Detroit KC show March 5th & 6th

This is one of the few benched shows left in the country. I'm definitely entering the two puppies, Junie in 6-9 month puppies, and Cricket in bred-by, and I may or may not enter Millie as well. Depends on if she's needed as filler for a major, I think.

This is a show where you need to be in your benched area with your dog from 10 in the morning until 5 at night, unless you're exercising or showing them. A TON of people come to this show as spectators, to meet the dogs, and it is absolutely priceless socialization. You can bring a young dog, have them up on a table, and have as many people go over them on the table as you need to get them used to it. By the time this show is over, only the shyest dogs would still hesitate to be approached on a table. And, it's wonderful advertising. If I'd had business cards last year, I would have had a waiting list a mile long for Millie's puppies. I'm not making that mistake again this year-I'm having business cards printed just for this event.

The only downside is that entry fees are pretty hefty for this show. $33 for all classes, except for the puppy classes and bred-by, which are discounted to $25. But, I'm thinking of repeating the breeding with Comet (I have a couple people who would like a show potential puppy from a repeat breeding), and it would be nice to have a waiting list for pet homes this time around!

In any case, if anyone is thinking of entering this show, I highly recommend it. I really hesitated last year since Millie is shy, but it was wonderful for her, and wished I'd had it around a year earlier for her.

Thank you for the information...To far for me, but the concept sounds very neat. Good luck and if I lived closer, I'd probably come out & join you...

If i am lucky Dash will be able to enter this show. I know his handler is already planning to attend with or without him. He would also be in the 6-9 month class

Even if he isn't entered i want to go as a spectator. I have never been to a benched show, i actually don't even know the differance, i'll have to look it up.

Kaleena wrote:If i am lucky Dash will be able to enter this show. I know his handler is already planning to attend with or without him. He would also be in the 6-9 month class

Even if he isn't entered i want to go as a spectator. I have never been to a benched show, i actually don't even know the differance, i'll have to look it up.

Most shows are "show and go", so you come before your scheduled show time, and you can leave immediately after your breed shows unless you take the variety, in which case you stay until after your group. At a benched show, you must be in your designated benching area during the specified times, so that spectators can come and see all the various breeds and ask questions, and pet the dogs. I was really worried about it last year with Millie, but she was a trooper, and I know it's going to be great for the pups this year.

What's Dash's registered name? I'll look for him when I'm there.

Dash will be "Stoneriver's Lovebug Mr Incredible". I have to make one last payment on him and then i get his papers so hopefully he will be registered in time!!

Thanks for explaining a benched show. That sounds fabulous for socializing pups and getting your name out there. Business cards are a GREAT idea.

When looking for shows to go to, how can you tell if its a bench show or not?

They'll tell you if it's a benched show. There are only six left in the country, so 99.9% of the time it's show and go.