Showing

If you want a show puppy, you must tell the breeder as early as possible so that he/she can help you to select one of suitable quality. That means the puppy is of good conformation, sound temperament, and correct coat, be sturdy and healthily in appearance. When we are selling puppies that have show potential we never guarantee anything, except that the puppy is displaying the promise to make the show ring. For every puppy that has this potential for showing probably no more than five per cent will actually win in the ring.



HINTS FOR PURCHASING YOUR FIRST SHOW DOG - SHOWING

· Your puppy must be "pure bred". That is, he must be pedigreed and you must have the pedigree papers.

· “It is the breeder’s responsibility to sign the transfer section on the reverse side of the papers to allow the new owner to transfer the pup into their name.”

· Ensure that the breeder feels the puppy is of potential show quality and is registered with the Kennel Club.

· When you pick up your pup ensure the pedigree papers go with you.

· Always ensure you attend a show prior to exhibiting a puppy in your first show.

TRAINING AND GROOMING FOR THE BIG DAY

· Train your puppy daily on a lead, practicing gaiting (the pattern of movement at varying speeds and varying placement of feet) and show stance (the best possible standing position for judging purposes), for about ten minutes per session, several times daily, if time permits. The breeder will probably help you with the correct stance and speed at which to show your breed.

· Teach your puppy to be a relaxed traveller (a sick dog is no fun) by starting with short trips and gradually increase the length, until your dog is a comfortable traveler.

· Brush or comb your puppy, removing loose hair and knots, weekly to get it used to the grooming routine.

· Maintain coat and body condition with good diet (perhaps including oil), exercise and a thorough worming program. Regular vaccinations are compulsory and also essential to health.

· On the weekend before the show check that your puppy's teeth are clean, if necessary have your vet clean them and trim claws for neat feet.

· Wash your puppy the day before the show. Once again, the breeder should help you with how best to prepare your puppy's coat for the show ring.

· As you can appreciate, show days can be long and tiring so it is wise to consider your own comfort as well as the safety and comfort of your dog. Go armed with a bottle and a bowl for the dog's water, some lunch for both of you, a chair, an umbrella or a tent for shelter, a crate, trolley or table to secure your dog at the show. Remember, your dog must not be left unattended at the show. Don't forget your exhibit number and of course some grooming equipment.

· Make sure you know exactly where the show is and how to get there.

· Whatever your results are at the end of the day, remember that there is always another show!

HOW WILL I KNOW WHAT SHOWS ARE ON?

Dog shows conducted under the Kennel Clubs regulations and organised by Affiliated Clubs and held throughout the year all over the Country.

Suggestion: Highlight suitable shows and mark closing date of entries, journal page number and date of show on a calendar. Don't forget to send your entries well before the closing date.

HOW DO I ENTER MY PUPPY IN A SHOW?

Official entry forms may be purchased from the show secretary, some breed clubs and some vendors at dog shows.

WHAT NAME DO I USE FOR MY PUP?

Although you will call your puppy by a pet name at home, when he is entered in a show, this must be done under his correct, pedigree name, as it appears on their registration papers. His mother and father have pedigree names too, and these must also appear on your entry forms.

WHAT CLASS DO I ENTER?

On the back of the entry forms you will find the standard classification of classes at dog shows, these classes are governed by age restrictions and your dog may only be eligible to enter certain classes.

CAN I ENTER MORE THAN ONE CLASS?

You are not restricted to entering only one class, once your puppy is over six months the usual practice is to enter your dog in his appropriate class, you can also enter sweepstakes for your dogs age group.

I'VE POSTED MY ENTRY, WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

Some time before the show you will receive a receipt for your entry fee together with a piece of card bearing a large black number. This is your puppy's catalogue number/exhibit number, and when you take him to the show YOU must wear this number somewhere on your left hand side (usually on the left arm above the elbow) clothing where it will be easily seen by the ring Stewards and the Judge when you take your pup into the show ring.

ON THE DAY!

You've filled out the form, received your exhibit's number, washed, groomed and trimmed your pup and the great day has arrived!

Double check in the Journal what time the judging is due to start. It is wise to plan your arrival at the show in plenty of time to find yourself a place to park your car, find the right ring, find a place to sit with your pup in the shade and wait for the judging of his breed and to have time to settle your squeaky clean pup and give him a quick once over with a brush or comb to make him look his best.

HOW DO I KNOW WHICH RING TO GO TO?

Shows at which all breeds of dogs are being exhibited will usually have at least one ring for each Group. Pedigree dogs are divided into seven groups. The names and numbers of these groups are: -

1. Toys
2. Terriers
3. Gundogs
4. Hounds
5. Working Dogs
6. Utility Dogs
7. Non Sporting Dogs

You probably know already which group your pup belongs to, but if you are not sure then buy a catalogue and a quick glance will tell you.

Each ring should be clearly marked with the name and/or number of the breeds or groups being judged there, together with the name of the judge for the day. To save yourself traipsing all over the grounds looking for your show ring, when you collect your catalogue, ask the Secretary of the show where your ring is, or where a map of the show layout can be found.

THE JUDGING HAS STARTED, NOW WHAT?

