Show lead
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| Most people showing OES use a slim (snake chain, jeweler chain) choke collar, with a very small and lightweight show lead attached. I used a nylon choke collar instead of the chain, as control w/ Chewie isn't an issue. And it doesn't damage coat at all.  The collar should be as small as possible, so it JUST goes over their head. Here's a quick picture of mine. The lead is all a round nylon - no snap - it just fastens directly to the ring of the collar.  I set a brush in the picture to show scale. Stuff like this is mainly sold at vendors at shows, but I'm sure you could find them online as well. But, the fitting of the collar is the most important thing, so difficult to do remotely  Also - whoever is mentoring you will be able to help you with this. It's darn near impossible to start showing an OES without someone helping you - the grooming prep is quite intense! |
| Ditto what Dawn said. You need to go to a show & seek out a vendor or perhaps at your training class they have collars & leads for sale. The most important thing is to have an OES person help you. What works on other breeds doesn't work on OES & that goes right down to how to stack an OES in the show ring. |
| Dawn, thanks for the picture of your lead and collar My class does not sell them so I guess it's online shopping for me. Do you find that the neck hair gets caught in the choke style collar? Are their other options? Marilyn, thanks for suggesting a mentor. I tend to try and do everything by myself , but I'm sure things will go much better with help. I found a breeder that also shows on the old English sheepdog club of America website that only lives one hour away and is willing to help me  Not many people around here show sheepdogs, so she wants to enter the same shows to help with points. It's gonna be a win, win situation. |
| I mostly use a diamond cut show choke. No, it does not get caught in my dog's neck coat. I have had more trouble with the cloth slip chokes tangleing in their coat than the diamond cut. But I only wear collars on them when traveling or in ring. The best thing to do is visit a dog show with your dog & try on the slip collars. You may have to buys several as your dog grow larger. You want the smallest amount of "play" once it is around the neck. This gives you more control over the dog. Good luck & hope you enjoy showing your dog! |
Millielover wrote: It's gonna be a win, win situation. Well, not if you're the point fodder  NOT to discourage you in any way because I am ECSTATIC any time anyone shows an interest in showing, but do you have reason to believe your bitch is show quality? Showing can be quite expensive, very time consuming and HARD WORK and people, just like dogs, need some positive reinforcement now and then and in the breed ring that tends to mean purple ribbons. If she came from show lines surely she came with a built-in mentor (her breeder?)? Not that you can't learn many valuable things either way, but it would so help if you set yourself up to be successful...? Kristine |
| For OES, you really want to use the choke collar (either form) and a short lead. The collar isn't used like you would normally - it is up high and makes the dividing line between the fluffed head coat and the smoothed down neck coat. It stays up there the whole time. And you stack and display your dog by using the collar, not the lead (unless you are really tall! - I'm only 5'4"). Here's a picture that shows (sort of) the use of the collar when stacked and presenting to the judge.  Daughter LeAnne gaiting Chewie as a puppy - and she's tall - 5'10"  But still stacked the same - he was just 8 months here, and in his 1st show  Glad to hear you have an OES person to help you out. If you can, set up some time to meet and work on some grooming techniques. There are lots of ways to prep and get the same results - but it is a lot of steps and in a certain order. The show prep time gets pretty tense for lots of people and it's not the time you want to be doing your actual learning..if you can possibly avoid it! Good luck and have fun learning new stuff |
Dawn, thanks for sharing the great pics of Chewie.  He is so beautiful.I will be sure to learn the grooming techniques before we enter any shows because I agree that it would not be ideal to learn right before. I'm sure it will take much practice. I really don't care if we come in dead last at the shows, I just want to have some fun with my dog. I am already gaining a greater appreciation for show dogs and their handlers  and I will be proud to just be in the ring.Thanks again for all of your advice. |
