There’s much to be said about the show life. Shows are probably not a priority when buying your first puppy. One day you simply go out and take in a show, whether it’s pure curiosity or it’s your breeder who’s behind. There are more opinions about showing than we want to know. For some breeds there is never any problem in the attendance, then for others it’s basically the same old faces. Some may be due to the fact that not all see the point. The Norwegian kennel club defined in an article by Astrid Indrebø that dog show are “an important aid in any breeding, for both assessment of a dog’s construction, but also of its offspring. It is the offspring who show the breeding value of a stud or brood. A good show dog is to be a healthy and functional dog described by the breed standard.” (Freely translated)

The show ring and accompanying atmosphere should be a positive experience for both dog and owner. If you should feel you don’t want to show your dog or feel you don’t yet have the knowledge, there are handlers who do this for you. Perhaps you have a show smart friend. Many may also see this first time dog show also as their last. Then again, once you’ve started you can’t stop. Jump at it once and for all.

In Puppy training some basic exercises are described. Showing is another. It’s not fair to Fido to show up in the show ring and expect first place.  Dog clubs and training schools all give courses in show technique. Your breeder is probably also eligible for a lesson in showing.

To begin the light training, contact is where to begin. It is an essential piece to you and your dogs training. The dog should follow you and be ready in a heartbeat to take action.

When you have established good contact with Fido, you can take it on step further. Get someone who has been showing mastiffs for a long time and get him to show you the right show posture for Fido. Most breed standards and books on mastiffs show fairly well how he should stand.

A sturdy ”stand” command is quite handy. You may have to stand for many minutes inside the ring, and a mastiff or any other dog should never sit or lie down when in the show ring. You may not have to stand in perfect posture all the time, but keep contact and Fido’s head up. Think over all impression and team work.

A mastiff needs some good trips in the mountain. In the show ring, firm and powerful hind quarter muscles are just lovely. This will also contribute to you mastiff being able to hold his stance.

Keep in mind that it’s both you and Fido who’s in the show ring. Be a team and try to make Fido stand out. If he is fawn, wear something dark. On the other hand if he is brindle, wear brighter colours. You don’t need to wear white and look like an ad for heaven, but something that is adverse complementary. Loose fitting clothes are seldom a good idea. That means skirts with too much fabric, blouses or shirts that fall open when you bend over, or a jacket that is not buttoned. Your clothes should be comfortable, and yet be classy enough to respect the mastiff.

The American Mastiff Club has some good articles on showing of mastiffs.

Good luck and remember to have fun J