http://goldengatekc.com/

The annual dog show is next weekend at the cow palace. Anyone going??

i have friends working the show... but i will be at the alameda schutzhund (i mean IPO) club. i am going to a 2 day protection seminar. are you going? i would love to shop the vendors. always so many good ones there,

Debating whether to go or not. May end up helping out stewarding, will find out Monday Like Schnickle Fritz, do like to to shop the vendors.

Schnickle Fritz ( so funny to type that The IPO protection seminar is Friday/Saturday. I've never been to a proper dog show so I'm thinking of going on Sunday to check out the merch......do you think I can find a fursaver collar there?

Yes. I'm going. I have gone the last five years. I go with a friend and her mom. We get there just as it opens and spend much of the day there. We get TONS of samples and great deals too. Always fun yet exhausting . I'm there on Saturday.

We were going to go until we were told we could not bring our dogs, because they were not entered. I don't want to leave Benny at home all day on a day off. Our weekends center on the dogs.

It sounds like a great show!

As large a show it is I doubt anyone would know you were not entered if you bring Benny. Many many people bring unentered dogs and as long as he is well behaved, not wearing a prong or harness type collar I doubt you would be challenged. If you are challenged, apologize for not knowing any better and take him to the car and leave him in the car, weather permitting.

(I am not telling you to break the rules, but I have done it too)

this is key as you will be watched walking around with a big gsd. if you are not 100% sure that he will be non reactive that day, dont take him in. if you do, just stay in th e vendor area. i have never had a problem staying in that area only. no one has ever said a thing to me. however, if you start walking around the show rings, that is when someone may say something. there is no reason you cant leave bennie in the car lots of folks do that.

@DD - oh yes you will. i would make sure it is a herm sprenger one. they are a little spendyier than others, but i loike them better.

Debbie. Just check the website to make sure they are showing GSDs. Some years they don't show them and it would be a dead give away.

Richard doesn't want to go so he stays with Siena while I do the show

Schnickle has a good point, many people go to shop and bring dogs to the vendor area so they can try on collars, beds, etc. Nothing saying you aren't doing that. In fact at many shows the "show grounds limit" will have the vendor area marked off as not being on the show grounds so people can shop like that.

At the Portland show all exhibitors were given passes when the judging program was mailed out. They had to present the pass to get in with the dog. I have never seen a show other than that one use that system. But keep in mind, if they do that at this show you will have to take Beeny back to the car as you won't have the pass.

Like Kathy, I have told folks to bring unentered dogs to certain trials. However, this is the one show where I would discourage it. The Golden Gate is a benched show. That means dogs entered are there for the entire day. It is pretty regulated and restrictive in allowing unentered dogs in, unlike many of the shows/trials held at fairgrounds and parks in No Cal. You enter by going through turnstyles with ticket takers, not open gates. Of course, there are other entry points at the Cow Palace if you know folks showing but i would not encourage it in this case, they are pretty well monitored and the entered dogs are usually on site pretty early.

The GSD's did not show for several years and started back, I think, two years ago in small numbers. Looks to be the case again this year. There are 5 showing on both Sat (judging time 2:30) and Sun (judging time 4:15). They'll be in the lower exhibition halls.

And the prices up this year. Parking $12 (unless you can find a spot on Geneva/nearby streets), general admission $12. Anyone going may want to check Pet Food Express-they have usually had discount tickets.

There are five GSD entered at Golden Gate. I am flying out from Wyoming for the weekend, showing a Berner, Malinois and a Cavalier. Staying with friends.
You get a pass when you enter, otherwise you have to enter the public entry, where no dogs are allowed to go through the gates. To enter where the dogs are benched, you have to have the exhibitor pass or they will not let you in.
The other issue is the dogs have to be benched unless they are at the ring being shown or in the exercise pens. So, you can't just walk around all day with your dog, they discourage them in the seating above the rings also. Dogs have to be on bench by 10 I believe and earlier if you are showing early. They have to stay on benches and CAN'T leave the exhibit buildings until 5 or 5;30. I have seen people who have tried to sneak the dogs out in a car earlier get stopped and made to wait, they actually close the gates from the exhibit halls so you can't walk your dogs to the cars outside in the parking or drive your car outside in the parking until release from the benches.They keep the doors monitored and the big gates locked.

