Tag: dog show

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Dog Show Terms Defined

Dog Show Terms Defined
By Bonnie, Nickolai Borzoi – Ohio

1. Great stud dog…..Mounts anything that can fog a mirror.

2. Excels in movement.….If he gets loose, runs like Hell.

3. Personality Plus…..Wakes up if you put liver up his nose.

4. Good bite…..Missed the judge, got the steward.

5. Large boned…..Looks like a Clydesdale.

6. Good Obedience prospect…..Smart enough to come in from the rain but ugly.

7. Quiet and good natured …..In his kennel.

8. Excels in type and style…..However, moves like a spider on speed.

9. Won in stiff competition…..Beat 4 puppies and a 9 year old novice dog.

10. Multiple group winner…..At 2 puppy matches.

11. Pointed…..His head is shaped like a carrot.

12. Noted Judge…..He put up our dog.

13. Respected Judge…..He put up our dog twice.

14. Esteemed Judge…..He puts up anything that crawls.

15. Specialty Judge…..Puts up anything that looks like his own breeding.

16. Won in heavy competition…..The others were revoltingly overweight.

17. Shown Sparingly…..Only when we had it in the bag.

18. Show Prospect…..He has 4 legs, 2 eyes, 2 ears, and 1 tail.

19. Finished in 5 shows…..And 89 where he failed to win a ribbon.

20. Well Balanced…..Straight as a stick, front and rear

21. Handled brilliantly by…..Nobody else can get near him.

22. At stud to “approved” bitches…..Those bitches whose owners check is “approved” by our bank.

23. Linebred from famous champions…..Ch Whoozitz appears twice 6th generation.

24. Terrific brood bitch…..Her conformation is the pits, but she throws big litters.

25. Wins another Best In Show…..His second, under the same judge, our uncle.

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Getting started

Winning Paws Ringcraft (Stotfold)

Winning Paws Ringcraft (Stotfold)
I’ve just got in from the first Winning Paws Ringcraft, held at the Roecroft Centre in Stotfold, Bedfordshire.

I (Roxanne) and my friend Jane Ashwell-Carter have taken on the slot of Roecroft Ringcraft after it faced closure. Both of us wanted to keep this local, friendly ringcraft going and it has been in my mind for ages to set up a ringcraft class and with Jane this will be a great partnership and with the help of her son Michael.

Our first night I can only claim as a success. We are so pleased with the amount of support that turned up for our first night and hope you all enjoyed yourselves. Although we weren’t expecting the amount that turned up and didn’t plan for it, we think it went well. Don’t think every session will be the same, we will try and do different things each time to get the dogs used to different things.

I just want to share some lovely comments we have received already on our opening night from Facebook;

“Thank you both for a most enjoyable evening, thank Michael for helping look after my dogs and look forward to the next one. Good company, good training and nice cuppa and cake.”

“Viva sleeping soundly after her first session. Many thanks ladies, see you in two weeks.”

“I am looking forward to the next one! Excellent environment for my pup to be in and chatted to some lovely people and not forgetting the first class training too! So pleased with Bo this evening. Thank you.”

Editor note: Due to time commitments of both Roxanne and Jane, the ringcraft in Stotfold has now closed. This was a hard decision, and we both miss the club.

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Dog Show people

Dog Show people
I just had to share this with you all.

Dog Show people are a special breed, not usually recognised by the KC.

They usually have crates in their living rooms, keep messy houses, but their kennels are spotless.

They can always find a show catalogue within an arms reach and have kids who know more about the ‘birds and the bees’ when they are five year old than most people know at 40.

Dog Show people will drive 200 miles, spend £50 on petrol and £20 on meals, to bring home a piece of card.

Dog Show people drive vans. They can never be reached on weekends, unless you happen to be at the same show.

They have trouble getting to work on time but can be at ringside by 8:00am.

Dog show people will give up a £250,000 home to move to a shack on 10 acres so they can have a £150,000 dog kennel.

Dog Show people have children who grow up believing ‘Bitch’ is just another household word.

Dog show people do not have neat gardens.

Dog show people may pay the mortgage 10 days late BUT never miss a closing date for entries.

Dog show people would rather be audited by the Inland Revenue than investigated by the KC.

Dog show people use dog food bags for rubbish and rubbish bins for dog food.

Dog show people talk on the phone for hours to another dog person in a language known only to dog people.

(Author Unknown)

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Getting started

The long day at a dog show!

The long day at a dog show!
Dog shows are known to be long days. We start early, get home late and spend a lot of time waiting around! Today in particular! As I write this, I am at a show at the kennel club building!

It was a later than normal start for us and I was picked up at 10pm (I have the pleasure of going to shows with my parents). We were third in the ring behind two numerically strong breeds so didn’t have to be here at the crack of dawn.

Judges ahead of us appeared slow but eventually we got into the ring. I never took note of this time and we were far to busy having a laugh and joke with friends.

After taking best puppy in breed we now have the long wait for the rest of the Gundogs to also be judged. It’s getting dark outside and still plenty of breeds to do.

But do I regret coming? No way! I have had a great day with friends, some lovely results and now I can’t wait to watch our puppy in the puppy group and support our best of breed.

Its been a great show, although long day. I have spoken with friends, put the world to right and now look forward to another cup of coffee and taking the dogs for a walk.

This is what showing is about!