Ensure that you check the catalogue to see when your breed is being judged, unless your pup belongs to a breed which is at the beginning of the group, you will have some time to wait.

Make sure you can hear the steward calling breeds and classes from where you choose to sit, or go over to the ring now and then to check which breed/class the judge is up to. When the class before your pups is being judged, take your pup over to the ringside (but not in the way of dogs and handlers going in to or coming out of the ring) and listen for your class to be announced and your number called. Note that a role call may be made while the previous class is still being judged.

While you are waiting at ringside:

· watch carefully the procedure in the ring
· where the steward is lining up the dogs ready for the judge
· what the judge does when he examines each dog
· the pattern he is asking handlers to follow when they are parading their dogs.

This will help you to feel a little less like a 'fish out of water' when your turn comes.

When you hear your number called by the steward, answer clearly "Here" and enter the ring, going to where the steward directs if your pup is first into the ring or following the other pups if he is further down the line.

When the steward assembles your class, the numbers are called in order and a line is formed to enter the ring.

OK, now it's your turn! Always follow the judge's instructions and be courteous and considerate at all times to the judge, steward and other exhibitors. The judge will probably ask you and the other exhibitors in your class to gait your puppies once around the ring before standing your puppy back in front of them, (allow approximately two metres between dogs when gaiting dogs with other exhibitors). The judge will then examine your dog from nose to tail, either on the ground or a table for small breeds, to check for correct conformation (the outward appearance and physical formation of a canine. The overall quality of a dog's structure, form and arrangement of parts), coat and condition. You will again be asked to gait your dog individually to assess movement.

You should have practiced standing him at home and getting members of the family or friends to pretend to judge him, therefore the procedure should not be too strange to your puppy when he is in the ring.

JUDGING

As a new exhibitor, do you find the show ring a bit bewildering? The judging procedure may seem like a maze but basically it is a knock out contest with winners ascending to the next level of competition. By the end of the show there is one winner from the total show entry and that exhibit is Best In Show.

Along the way to this ultimate prize, there are other prestigious awards, Best In Group, Runner Up Best In Group, Best of Breed, Runner Up Best of Breed and Best in Class.

For new exhibitors a breed club show or parade is a very good learning experience as
it is a more relaxed atmosphere.


CLASS JUDGING

As each class enters the ring, the steward will tell the first person in the line whether the dog should go straight to the table or if the judge wants the class to parade around the ring before coming to the table. Each dog is examined, then is gaited for the judge to assess movement, either in a triangle, a circle or out in a straight line and back to the judge, make sure you listen to the judge's instructions.

When all the dogs in the class have been examined, the placings are given. Win or lose, don't forget to thank the judge and the steward and accept your placing gracefully. Bad sportsmanship in the ring is very undesirable and dog showing is meant to be enjoyable!

If your dog is aged over six months and wins it's class, stay near the ring as you will need to go back into the ring for the Challenge line up. All exhibits over the age of six months, placed second in their class need to stay nearby in case the Challenge winner comes from the class in which your dog was shown. In that case you will be called back into the line up for the judge to choose the Reserve Challenge winner. Later on all class winners including Baby Puppies go back into the ring for opposite sex judging (ie dog opposing bitch).

ORDER OF JUDGING

In each breed, males are shown first, beginning with baby Puppies and the judging moves up through the classes until all the males have been judged and the Dog Challenge and Reserve Dog Challenge are awarded. All class winners other than Baby Puppies enter the line ups for the judge to select the Challenge Dog.

After all the males have been shown and the Challenge and Reserve Challenge awards are made, judging for the bitches follows. This process is done in the same way as the dog challenge.

Best of Breed is then judged between the Challenge Dog and the Challenge Bitch.

Opposite Sex judging for each class begins after the Best of Breed and Runner Up have been awarded, this is where the first place dog and bitch compete for Opposite Sex. Commencing with Baby Puppies, the judging works upwards to the Open class, excepting that whichever classes the Best of Breed winners came from, then those Classes are automatically awarded to the Best of Breed winners, except if BOB runner up came from the same class as the BOB winner.

If for any class there is no Opposite Sex entry, the award is automatic for the dog or bitch which won it's class e.g. if the dog is the winner of the Minor Puppy dog class and there were no Minor Puppy bitches exhibited, the Best Minor Puppy of Breed is an automatic award to the dog/bitch


Pretty heady stuff by the time you reach the end of the day and win or lose everybody goes home with a tale to tell!

Dog showing is fun and dog show people can be very helpful and friendly.

Never be afraid to ask someone if you need help. If you don't hear what a steward or judge tells you, don't be afraid to ask them to repeat it.

If you're still not sure how to go about showing, then don't be afraid to ask someone for help. This will help you get the fullest enjoyment out of showing. Your breeder or your breed Club Secretary are excellent sources of assistance too.

One thing to remember is that you have paid for the judge of the day's opinion, and each judge may place a different emphasis on the hallmarks and conformation that are required in the standard of your breed.

This is what showing is all about and this does not necessarily mean your dog is not a good specimen of its breed if it does not win all the time.

So, the lights are down, the curtains up and you're on - good luck showing and make sure you and your pet have fun! this is more important than the showing. Enjoy

Put together by Colin and Sarah from our times at shows.