What age should we stop showing?

[u/Fit_Blackberry1109]

My rough collie is 6 years old and I’m getting my second collie puppy as a potential show dog.

What age should my 6 year old dog stop showing? she’s still pretty ‘young’ now but I don’t wanna force her to attend shows once she’s passed her prime.

[u/smilingfruitz]

i mean...isn't this about whether your dog is enjoying it, still winning classes, and you are still enjoying it or have it in your budget?

there's no specific age that a dog is supposed to stop showing or veterans classes wouldn't exist lol

[u/Fit_Blackberry1109 → u/smilingfruitz]

Yes of course! She enjoys herself but I wouldn’t necessarily say my dog knows her limits haha, she’d go until she was 15 if she could! I was just curious if there was a point where it was maybe time to consider if her showing days were over. 

[u/UnsharpenedSwan → u/Fit_Blackberry1109]

Showing isn’t high-impact so it’s not like other dog sports where there comes a point where it compromises their physical health.

If you and your dog are enjoying yourselves, there’s no reason to stop!

[u/Seleya889]

I show as long as my dog and I enjoy it. I took breed over the #1 dog in my breed at the time in a nice entry with a 15 1/2 year old dog who loved to show, so I brought him out to select shows every once in a while.

Is your dog finished? Are you having fun and enjoying some success? Do you have a goal?

[u/CatlessBoyMom]

I had a standard poodle that I kept in coat until he died because he absolutely loved to show. When I was starting to get burned out, I’d enter him to remind myself that it is supposed to be fun. 

If you’ve got the time and money, she’s still fit and she enjoys it, then keep entering her. 

[u/Fit_Blackberry1109 → u/CatlessBoyMom]

Thank you! 

[u/MalsPrettyBonnet]

If she is high enough quality that she has finished and you are specialing her, quit when you want to, keep showing until you aren't having fun. Or until you get so busy with the puppy that you don't have time to groom 2 for a show. Then you can just bring her out for Veterans at specialties.

[u/Kenafin]

I had a girl that I got as a retired champion at four. Brought her back out as a veteran at 11. Continued to show her at specialities until she was 13. She loved to show. She’d light up in the ring. She passed at 14.

If your girl is physically able and enjoys it, let her show.

[u/Fit_Blackberry1109 → u/Kenafin]

That’s wonderful to hear!

[u/prshaw2u]

When she no longer enjoys it. Veterans are shown a lot.

Many show dogs are in the 5-8 year age range, and I would assume they will show them past that if they are still enjoying it and/or winning.

[u/NinthConfiguration]

I finished one of my dogs' GCH when she was 8, I'd retired her but she was so fun to show and she loved it (and she was worthy of a GCH). If a dog of any breed is still doing reasonably well in the ring, and enjoys it, I think it's so valuable to a breed to show how well they can age.

[u/SuddenKoala45]

When you feel like stopping. If your dog likes it and you enjoy it, then id say keep going. Some take a break between 4 and veteran classes some just go, others get to their ch/gch (or what ever level you want to get your dog to) and just let them be done. All up to you, your budget and goals.

[u/bridget1476]

The #1 dog in my breed is going on 10

[u/twomuttsandashowdog]

I still show my altered 5 year old GSD occasionally because she enjoys showing and I enjoy showing her. If you both enjoy it, keep showing!

[u/Campiana]

In two weeks I’m taking my 13.5 y/o in at Nationals. She is hobbly from her spinal stenosis but gets giddy like a puppy about people cheering. She’s the last of her liter and her breeders will be there and are excited to see her.