Starting to Show a Weimaraner

Q. Because I'm the owner of several dogs, my Weimaraner-breeding friend asked me to do the "showing part" of titling her "future champion" puppy. She is a hunter and plans doing the field-trialing part. Where do I start?

A. Lucky you! You're in for some fun.

Assuming your breeder-friend has the knowledge to determine the puppy has show potential and has perhaps begun some stacking (teaching the dog to stand four square without fidgeting), I would enroll the Weimaraner in conformation handling classes. Here you will learn how to move the dog smoothly in the various gaiting patterns, use bait (a food treat) to elicit animation and show the dog with confidence.

The handling classes typically have several instructors and lots of breeds of different sizes participating so your puppy will be exposed to many of the same sights and sounds he will encounter at a real show. Great experience for you both!