Chihuahua Crossing Forum Closed

Well, I know nothing (or next to nothing LOL) about this, but have the interest.  I've been reading as much as I can, of course watching the shows on tv, searching lines on the puter.  I've yet to actually get to a show - all the ones near me are breed specific (and not chihuahuas). 
Being the novice, i assumed you needed near perfect (if not perfect) conformation dogs.  After some research, i think a lot has to do with judge's preference too :)  And how many dogs you're up against.  I saw pictures of one chihuahua that won a local show in my area - terrible overbite and not the best "specimen" of the breed, shall we say :)
There's a dog training facility by me that actually does handling classes (AKC judge teaches it) - it's a 6 week class for conformation - with drop-in's allowed.  I figure i'm going to take one of my girls in for a drop in - just to see what it's like.
My goal is to get both girls in conformation - i'm not real sure about my boy - he fits all breed standards, but i fear he may have a small underbite.  Someone suggested I just take him in ring and see if they really penalize it.  Otherwise, I may do agility with him.
Of course, this is all saying i have the time :)  Between chasing 6 dogs and 3 kids - i'm not sure i can actually fit hitting the "show circuit" in.
Oh yeah - and the kids want to do junior handling LOL
There is a site (www.infodog.com) that lists all shows, by state, if you're interested in attending any.  I'm thinking i may start by just watching a few - even if they're not chihuahua breed specific - just to see what local shows are like.  Mind you, all the pictures you see on tv of people watching shows with their dogs in their laps are false - i've called about quite a few shows and none allow any dogs except exhibitors dogs in - i was hoping to bring my girls in, just to see how they would react to the crowds, noise, etc.  But, I can see how they might be a distraction.
I figure i'm just going to jump right in when i find a show - worse that can happen is my Bella barks her head off whole time (and we get kicked out of ring LOL) - which barking is ok, as long as you can divert their attention (you're not penalized if they bark, jump, etc) or i find out something is off on their bite, gait, etc, that i didn't know.  Best case scenario - i have some fun and pick up a couple of points - maybe even meet some other breeders and showers that can give me some tips.
One thing i've found in reading and talking to people is - just as in breeding, there's more people who want to talk you out of it than our willing to help.  I've heard everything from "if you don't know what you're doing in the ring, you'll fail" to "just because you think you're dog is good, doesn't mean they should be in the ring - the cutest puppies turn into the ugliest dogs and a champion only comes around once in a while, so don't think you have a dog who could be a show dog"  Some people are just rude :(
I just want to do it as I think it would be fun - it could be a family project (i homeschool so the kids and I are free to go to shows anytime) - and, like all of us, i'm sure, i want to know i'm not biased that my dog is one of the best :)
Long winded, but my take on it :)

lil luv
a/k/a Sue
www.freewebs.com/lavalla/

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