| If you've never been to a dog show, you're in for | | | | Champions. From these, the judge selects the dog |
| an exciting, and perhaps, confusing time. At an | | | | or bitch that best exempflies the Breed and a |
| All-Breed Show (where every breed accepted in a | | | | Best of Opposite Sex. If neither of those is the |
| registry is allowed to show), you'll find a huge | | | | Winner's Dog or Bitch, one of those will be |
| variety of breeds, and even varieties within a | | | | selected as Best of Winners.The way a dog or |
| breed.For instance, in the Cocker Spaniels, they | | | | bitch becomes a champion in the AKC is to |
| have Any Solid Color Other Than Black (ASCOB) | | | | garner "points" from wins. Fifteen points are |
| which includes the well known "blond" variety, the | | | | required for a championship with two "majors" |
| Black Cocker, and the Parti-colored. The Black | | | | needed. A major is when a set number of animals |
| Cockers can have some tan on them, but must | | | | are entered in a competition. The numbers vary |
| be less than 10% of the total coloring. The | | | | from area to area so it is difficult to tell you the |
| Parti-Colored are the ones with white and another | | | | exact numbers required. You can find that |
| color in splotches or spots. Each variety is shown, | | | | information on the AKC website ( Points are |
| then, the Best of Variety goes into the Group | | | | awarded according to the number of entries |
| Ring, just as a Best of Breed would.The Collies, | | | | "defeated" in the classes.Once all the Best of |
| too, come in varieties. There is the Rough, which | | | | Breeds have been determined, it's time to go to |
| reminds you of Lassie, and the Smooth. The | | | | the Group Ring. Here, the Best of Breed for each |
| Smooth is build like the Rough, but with | | | | type of dog in a specific Group (i.e., Sporting, |
| substantially less coat. It can be rather amazing to | | | | Non-Sporting, Hounds, Herding, Terriers, Toys, and |
| see what lies beneath all that beautiful | | | | Working) will be judged. They will be placed 1-4 |
| coat.Chihuahuas are long- and short-coated, the | | | | and the number one winner will go on to the Best |
| Welsh Corgi comes with (Cardigan) and without | | | | In Show competition.In the Best In Show ring, |
| (Pembroke) a tail, the German Shorthair Pointers | | | | there will be only seven entries. These are |
| come in smooth and wire-coats, and there doesn't | | | | considered the cream of the crop for that show |
| appear to be a lot of difference between the | | | | and only one will be selected out of them. Winning |
| Curly-coated and the Flat-Coated Retrievers | | | | Best In Show is a huge honor and competition |
| (except the coat, of course), although they are | | | | can be fierce throughout the climb to that exalted |
| shown as different breeds.Chinese Crested dogs | | | | pinnacle.If it all sounds a bit confusing, well, yes, it |
| come in the standard variety with almost no coat | | | | can be for the neophyte. If you attend several |
| and in the "powder-puff" variety with a total coat. | | | | shows, though, it slowly becomes more clear and |
| Beagles come in two sizes--13" and 15" and | | | | the fun part is, you can pick your own choices |
| Daschunds come in three coat varieties, as well | | | | and see how you did compared to how the |
| as Standard and Miniature sizes.Underneath all | | | | judges place the entries.As you get to know the |
| these variations, though, there are basic | | | | ins and outs of showing and familiarize yourself |
| characteristics that each breed must adhere to. | | | | with Breed Standards for any breed you're |
| These are called the "Breed Standard." Most | | | | interested in, attending dog shows will become |
| Breed Standards will describe the "ideal" dog and | | | | even more fun and you'll get caught up in the air |
| any disqualifications that would keep a particular | | | | of excitement and competition there.If you wish |
| dog from being shown, such as too much white | | | | to learn more about a breed, it is best to talk to |
| on the Cockers (except the parti-coloreds).Once | | | | the competitors after they show and, please, |
| you find the breed(s) you want to observe in the | | | | always ask to pet a dog before you do. For |
| ring, you'll find that all breeds show the dogs | | | | some of the breeds, there is a lot of work that |
| (males) first. From 6-9 Month puppies up to the | | | | goes into grooming for the show, and they will |
| Open dogs. The winner of each of those classes | | | | not thank you for messing that up.Go, watch and |
| will come back into the ring for Winner's Dog. | | | | enjoy a few dog shows. It's a great way to |
| Then, the bitches (females) are shown the same | | | | spend a day.C. Rogers Upson has been training |
| way and go for Winner's Bitch. Next, you'll see the | | | | dogs and studying them for nearly 40 years. Her |
| Best of Breed competition which the Winner's | | | | website is Dog Potentials and she has two |
| Dog and Bitch will be entered in. Other than those | | | | dog-related stores at Keeping to the Borders and |
| two, all the entries in Best of Breed are | | | | Dog Potentials-The Store. |