| Showing Your Pet Cavy |
| So, you have decided that you'd like to enter your pet cavy into a show, but don't know where to begin.... |
| HAVE YOU JOINED THE CLUB? In order to exhibit a pet cavy (or those in the breed class) at the Northsiders Branch Shows you will need to become a member of the NSW Cavy Club. |
| WHEN / WHERE IS THE SHOW? The first thing to do is decide on the show that you would like to take your guinea pig to. Refer to the show scehedule, which includes the hall address and dates of the Northsiders Branch Shows |
| ON SHOW DAY The shows start at 10am, so make sure you arrive by 9.30 - this gives you plenty of time to unload your things, set yourself up, pay your entry fees and collect your entry form before the show starts. |
| ENTERING BEFORE SHOW DAY You MUST enter any cavy before the show day - using the correct entry form - or double entry fees will occur. You can email me on malibu_cavy@hotmail.com for a copy of this form, or download one from the NSW Cavy Club Website. The cost is $5 for the first cavy, and $1.50 for each cavy after that. Entry money can be paid on the day - unless specifically mentioned in cavy capers for money to accompany entry forms. |
| PREPARING THEM FOR A SHOW Once you have decided on who you are taking you need to "prepare" them for a show. Make sure their nails are cut - this is to prevent unnecessary scratches to both you and the judge. (if the nail bleeds, put a little talcum powder on the end of the nail to clot the blood. If you are worried, arrive a little earlier at the show and a member there will be able to assist). Make sure their cage at home is clean - otherwise when they have a bath and are all clean, they can become dirty again from being in an unclean cage. Give the guinea pig a bath |
| DECIDE ON WHO TO TAKE Cavies who are entered in the show must be in good health - with no noticable problems such as injured backs, fungal infections, lice or mites. Cavies are to have NO missing hair (apart from a small patch behind the ears). They must be over 3months of age, and can not be pregnant. |
| HOUSING YOUR CAVY AT THE SHOW The main things to consider when choosing a way to house your cavy are that #1 - it is secure (you do not want your cavy escaping!) and #2 - that there is ample ventilation and airflow. Cavy cages are often available to purchase at shows, but you can easily make your own or purchase one from a petshop. Make sure that it has a solid base, is lined with newspaper and woodchips, has food in there for your cavy to eat, has a secure lid and lots of airflow. |
| THE JUDGING PROCESS The PET class will be called early in the morning, after the Junior Exhibitor and Novice classes. The judge will call them up by their "TAG" number - a different number given to each cavy, it will be written on your entry form along with a sticker which goes onto your cavy's left ear. Bring your cavy to the table on a show board (available at the show, or you can make your own) and place them on the table infront of the judge along with the other members. |
| WHAT DOES THE JUDGE LOOK FOR IN YOUR CAVY? Many people ask "what are they judged on?". Well, there are a few things that the judge looks for when judging a pet cavy. These are: *Cleanliness - is the cavy clean? Is the coat looking and feeling nice and soft? Are the nails trimmed? *Friendliness - how is the guinea pig at being held? - does it struggle? are they a friendly cavy? do they bite? *General Condition - is the cavy healthy looking? - not too skinny? is it a good size for its age? note: The PET class is not judged on the particular colour or markings - as these cavies are "pets" and not exhibition cavies. |
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| read here about OWNING A CAVY |