The Cost of Finishing a Show Dog

I have been showing dogs for several years now, and I have finished two champions and pointed another bitch as a result of my hard work. I am often asked by potential puppy buyers how much it really costs to finish (earn a conformation championship) a quality dog. There is no easy answer to this question, but I am able to provide some insight to help you decide if you really want to commit to purchasing and showing a show-potential pup.

First there is the expense of the pup itself. Many, but not all, breeders charge extra for their rising stars than they do for the pet puppies in the litter. You should do some shopping around to find a breeder who has lines that you like for an affordable price. While there is some truth to the old adage "you get what you pay for," don't automatically assume that the most expensive pup is the best quality pup. Look for a breeder who regularly produces sound, quality dogs. Talk to others who have a pup from that breeder and get their opinion whenever possible.

The price you pay will depend on the breed of dog you are purchasing. Some breeds can be obtained for $800, others may cost you $3,000. You should get a feel for what the average range is for show potential pups in your chosen breed by talking to breeders and other puppy owners.

Once you have your rising star, you should plan on signing up for handling classes, which are often offered by local kennel clubs. I have found them to be very affordable, normally five to ten dollars per session. Assuming that you and your pup will take a minimum of eight classes, the total cost for handling classes will be between forty and eighty dollars. This is money well spent, so don't skip this important training step!

Show equipment again varies depending on what breed you have. The short-haired breeds who require minimal grooming may only need a soft brush, color-enhancing shampoo, a study crate, a crate cart, show collar and a show lead. Longer haired breeds that require hours of preparation may necessitate a grooming table, various brushes and combs, electric clippers with comb attachments, grooming chalk, industrial hair dryers, coat conditioners, special grooming scissors, and much more. A single pair of good grooming scissors can cost over a hundred dollars, and a decent pair of electric clippers will set you back at least that much again. Most dogs require some sort of bait (bits of tasty treats to get the dog's attention in the ring). Expect the fresh liver, dehydrated salmon, and cubed chicken bait to set you back around five dollars for a typical show weekend. The total cost for just the bare essentials for a low-maintenance breed would be about $200, while some of the longer haired dogs require up to $600 or more. Ask your pup's breeder what equipment is absolutely necessary, and shop around to find the best prices.

Included in show equipment is another set of clothing for yourself. Make sure your outfit has pockets, and that it will show off your dog to his best advantage. If your dog is a dark color, wear complimentary light colored clothing so he stands out. If he is white or a lighter color, wear darker colors to create a backdrop for him. Stay away from overly bright clothing, as the focus should always be your dog - not you! Many women wear business suits, while men almost always wear a coat and tie. It is best to have clothing separate from your daily work clothing. Nothing beats going to work on Monday and finding leftover liver bait rotting in your jacket pocket!

Now that you've got your pup, trained him, and you have the equipment to get him groomed, the next step is to find a show and enter him so you can give the real thing a try. Entry fees for most shows tend to run around twenty five to thirty dollars per entry, and most show series run three to four days. So in entry fees alone for a three-day show series, you should expect to spend $75 to $90. If you will be missing work to attend the show, you will likely be using vacation days to avoid a cut in pay. If you don't have enough vacation time to cover the days you will miss, you need to add the loss of a day's pay to your running tab of costs. Depending on the current price of gas, the kind of mileage your vehicle gets to the gallon, and the distance you are going to the show, you can spend anywhere from a few dollars to hundreds on the gas needed to get you there and back. Don't forget to factor in more frequent oil changes and other wear and tear on your vehicle, which will now begin to reflect a surprising number of additional miles per year.

Once you arrive at the show, you have to have somewhere to stay; dog friendly hotels can charge as little as $65 a night or as much as $200 a night. Keep in mind that the cheapest hotel is not always in the safest part of town, so it pays to do some research before you book your room. Of course, most hotels don't have a kitchen, so unless you've packed a cooler with lots of sandwiches you should factor in at least thirty dollars a day to eat. Try to avoid the food served at the show grounds, as in almost all cases it is overpriced and less than filling. Also try to avoid the temptation of the many vending booths that surround the rings at the shows. They are very handy when you run out of bait for your dog or your favorite show lead breaks, but the temptation to purchase their other wares can be daunting.

How many of these show weekends it will take to finish your dog depends on a number of factors. The quality of your pup, the popularity of your breed, the number of points available at each show you enter, your skill as a handler in presenting your dog, and the quality of your competition all come into play. Some very exceptional dogs earn the fifteen points (and two majors) needed to earn their AKC Conformation Championship in three shows (by winning three five-point majors). This is a very rare occurrence indeed, and you should not plan on finishing your pup on his first weekend out. Many dogs earn their points quickly, but lack the two major wins required by the AKC to finish. Some of the rare breeds have to travel hundreds of miles to find the competition necessary to earn any points at all. The more popular breeds often have plenty of competition and points up for grabs, but find themselves lost in the crowd and unable to earn many points at all.

Generally speaking, if you plan on attending one (three-day) show weekend a month, a good dog will finish in an average of a year. Of course some take longer, and some finish sooner. However when you are constructing your budget if you plan on 36 show days, you will be off to a good start.

Once you add up the cost of the handling classes, grooming and show equipment, gas, hotel and food costs, entry fees, wear and tear on your vehicle, and all the little extras, it usually costs between $3,000 and $5,000 to finish your dog. And this does not include the purchase price of the dog, or any advertising that you may wish to do while you are showing him.

Of course, you can spend twice this amount on your pup and he many not finish at all. Some dogs don't like to show, and some just don't have that eye-catching quality that is necessary to stand out in larger classes. If you have been showing your dog for a while without any points, you may want to ask a professional handler to show your dog for you a few times to rule out handler error. If the professional handler is able to put points on your dog, the cheapest solution is to go back to your local club's handling classes and work on your skills in presenting your dog. Professional handlers are a very expensive option, and unless you have unlimited financial resources they should be considered a last resort. If the professional handler is unable to put points on your dog, a call to the breeder is warranted. Tell the breeder what you have done, send her pictures and video of your dog, and ask them what they recommend that you do. Their experience in showing dogs will lead them to offer you the best solution to your particular situation.

No matter what, have fun and enjoy the relationship that you have built with your dog. A title does not make a dog a better companion, but spending time with him with make both of your lives a little brighter.