If you're planning to show your dog , preparation is important! Enrol in a Ringcraft class in order to socialise and familiarise both you and your dog . Here the trainer will teach you the basic ringcraft skills you will need to show and prepare your dog for being handled and examined. Most classes will accept young puppies once they've been vaccinated , the earlier you start the better , remember to make it fun for your pup/dog as you'll get more out of him/her if they enjoy what they are doing.

At home, get as much practice in as possible! Let friends and family handle and look in your dogs mouth frequently in order to prepare him/her for being assessed . If you can not find a local ringcraft class contact either the Kennel Club or any local Canine Society for help.

If you don't yet feel confident enough to enter a show , attend a few shows as a spectator, have a look around, ask a few questions and just see what goes on.  

Once your ready to take the plunge and enter a show you then have to decide what sort of Show! There are 3 different Types.

Limit Shows

Limit shows are run by individual dog clubs, and are restricted to the members of that club. These shows are probably the best place to start as you will be given a lot of help and advice without the pressures of the larger, more competitive shows. The classes at these shows are quite small making it an ideal place to start. Usually you have to subscribe to become a member to enter these shows , however this is normally only a small subscription of say £5 per year.

Open  Shows

These shows have a broader range of classes and tend to be more competitive. In some classes you will be up against dogs of other breeds. Open Shows can also be purely for one specific breed. The top prize at this is The Best in Show, which is judged from the Best of Breed. The Best in Breed is the best dog and bitch of that one breed.

Championship Shows

These shows can be breed specific, group specific, for example gundogs, working etc, or for all breeds. These shows offer the widest range of classes and winning at these can gain the ultimate award of qualifying for Crufts, the most prestigious dog show in Britain.

Ringcraft Clubs in the West Midlands.

Sedgley & Gornal Staffordshire Bull Terrier Ringcraft Club,
Sedgley & Gornal Labour Club,
Clarence Street,
Sedgley,
Every Wednesday 8.30 P.M.
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Sandwell & District Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club,
West Bromwich Labour Club,
Start 8.00 P.M, Every Monday
Contact:
Helen Reaney 01543 684422
Keith Jackson 0121 520 1856
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The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club.
Parent Club Handling Classes,
The Broad Progressive Working Mens Club
Broad Lane
Essington
Wolverhampton
WV11 2RH
held every thursday starts around 8.00pm
T & L Bowler 01922 416447.
Steve Whitehouse 0121 5310233.