[cigwyllt]

To start with - do you work or are you in college? Do you have your own transport? Can you afford the fuel/accommodation costs/entrance fees? Are you free to travel around the country to visit the various shows needed to gain championships to qualify for other shows?

I know your dog is perfect in your eyes - even my ancient mongrel is more beautiful to me than any Crufts champion - but remember that there may be 20 dogs in your class and only one can be best of breed.

Showing is not a cheap hobby. It involves sacrifice on your part - you will have to work hard to keep him in tip top condition, you will have to be extremely committed to his training to keep on top of his behaviour and dominance issues.

I'm at a loss really to understand what you mean by "showing him off" - if you want people to look at him and tell you what a great dog you have then sort out his behaviour, get him neutered and people will stop you when you are out walking with him or playing with him on the beach and tell you what a lovely dog he is.

You don't need to travel round the country spending a fortune on fees for people to see what a great dog you have and what great job you are doing in caring for him.

Manny won 5 rosettes at his first show, including "Dog the Judge would most like to take home" but none of that means anything compared to the pride I felt when a young man with Down's syndrome came along and before I could stop him kissed Manny on the top of the head - something that Manny hates. I want people to see my dog play and interact and compliment his behaviour, not his breeding and background.