Showing your Dog
The most popular form of canine competition in this country is the dog show - the formal
‘beauty contests’ for pure-bred dogs, such as can be seen at Crufts. The Kennel Club has set
a ‘Breed Standard’ for every breed of dog, which represents the ideal conformation and
characteristics for that breed. At shows, the Judge must compare each dog with the breed
standard to find the dog nearest to that ideal picture of the breed.
Types of show
The number of categories and grades of dog shows can be bewildering
for anyone new to dog showing. There is a lot of jargon used to
describe shows which can all be pretty confusing to newcomers.
The first question you should ask yourself is whether you want to enter
a single breed show (specific to your breed), or a general multi-breed
show.
Single breed shows, as the name suggests, have classes for just one
breed of dog and are organised by a Breed Club. Such shows are
likely to attract breed specialists who may have been involved in the
breeding and showing of a particular breed for many years and, as such, can provide you with an opportunity to really learn about your breed from the experts. The club show may be the main event of the club’s year so there could be a large entry of keen and experienced competitors with plenty of specialist classes scheduled.
Some people prefer to start out on their show career by entering general shows that schedule classes for several breeds of dog. These shows are run by general canine societies and are a good testing ground for new exhibitors and judges. As the show will not be run by a specialist breed club there will not be a huge selection of classes for each breed and some breeds may not even have their own classes, but will be all in together in a Variety Class. As there are many more general canine societies than there are breed clubs, there are always plenty of these shows held every year.
Classes
Once you have found your way to the right part of the Show Schedule you must select which class, or classes, you would like to enter. Open shows can schedule over 20 classes for each breed and, with detailed definitions for each class, it can all be rather confusing.
As a new exhibitor you will be interested in the beginners’ classes which are either restricted to dogs of a certain age, or limited by the number of first prizes your dog may have won.
Age restricted classes
Minor Puppy, Puppy and Junior are all classes restricted to dogs of certain ages. No dogs may compete at Kennel Club licensed events until they are at least 6 months of age on the first day of the show. If your puppy is registered as being born on 1.1.97 he will not be eligible to enter shows until 1.7.97. If it is a two day show, and your breed is scheduled on the second day, your puppy can only take part if he was six months old on the first day of the show, rather than the day he is to compete. To calculate your puppy’s upper age limit you can see that a dog born on 1.1.97 will come out of Minor Puppy for shows which start on, or after, 2.10.97, and out of Junior for all shows which start on, or after, 2.7.98.
Minor Puppy - For dogs of 6 and not exceeding 9 calendar months of age on the first day of the show.
Puppy - For dogs of 6 and not exceeding 12 calendar months of age on the first day of the show.
Junior - For dogs of 6 and not exceeding 18 calendar months on the first day of the show.
Qualification restricted classes
There are many other classes which can be scheduled which will be restricted by the awards your dog has gained in previous shows. The awards which should be counted towards qualifying for the various classes will differ depending on whether you enter a Limited show, or whether you enter an Open or Championship show.
Show Schedules will carry a full definition of each class so there is no need to memorise all the complicated qualifications for each class!
All dogs can enter the Open class regardless of age or previous wins and many show societies might just put on a puppy class and an open class for each breed particularly if it is a small show.
It is also worth mentioning that you are not limited to just one class - you can enter as many classes as your dog is eligible for and that you wish to compete in.
