By Stephanie Tarlowe Block B

What are Dog Shows? A sport in which purebred dogs show off their abilities Conformation shows judge dogs on how well they fit breed standards, to evaluate breeding stock Obedience shows test ability to obey commands, testing the dog's training and usefulness as a companion Agility demonstrates a dog's versatility and agility

Types of Dog Shows or Trials 1) All-Breed: have 150 or more breeds competing in the same show 2) Specialty: have one specific breed or varieties of the same breed (such as Toy, Miniature, and Standard Poodles) 3) Group: feature one of the 7 groups

Conformation Shows

Sport for the purpose of evaluating breeding stock

Entry Requirements Registered with the AKC Older than 6 months Fit into offered classes Meet breed standards Be intact (not spayed/neutered)

Levels of Competition (Divided by Gender) Puppy: 6 to 12 months; not yet a champion Twelve-to-Eighteen Months: months; not yet a champion Novice: older than 6 months; have not yet won 3 1 st prizes in the class, 1 st prize Bred by Exhibitor, American-bred, or Open Classes, nor 1 or more points toward championship Bred-by-Exhibitor: the exhibitor is the breeder and owner; not yet a champion American-Bred: parents mated in America; born in America; not yet a champion Open: any dog at least 6 months old

To Become a Champion... Win 15 points, including 2 majors A major is a win worth 3-5 points Must be awarded by 3 different judges Number of points awarded at each show varies The more dogs entered, the more points won Maximum number of points per show is 5

Who's Who Breeders breed puppies to have ideal conformation Owners buy the puppy they believe will do best in the show ring Handlers/Exhibitors show the dogs in the ring Groomers prepare the dogs before the show Judges select the winning dogs

Winning Criteria Teeth, muscles, bones, and coat texture best fit the breed standard Demonstrate overall balance when viewed from profile Well gaited 1 st to 4 th place is awarded

Obedience Shows

Sport testing a dog's ability to obey commands

Eligibility Registered with the AKC Enrolled in an Indefinite Listing Privilege program (if spayed or neutered) Member of a Foundation Stock Service recorded breed, meeting all breed standards 6 months or older

Competition: Level One Novice: dogs are just getting started Heel on Leash and Figure 8: demonstrate response to handler Heel Free: off leash Stand for Examination: cooperate for veterinarian Recall: handler gets immediate response Long Sit (1 minute): control for visitors Long Down (3 minutes): remains laying down

Level Two Open: more complicated, using both voice and signal commands Heel Free and Figure 8: same as Novice (off leash) Drop on Recall: can be lifesaving, giving handler control in difficult situations Retrieve on Flat: bring object back on level ground Retrieve over High Jump: bring object back over a jump Long Sit (3 minutes): longer than novice, handler out of sight Long Down (5 minutes): must remain down

Level Three Utility: highest level of competition Signal Exercise: shows response to commands without vocal cues Scent Discrimination: ability to find handlers scent in a pile of items Directed Retrieve: follows directions to get a glove for the handler Moving Stand and Examination: must heel, stand, and stay as the handler moves away; must remain in position for judge examination Directed Jumping: clear a jump indicated by handler

Qualifying Score Earns more than 50% of points for each exercise Total of at least 170 points Perfect score is 200

Judges Determine if the handler and their dog executed the required exercises satisfactorily –Envisions a perfect performance and scores the dog and handler off of that

Awards First Blue Second Red Third Yellow Fourth White Highest Dog in the Regular Classes Blue and Gold Highest Combined Score in Open B and Utility Blue and Green

Agility Shows

Sport demonstrating skill of dogs and handlers teamwork in navigating obstacles

How it Works Handlers lead their off-leash dogs through a series of obstacles Timed event Faults determined by judge

Eligibility Registered with with either AKC Indefinite Listing Privilege program One year or older Spayed and neutered dogs are allowed to compete

Level One Novice: dogs new to agility obstacles in each course Only 6 weave poles Goal: perform obstacles with minimal handling technique One point faults

Level Two Open: dogs who completed the Novice level obstacles in each course Up to 12 weave poles Goal: complete more difficult obstacles with more handling skill required Two point faults

Level Three Excellent: dogs that completed the Open level obstacles in each course Up to 12 weave poles Goal: provide opportunity to show off skills of both handler and dog Move quickly and efficiently with great teamwork Excellent B level allows competitors to win the title of Master Agility Champion Three point faults

Classes, Divided by Dog Height Standard Includes contact obstacles Must place one paw in the yellow contact zone to avoid a fault Jumpers with Weaves No contact obstacles Faster pace

Judges Meet with exhibitors to explain review rules Announce expected time for course Determine faults during competition Awards prizes

Faults Each second over Standard Course Time Taking an obstacle in the wrong order Missing a contact zone Displacing a bar/panel on a jump Jumping off the pause table before the judge is through counting Running around/refusing the next obstacle Touching either the dog or any obstacle by the handler while running the course Outside assistance Handler failure to control a dog

Jump Heights 8 Class: dogs up to 10 at the shoulder 12 Class: dogs at the shoulder 16 Class: dogs at the shoulder 20 Class: dogs at the shoulder 24 Class: dogs over 22 at the shoulder

Jump Heights for Preferred Classes (With lower jump heights and longer course times) 4 Class: dogs up to 10 at the shoulder 8 Class: dogs at the shoulder 12 Class: dogs at the shoulder 16 Class: dogs at the shoulder 20 Class: dogs over 22 at the shoulder

Obstacles Dog Walk A-Frame Seesaw Pause Table Weave Poles Open Tunnel Closed Tunnel Bar, Double Bar, Panel, Tire, Broad, Triple Bar, and One Bar Jumps

Awards First Place –Blue Second Place –Red Third Place –Yellow Fourth Place –White Qualifying Score (Leg) –Green