Tis the season….

[Maya]

Yes, if you really do have to take her at the very least make sure you keep an eye on how close you are letting her get to other dogs. The others will naturally be interested in her so make sure the handlers are aware and just be conscious of where Zoni is at all times

Over here you wouldnt really be able to show in season, its very much frowned upon, some shows put in there schedules you are not allowed to take in-season bitches. But i know things are done differently in America so as long as you show the fellow exhibitors courtesy and let them know the situation im sure all will be fine! I do find that my bitches tend to be somewhat lethargic when in season so you might need to take some tasty treats or toys with you to keep her attention

[Nemo]

Hmmm, I wasn't planning on using them but it seems to almost makes sense to get some of the "bitch britches" or the like when you have a dog in season at a show. At least that would be a somewhat obvious sign that she is in season to everyone. Although I don't really have time to get any and I can't imagine that she would wear them. But it seems like it would be more polite particulary at the all breed shows where I really can't inform everyone around me easily. Does anyone else do that?

[lvoss]

Mine just chew them off when they are in the crate and when they are out of the crate you are getting ready to go in the the ring so they would need to be taken off. So I don't know how useful they would actually be at a show. I do use them at agility class when the girls are in season.

Though it sounds like alot to keep track of, it really isn't that bad when you actually get to the show.

[Nemo]

Follow up question…so if they come out of season around 30 days, so does that mean they are basically back to normal or just that they are no longer fertile?

[Borbasuk]

@Maya:

Over here you wouldnt really be able to show in season, its very much frowned upon, some shows put in there schedules you are not allowed to take in-season bitches.

Interesting, I have never seen that in an open or championship show conformation schedule, only in those for performance shows and in flyers for small companion shows that will probably have obedience in the next door ring. Not that I go to many open shows these days.
It does tend to be frowned upon (depends on the breed a bit and also whether it's a all-breed or specialty show) but there is no actual KC rule forbidding showing bitches in season at conformation shows.

[Elscodobermann]

There is no Kennel Club ruling which restricts the showing bitches in season at UK shows. I agree its not the done thing at open shows as mostly the classes are mixed sex, but you can show if you want.

Working trials/obedience are different and its understandable that they do not want in season bitches there.

Champ shows are another matter, It is perfectly acceptable to show an in season bitch at a champ show, but common sense dictates that you take measures to ensure as little distruption to dog judging as possible, i.e. use a spray, keep away from dogs at ringside until its your class etc.

Mind you i havent shown tilly in season as she puts on weight a bit then - but i won my 3rd cc with my dobe bitch when she was in season - she was always on her toes then and showed like a dream.

[Maya]

@Borbasuk:

Interesting, I have never seen that in an open or championship show conformation schedule, only in those for performance shows and in flyers for small companion shows that will probably have obedience in the next door ring. Not that I go to many open shows these days.
It does tend to be frowned upon (depends on the breed a bit and also whether it's a all-breed or specialty show) but there is no actual KC rule forbidding showing bitches in season at conformation shows.

Its mostly companion or limit shows that have it, but i have seen it in a couple of open show schedules this year.

[moetmum]

I can never understand why our breed clubs hold their champ shows when a lot of the bitches are in season, September and October. I have shown Kia in season, but only when the dogs at home are showing little interest in her, but have missed at least two. Also Rufus is high as a kite at these shows (those that know him might not notice the difference!)

I am hoping that this year Kia will be OK as she surprised us and came into season at Blackpool (June) so she missed East of England instead! Fingers crossed she wont come in again this year.

[Borbasuk]

@Elscodobermann:

Mind you i havent shown tilly in season as she puts on weight a bit then - but i won my 3rd cc with my dobe bitch when she was in season - she was always on her toes then and showed like a dream.

Indeed; my Ruby was also in when she won her third, and she always looked her best at that time. Kiri, who I was showing at the same time, went the opposite way so once I knew this I never showed her in season. I've got one at the moment I'd happily show in season (and have) and one I'm less sure about; I think with Basenjis you just have to know your own girls and how being in season affects them.
For myself I don't show them at open shows (except breed club ones) but if they are happy to be shown I take them to the Ch shows for as long as my own stud dog isn't concerned. In my experience most Basenji males aren't that bothered in the early stages, especially when it is out of the normal 'season' time. I showed Bryn and Ezri to win the Brace class at BOBA last year when she was about ten days in (having checked there were no other males entered in the class).

[Borbasuk]

@moetmum:

I can never understand why our breed clubs hold their champ shows when a lot of the bitches are in season, September and October.

I think it is long custom and practice based on it being a quieter time of year for the general shows, but before the cold and darker evenings set in. BOBA has had its show on the first weekend in October for as long as I can remember and probably long before that (and it is a very busy date for club shows), but BCGB used to have an August date which usually fell on the Sunday after the Welsh KC show on the Friday, and have only moved to September recently.
As breed clubs we have to indicate the date for our Ch show to the KC nearly 4 years ahead so changing it is like turning a supertanker! Really the only other option, away from the hectic June/August period would be a spring date, probably April, but that then causes timing issues for the Open show and AGM which are normally held then.

[Elscodobermann]

I agree it would seem to make more sense if Basenji breed shows were held earlier in the year, as i did miss one last year as tilly was in full season and a bit portly. I love breed shows and hate missing them. In my ideal world there would be lots of breed shows and just a handful of all breed ones. (like the GSD folk do)

I know it is difficult to change dates, and moving one date always impacts on something else.. i was on committee of the Scottish Dobe club for many years, we eventually managed to change our date from October to August, and it is now back-to-back with the SKC champ show - and our entries have significantly grown since we did that, as more people make the long journey when they know they have 2 chances of a ticket!

[tanza]

@Nemo:

Follow up question…so if they come out of season around 30 days, so does that mean they are basically back to normal or just that they are no longer fertile?

At 30 days they should be out of season and no longer fertile… however, some bitches can have a split season, were they go into season, stop and the come back in again weeks later. But that is not very common.....

Not sure what you mean by "back to normal"... many bitches have what I have always called the "blue funk" for at least a month to two months after season.. .even puppies... and they can very easily "pack on the pounds"... as in their head they are preparing for whelping.... Each bitch is different... and her breeder might be able to give you an idea as to how the rest of her family acts in season and after....

[Nemo]

@tanza:

At 30 days they should be out of season and no longer fertile… however, some bitches can have a split season, were they go into season, stop and the come back in again weeks later. But that is not very common.....

Not sure what you mean by "back to normal"... many bitches have what I have always called the "blue funk" for at least a month to two months after season.. .even puppies... and they can very easily "pack on the pounds"... as in their head they are preparing for whelping.... Each bitch is different... and her breeder might be able to give you an idea as to how the rest of her family acts in season and after....

You figured out what I meant to say. :). I was just curious if at that 30 day timeframe if she would be more or less physically and mentally back to her pre-season self. She has packed on a little weight and the shape of her rear has changed some but I don't think she is too bad and I've cut back on her food a little to manage it. But it was enough that her breeder noticed but I didn't get any comments from the judges this weekend. Thanks!

[tanza]

And to add to all this… she is still growing/changing at this stage... adding in being in season... is just another fact of life to deal with.... It is difficult with baby puppy bitches to figure out ideal weight... they change so much daily....