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  1. #1
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    Ettiquette question

    Brooks and I are doing our first obedience trial this coming Friday. Normally I would wear long pants, as I just feel you should look nice/professional when in the ring. However, I live in shorts. Year round. I've worn pants maybe 3 times this year, and two of those times were Sophie's rally trials last month. It's supposed to be 85 degrees Friday and the thought of wearing pants is pretty unappealing.

    So my question, is it ok to wear shorts in the ring? Of course they would be nice ones, no jean shorts.

  2. #2
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    You could, as there’s no rule against it, but I haven’t really seen people do it. Now, part of that is that most handlers are middle-aged to older women who probably don’t wear shorts much of the time if at all, anyway.

    Most people try to match the color of the dog, which is pretty much impossible with a yellow (nice thing about black dogs). As the judge said to me last weekend “black dog, black floor, black pants and a navy blue background (was hanging on the ring gates) ... I don’t know WHAT I’m seeing!”. In other words, matching the dog can hide a bad front, LOL.

    I have a feeling when I first start showing the yellow girls, I’ll still be showing Chloe, so will be wearing black - their fronts will be VERY noticeable!

    So the answer is, you can, but you will most likely be the only one.

    Edited to add - I’ve never shown to this judge but I’ve heard she can be a VERY tough scorer. Your choice of clothes shouldn’t affect that though, LOL.
    Last edited by Annette47; 04-26-2017 at 09:56 AM.
    Annette

    Cookie (HIT HC Jamrah's Legally Blonde, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
    Sassy (HIT Jamrah's Blonde Ambition, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015

    Chloe (HIT HC OTCH Windsong's Femme Fatale, UDX4, OM6, RE) 6/7/2009

    And remembering:

    Scully (HC Coventry's Truth Is Out There, UD, TD, RN) 4/14/1996 - 6/30/2011
    Mulder (Coventry's I Want To Believe, UD, RN, WC) 5/26/1999 - 4/22/2015

    And our foster Jolie (Windsong's Genuine Risk, CDX) 5/26/1999 - 3/16/2014

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  3. #3
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    There used to be a gal in our area who showed in conformation in short. Not like knee-length shorts, but thigh high shorts.

    Like Annette said, there is no rule, and I've seen folks look pretty shabby in jeans and a t-shirt. Nice shorts and a polo would beat that hands down. Maybe some lightweight summer khakis?

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  5. #4
    Puppy Abigails mom's Avatar
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    Have never shown before, but some clothing thoughts. Maybe look for some fishing pants or a pair of under-armourish leggings. Several companies make clothing that is tight, flexible and wicks sweat and heat away from the body. So although you are in layers, they actually keep you cooler. Just a thought. Good luck!!

  6. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by JenC View Post
    There used to be a gal in our area who showed in conformation in short. Not like knee-length shorts, but thigh high shorts.
    I was at a GSD Speciality a few weeks ago (All-breed Obedience) and there was a girl showing in conformation in a matching sparkly sequined thigh high shorts and jacket set. And sneakers on her feet to finish it off!
    Annette

    Cookie (HIT HC Jamrah's Legally Blonde, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
    Sassy (HIT Jamrah's Blonde Ambition, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015

    Chloe (HIT HC OTCH Windsong's Femme Fatale, UDX4, OM6, RE) 6/7/2009

    And remembering:

    Scully (HC Coventry's Truth Is Out There, UD, TD, RN) 4/14/1996 - 6/30/2011
    Mulder (Coventry's I Want To Believe, UD, RN, WC) 5/26/1999 - 4/22/2015

    And our foster Jolie (Windsong's Genuine Risk, CDX) 5/26/1999 - 3/16/2014

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  7. #6
    Senior Dog Sue-Ram's Avatar
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    Dressy(ish) cargo pants with zip off legs. Zip the bottoms on before you have to go into the ring.
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  9. #7
    Senior Dog Shelley's Avatar
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    First impressions are everything, especially to a tough grading judge like this one.

    Wear pants and a nice shirt, and walk into the ring like you own it. Bring shorts to change into afterwards but not for the ring.

    Good luck!!

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  11. #8
    Senior Dog TuMicks's Avatar
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    Or... do Hunt Tests. You can pretty much wear anything but light colors. I've been to some HT's that were sweltering hot (one participant had to be transported to the hospital, probably because he wasn't drinking enough water)... and some where the sleet was being driven sideways by 50 mph gusts.

    Such fun!

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    windycanyon (04-26-2017)

  13. #9
    Senior Dog windycanyon's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TuMicks View Post
    Or... do Hunt Tests. You can pretty much wear anything but light colors. I've been to some HT's that were sweltering hot (one participant had to be transported to the hospital, probably because he wasn't drinking enough water)... and some where the sleet was being driven sideways by 50 mph gusts.

    Such fun!
    Agree, hunt tests are a lot easier for me too. By the end of the day, my jeans look like those ones Nordstrom's is selling for $475 only my mud is real!

    I have an obed trial AND conformation entry w/in an hour or so, same dog this weekend... Hoping my one pup owner can take Ruby into the show ring for me otherwise, I'm going to look rather casual in my jeans or khakis. Oh well. Now I know why I rarely do conformation!

    Curious as to who the judge is. Barry, email me... Anne
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  14. #10
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    On the west coast, people do wear bermuda or cargo type shorts but only if it's a outdoor trial or horse arena in the summer and it's a somewhat casual event. If people aren't wearing jeans (often black or nice jeans, not dirty or ripped), they wear cargo type pants, the really thin ones for hiking that often have the zip off legs that you get at REI, Patagonia, etc. I know a few people on the east coast who want to match their dogs to hide flaws, so khaki or tan pants for the yellows. Also, it depends on the judge. There are some judges that people tend to dress up a little more for because they dress up or because how you present yourself matters to that judge. I would be a little hesitant to completely change the picture for yourself and your dog a day or two before the event though. I'm weird about comfort and distraction though, so it would be hard for me, personally, to go from wearing shorts 24/7 to pants all of a sudden while trying to compete with my dog. So, maybe a nicer pair of shorts and make sure your top half is a dressy polo or nice sweater and then wear a nicer pair of shoes (newer sneakers, for example).

 



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