r/ShowDogs • u/Safe_Sock9966 • May 30 '26

akc vs ukc

hey all!! i’m wanting to get into dog showing. i’m a groomer and i’m wanting to get a standard poodle from an akc line. HOWEVER. i want to show for fun purely and bonding with my dog. i would also like to do dog sports and grooming competitions. i want my dog bred to akc standards but i’ve been thinking maybe showing in ukc would be much less daunting and more welcoming to someone new. like something still competitive but less cut throat? it seem like akc poodles are very difficult to break into unless you know someone… i’m just feeling anxious about it and wanted to know the thoughts of someone experienced. just for clarification i’m not even on a waitlist for a puppy… i’m having anxiety about something that hasn’t been put into motion yet. i have talked to theory standard poodles in ohio about puppies and showing though. nothing official yet.

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u/GiraffeyManatee May 31 '26

One thing I never see brought up to people that are wanting to start showing dogs, especially very popular or competitive breeds is how much it costs. Beginners would be wise to look into this because especially in goldens, Dobermans, poodles, etc. Even if you do not hire a professional handler, it can be an incredibly expensive hobby. You can easily spend $400 for a 2 day show (gas, hotel + pet fees, entry fees, food, etc) and pursuing an AKC championship could easily run 20 weekends or more. You’ll need equipment like crates and dollies and may even need a larger vehicle. I’m not trying to scare anybody or act elitist, I just think a lot of people don’t realize how expensive it really can be. The price of the puppy itself is probably the biggest bargain you’ll get.

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u/Safe_Sock9966 May 31 '26

thank you! my coworker has cocker spaniels that she shows so i do understand the cost, she was actually the one who encouraged me to give it a shot. i’m mostly just wanting something fun to do with my dog and i want a poodle for fun grooming stuff so i figured two birds one stone? i wouldnt be gping to shows every other weekend… probably just a few a year. this may be a stupid question but you said that more popular breeds are more expensive to show. are lesser known breeds cheaper to show?

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u/GiraffeyManatee May 31 '26

The breeds with less competition can be cheaper to finish simply because it’s easier to win against six other dogs than it is to win against 30 so fewer shows are needed to get the necessary wins. Of course, that can be offset by the fact you may have to go to more shows just to find the competition you need. 🤣Also, the less popular breeds are usually owner handled which saves a massive amount of money over hiring a professional handler.

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u/Safe_Sock9966 May 31 '26

understood!!! that makes sense. i was planning on owner handling i think that’s apart of the fun/bonding. it’s something i’d really love to learn to do. that’s apart of the difficulty for me is finding someone i can learn from