Millielover wrote: I really don't care if we come in dead last at the shows, I just want to have some fun with my dog. I am already gaining a greater appreciation for show dogs and their handlers and I will be proud to just be in the ring.That's a very healthy attitude. Here's an educational opportunity for you: come up to the OES Club of Southeastern Wisconsin Specialty shows (2 of them: back to back). The shows are being held just west of Milwaukee on Friday July 29, followed by two days of supported entry all-breed shows on Saturday and Sunday at the same site. I think Mille is young enough you could even enter her in the puppy sweepstakes if you're inclined to enter. The premium (show information and entry forms) can be found at: http://www.onofrio.com/execpgm/wbshwpg?SHOW=CSGM094419 Waukesha Kennel Club http://www.onofrio.com/execpgm/wbshwpg?SHOW=WAUK111304 There will be quite a few long time breeders/exhibitors there who can help you with things like grooming and handling tips, as well as good vendors to pick up odds and ends you might need, brushes, show leads, that kind of thing. Cindy will be there will Teddy, and Stephanie (sneakysheepie) will be there with her Paislee. Cindy has shown before, but it's been a while and I bet she'd enjoy the company. Paislee is Stephanie's first show dog and, like you, she didn't buy her to show, she just decided she would like to get into showing, so she brought Paislee to the above show as a puppya couple of years ago just to hang out and learn. Paislee is now half-way to her championship. Sunny (Lucali) is the person most of us newer people locally go to for grooming lessons. She's the show chair on Friday, but if you decide to come and want to show I'll trade some duties with her so she'd have time to help you trim up your girl. If you're not entered, there's less of a rush and she can give you grooming lessons after showing is over if you're interested. Think about it and let me know if you have any questions/need any help. The entries close on Wednesday the 13th, so if you think you'd like to show you'll have to make up your mind on that count pretty quickly. Otherwise, if you just want to come to hang out there's not quite such a rush, though motel rooms are probably going quickly because of the show. I'm gonna guess Cindy may be staying in her RV as there's RV parking on site. Give it some serious thought. My feeling is, yes, you can do this just for fun. But anything worth doing is worth doing right, and there won't be another educational opportunity like this in the Mid-west until next year. Kristine |
| Hi Jenn, Yes, you should come up to this show if you have the chance! Teddy and I would love to meet you and Millie! I'm only going to be there on Friday, the 29th because I'm working nights that weekend. It's just a few hours drive for me so I'm driving up in the morning and heading back after the shows that day. On the collar subject, I also like to use the hex link (snake chain, jeweler chain) choke collar. I get the fine link and I use a very short 18" nylon lead w\small clip. The collar doesn't get caught in the coat and you have control (well Teddy has his moments since he is just 6 months old  ) I like the short lead because it's less to wind up in my hand when stacking, but that's just me. I have a 18" collar for Teddy right now and it just fits over his head. Depending on where you buy them, I got mine for $16.99 from J-B Wholesale Pet Supplies Inc., website is www.jbpet.com Mine is the Fine Hex Choke 18" chrome. I got the leads from The 3 CS Dog Supplies, I don't have the shipping receipt for that website. Hope this helps.I haven't been in the conformation ring for almost 30 years so it's almost like starting over again. Our first show is next weekend in Michigan. Good luck to you and Millie and I hope to see you in Wisconsin! Cindy |
YES YES YES PLEASE come to the Wisconsin Specialty Shows!!!! I'm the show chair and I can assure you that we have a really great supportive group that would love help!! These shows(there are two in one day) close July 13th at Noon. You can make your entries online at http://www.onofrio.com  Our group always has fun after these shows with a picnic style dinner, raffle and silent auction. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the show or entries. My contact information is on the premium. Sunny |
Cindy- thanks for your advice on the collar and lead. I ordered them from the site you recommended, 3cs, and they will arrive this week.  I would love to come to the Wisconsin Specialty Shows and meet all of you, but my family already has plans for that weekend.  Millie and I will either be entering or watching the Three Rivers Kennel Club show at Purina Farms here in Missouri on September 17 th. So, if any of you are planning to attend,...we would love to see you there. Thanks again for inviting me to the show, wish I could make it. Good luck to all of you who are competing. |
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