The show that is coming up in a couple of weeks is UKC? Indoors or out? Ha,ha—guess if it is in MI, it is definitely indoors! Did you find my link for The Leash Lady? Emily will give you a good quality GSD lead. When you order leads, order at least 2—one short (4-5′), and one long (7′-8′).
You girls are making my brain work too hard. I figured that I’d better go measure my show lead to make sure I’m giving you the right length. My show lead is 8′ long. Now Kayla is going nuts because she saw me pull out that lead and is expecting to play show dog. (A lot of the training is about a ritual.) I rarely will use the shorter lead anymore, that’s why I passed mine to Brittany.
As for collars, I’ve never shown in your area, but in most cases, if you show up at a non-German type event with a fur-saver collar, people go, “Blah, German dog!” Ask Julie for her advice on that. On puppies, I will normally use a black round nylon choke collar. Not the flat nylon chokes, because they do not release properly. If the dog is too strong for a nylon choke, then I use a Hexagon choke, also called a Brass Snake Collar, medium link, I prefer the gold.
http://www.jbpet.com/Medium-Hexagon-Choke,304.html
http://www.jbpet.com/Nylon-Chokes,315.html
http://www.arf-net.com/leashlad.html
Now, thanks to you, I must go play show dog!
Thank you Carole! Especially for the collar advice. I was wondering about the Fursavers at the non-German events. I did see one or two at the last bigger show, but it seemed most people had fine chain or leather slips. However it didn’t seem like anyone or the judges cared about the collars.
Now that I look at the link, I do have a black nylon choke like that. I bought some when volunteering at the shelter b/c they require chokes but never have enough so many volunteers bring their own. Actually I think I have two, a bigger, thick one and a thinner one that should work for now if it fits over his noggin. Do you use it “live” or “dead”?
Yes our show is indoors!
If by leather slip you mean a leather choke, that is fine. If you mean one of those adjustable models, no. There is no particular “law” on the style of show collar used. The Germs use the fur saver variety, and AKC/UKC use the finer type collars. Really? Use what works best for your dog! The important thing is that your dog shows well and you have confidence in your equipment.
Live or dead ring depends on the size of the ring and how well the dog is trained. I might use live for the down & back, and then switch to dead for the gaiting. (You need to practice being able to make that switch quickly at HOME, before trying it in the ring!)
Terry Hower always showed his dogs in fur saver collars. For the SV ring you want something that the dog can pull in that will not hurt their throat.
For UKC I showed Schumi in a dark rolled leather slip/choke collar. I alternated between dead and live rings as I needed for control.
AKC I use to show my dogs in gold hexagon/snake slip/choke collars fitted snugly on the dead ring.
Thank you Julie! Which brings me to my next point: I don’t mind helping out and/or giving advice, but you folks have The Master right in your backyard. Julie is over 100, so you’d better get all of that great information from her while it is still in her head! 😉
Thank you Julie and Carole! I really appreciate the advice; I still feel clueless so it helps to hear from the best! I’m looking at all the websites listed and pulling out my credit card right now….. 🙂 Sorry, Joe! 😉
Joe, I’m REALLY sorry! Becky is so excited to go shopping that she is doing double-time!
Becky, if you already have a collar that you’ve been using on Schumi, there really is no need to buy another.
Lies just needs to use something besides that combo deal that I almost choked over.
I don’t care what type of equipment you girls use. Just go out there and kick everyone’s butts. AND someone better be taking pictures!
Well…. um, actually, every time I show Schumi I borrow a collar from Julie or Kelly. 🙂 Now that my conformation class starts soon I need my own! Time to stop being a mooch!
In that case, shop away! Talk Julie into selling you that collar that she’s been using on Schumi.
Thank you Julie and Carole! I really appreciate the advice; when I’m feeling clueless it helps to hear from the best! I’m looking at all the websites listed and pulling out my credit card right now….. Sorry, Joe! 😉
Whoops sorry posted twice. The first one didn’t show up for a while so I did it again. Should have waited. Is there a way to me to delete one?
Well I found my nylon chokes, thought the small one would work on Nikon, which it did, until it was time to take it OFF, lol! Yeah it’s too small. He definitely has a bigger head than Chopper already b/c I’ve used this on her for a rally competition. I thought I was going to have to cut it off and finally it worked over his ear.
So like Becky, looks like I’m in the market for a lead AND a collar (and the cheap mirrors Carole suggested so I can see what the heck I’m doing without having to walk a circle around my dog…not that that’s a bad thing for Nikon to learn!)
Julie, do you sell the type of collar you used for Schumi? I’d rather buy from you first.
Agreed Lies.
You will find that cheap mirrors will help you immensely.
PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU PUT YOUR LEATHER LEADS TASHA STOLE THE LEAD OFF THE BAR STOOL CHAIR AND CHEWED IT IN HALF… SO I GUESS IT’S SHOPPING TIME FOR ME.