Bitches in season may be shown in conformation and may participate in tracking tests. They may not compete in obedience trials, and I'm pretty sure they're not allowed to compete in field trials.
bitches in estrus at shows
I am new to showing dogs and have only competed in one show so far. I have been to some shows where a couple of bitches were in heat but they were specialty shows. I could not find anything in the AKC rules about bitches in heat competing in a show. Does anyone know if its ok? I have a show coming up and it looks like my bitch may go into her first heat soon so I just wanted to check up on that. I know in some premium lists it says no refund for bitches in heat and wondered if that meant they could not compete. Thanks!
CTG
CTG
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They can enter field trials (bitches run in a seperate class), but will be scratched at a hunt test if they are a distraction. Champion class at field trials and AHBA hunts are run with mixed classes and a bitch that distracts other dogs would be DQ'd.
In practice, how often are bitches in season run at field trials?
I don't recall if any bitches were in season at the last field trials I went to but the bitches were run seperate from the dogs except for the champion class. If I remember correctly from the rules it is ok as long as they are seperate and like was said not a distraction. Thats what I was worried about in the conformation ring, if it would be too much of a distraction and be frowned upon. At the specialty show that I attended in August there were at least 4 bitches in season and didn't seem to be too much of a issue except some of the boys wanted to roll around alot in the grass where a girl had been.
A smidgeon of Vicks under a dog's nose helps to mask the smell of a bitch in season, and is a common trick in the conformation ring....
I recall some unpleasantness one year at Nationals, when someone brought a bitch in season to the field trial. That's why I had the impression that bitches in season weren't welcome.
[ January 03, 2006, 04:21 PM: Message edited by: Betsy Iole ]
[ January 03, 2006, 04:21 PM: Message edited by: Betsy Iole ]
You can show a bitch in season in conformatin, but there are certain courtesies to follow to minimize the disruption.
When you go to ringside, try to find a spot away from other dogs and warn other exhibitors of her state.
When the judge is examining her, warn him before he starts.
When in the ring with males, try to keep back from them. If you have winners bitch, hang back on the go around and keep your distance when stacking. If you have a specials bitch and you can choose your position, try to get into the middle of the bitches, as far from the males as possible. Otherwise just keep your distance from the male specials, the WD handler will hopefully have sense enough to keep him back from you.
Always keep an eye on your bitch and know where she is and what she's doing (actully, this applies to all dogs being shown).
When you go to ringside, try to find a spot away from other dogs and warn other exhibitors of her state.
When the judge is examining her, warn him before he starts.
When in the ring with males, try to keep back from them. If you have winners bitch, hang back on the go around and keep your distance when stacking. If you have a specials bitch and you can choose your position, try to get into the middle of the bitches, as far from the males as possible. Otherwise just keep your distance from the male specials, the WD handler will hopefully have sense enough to keep him back from you.
Always keep an eye on your bitch and know where she is and what she's doing (actully, this applies to all dogs being shown).
Thanks, Miriam! I'll have to print that out and file it for the next time I show a basset in conformation--in another 5 years or so. 
Thanks for the info Miriam. I will definitley be courteous in the ring with her and let everyone know.
CTG
CTG
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