Dog portraits

My other hobby besides photography is going to the odd dog show and taking portaits of the dogs. I usualy ask the owner to stand the dog at an angle were I get a shot front and side and focus on the eyes and try to get a nice depth of feild to try and provide detail across the body. Can anyone offer more help or ideas please. Also at these shows nearly all the photographers use zoom lenses when they have the dog at there finger tips and could position the dog anyware. Surely a prime lens say 50 or 70mm would give a better and sharper result any observations as to why they go for the zoom lens anyone.

As you said, the zoom lens is pointless if the dog is right there
But perhaps they are also photographing the dogs during the shows when they are far away etc?

If you do have a prime though, for what you are doing its alot better
And if you dont I would suggest buying the 50mm F/1.4, not only would it be perfect for this (its ultra sharp stopped down to around F/4, and sharp at F/2, F/1.4 is kinda soft, but again still sharp), it makes a perfect lens that you find you couldnt live without simply because of the large aperture. Plus its great value.

I would say with that portrait that its overexposed. Although we are looking at the dog, the pavement is still there, and very white. Maybe in future if you are shooting dark dogs, place them on a darker surface so that highlights arent blown.

Otherwise I think the method you have is very good, because it is important to capture the whole of their body and the shape of it.

As a documentary shot this is fine, but if the owner wants to hang it on the wall then a more arty aproach would help. for instance, in this shot the background is distracting. Loki (left) likes to get up to my level by standing on walls and boulders and he looks great up there at eye level.
So if you can get the background a lot further away so it blurs nicely and maybe shoot the dog in the evening light, I'm sure it will help.

Thanks guys found the replys most helpful Im slowly building up a kit but a good prime lens will be part of it.