint, its best to let him shake well before you start to towel dry, if you're saint is used to the hair dryer, take heed to the temperature as not to scald the dog. You do not have to fully dry the dog with the hair dryer, as natural drying is best. BUT be careful that the dog does not lye somewhere and catch cold.

Once he is dry, give the coat a good thorough brush and comb. Take extra time on the tail, behind and below the ears, under chin and the feathering on the back of the legs if your saint is of the long haired breed.

Finally - TA Da ! You have a gleaming St Bernard. Now for the HARD PART ! Keeping him clean !!!! After washing, drying and grooming your saint is over you will need somewhere to keep him clean. Sometimes I will bring my saint into the house before the show and let them stay there over night [ thank goodness for house training ! ] . But where ever your saint sleeps the night before the show, make sure it's some where clean!! If you're saints usually sleep in out door kennels, their kennels should be clean anyway regardless if they are show dogs or not.

When travelling to the show, put a bib around your saints neck to catch all those drools. I try and get to the show at least two hours before its time to enter the ring, and to do the final touch ups on grooming, and it's a good chance to let the dogs settle down after the long journey. It also gives me time to find good parking and to find out where my breed show ring is. At ''all breed ch shows'' there will be lots of other show rings around the show grounds as most other breeds will be on show too that day, once you've found parking you'll need to get the show catalogue from the show secretaries desk/tent which will have a listing of each breed on show that day and which show ring each breed will be in, each show ring is numbered. i.e. ring number 1, 2, 3 etc and if your show ring is in doors or out doors. In Ireland, St Bernard's are usually exhibited out doors regardless of weather so dress accordingly.

In the Ring:
If this is your first time at the show, keep a watchful eye out for you're breeds turn in the ring as we may have the same judge as other breeds, therefore we share the show ring with those breeds. When one breed is finished, the judge will then call for their next breed to enter the show ring. There are different classes for each breed, i.e. Puppy Dog / Bitch, Graduate D / B, Open D /B etc. Be prepared to enter the show ring once you're number is called by the judge or steward. Judges dislike having to wait for an exhibit to be found and often start judging before the late exhibit has arrived. (You can be disqualified if late ).

If this is your first show, please be aware that no person will be allowed in the show ring except the Judge, show officials and exhibitors taking in a dog for adjudication. If you have more than one saint for exhibit on the day, you are only allowed to bring in one dog at a time (unless you are exhibiting in brace or team classes), if you have more than one exhibit for the same class, then you'll need to ask someone or bring someone with you to take you're other exhibit(s) into the show ring for you. Don't be shy, we wont refuse you if you need help, just ask.

Once you are in the ring, you will be expected to stand in line with the other exhibits. Keeping your dog to your LEFT, so as the Judge can clearly see its movements at all times. The Judge will ask everyone to trot around the ring together, to see all dogs movements. Then the Judge will examine the line of dogs before each dog on its own. Stand you're Saint in its breed standard stand....which is, all four legs should be set squarely, tail should be down and head up. The Judge will proceed along the line taking a short look at all dogs. Then each dog on it's own. You could be asked what age is your Saint, which you should of course know, and he will then proceed to go over the dogs back, legs, chest and head, some will feel if the dog (male exhibits) are 'complete' underneath, and others do not, the judge will also need to look into your dogs mouth to check his teeth. Once the judge has completed his examination, you will be asked to take your dog around the ring again. The direction you go in is entirely up to each judge but most will ask you to either run (move your dog in a trot, do not walk your dog) up and straight back again, or to run your dog in a triangle, some judges will ask for both, which ever you are asked, always keep the dog on your LEFT side. Experienced exhibitors will testify that the ring's for the Saint Bernard's are usually too small for the breed and can be a bit cramped when trying to exhibit your Saint, and can be quite difficult trying to get your Saint to trot properly. Too fast and your running, too slow and it looks like your Saint is lazy. When you are finished, the judge will thank you and you should return to the back of the line up.

The Winners:
Once the judge has seen all the dogs he will walk up and down the line again to choose his winners. Places are First, Second, Third and Reserve (4th), depending on what country your from, there maybe placements up to 5th or 6th place in your dogs class regardless of number of exhibits. If you are placed you will be called forward ( the judge or steward will call you by either pointing at you, or calling you by your exhibit show number, and never by your name), He will usually call forward in order of preference i.e. First, Second and so on. If you are placed, go forward, stand your dog as before, and need I tell you to SMILE

The Judge or Steward will hand you your certificate/rosette and call you by your exhibit number as he hands it to you and not by your name.

If you are placed First you will be expected to stand and wait while the judge takes notes of your dog, otherwise you may leave the ring.

If you do not get placed, don't worry, its only an opinion and there's always another day and another judge.

If this is your first show, please do not stand in the ring entrance as this blocks the entrance way for other exhibitors going in and coming out of the show ring, keep the entrance way clear.

Do:
Do wash and groom your saint before the show and present him well.

Do smile all the time, it will show if you are not happy.

Do make the day enjoyable for you and your dog - its just a day out !

Always congratulate the winners.

Do Not:
Do not walk around the ring as if you really cant be bothered with the whole fuss.

Do not worry if your dog decided to go to the toilet during your presentation - it happens a lot, even to previous winners.

Do not tare up your certificate if you don't come first, any placement is an achievement and just think how your dog feels!

I have been showing at championship level for years. One weekend I could be placed high and the following weekend I might not be placed at all. Sometimes my dog's are just not in form for the show and decide not to do anything right for me on the day. ..... It happens !

Best of luck at the shows, if you see me, don't be shy, come over and say hello.