British Dalmatian Club

Jeangenie · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 2208 Location: Denial

It's several years since I last entered the showring with a dog (and will probably be several more till I do again!) but I was wondering what the current attitude is towards showing an in-season bitch.

In the Olden Days it was severely frowned upon as being unsporting in the extreme, and possibly hazardous for the bitch's health - has this changed, and is there an official BDC opinion?

Dalregis · Joined: 26 Mar 2004 Posts: 684 Location: Middle England

I agree that in the "olden days" it was frowned upon to bring an in season bitch to a show. I looked at our latest code of conduct and it states that "There are some who should not be at a show at all, most particularly bitches in whelp or those in season. No animal which is chronically nervous or bad tempered should appear in the ring."
I personally think that is is unfair to other exhibitors( and the bitch Rolling Eyes

) to bring her into a show when she is obviously in season.
I just wish that exhibitors would consider the other exhibitors and also the welfare of their own Dalmatian before the chance of winning a prize at a show Rolling Eyes

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Pat Wilson

Jeangenie · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 2208 Location: Denial

Thanks - I'm glad the attitude hasn't changed. Not only is the bitch herself likely to not be at her best (and be more at risk of picking up infection), but it's incredibly distracting for the other dogs, whose owners have also paid an entry fee and deserve a fair chance.

Winflash · Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 6:10 pm Post subject:

I have shown my bitch in season the first time she got a best puppy at a champ show the 2nd time she got made up and showed extremly well on both occasions however she travelled in the car with my stud dog who was not bothered so if it is not going to distract him sitting next to her then she is obviously not going to be a distraction to any other dogs. I also got my first ticket with our first champ while at the very end of her season.

However I will say I would not take a bitch in season to a open or a stakes class or when she is passed the first couple of days due to risk of her getting mated with a male not of my choice plus I agree it can put the dogs off and isnt fair in a mixed class. Shocked

My Harvey was distracted totally due to a bitch being in season at a show recently however I put strong smell on the end of his nose and it quickly cures it.

However having missed two champ shows and two opens with my youngest bitch I do think there should be some provision for a refund by dog show society as it is very annoying to pay out over £50 in fees and not be able to show.

Karen
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My dogs are mad but I'm worse.

Dalregis · Joined: 26 Mar 2004 Posts: 684 Location: Middle England

Karen,
Your own stud dog might not be distracted but what about all the other males at a show Embarassed

. I used to show a male who could tell whether a bitch was in season a mile away Rolling Eyes

and I might just as well have gone straight home knowing that he would spend all day sniffing the ground or whining on his bench - no chance of showing properly in the ring Mad

Having bitches around can easily distract a male and take away any chance of them showing to their best advantage. What about all their entry fees being wasted when a bitch in season passes by Question

I can sympathize with your predicament and I know it is frustrating when you have entered a show and your bitch decides that she will come into season but, please consider the other exhibitors.
The Codes of Conduct have been in place long before most of us started out. They are regularly reviewed by the Clubs and sometimes changes are made. There are good reasons why the Clubs decide that this subject is still included in their Codes of Conduct
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Pat Wilson

Jeangenie · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 2208 Location: Denial

Many years ago I drove for three hours to get to a champ show (Doncaster, I think it was) with my bitch puppy who was doing quite well, only to find when I got her out of the car that she'd started bleeding between leaving home and arriving! All I could do was turn around and drive home again, muttering!

Showing a bitch in season is worse than throwing bits of steak at other dogs in the ring, or loudly squeaking a toy all the time, or setting a rabbit loose; at least all those distractions only affect the dogs in the immediate vicinity at that time - the bitch scent will travel a long way and linger for days, affecting far more dogs.

Maggi · Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 2878 Location: Derbyshire

Agree Jeangenie. I think showing a bitch in season is the height of bad manners. It is unfair to the other competitors, causes problems among the males (a class full of wound up growling stud dogs is no fun for anyone) and is not that kind to the bitch herself who may not be feeling her best and is more vulnerable to infections.

