Building a multi-year strategy

Looking far ahead, moving forward in stages

When you first discover dog shows, you often think about the next date. With experience, another question appears: "What path do I want to build with my dog?"

A title, better presentation, a deeper knowledge of his breed… Some goals take time.

A multi-year strategy gives you a direction, while leaving your programme free to change with your dog and your everyday life.

1. Choose a long-term direction

Start with a simple sentence:

"In the next few years, I would like to…"

You may want to become more comfortable in the ring, pursue a specific title or gather useful information for a breeding project.

Choose one main priority. You can add other wishes to it, but it will help you decide which trips and which procedures deserve your time.

Then tell these apart:

• The direction: what you would like to achieve.
• This season's stage: what you are going to prepare or look for now.
• The next step: a concrete action to take.

Example: aim for an international title, check its conditions this season, then select a first suitable show.

2. Check the rules before spreading out the stages

A route to a title must take into account the certificates needed, the eligibility conditions and the time limits.

For the FCI International Beauty Champion title of a breed not subject to a working requirement, the rules generally provide for four CACIBs in three countries under three different judges, with a minimum of one year and one day between the first and the last. Approved exceptions may exist. [1]

This time limit does not mean the title necessarily takes several calendar years. It means you have to build the calendar around the right deadlines.

For each goal, note the exact conditions and any time limits. Spreading the stages over several seasons does not allow you to go beyond the time limits set by the rules.

3. Move forward according to what you observe

Your dog may change in his presentation, his condition and the way he experiences outings. You will also improve in your handling and your organisation.

These changes need to be observed, without assuming that age will automatically bring better results.

After each season, ask yourself:

• What have we learned?
• Which difficulties keep coming back?
• How does my dog cope with the journeys, the waiting and the examinations?
• Is my goal still the right one?

The dog's health and welfare remain the priority at the FCI shows concerned. [2]

4. Build stages rather than a fixed calendar

Here is an example of a three-season path. The numbers refer to the seasons of the project, not to the dog's age. This model sets neither a duration nor a number of outings.

If you are already experienced, you can start straight away with a targeted selection. If a break is needed, you can revisit the order of the stages.

5. Plan a sustainable budget

Set an amount for each season and an overall limit for your project.

Count entries, travel, accommodation, preparation and any procedures. Before a major investment, ask yourself whether it will still be useful if your programme changes.

Avoid committing too early to expenses that are hard to recover. A long-term vision should give you room to adapt your choices.

Money already spent should not, on its own, decide whether you carry on.

6. Keep a useful record

Keep the results and supporting documents, but also a few notes on presentation, the conditions on the day and recovery.

For each title you are aiming for, separate the conditions already met from those still to be checked or obtained.

If your project involves breeding, cross-check the show assessments with the other information available. In France, LOF Select (the French stud book's programme) brings together, among other things, pedigree, DNA and health data, show data, use and offspring data.

This information feeds your thinking; a record of wins is not enough to decide on a breeding project.

Beginner: three tips for laying the foundations

1. Start with a learning goal. Discovering how it all works and preparing your team will help you choose a realistic path afterwards.
2. Keep notes from your very first outings. A few precise observations will be more useful the following year than a memory limited to the placing.
3. Wait for the first review before scheduling everything. Your experience may change what you want and reveal your dog's needs.

Intermediate: three tips for building continuity

1. Give each season a priority. You will be able to spread your preparation, procedures and spending better.
2. Choose the next stage based on what you have achieved. If a condition is already met, look for what is missing rather than automatically repeating the same outings.
3. Do a written annual review. Results, progress, the dog's comfort and budget: go through these four points before planning what comes next.

Advanced: three tips for keeping a flexible strategy

1. Re-check the rules before each new season. Check the confirmation conditions, supporting documents and deadlines that apply to your path.
2. Prepare several options. Pursuing the title, cutting back on travel or favouring certain events: each option must remain compatible with your dog.
3. Define your criteria for taking a break or changing course. Persistent difficulty, insufficient recovery, an overrun budget or a goal that has become less relevant: plan how you will reassess the situation.

Your roadmap

• My long-term direction: …
• This season's priority: …
• The regulatory conditions to meet: …
• The stages already completed: …
• My annual budget and overall limit: …
• The reasons that would lead me to adapt the project: …
• The date of my next review: …

A good path lets you recognise your progress and choose what comes next with a clear head, even when results take an unexpected direction.

Sources

• [1] FCI: Regulations for the FCI International Championship (PDF)
• [2] FCI: Regulations for FCI Dog Shows (PDF)