Level 3Experienced
Preparing for a weekend of several shows
Two days in the ring, an organisation to plan as a whole
A show on Saturday, another on Sunday: a chance to make the most of the journey and meet several judges.
But the weekend also includes the trip, the waiting, the accommodation and the return. To make it a success, prepare each show separately and the stay as a whole.
1. Understand the schedule exactly
An event advertised over two days is not necessarily made up of two shows your dog can enter. It may be a single show that spreads the breeds across Saturday and Sunday.
Before you enter, check:
- The number of separate shows.
- The judging day for your breed at each.
- The venues and any travel between sites.
- The classes and certificates on offer.
- How to enter.
Example: “show on Saturday and Sunday” doesn't automatically mean “two rounds in the ring for my dog”. The organiser's schedule should let you clear up this ambiguity.
2. Check each entry
Create a small sheet for each show.
| What to check | First show | Second show |
|---|---|---|
| Date and venue | … | … |
| Class chosen | … | … |
| Entry closing date | … | … |
| Documents required | … | … |
| Payment and confirmation | … | … |
| Access documents | … | … |
Don't assume that entering the first covers the second: check how the organiser has set it up.
On SCC Expo (the entry platform of the Société Centrale Canine, the French kennel club), payment must be made and validated to confirm the entry. An unfinished pre-entry is not accepted after the closing date. [1]
When a combined rate is offered on this platform, the Société Centrale Canine states that you must enter the dogs at the first show before the rate is calculated when entering the second. [2]
3. Weigh up the value of the two days
Give each entry a reason: getting an assessment, working on your presentation or progressing along a specific route.
Then look at the effort involved: length of the journey, time on site, change of venue and a night away from home.
Two shows are not automatically a better choice than one. Your dog must be able to cope with the whole stay in good conditions.
At the FCI shows concerned, its health and welfare remain the priority. [3]
4. Plan a real recovery evening
After the first show, think above all about getting back to calm:
- A quiet walk for its needs.
- Water available and its usual meal.
- Familiar bedding.
- A comfortable set-up.
- As few unnecessary demands as possible.
Get the next day's things ready, then let your dog rest. There's no need to rehearse the whole run again after an already busy day.
Check with the accommodation that they accept the number of dogs planned, and ask about extra charges and rules for stays.
5. Organise your kit for the whole stay
Bring enough of its usual food, consumables and clean laundry. Have a way of getting drinking water over the weekend.
Keep clean items separate from those used on the first day. Sort the documents by show so you're not searching for them when it's time to go in.
Tip: prepare a small “day two” pouch with the documents and accessories you need. You can check it in the evening without emptying all your bags.
6. Reassess before the second show
On Sunday morning, watch your dog: is it back to its usual self? Is it moving normally? Does it seem alert and ready?
If you notice any discomfort, health problem or significant difficulty, adapt your plan and ask for advice if necessary.
Under the FCI framework, dogs that are ill, even temporarily, must be excluded from shows. [3]
Having paid for both entries doesn't oblige you to show your dog on both days. Check the organiser's conditions for any cancellation; don't assume you'll get a refund.
Beginner: three tips to discover this format
- Choose simple logistics. For a first weekend, a single site or nearby venues can limit complications.
- Check each entry right to the end. Check the dates, classes, payments and confirmations for each event.
- Plan a calm evening. Leave time to settle in and let your dog rest between the two days.
Intermediate: three tips to handle the back-to-back better
- Do a very short review after the first round. Note one success and one useful adjustment, without turning the evening into a catch-up session.
- Check the next day's organisation. Access, documents, equipment and available times: check what changes from one show to the other.
- Compare results with their context. Note the judge, the class, the competitors and your presentation. A different placing isn't enough to explain what changed.
Advanced: three tips to refine the plan
- Check how useful each show is for your goal. If you're after a title, check the conditions each result could meet.
- Anticipate clashes between rounds. With several dogs, breeds or competitions, arrange suitable help and contact the organiser when a difficulty can be foreseen.
- Prepare the return as carefully as the outward journey. Factor in the tiredness of the driver and the dog. Reassess your departure time and breaks after the second day.
Your mini-plan
| Moment | Priority |
|---|---|
| Before leaving | Check both entries, the stay and the equipment |
| First day | Show the dog and protect its rest periods |
| Evening | Recover and get the next day’s things ready |
| Second morning | Reassess taking part |
| Return | Travel with suitable breaks |
| After the weekend | Note what you’ve learned and let it recover |
The right yardstick: being able to enjoy the second show without resting the whole weekend on a few minutes in the ring.