FUN!!!!!!!!!!

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Getting started Show dog training

The importance of socialisation

The importance of socialisation
Some show dogs can be made or lost depending to how well they were socialised as a puppy. Even with perfect conformation and breed type, any dog needs the correct temperament to make it in the ring. A dog which is shy with people and wilts like a flower when you take them to new places, will never perform well enough to win in the ring. This said, it’s important to remember the difference with “reserved with strangers” and shy in the ring as some breed standards will describe the breed as the former.

General socialisation
To help with socialisation, take your new puppy everywhere you can with you. Expose him/her to as many new places as possible with as many different people, dogs, situations, noises, etc.

Also attend puppy training/socialisation classes to introduce new dogs and a different hall.

Specific socialisation for show dogs
Introduce from an early age, lots of different kinds of surfaces to walk on including grass, cement, concrete, carpet, linoleum and rubber matting so different surfaces are a norm for a show dogs.

Encourage people to pet her all over her body including down legs and picking up paws. This will help to simulate a judges movements of “going over” your dog and get him/her used to be touched. Also don’t forget to gt your pup used to having strangers looking at her teeth, just be careful not to over do this and never push it when a puppy is teething.

Confidence
All of these experiences will teach you pup to take everything in their stride and give them the confidence.

Confidence is a key trait found in all top show dogs that gives them the winning stride and attitude that judges love to see.

Of course, top top it all, the handler also needs to be confident.

 

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Handling training Judging

Using mats

Using mats
Lots of open shows are still held in sports halls which have slippery surfaces. The society will supply matting to stop dogs slipping, so why do judges want and expect handlers to move their dog off the mat?

For the safety of your dog, please, always use the mats available where possible and if, for any reason, you don’t use the mats, please be careful with your dog that they don’t slip.

To judges: Please consider handlers and their dogs when judging and consider the mats your have in your ring. Do not expect handlers to put their dogs at risk and although smallr dogs may be ok, a fast moving dog may not be.

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Top Tips

Top Tip #28

Top Tip #28
Remember the show results are not final until the card/rosette is handed to you. Keep showing and presenting your dog to the judge until the card/rosette is in your hand.

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Getting started

Knowledge of Dogs

Knowledge of Dogs
In handling classes you may be asked questions on dog anatomy or breed- specific questions about the breed you are showing or about other breeds and groups. Therefore it is important to know and understand dog anatomy and know the history of the breed you are handling and roughly know the breed standard and characteristics.

If you are handling dogs in the breed ring, understanding the dog anatomy, construction and the breed standard will allow you to ‘judge’ the dog you have in the ring and understand it’s streghts and weaknesses. Once you know what these are you can try and hide the faults where possible to make the dog look better.

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Getting started

Respect and Manners

Respect & Manners to the judge and other exhibitors
Keep making eye contact with the judge but be careful not to stare them down. Remember you are there to show your dog off to the judge, be polite and always present the dog for the judge to see. For example, stand the dog where the judge wants them stood and get out the way of the judge by stepping aside if needed.

When doing circuits and if you are first in line, ask the handler behind you if they are ready to go and check the other handlers look ready before setting off. Also be courteous to other exhibit by not letting your dog wander towards the centre of the ring and keep your dog calm not jumping around in the line.

Don’t forget to always thank the judge and congratulate the winners of your class.

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Getting started

Which class to enter? Part 2 (Crufts qualifiers)

Which class to enter? Part 2 (Crufts qualifiers)
When entering a champ show to qualify for Crufts there are two things to consider. 1) does your breed have CC’s on offer and 2) which class is a qualifier?

Breeds with Challenge Certificates (CCs) in the UK
If your breed has CC status (I.e dogs can become UK Champions) then make sure the show you want to enter has CCs on offer for your breed. If the show doesn’t have CCs for your breed, only Best of Breed and Best Puppy in Breed can qualify. If the show does have CCs on offer for your breed, then you can qualify by winning first, second or third in a qualifying class. Qualifying classes for Crufts 2013 are;

Minor Puppy
Puppy
Junior
Yearling
Post Graduate
Limit
Open
Veteran

If your dog gains it’s Stud Book Number, this qualifies them for life.

Breeds without Challenge Certificates (CCs) in the UK
If your breed does not have CC status (therefore can’t become a champion in the UK) then all shows are qualifying shows if your dog wins first, second or third in any of the above listed classes or a Best of Sex or Reserve Best of Sex. You can also qualify in AVNSC or AV Rare Breeds if you win a first, second or third in one of the above listed classes.

Other ways of qualifying for breeds with or without CC status include;

  • If you win a first prize in any breed class at Crufts the previous year.
  • If you have won Best of Breed at a Premier Open Show provided there were more than three breed classes (more than five classes for Stud Book Band E breeds) scheduled for the breed.
  • If you have won Best in Show, Reserve Best in Show or Best Puppy in Show at a General or Group Open Show for that qualifying year.

Import Register Breeds
For the first time, breeds on the Import Register can also qualify for crufts by winning a first, second or third in Puppy, Junior, Post Graduate or Open, or has been awarded Best of Sex or Reserve Best of Sex at General or Group Championship Shows in AV Import Register classes.

For full information on qualifying, including overseas dogs and other (rarer) ways of qualifying, all information is available at www.Crufts.org.uk and the Qualification rules for Crufts 2013 can be found here.