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HOW DO WE PUT ON A SHOW?
A Brief Insight with Mike Wiltshire.
 
Firstly the Hon Secretary books the venue. Applies for the KC Licence, secures emergency veterinary care, and ensures that Liability Insurance is in place. Writes to invite the show judge chosen by the officers and the committee members of the club. Appoints guarantors to the KC.

Next step our Hon Show Manager co-ordinates with the secretary and arranges the schedules to be printed and sent out. Awards, rosettes and plates are procured. Selected steward appointed, we try to use and encourage those that have aspirations to become future judges, this is one of the criteria's required. Next, the committee is delegated tasks to ensure the smooth running of the show. Door, control entry and check in exhibitors, advise as to where all the facilities available are. The kitchen, provides food, hot and cold beverages. The stall sells club merchandise and is used as a focal point to promote the club. The Hon Treasurer runs this.

Gathers information from members and exhibitors and is there to advise. He promotes the club and recruits new members to the club. He ensures that sufficient funds are available and runs the raffle. Please also note that the Hon Treasurer is also the editor of the club newsletter, always on the look out for articles and adverts (free to club members)

On the show day, we set up the arena and the rest of the venue and eagerly await your arrival. Featured is a photograph of the facility at Mount Pleasant Hall in the village of Pontnewydd.

I hope this has enlightened our readers, can we count on, perhaps may be one or several joining or helping in some way.
 
 
EXHIBITING
So You Want To Show Your Newly Acquired Bull Terrier! with Mike Wiltshire.

Excellent, now that you are hooked here are a few pointers to help you along.

Firstly make sure your Bully is registered with the Kennel Club, your breeder should help you with the necessary Pedigree paperwork. If you have any problems or quiries you can contact the KC via their websie, www.kennelclub.com

We recommend that you join a dog club that teaches ringcraft, this will prepare you for showing your Bully and above all socialise your dog with others. this is important, your dog must be well behaved in the ring so as not to distract other exhibitors, the judge will look for this. Once your dog has been fully vaccinated and checked over by the vet, most clubs will take you on, beware! Some clubs will only start you off when your puppy is six months old, (Kennel Club Rules state puppies under six months of age on the first day of the show cannot be entered for competition).

How do you get round this, simple, first you visit your local dog training club, look for the adds in the local papers or notice boards, in shops and newsagents. Watch and observe, even the veteran exhibitors use these facilities to train their dogs. Once you have gained some knowledge practice with your own dog, getting him to stand while being held on a slip rope lead as shown in our photo gallery. Get various members of your family to go over the dog, especially the head area, checking the ears and the mouth, you do this gently to start with, reassure the dog with Good Boy! Or Girl! Don't give treats, as they will expect that all the time thus ruining your chances in the ring. The reward comes later, after the show.

You will have to have the patience of a saint, Bull Terriers are stubborn, mule comes to mind. But if you persevere it will start to come naturally.

Next you will have to move Bully as his movement will be assessed by the judge. Get him to move at an even pace, the movement should appear well knit, smoothly covering the ground with free, easy strides and with a typical jaunty air, (classic Bully movement). Practice the straight up and down movement, you will find the turn a bit of a handful to start with nut you will soon get the hang of it. Then progress to making a triangle. This is easier but not all show venues are geared up for it, but practice both methods avoid being caught out. Remember to keep the dog between you and the judge, the dog is exhibited, but you are also on show. Practice makes perfect as the saying goes.

Tips:
To get your Bully to pose in a show stance, attract his attention by holding a favourite toy at arms length.

Practice the movement phase, get your Bully moving well. Two dogs alike, the one with the better movement will win.

Bull Terriers stand, don't tell them to sit, avoid this, the command is Stand! They will sit of their own accord after the show. Show Dogs Pose!

Learn your ringcraft, etiquette is important, heed the advice from the show Steward who will line you up in the ring and issue you with your exhibitor number. You will need a show clip to hold this on the front of your upper clothing.
Be ready, the judge will be glancing before he/she starts. The judge will commence by viewing all the dogs on show. He will then call you forward onto the mat/grass where he will go over the dog. This is where you and your dog earn your corn, did you practice enough? He will go all over the dog with his hands checking for conformity to the breed standard. Then he will look at the dog's mouth for correct teeth alignment and bite, he may ask you to show the dog's mouth to him. Finally the all important movement phase, I can noy emphasise enough this is important, get it right.

Preparation for a show, put your Bully in the bath with warm water about 4 inches deep. With a jug pour the water over him/her, apply a recommended dog shampoo, (I use Johnson's baby, No More Tears Shampoo). massage this into the coat, take care on the head area, do this lightly. Next, rinse Bully using the shower head or the jug, ensuring that all the shampoo has been rinsed out. (lukewarm rinsing water). The fun bit, dry Bully with towels, wait for his vigorous shake, (tip - wear your swimming costume, my wife and I swear by this method, saves your clothes getting wet). Let Bully dry naturally at room temperature. Once dry polish Bully with old tights or hound glove with velvet. trim whiskers, take care use safe blunt end scissors.

Familiarise yourself with the Breed Standard, this will help you understand what the judge is looking for in your Bully.
 

BULLY IS READY FOR THE RING, GOOD LUCK

Though by no means extensive, this is only a general guide to help you along. There are many books available and information on the internet especially the Kennel Club.