Benny needs to stay home........ poor Benny!

It's Ok I will be staying home too. Don't need to look at other dogs when the one I love most is right at home wanting to hang out with me!

At least I will avoid all the temptation of the vendors.

Oh yea, but the venders are the best part. All through the halls, in the "circle" around the outside of the rings and downstairs in the lower hall. Its fun to just go and see all the venders and I always love walking through the benches to see how decorated the breed areas can be, they get pretty fancy. I remember one year, can't remember the toy breed, but they had the benches all decorated like little jail cells. It was so darn cute.

I have to say something about taking unentered dogs into the venue -- it's a pia for people who are showing. There are enough dogs around to watch out for without spectators adding their "contraband" to the venue. Be considerate and stop taking your dogs to places where they are explicitly excluded.

I agree whole heartedly. I show dogs and absolutely hate when the locals show up at the shows with their dogs tied up with a rope,or the dog is dragging them around trying to lunge at other dogs and causing fights.
I know someone posted they encourage people to take their dogs to trials and shows, it is AGAINST AKC policy to have an unentered dog on the showgrounds during show hours. PERIOD. Maybe the other "registries" don't mind unentered dogs, but at AKC shows, you can and usually will be removed from the show grounds if you have an unentered dog, especially if it starts causing trouble. They show committees seem to be more on top of it nowdays, too many family pets are being brought to shows to "watch the other doggies" and cause fights and exhibitors/dogs are being bitten trying to keep them show dogs away from fights.
Does the owners of family pets actually think their dog enjoys watching? Come on folks, that is crazy.A dog show is NOT the place to socialize your dog.

oddly lots of akc competeters break that rule by walking thier up and coming puppies and young dogs around. i agree that no dog should be there if they are not well behaved. and you should stay out of the "show ring area".

But if you notice, it is usually after hours or not directly in the "show grounds" area.AKC shows are now having puppy shows after hours and so younger puppies are being brought, but again they are not paraded around during show hours. I myself have brought younger dogs to the show ground during a weekend or week long circuit, but do not have time to drag them around during show hours. Plus, I have them at my set up during the shows and the young dogs are there.
If someone brings an unentered dog that is well behaved, doesn't have the last four years tags jingling on the collar and is not being hauled around by a rope or chain, not lunging at people or other dogs, usually the dog is ignored especially at outdoor shows. Indoor shows are a different situation. Lets face it, MOST handlers or owner handlers have dogs that are walking nicely and are not lunging and pulling the person on the leash all over.

nope, have never noticed it is only after hours. i dont want to argue the point of it being against the rules. it is- plain and simple. and a dog who is out of control, dangerous, loud and with an owner who most likely IS NOT AN AKC memeber so they have no idea of decorum at a show, should not bring thier dog. if they do, they can be asked to leave. i have no problem wiht that at all. i am simply saying that if you and your dog are well behaved and you stay in the vendor area you probably will not be asked to leave. obviously in a show like this, where the gate is monitored, you would not have a choice.

I agree . We have good friend who is an AKC judge. She often invites us to come to shows and bring both Benny and Jake, but there are certain shows where she tells us not to bring them, like the Golden Gate where she will be. The last one we attended, where she was judging Cane Corsos' and Fila Brasileros many people commented on how nice Benny was letting children pet him.

I also agree that no dog that is not under control or well bevaed should be take to these shows, or for that matter anywhere in public except training!

I'd love to go, it's been years, but there's a big wine tasting event we go to every year that's always that weekend so Saturday is out for sure. Sunday I'll probably have flyball practice. We were rained out last weekend, but the weather looks good for this weekend, so I'm looking forward to that.

Is that the one with the benches, where all the kennels/breeders place dogs?