[Trouble's Mama]

Since showing your dog and making them "a champion" is typically a step before breeding, what would someone do if their show dog was in heat at the time of the show? Obviously, the male show dogs wouldn't be fixed for the same reason (to be declared a champion and ideal in their breed, then bred later) and it would drive them nuts. Would they just not attend?I want to add that I do NOT have a show dog, don't have any intent of showing any dogs- I don't even have a female dog. I'm just curious.Very interesting.. thanks for feeding my curiosity! That must take some amazing training. I have a lot of respect for trainers/handlers/owners who can train these dogs that well! I thought my dog was well trained until another dog walked by our house.. hahaha he HAD to run to the fence to watch them walk by. Thanks for the answers!

[aury]

i believe the handler would withdraw the female dog in heat so it does not cause a catastrophe

[Sara D-B]

You show a bitch in heat (unless she is not feeling well) - and I have both dogs and bitches (intact) that I show. The dogs are TRAINED and well-behaved, so they control themselves - just like us humans. Yes, it is distracting to the dogs sometimes, but that's why training is so critical - to prepare for any event.

[Courtney]

It's up to the handlers to make sure that their dogs behave and don't impregnate everything that smells good. I would think that if a dog was accidently impregnated, and it was the fault of the male dog's handler, there would be some type of fine for irresponsible handling...

[Miss Ginger is Fancy]

It is a hassle to show a female in heat, but that is what it takes to be the best. Putting up wtih distractions and still outshining the others is a challenge only some are able to deal with. I can tell you first hand, waiting your turn in the ring with a female in heat among many eager males causes tension that you cannot imagine. And you do not DARE send any of that negative energy down the lead!!Some people actually are hoping that we can have conformation events with altered dogs, same high-quality, yet with no intention to actually breed. Of course, shows are all about proving your dog over another, so that you can continue the dog's line with a litter, but maybe this idea will take form.

[TombaughsPits]

If one of my dam's come into heat before a show, I would withdrawl her. In my opion, no matter how well a dog is trained(more towards the males) its still going to be a male dog, I know I certainly wouldnt one of my males paying more attention the female in heat then what its suposed to be doing in the ring. Thats just my opion

[Dogstar]

It's just part of the conformation game. What's really worse is if she comes in four or five weeks BEFORE a big show (read"National Specialty" :P) and is completely out of coat- then I'd pull her. I never showed my Cardi bitch when she was in season, but it was more a matter of timing than anything else. That's just where training comes into things.

Coat changes, mood swings, an obnoxious stress level (on my part), distractable boys... Why do I want a bitch again? (Oh yeah. Apparently insane.)


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