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