New to the Group Ring?

Requested by Brandon Lobato in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Brandon writes, “Love the podcast, it really keeps me motivated. I started showing two years ago and didn't know anything. It took me a year and 15 shows to get my first point. I pointed him out during the next year, and then our shows started up … and my boy took the breed two days in a row this weekend going over four specials for his majors in Irish Setters. I’ve been going to handling classes each week and listening to the podcast over and over. If you could talk about going into to groups ring I would love it, I was something I hadn't prepared for.”

First of all Great Job on your first two Best of Breed wins Brandon! That is fantastic!! I am so thrilled the podcast was helpful for you!

Now, on to the group. Those first few trips around the big ring can seem daunting at best.

 

10 Tips to Survive and Succeed in the Group Ring

Remember, in group competition, the judge is comparing each individual dog against its standard and is tasked with selecting and placing in order the four dogs which most closely meet their breeds’ standards. Refresh the breed standard in your head, concentrate on your dog’s virtues in relation to the standard and run through again how best to showcase those virtues. The group ring brings more room to move, more space to stand out but also a larger cast of characters, all striving to catch the judge’s eye. Be sure to watch your spacing on the line… not too close to the dog in front of you, leave enough room to stand in front if that is what you need to showcase your dog. If the handler behind has a tendency to crowd up on you, turn your dog and put your back to the handler to create a little extra breathing room for you and your dog when it’s time to turn around and stack again.

If you are honored with a Best of Breed win, go to the group. It is an insult to any other dogs defeated, the judge who awarded your dog BOB and the group judge to skip it. “I’m not going to win” isn’t an acceptable excuse! Unless there are only 4 dogs present, *somebody* isn’t going to place. And I’ll tell you a little story. Some years ago I showed a 9 month old Briard to the breed … He was the only dog entered in the breed. It was the last day. It was hot. It was a judge I believed would do nothing with this gangly puppy. There were some lovely dogs in the group. I just plain wanted to go home. I whined and moaned and gnashed my teeth, but I stayed. And well I did, as that goofy puppy WON the group. Yes, there are times of emergency or what have you in which missing the group is understandable. But going home just because “it’s political and I won’t win” is not going to win you any admirers and worse, does not give you the opportunity to learn a single thing.

Pay attention to the timing!!!!!! Groups start at an appointed hour and then flow based on the judge, the number of dogs in the ring, how inclement the weather is, how anxious everyone is to get to the hotel/airport/home, etc. The superintendent lists the *anticipated* group judging order in the judging schedule. DO NOT assume that is written in stone! Check the schedule of group judging when it is posted. Watch the groups ahead (this is *always* a good suggestion, no matter what, for educational purposes) in order to know when it’s your turn. I normally prep my dogs at the beginning of the group ahead of mine, but if the groups are small, the dog needs an extra rinse and fluff, extra warm up or whatever, that can change. Know what you need to do to prepare your dog to look its very best in the ring and how long it takes to do that. Then gauge your time accordingly. Aim to arrive at the group ring a full five to ten minutes ahead of your turn. This gives you time to settle your nerves, accustom the dog to the extra applause and commotion and...