"The mission of this book is to create the best prepared newcomers possible," writes author D. Caroline Coile. It's a mission thoroughly achieved in this beautifully illustrated little volume.

Caroline Coile has been highly successful handling her own beautiful Baha Salukis in the conformation ring and other venues. She also has a PhD in the area of biopsychology/neuroscience, with special expertise in canine sensory systems.

Show Me! doesn't sugar-coat the world of show dogs, starting with discussion of how showing can be good for dogs, but how less scrupulous breeders can make it a bad thing. For the people who show, Coile describes the joys of this family sport, versus how things can go wrong when people become obsessed. Acquiring too many dogs is a common problem.

The cast of characters at a dog show includes dogs, judges, stewards, show superintendants, AKC representative, professional handlers and their assistants, and--"the most neglected and abused people at the show"--owner handlers. Coile explains why it can be difficult and discouraging to get started in handling your own show dog. "Many newcomers are lost to the sport because of the rudeness of old-timers," she writes. "If it happens to you, just remember: it has been my experience that the rudest ones are the ones that have the least going for them."

The first decision you make in getting into the sport of showing dogs is what breed. Coile explains how the grooming required, the size, the popularity of that breed, the prevalence of professional handlers in showing it, whether ears are cropped or tails are docked, and whether or not the breed has a "showy" temperament will all have profound effects on your show experience. She recommends careful research--buy and study every book available on the breed, get a list of breeders from the national breed club, attend a national specialty for the breed if possible--and a slow approach to acquiring your first show dog. Newcomers have a better chance of acquiring a showable male, since breeders tend to keep the best females for themselves or for proven show homes. Coile explains some of the pitfalls of co-ownership. She advises that you start with a great male, and postpone breeding until you've gained experience and proven yourself to reputable show breeders.

Good show dogs can be ruined by an overemphasis on control at the expense of a joyful attitude. From conditioning the dog to the judge's exam, to posing, gaiting, and everything else that happens in the show ring, Coile explains in detail how to train and handle your dog. She also covers a number of problems and how to work through them.

Handling yourself is another challenge, including what to wear, how to handle the paperwork, understanding the entry and point systems, and exactly what to do before you enter the ring, while you're in the ring, when you're posing with your dog and the judge for your show-win photograph - it's all included in this wonderful book. Coile also explains the things that can get your dog excused or disqualified, what it means if you are suspended and what to do if things go wrong.

Describing the ultimate bad sport in dog shows, Coile writes "If you want to know how to be miserable at a dog show, heed this advice: Set your goals high, go there to win, snub your competition, and approach each show as though it will be your last. And if that's not enough, you can kick your dog when you lose."

Coile definitely does NOT kick her dogs! They are her cherished friends, and those who feel the same about their dogs will find an incredible resource in this book that so fully explains the world of conformation dog showing. If your closest contact with showing dogs is as an observer, this is exactly the right book to help you understand the action both inside and outside the ring. If you want to join this exciting sport, Show Me! will ensure you and your dog the best and most successful experience possible.

Copyright 2003 by Kathy Diamond Davis. Used with permission. All rights reserved.