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Backstage of a Dog Show:


This time I decided to do an exhaustive report and exam of what it cost to plan and then go to a Dog Show. I hope in the end the reader can understand what it takes to work and show dogs and all the effort and sacrifice necessary to do it. So let’s start for the beginning.

1º Chapter “Planning”

  • 1º Choosing to go or not to the Dog Show

    • Well the choice to go to a Dog Show is the goal that we intend to achieve for our dog.
    So it is natural to make a decision or an extra effort to go if a title is in case.

    To make such a decision just check the regulations in your kennel club, at my case inClube Português de Canicultura.


  • 2º Planning the time and costs

    • The next step is to take an idea of time and cost it will take to arrive to the dog show.
    For instance if I go to Porto Dog Show, since I am in Algarve, it will be something like 7h drive with 3 stop of about 20-30 min for people and dogs to rest and walk a bit, distance 562 km.
    The Toll will be around 37.55 EUR and Petrol 51.69 EUR
    Since I have to go and come back I put 200 EUR – 14h drive just for such a trip.

  • 3º Firs preparation - CAR

    • Since, for me, any dog show, implies big distances, I have to allways check the oil and water or make a full check up, to be prepare and not have surprises (imagine to be broken on the road with 3 dogs). This was a cost of about 165 €

  • 4º Now to pay the dog show and send our inscription in the first deed line

    • 1 hour in the post office and 65 €

  • 5º Find a place to sleep

    • If the distances are too long, then a place to sleep is also some extra expense to consider.


2º Chapter “List of Items”

  • 1º Cleaning the Dogs

    • Well I think this is the real bases of presenting your dog, the bath.
    Since this is a very long trip and I will work full time, this time I decided to ask some professional help to clean my dogs.
    But usually this means buying shampoo, conditioner and softener. And be prepare to spend 3 to 4 hours preparing each dog.
    In each case I always take with me cleaning towels (the some we use on babies) and conditioner to give shine to the fur before we enter the ring.
    Brushes, combs and scissors are always mandatory items to take.

    List: shampoo, softener, conditioner, cleaning towels, brushes, combs and scissors

  • 2º Trip safety

    • I always take a medicine kit with me (I learned that with a dear friend and dog lover), because with dogs we never know and it isn’t the first time they step on something and get hurt.
    So before I go I always check if it has all necessary items for the dogs and for people.

    List: dressings, gauze, disinfectant, anti-inflammatory, bandages, aspirin, cotton, alcohol

  • 3º Food, Water and Drinks

    • Ok, you might think, I will buy something or off course we must take food.
    But for me it is always a planning ahead since not all food are proper to take for quick or trip meals and you should always take plenty of water and some juices for you, since a dog show is a very long hours standing on your feet.
    I also think that an exhibit food, is expensive and isn’t 100 % safe and becoming ill isn’t part of my plans.
    Also if you spend a night out, you must take food for your dogs and of course this is mandatory.
    Since I also worry with the long hours my dogs are on travel and sometimes waiting to get in, I also take some treats to keep they interested and happy.

    List: sandwiches, juice, water, food for dogs, cookies, fruit, biscuits, coffee, treats,…

    Ok this is my list of what I have to check and stock before I go on my way.


3º Chapter “Final Preparations”

  • 1º Training

    • As you can guess, at this time we already have some weeks of intense ring or handling training.
    The main, in my opinion, is to make the dogs stay on the stand position for a long time and this has to be trained several times.

  • 2º Clothe

    • Since I handle and show my dogs I have to be careful in choosing the clothes. If necessary it has to be send to the cleaner.
    I start to use a different outfit out of the ring and during the trip.

  • 3º Leashes, coolers and dog bowls

    • Yes yes it is straight forward ... but I once forgot the leashes and was quite upset with myself.
    So has soon I can I put on my trip bag. Also take an extra leash just in case one breaks.

  • 4º Sleeping bag and blankets

    • One of the pleasures of sleeping out of the house is to use the sleeping bag and make an adventure from that.
    The blankets is for the dogs to have their one sleeping place and to cover the boxes at the exhibit if and unnecessary noise.

  • 5º Money and Documents

    • At this stage is to put the necessary amount and dogs, car and exhibit documents at our travel bag.
    Don’t forget to check if all vaccines are up to date.

  • 6º Fuel

    • Fill the car deposit on the day before and you avoid that extra minutes at the beginning of the trip.

    Ok, now it is just go to the road and bring lots of prizes.

I hope this topic help the reader to understand the idea and sacrifice of what implies to go to a dog show.