[goosepimple]

Of course they do, but how much?  Not that much or quite a lot and wish you hadn't done it? 
 
What's your experience of showing animals?
 
Do you have any tips?
 
 

[doganjo]

I have shown dogs for 32 years.  The ones that don't enjoy it don't do well so I stop showing them. The three that I have now love it, they get all excited when they see the show bag coming out.  Each animal is different.  You just have to play it by ear.  I love it too, and it's a bonus when they win lovely rosettes.  Crufts is in 4 weeks time, Allez won Reserve Challenge Certificate last year, the second of my dogs to do that at Crufts.

[Mammyshaz]

I'm only familiar with dogs too but not to the high expectations of Doganjo's show scenes.
In my teens I would show my three mongrels in all the local charity dog shows as a group of us got together for the days out. One of my dogs was so people orientated and proud of herself she  wouldn't have anything to do with other dogs ( a right dog snob  ) and in a show ring she showed off, thoroughly enjoying the event. She was placed many times over and even won best in show over pedigrees in her prime.
However, a german shepherd who had very good show potential but worked in trials would showoff in competition so I tried him in a ring once and he hated it  really looked miserable and wouldn't show himself at all.
So I think it is down to the individual animal and how comfortable it feels in a show situation. I dont think you will know until the animal tries it and you can observe how comfortable it looks. But if you get an animal that enjoys going then you'll be hooked I'm sure 

[Fowgill Farm]

I show pigs and pigs only get stressed when their owner does , they seem to sense it. We train our show pigs to travel by leaving the trailer open for them to wander in and out of and we have a little ride out round the block. Pigs like routine and so long as you don't deviate too far from it they are fine. They don't get fed before travelling, they have big beds of cosy straw and they are in the trailer for the minimum time to travel, as soon as we get to a show they are out and in their pens again well strawed up, they get their grub and a drink, then a lovely rub down and made pretty. My pigs are well socialised and love the attention from the public. If i thought a pig didn't adjust to showing i wouldn't take them again.
The only times i have seen pigs stressed is when we had a hot tent day and their owner peed off for the day leaving them to their own devices, luckily me and some of the others watered them and cooled them down, the other time is when theres a gilt/sow in season and the boars get in a bit of fuss.
Its all about management and making you sure that your animals well being is at the foremost of your plans. Planning/preparation is 99% of showing the actual showing part is very small.
Tips i can offer
* Go to enjoy yourself
* don't expect to win anything  and if you do yayyyy its a brucie bonus
* Have a willing helper with you
* Talk to fellow competitors before the show, ask what you should take ( i have an excel spreadhsheet now that i tick stuff off)
* prepare for all weather eventualities - a 4x4 is a good +
 
Hth and whatever you're going to show, have a great season.
We start first week in June this year.
Mandy
 
 
 

[Marches Farmer]

I was stewarding at one of the major ag. shows a couple of years ago when the apparently very laid back sow belonging to a very experienced keeper and shower started to be shown for the third time that day (best in class, best of breed, best in show) got fed up with the whole thing, took off, went straight through a ring hurdle (she was a big girl!) and headed for the cattle shed.  This is why we don't allow the public around the pens when showing's on!

[Fowgill Farm]

yes we've had an escape too
Clover decided the grass was better on the other side of the show ring and ploughed straight thro the fence which caused much hilarity in the audience and a bucket ofpig nuts to get her back!
All good fun all part of showing and yes they can get arsy when they have to go back to the ring 2 or 3 times in a day especially if its a hot day but again its all about managing that animal, cooling them down between classes and kepingup their fluid intake, mine once peed on the judge tho   mortified but it happens!
Mandy

[Brucklay]

I've taken sheep and pygmy goats to show - and always taken the ones I would consider to be chilled out / people friendly and get on with the others going with the exception of one of the ewes to the Black Isle, she wasn't unfriendly but a little shy. After all the attention that day she is now one of my friendlest!!


