Smaller shows are more common and will probably make up the bulk of the shows in which you enter your dog. A small show can still have plenty of entries, but may be closer to 1000 dogs entered overall vs. 3000 or 4000 for a larger show. Depending on the part of the country and time of year, these shows can be held indoors or outdoors. We'll include some indoor photos here and then move on to outdoor shows next.

Here in Texas, almost many of our shows are held indoors. Blame it on our sometimes harsh Texas weather, but I have grown accustomed to the air-conditioned, heated, non-windy comfort of an indoor show. Sure, outdoor shows can be fun too...but present their own challenges. Shown in the photo to the right is the ring area of the first show we ever entered — the San Angelo Kennel Club. Notice the audience area is almost deserted...you are not really "on display" for a large number of onlookers and small shows can be a gentle way to break into the world of dog shows.

Grooming areas are indoors as well (usually in the same building) and space is usually first come, first serve. Below you can see several of us grooming our Havanese for the ring.

Vendor selection is usually pretty limited at these shows (sometimes a few vendors, sometimes only one), so you will want to be prepared for many different situations! I always bring my dogs' favorite treats (along with my favorite treats - some shows have much better food than others), a folding grooming table that can be moved ringside (if allowed by show rules) plenty of extra grooming supplies, an extra lead, crates for the dogs, chairs and a dolly to move all that equipment around! Remember...this is fun! At most shows I will leave my grooming area set up when I leave in the evening (except for the dog crates which come back to the hotel with the dogs), but you should make your own judgment call about security at the showsite.

While the show in the photos above is held in a nice coliseum, you will also find smaller indoor shows held in facilities that are um....more agricultural in nature. That means basically a "show barn" for those of you familiar with FFA, 4H, etc. Below you see our Bravo's Championship photo, and in the background...yes that would be the corrugated metal siding of what I think was actually designed as a show barn for pigs! Oh well, the important thing was that last point!

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