How old is too old?

[alidansma]

How old is too old to start a boxer in show? It seems that most people start their puppies out showing at just a few months old, but is there an age that is just too old to start?
Can older dogs be taught the basics just like the younger dogs?

 

[HD_Cruisin8]

The youngest you can start a dog in actual conformation points competition is 6 months. There really is no age that is 'too old' to start them, or finish them Some people don't debut their dogs until well after they're a year old, possibly older. Most of the time their reason is to let the dog mature and fill out some. Some dogs are good from the beginning. I heard recently of a bitch that was, I think, 6 years old when she finished her championship. My breeder had a bitch they bred(and co-own) finish her championship last year at the age of 5 years old, after about a 2 or 3 year hiatus and a litter of puppies! So, no I don't think there is an age that is *too* old to begin them. I do think that after a certain age, though, that they're considered veterans(if they've finished). I'm not very sure about the veterans part though, so maybe one of those who know could inform!

 

[Draymia]

I start my guys out nice and young. Just can't wait to get them in the ring. :D But, they don't have to start as puppies. It makes it a little easier in the training, to start a puppy, but you can train an older dog also.

 

[alidansma]

I have a girl that is not quite three years old and I would like to show her for fun...but dog gone it if I can't figure out how to get her little tail up...guess it will be something to work on. Any ideas?

 

[SoleilBxrs]

where in CA are u located? Most local kennel clubs will hold some sort of Conformation class where you can take your girl. Great practice for you and your baby. As to getting your bitch's tail up, you can "tickle" underneath to get it up.. if she's resisting you, try to get her full attention on whatever you are using as bait.. if she's super focused on the bait, she might be less focused on you trying to get her tail up.. and once you initially get it up, you can continue to keep it up by tickling it.

-Kat