At the beginning of the month, I posted some pictures from the Detroit Kennel Club Show, here. Several people commented that they had never been to a show or didn’t understand how they worked. When we started to show Thunder, I was in the same boat. Dog shows were very confusing. Why did some of the dogs keep going back into the ring? Why did the people make the dogs run around and around the ring? What was the judge looking for when he or she felt the dog all over? Why does the judge look into the dog’s mouth? I am no expert, and really am only familiar with Chessies, but here are some of the basics.
First thing to do is to figure out how to enter a show.
Dog shows are held by clubs. Shows may be just for one breed (called a “Specialty Show”) or they may be for all AKC recognized breeds (called “All Breed Shows”) and sometimes they are for a specific group of dogs, (say the “Sporting Group” or the “Hound Group”). When a club puts on a show, they have to put out a “Premium List”. The AKC has specific requirements for what has to be in the Premium List, but generally it contains all of the specifics of a show such as the time, date, location of the show and the date and time that entries close. It also lists the names of the judges, and the prizes offered, (the AKC also has minimum requirements for prize ribbons). The Premium also lists the classes (or entry categories) being offered for conformation and if there is Rally, or Obedience or Agility offered, that will also be listed. Basically all the information about the show is contained in the Premium List. Here is a PDF example of a Premium List for an upcoming show.
The regular classes that are generally offered at each show are:
- Puppy, 6 & Under 9 Months
- Puppy, 9 & Under 12 Months
- Dogs/Bitches, 12 & Under 18 Months
- Novice
- Amateur-Owner-Handler
- Bred by Exhibitor
- American-Bred
- Open
The classes that the AKC requires to be offered are in blue. The others are optional, but most are offered at most shows. The classes are divided by sex, meaning that males compete against males and females against females. Sometimes the classes are further divided for certain breeds, say by color. coat, or size. If so, it will be listed in the Premium List. The dogs in each class compete against one another. Then each dog who has placed first in its class competes against the others who have placed first in their class until one is awarded “Winner’s Dog”. The bitches do the same until one is awarded “Winner’s Bitch”. Championship points are awarded to “Winner’s Dog” and “Winner’s Bitch”. The number of points depends on the number of dogs/bitches the winner has defeated.
Sometimes a breed club will help out the club holding a show and offer larger ribbons or additional prizes for placements at a show. This is called a “Supported Entry”. At Supported Entries, sometimes Non-regular classes are offered. For Chessies non-regular classes may include Hunting Dogs and Bitches, (must have a hunting title), Field Trial Dogs and Bitches, (must have field trial placements) and Veteran Dogs and Bitches, (7 or 8 years old and up, may be further divided by age). Dogs do not earn points toward their championship from Non-Regular classes; however, if they win their class they advance to the Best of Breed competition.
In addition to all of the classes (regular and non-regular) a dog/bitch can also be entered in Best of Breed. These are dogs/bitches who have already earned their championship, (called “Specials”). Should a dog/bitch win “Best of Breed” it would advance to compete in the Group competition with the Group winners competing for Best in Show.
Sometimes when there is a Supported Entry there is also a Puppy and Veterans Sweepstakes. This is a separate entry and the prizes include a cut of the entry money, (in addition to other prizes and ribbons). No points are earned by winning a Sweepstakes, just the prizes and bragging rights. 🙂 The club supporting the entry donates the prizes, which usually means individual members of the club will donate prizes/ribbons for both the Sweepstakes and the Classes/Best of Breed.
These are the basic ways to enter a dog show. Next week what happens in the ring. Tomorrow, I hope to have some follow-up and answer some of the questions from comments. Hopefully…
Very interesting. I always wondered what the “back story” was! 🙂
Thanks! It’s nice to know how things really work. There sure is a lot of work put into these shows both by the clubs and the competitors. This really is a world of it’s own!
I always wondered if the dogs get stressed under these types of situations. Have you noticed any of that happening or are dogs just used to going here and have no issues with it?
Thanks for the informative post!
Jodi- It all depends on the dog and how you handle it. Luna was exposed to crowds and handling classes as a puppy. Nothing overly crowded at the classes just to practice in an actual ring with an actual Judge. She did her first show when she was 2 days older than 6 months and walked in that packed, busy, loud show building with not a care in the world. Tail was up, nose was going and she exhausted herself just watching everything. I have seen plenty of dogs who do not like shows, or take a while to warm up. I do think a lot of this happens because people will enter them into shows later in their life either as older puppies or adult dogs and it is the first time they really were in a situation like that. If you introduce it in fun and exciting ways early on they are typically just fine. There is your long answer to a simple question lol.
A
Thanks for sharing. We have only done one Rally show. I qualified and got the blue ribbon in the puppy class. It was a lot of fun!!
Doggy Kisses,
Tanner
Great explanation, I will have to remember this post to link it if I post again about shows. Have you heard of the new class they have started to offer? I think it is is “Gun Dog” or “Hunting Dog” basically you can enter this class if you have any HT title, or qualifying pass. It also allows FC too I believe… Not sure but I LOVE that AKC created this class as it really opens it up a bit to showcase those dogs that both hunt and show. I am not sure how points break down, but if you win that class you get to compete for Breed by default. Pretty cool IMO.
Anna
http://www.akginspiration.com
I think it would be so exciting to go to a dog show, any kind!
Dog shows sound cool. I know you get prizes, but do you get treats? I’m totally in if treats are included!!
AROOOOOF!
Boondocks & The Love Shack Pack
An excellent post!! Thanks for the great information!
Very informative and interesting. We have though about entering a couple of our show quality collies (some are not show quality but they are just as wonderful.. 🙂 ) but they are such clowns that I can imagine Lad stopping as he passed the Judge and marking him…. LOL…. a nightmare come true…. Great post!
Your friends,
the naughty collies and chuck 🙂
Thank you Linda, for a great post! I love dog shows and used to go often when I was still in Finland. I entered with my dogs and often went also without them. My Best Show was with my dear Afghan ‘Platina’ who came 4th Best in Show (and in my home town)! I was only 16 and so proud! I couldn’t believe when we just continued and continues!
Here in Greece dog shows are not so common even there is sometimes. Many dogs aren’t clear breed, like my beautiful Nero. He is half German and half Belgium Shephard. Hanna and Foxy … I don’t have any idea what breed mix they can be.
I miss a lot the magical atmosphere in dog shows! The sound, smell, all the beautiful dogs, shops for the dog things … it is a wonderful hobby and for me it’s not the winning, just being there with so many dogs and dog-people!
Last time I went to a dog show few years ago in Finland, It was so nice. I need to check if there is any close to me now when I go there.
Happy weekend to you and your lovely puppies! x Teje
Our good friend that we bought our Spins from tries to explain dog shows to us but it’s confusing. Sometimes we’re not sure whether to congratulate her or console her!