Question of the Week

Betty-Claire Peacock

Dumas, Arkansas

Yes, in Hong Kong. It was an amazing look into a different experience! The atmosphere was like a carnival. The noise level in the huge building was nerve wracking. There were hundreds of exhibitors, spectators, dogs, vendors, etc. There were Poodles dyed every exotic color and color pattern imaginable. There were many classes we aren't familiar with, such as local bred. The loudspeaker was screaming constantly in Cantonese, which, as I didn't have a clue what was being said, was annoying, to say the least. 

Positive things: Every dog was checked into the building by a vet and its show records scanned as well as its microchip. When you went in the ring, the steward scanned the microchip, and if you placed, it was scanned again. It was a chaotic, exhilarating and interesting experience. 

Jeff Bazell

Bremen, Ohio

I started attending international shows back in the early 1980s. I have shown at many World Dog Shows, Crufts, Windsor and Bath Championship shows. Showing, exhibiting and handling in other countries is the very best way of learning that there is more than one way to skin a cat — or, in this case, a dog. It opens your mind to differing opinions on your breed and also gives a breeder an opportunity to seek out potential breeding stock to add to one's own family line. 

I've been successful showing Greyhounds, Brussels Griffon, Newfoundlands and Heelers in other countries.      

Our most recent trip abroad to show was at Crufts this year with our Lancashire Heeler bitch Ethel. Though her paperwork was done in plenty of time, we did not receive clearance and approval until one hour before we were to depart from the U.S. 

If someone is thinking about showing abroad, we would recommend that they remain very flexible in their thinking and planning. Other countries do not adhere to a strict judging schedule as AKC requires. You might be scheduled to be judged at 10 a.m. and, due to another breed judging running behind, your breed might enter the ring at 2 p.m. We recently experienced this scenario at Crufts. Emphasis in other countries is on the breed judging, while in the U.S., more interest is at the group level. Oftentimes a breed winner is not selected until after group judging has been completed. If this were to happen in the U.S. there would be a complete meltdown with some breed winners. 

Exhibiting or judging abroad is very valuable tool when assessing the dogs in your care or breeding program. Though some breeds differ widely still from country to country, most competitive dogs in this country will be competitive abroad.   

Leslie Earl

Davis, California

Many years ago, I took my Belgian Tervuren special to Canada to get his Canadian championship title. Canada isn’t “overseas,” but it is a foreign (and WONDERFUL) country. We had great judges, my dog finished easily, and there were lots of friendly folks to meet.

Interestingly enough, I managed to smash my thumb in the door of my trailer and had to go to emergency in the greater Vancouver area. The doctors were terrific, my thumb was bandaged appropriately, and I received great care for free. When I came home, I saw my own doctor for follow-up, and he was amazed at the bandaging process. He said we didn’t have that sort of bandage available here. Only the faintest scar remains. Impressive. 

Joy Bass

Palestine, Texas

Yes, I bred and showed my Shelties in Singapore under UKC rules back in the 1980s when my husband and I were living there.

The Singapore Kennel Club was very small and young at the time. It was a wonderful time to enjoy the close camaraderie among the members, who had tremendous enthusiasm for the sport and the dogs.

It was truly a very valuable experience to be exposed to the different interpretations of breed type that the judges from all corners of the world have. One of my pups that I bred there won Best Baby Puppy in Show under a Canadian judge one year. During other years, my American-bred Sheltie type was not appreciated as much.

The judges varied and were sourced from Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the U.S.

Groups were typically chaotic at the end of the day, since there were many more group categories than what AKC sanctions.

Lydia Coleman Hutchinson

Middletown, Maryland

I have had the pleasure of showing in the U.K. three times. Each time the dogs I handled belonged to a fellow breeder of Cairns who lives in England. All three were successful in winning their classes, and one was even awarded Best of Breed Cairn (my own breed). This year the lovely puppy I was asked to handle won Best Puppy at Crufts.

Mike Burk

Washington State

We live in the Seattle area, so we’re close to Canada. Shows are very similar to ours in the U.S., with just a few things that are different. Same classes, similar judging techniques. Not many Pembrokes, though.

Susan Shephard

Deltona, Florida

I've shown at Crufts (England) several times. As I'd attended many times prior, the slight differences in procedure were not an issue. The biggest difference was the placement of the dog on the exam table and then the use of long tables for the entire class to go on. (Pekingese). It was a great experience, and I'm looking forward to next time.  

Patricia K. Bond

Dover, Florida

My first experience showing abroad was in Canada, and I had a wonderful time there showing. My second experience showing abroad was at the 2007 World Dog Show in Mexico. We went with Fresh Pond Travel Agency, and I have to say that we had the best experience for our first time showing at a World Dog Show. 

I have shown at the World Dog Shows in Sweden, France and Hungary.  The level of presentation depends on which country is hosting. I would have to say that aside from the World Dog Show in Mexico, I was most impressed with Hungary, in particular how the shows were run but also the city was a joy to visit. The World Dog Show in Sweden was my third favorite for how the show was run. The World Dog Show held in Paris, France, was very chaotic and confusing and not very well organized; however, the city made up for the show. 

One thing I will stress is that if you have never shown abroad, you will be surprised at how chaotic that these shows can be. The AKC shows are more organized and have better procedures for the most part, and I have found this not to be true at least at some of the World Dog Shows. Again, this is my personal opinion based on my experiences, so I understand that other exhibitors may have opinions differing from my own. 

That being said, if you have the opportunity to show abroad, especially at a World Dog Show, do so!  Your experiences, good or bad, will be something to reflect back on!