So you’ve finally decided to pursue your dream of participating in dog shows. Before you even think about getting started, make sure you do some research so that you know exactly what you are getting into. Many people think that showing dogs would be a fun hobby until they find out how much work is involved. This article will discuss the various show dog supplies required to get you off and running.
Dogs
Obviously, the first thing you’re going to need is a show quality dog. Choosing a show dog isn’t as easy as you might think. It is recommended that the first thing you do before making your choice is attend several dog shows. As a spectator you can observe all of the different breeds and learn quite a bit about each of them. Obviously, you can’t learn everything you need to know this way, but you can get a good start and probably narrow down your choices quite a bit.
Next, you can ask around and talk to people who are involved with various different breeds. Also, don’t forget about the wealth of information available on the internet. Anything you ever wanted to know about any breed of dog is only a few mouse clicks away.
Show Dog Supplies
Once you’ve gotten to the point where you are ready to begin preparing your dog for competition, there are several show dog supplies that you are going to need. Obviously, your going to want your dog to look as good as they possibly can. This being the case, you are going to need a variety of grooming supplies to maintain that show quality look. Many of the grooming supplies you will need will depend on the type of dog you have. Different dogs have coats with different types and textures of hair. You need to get show dog supplies that are suited for your particular breed. The things you will need include brushes, nail clippers, shampoos and conditioners.
You’ll also need a good quality show lead. These are different than your standard dog leash that clips on you dog’s collar. A show lead is basically a long, one piece lead with a loop on one end that takes the place of the collar.
A good crate is another essential show dog supply item. There are a number of reasons for this. First, for safety reasons, no dogs are allowed to roam around freely at a competition. Obviously, some dogs are not as friendly as others, and with so many dogs together in the same place, eventually fights will happen.
Obviously, during a long day of competition, you dog is going to have to eat and drink. That’s why no list of show dog supplies is complete without food and water receptacles. There are specially designed units that you can attach to your dogs crate that will allow him or her to feed and water without getting themselves messed up and wet.