I know it is frustrating to lose a show entry but many dalmatian bitches come in season less than twice a year (I've had a couple that only had one season a year) and unless they are really irregular then you can make an educated guess as to the show entries and should not miss many.

I feel equally stongly about taking bitches in whelp to shows. Surely it is better not to enter shows than to put a much wanted litter at risk by exposing the bitch to stress and nfection at a time when she should be taking it easy.

dogtired · Joined: 26 Oct 2005 Posts: 684 Location: Berkshire

I have no knowledge of show etiquette, but I have owned four males over the years and I know how distracted it makes them when there is a bitch in season nearby.
If I had worked hard to show my dog I would be miffed if he was not at his best because he was "distracted".

I have seen lots of sprays advertised are they not effective?
I have not owned a bitch since my childhood, so again have no experience, but I do remember my father commenting that the bitch was not at her best, coat etc at season, so would it be better not to show any way?
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Home is where the spots are......

Winflash · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 5:40 am Post subject:

I am sorry but I have seen bitches with fat backside at nearly show I have been to so all the saints who dont show them must be on here Confused

Or maybe its just the ones that dont show that have such high principles. The only difference is I admit I have done it! In fact I have seen a dalmatian go best in show with the biggest backside I have ever seen.

A dog can distracted by loads of things and in my experience of dogs and bitches so can bitches. I have a freind whos dog gets distracted when a bitch is due to come in season what are we supposed to do keep the bitch at home just in case she is due in season because it upsets him. If you find dogs are distracted do what my friend does stick olbas oil on the end of the nose it quickly stops it.

A judge can easily see if a bitch is in season so its their choice what they decide to do.

Pat as you will recall I am not a member of the BDC nor would I be so I do not know why you are quoting it at me Rolling Eyes

Karen
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My dogs are mad but I'm worse.

Jeangenie · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 2208 Location: Denial

Dalregis · Joined: 26 Mar 2004 Posts: 684 Location: Middle England

Karen,
I apologise if my response was taken by you as to yourself personally. Embarassed

I was replying to the initial general question posed by Jeangenie who originated this subject.
As a matter of interest though, I see that your show dogs are registered in joint names with yourself, husband and daughter who are, as I understand, members of the clubs.
Pat
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Pat Wilson

Winflash · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 4:38 pm Post subject:

Pat

You are wrong my daughter never has been or to my knowledge shown any interest in being a member. The one and only dalmatian breed club that we all belong to is the Scottish Dalmatian club and that has only been since the club show. Shocked

Not all my dogs are owned by all members of the family which is why before the BDC Committee send out letters they should perhaps check who the dog belong to instead of just writing to who they THINK they belong to. I hope that you are getting my meaning on this. Wink

I tell you what the day committee members and all BDC members stop showing bitches in season AND bitches either in whelp or potentially in whelp then I shall stop doing it. Until that day I shall continue to show my bitches when they are within a couple of days of a season showing although never in whelp.

I shall not be a hypocrite or scared to voice my opinion which is why we never get a true answers to questions.

And just for the record I find my male is well enough trained to focus on his handler in the ring not to be bothered by bitches

Karen
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My dogs are mad but I'm worse.

Alphadal · Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 430 Location: Merseyside

Hi all, although I have never shown any dogs I have been to lots of shows to watch and I have to say that I have seen alot of bitches that are in season. At the last joint Dalmatian show I saw at least 4. I would have thought that it would be up to the judge to enforce the rule (if there is one, I'm no expert in showing) and therefore no-one would bother taking a bitch in season if they would be disqualified. If a bitch in season goes on to win at a show, what kind of deterrant is that? Confused

Paula

Winflash · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 6:24 am Post subject:

Thank you Paula at the voice of the normal Very Happy

I dont think you can disguise a bitch in season on a dalmatian so it is the juges decision whether they choose to place or not.

I think the moral majority on this forum are not a true representation of the people who do truly show.

Karen
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My dogs are mad but I'm worse.

Jeangenie · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 2208 Location: Denial