Agree totally with with FF the preparation is all the work with the actual showing being over very quickly - but good fun talking to like minded people and people who like your animals.


Nearly forgot - non of mine have ever appeared stressed but then they do get extra crunchies on show days and they seem to know it and milk it for all they can get!!

[feldar]

I show sheep and find the start of the season they can be a bit flighty, but soon settle down. We try not to show the same sheep too often and try to have two show teams so they  don't get too stressed out or fed up with the whole thing. It always looks better if your sheep have an alert look in the show ring rather than a p***ed off take me home look!
We know some people who hawk their sheep up and down the country all summer and they animals look so bored by the end of the season.
I also show cavies and only take them to a couple of shows each time to prevent stress.
On the plus side my show sheep are always the ones who will catch up well and the others will follow them into the gather pen, plus they usually knock you over for food, so easy to catch for shearing feet etc.

[goosepimple]

Reason I ask is that we have pygmy goats which I would consider showing - except - our youngest female recently came back from time spent with a billy, she looked a bit stressed when she came back and didn't seem to eat anything for the first 2 days, then she settled again and went back to normal. 
 
She will be due to kid at the start of May and I wondered if it wouldn't be a good idea to show her with her wee one(s) say in June at the Highland Show in Edinburgh - too much attention?  Perhaps I should wait until next year or later in the season?

[kja]

my parents have shown goats for about 40 years, i show pigs and help a friend show her sheep if the animal is brought up being worked with and on they soon adapt, i had a gilt last year that was a bit hit and miss she would love one show and work with me then the next would be vocal and try to be boss but she never stressed, and would be straight in the trailer after her bath i think it was down to pmt  .

as mandy says if you keep calm the animals will too.

[Anke]

 
She will be due to kid at the start of May and I wondered if it wouldn't be a good idea to show her with her wee one(s) say in June at the Highland Show in Edinburgh - too much attention?  Perhaps I should wait until next year or later in the season?

(Dairy goat) kids have to be 8 weeks old before they can be shown, adults have to have kidded at least 4 weeks before the show (I think... if not Ballingal will put me right). Not sure if you can bring kids that are suckling to the show if you want to show the nanny but kid(s) is still too young.
 
For your first show.... Royal Highland is a full 4 days, and you will have to be there to feed/water etc - you could probably go home for the nights, but it is still a hell of a lot of travelling... It is also still during school term (that's why I don't go, just too far for me to travel every day and too long to be away from home during school term).
 
I am sure there will be pygmies again at Smallholder festival...
 
Re stress - my goats normally cope well, and love the extra titbits they get when away...
 
 

[sokel]

I have been involved in dog showing all of my life and if we pick the normal every day leads up the dogs get excited but if we pick the show leads up they go mad running around barking and back and forth to the car untill we let them into the car

[Big Light]

Some love it others aren't fussed but to get the best out of them a little practice is best not straight from the field  / pen

[Tudful Tamworths]

It has always amazed me how adaptable pigs are when taken to a show. Mine live outdoors all year round (apart from when farrowing), but get penned up in a 6ft by 6ft space for several days when I take them to a show. Once unloaded, it takes them a matter of minutes to settle down. And remember, I'm talking about Tamworths here!
As far as the ring goes, I've had a couple of escapes (once with a VERY big sow who was well experienced at showing). Rather than getting stressed, I think they just get frustrated and want to explore. You can practice as much as you like at home, but nothing but experience (for you and the pig) can prepare you for what happens when you get in the ring. One pig might get spooked by a loud noise, a stroke from a spectator, etc, and then sets off a whole lot of others. Keeping control is a lot to do with knowing your pig, building up a bond, and getting that pig to feel confident with you - wherever you may go together.

[goosepimple]

Thanks all, on the whole they seem to settle it seems, probably quite inquisitive about their new cell mates too I should think.
 
Thanks Anke (as always!) yes, Highland Show is costly too, maybe that'll be a one-off one day.  I missed Smallholder show in Forfar last year due to my own illness, will def be at Lanark this year with everyone in tow.