The ring procedure
You have your first showing coming up, what can you expect when you go in the ring?
Every class you go into will be different in some way depending on class size and the judges preferences; however the structure will normally go something like the following
- The steward will call the class in so enter the ring if it is your class. At Open shows the steward will have your number; at Champ shows you will already have your number from your bench.
- Set your dog up along one side of the ring in a line with all the other dogs. If unsure ask the steward where the judge would like you.
- The judge will walk down the line to get first impressions so it is important to have your dog stood correctly.
- The judge may or may not ask you to go round the ring in circuit all together. Listen carefully to the judge’s instruction.
- The first dog in the line gets ready for table work to be assessed individually and all other dogs and handlers can relax and wait their turn, however still being alert and watching what is going on.
- The judge will go over the dog to assess the dogs’ conformation with their hands.
- The judge will want to then see the dog move individually. Normally this would be a triangle and up and down, or an up and down and round to the end.
- After movement is completed, take your dog to the end of the line and the judge will then move onto the next dog.
- After all dogs have been assessed individually in the class all dogs stand in the line like at the beginning of the class for the judge to look at.
- The judge may or may not then ask for all dogs to to go round the ring together, or could ask to see movement again in any number of dogs.
- The judge will then pick out his winner, and then second, third and so on until all places at the show are filled. The judge may also split the class. Pulling out in no order the dogs he/she wants to place and letting the other handlers leave. (This can happen as many times as the judge feels necessary in big classes.) The judge may want to see the dogs stood and moved again until he/she has made up his/her mind. The judge will then place.
- Handlers who have not won a prize will be asked to leave the ring by either the judge or steward.
- Once you have been pulled out for a place stand your dog up again. The judge can always change their mind on the placing, you have not finished until the rosette/card is in your hand.
Remember to congratulate the winners and thank the judge at EVERY show, even if you don’t agree.