Canine Kennel Club (Show Tips)

CKC Show Tips

The Start of the Day

Make sure that you are properly prepared for the day ahead of you. Make a check list of all supplies that are needed. Water/Food for your dog and you. Grooming supplies, table, show leads, crates, etc. Make sure that they are clean and well presented at the show. Bring something for shade if it will be a hot sunny day, not all shows have a tent for exhibitors. Bring something to pick up after your dog. A clean show site is a must so that we are all asked back. No one likes stepping in dropping from another animal. Please be courteous and clean up after your dog. Arrive early so that you have plenty of time to condition yourself and your dog before entering the ring.

Wear something that is comfortable yet appropriate. Nice slacks and jacket for men and skirt, dress or loose fitting pants for women. Try not to wear jeans or sweats. Try to pick out a color that is complimentary to your dog, that enhances its appearance. Example: If you are showing a white dog, try not to wear white, wear a color that will show the outline of your dog, such as black, blue or red. Try to find something that has pockets to hide bait or squeakers. Appearance is important in the ring not only for your dog but for the handler as well. Remember you are a team and ring presence is a big factor.

Remember to always present your dog at its best. If you are having a bad day, your dog will sense it. Walk in the ring always with the attitude that you can win. Show your dog at its best. Do not act in an unsportsman-like manner. Be on your best behavior at all times when on the show grounds. Do not engage in inappropriate conversation about another dog owner or their dogs.

Find a comfortable place for you and your dogs to set up. Try to place your dogs according to their behavior. If your dogs tend to bark and are more active than others, place them away from the ring as not to disturb others when they are showing. Check in with the Show Secretary and pick up your armbands.

Listen to what is going on. Always be ready to present your dog. Try to walk your dog with plenty of time for it to relieve itself to avoid accidents in the ring. Be at ringside before they call your breed. When the breed before yours is in the ring, get your dogs ringside, but don't block the entrance to the ring. Stay to the side of the ring and keep your dogs under control. Never make the judges wait for you to get your dogs to the ring. This is annoying and first impressions mean a lot. Most shows will have a banner posted ringside with the order that the breeds will be shown.

The steward will call each dog into the ring by classes, starting with puppy dogs and then puppy bitches. The steward will call your armband number. Enter the ring in this order. Always set up your dog and have it presented for the judges observation. Place your dog at least one foot away from the dog in front of you. Usually the puppy Winner dog and the puppy Winner Bitch will compete for Best of Breed Puppy. Then they will move to the older dog classes. They will start with the 6-9 Month males and move up in age through the classes with the males first. Once they have done all of the classes for the males, they will start over with the bitches in the same order. Once they have chosen a Winners Dog and a Winners Bitch they will have the Best of Breed Competition. Here the Winners Dog, Winners Bitch and all Specials, whether male or female will compete for Best of Breed, Best of Winners and Best of Opposite Sex. Never engage in conversation with the judge unless they speak to you first. Always keep your dog well presented in the ring, even though the judge may be looking at another dog at the moment they are constantly looking back down the lineup to compare or just to refresh their memories. Try to keep one eye on your dog and one eye on the judge at all time. Watch for the judges signals.

The judge will exam each dog either on a table or on the ground depending on the breed. If you have a small breed that will be examined on a table, wait until the dog in front of you has been examined. Once the judge starts moving that dog around the ring go ahead and stack your dog on the table. Have it ready for exam as soon as the judge finishes with the dog in front of you. If you are first in line the judge will ask you all to move around the ring and to have the first dog placed on the table once they have gone around the ring. If your dog is of the larger breeds, the judge will examine it on the ground. When the judge goes over the dog/dogs in front of you and begins to move it around the ring, place your dog in its position and stack it up quickly. After the exam keep your dog posed. Sometimes the judges may want another look before they ask you to move your dog.

After you have entered the ring the judge will move all the dogs around together. Give ample space between you and the dog in front of you, so not to run up on the other dog as you are moving around the ring. Once this is done the judge will examine each dog either on the table or ground. He will then ask each dog to move individually. There are many different types of patterns a judge may ask you to do. Below are three of the most commonly asked.

Walk your dog to the designated corner of the ring that the judge has specified. Turn the dog around and walk back with it towards the judge. Move at a gait which is best for your dog. Walk as straight of a line as possible. Stop about 3-5 feet in front of the judge and have your dog stand at its best. Try to get your dog to look up at the judge and show expression.

Walk away from the judge, make a left turn at the corner and then at the next corner cut back across the ring towards the judge as to make a triangle shape. All the other instructions apply as above.

Walk away from the judge, make a left turn at the corner and then turn around and walk back over the same pattern you just did. Forming a L shape. All the other instructions apply as above.

Once you have performed one of the patterns the judge will usually ask you to take your dog around the ring to the end of the line. Once you have reached the end of the line, stack your dog back up and have it ready for the final look.

Once the judge has gone over each of the dogs, he/she will usually look back down the lineup to make his/her final decisions. Your dog should be stacked and looking its best. Try to get expression from it by using bait or a squeaky toy.

Once the judge has made his/her decision, move to your position. If you did not get chosen for a position then you may leave the ring. Make sure to have your armbands visible for recording. The judge will then walk down the line and hand out the appropriate ribbons. Once you have received your ribbon this is the time to leave the ring. Tell the judge thank you and congratulate all other winners, and always smile.