Dog showing is not for the Elite. Anybody can have a go!
You could either just do a few small local shows in your area, or if the 'bug' gets you, you have the option of travelling as far a field as you wish.
For Dalmatians, you will need a dog that is Kennel Club registered. You should have got the KC registration with your puppy.
If you don't have a registered Dalmatian, you can enter 'Companion' dog shows.
These are very relaxed affairs, with some novelty classes as well. You will have great fun with your Dalmatian and nothing is better than coming home with your first rosette!
Details of Companion shows can be found on the Kennel Club website.
Some people are quite happy to stick to Companion shows, but often you will wish to progress up the ladder to bigger shows.
There are two main types of bigger shows; Open Shows and Championship shows.
You can only win certificates to make your Dalmatian a Champion at Championship shows; however Open shows are always a good place to start and learn.
Why not attend one without your dog first, and see how it works.
Details of shows, secretaries and the closing date of entry to enter are put in either of the dog papers:
OUR DOGS & DOG WORLD
These can be ordered through your local newsagent. They also have interesting news items and also all critiques from the judges if your dog is placed 1st or 2nd in a class.
You can also pick up Schedules at the shows.
At a show the judge is comparing your dog to the Kennel Club Breed standard.
It's like a 'blueprint' of what the ideal Dalmatian should be like.
The judge will want to 'go over' your dog (get their hands on them) to feel how they are constructed and also to see your dog move at the 'trot', from behind/front and the side. 
CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWS
…….have a large number of Dalmatians entered, on average 120.
Classes are split into dogs and bitches. The dogs are always judged first.
These shows are always BENCHED; a small bench is provided for your dog/bitch in Surname alphabetical order with all the Dalmatians together. You will need to provide a bed and a secure collar and benching chain that will secure the dog to a ring at the back of the bench, or one of the fabric kennels that are now available When filling in an entry form, check details and double check! If this information is not correct you can have any wins taken away from you. It is also important to check you have entered them in the right class and for the right sex.
It is a good idea to arrive quite early. It can really help the 'nerves' to have plenty of time to find your bench, exercise and toilet your dog, settle them on the bench & find out where your judging ring is.
At all shows you can purchase a Catalogue. This will list all the exhibits with pedigrees, breeders, date of birth etc. It also lists the classes in judging order, so you can find out when roughly your class will be on and how many are in your class. It also has space for you to write the results in (usually listed on a board outside the ring if you miss them), this can be a useful keepsake to know how your puppy did, against what dogs, under what judge.
Championship Shows are the only shows in which each best dog and best bitch can win a Challenge Certificate. You need three of these under three different judges to qualify as a UK Champion.
After the dog classes have been judged, all the winners of each class go back into the ring to compete for the Challenge Certificate. After the bitch classes, the same happens. The best dog and the best bitch then go in to compete for Best Of Breed.
You can also qualify for CRUFTS at a Champ show. You have to win 1st, 2nd or 3rd in certain classes.
OPEN SHOWS
Open shows are much smaller and also cheaper to enter. But you can't win Challenge Certificates at them. They can be a really useful training ground for yourself and the dog.
Again, these will be advertised in the dog press, and you should be able to find quite a few through the year that are held near to where you live.
There will be only a few classes, and some of these might be mixed dog/bitch. All class winners will go back in together to compete for Best of Breed and Best Puppy in breed.
At both Open and Championship shows Best of Breed winners then go on to the Utility group
If you win this, you will then go on to compete for Best In Show.
Most open shows are not benched and can be quite busy around the rings. Dog tents/crates can come in handy here. You can also do some socialising with other dogs walking around the show. But do be aware that a lot of dogs do not have the nice temperament that your dog has!
It may also take a bit of time for your dog to get used to all the people and the noise, particularly if the show is indoors.
Open shows are also a good opportunity to meet other Dalmatian people who live in your area.
The social side to showing is half the fun! 
ANYTHING ELSE?
RINGCRAFT classes are a good idea to help you teach the dog how to behave in the show ring and to teach you how to handle. They are also excellent for socialising the dog with people and other dogs; these can be found through the Kennel Club.
It is not considered 'nice' to take your bitch to a show if she is in season. This can be very distracting for the male exhibits and they might not show at all. You will of course see this happening a lot, as it is not a rule. But courtesy shown to your fellow exhibitors will be remembered and paid back in due course.
It may be worth vaccinating your dog against Kennel Cough. It is not serious, but uncomfortable for the dog. This is a very contagious disease that can easily spread in places where large amounts of dogs meet.
Everybody into dogs, has their own opinion on EVERYTHING! The art is to listen to all the advice and sift accordingly. At the end of the day, you have to look after your dog according to your own circumstances and your dog's own particular needs. You can pick up some really useful advice however, particularly if you are a novice to the showing game and that is the other half of the fun of showing: learning all about Dalmatians, dogs and showing. You never stop learning!!
MOST IMPORTANTLY:
Always remember that showing should be fun, for you and the dog.
Winning isn't everything (although, you will love it!!), and no matter what your dog does on the day, you will always take the best dog home with you!!
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