Dog Show Terms
Armband – A number printed on paper which is worn by the exhibitor to indicate the dogs reference #. This number is the only identification that the judge is allowed access to during competition.
Bait – A particularly tasty food item (cooked liver, piece of hot dog) that is used to bait the dog into showing expression and animation during judging.
Bitch – A female dog
Dog – A male dog
Campaign – To enter a large number of shows with a Champion of record in order to attain a national ranking.
Champion – In Canada any dog that has been awarded 10 points at CKC conformation shows, under at least three different judges earns a Championship title.
Regular Classes – Conformation shows are broken into several different classes:
Junior Puppy 6 – 9 months of age
Puppy 9 – 12 months of age
Yearling 12 – 18 months of age
Open – any age, usually entered by dogs over 18 months
Canadian Bred – any age, dog must have been bred & born in Canada
Bred by Exhibitor – any age, dog must have been bred by the exhibitor
Specials – any age, must have already attained a championship title
Some shows offer alternate classes such as baby puppy 3-6 months, veterans, brace, brood bitch, stud dogs, etc.
Free Bait – to use food or a toy to get the dog to stack properly (without physical handling) and show alert expression while being judged.
Free Stack - to guide the dog into a stacked position without physical handling
Handler – The person presenting the dog in the ring (often used to refer to professional handlers)
Junior Handler – Persons under the age of 18 may compete in classes which judge their handling skills as opposed to their dog.
National Specialty – An annual event specific to a single breed which is generally considered to be the breed’s most important, competitive and prestigious event each year.
Obedience – A competitive performance event where the dog and handler are judged on their ability to execute a predetermined set of exercises. Dogs are scored between 0 and 200. Dogs achieving 3 qualifying scores of at least 170 points each are awarded obedience titles. There are different levels of competition (novice, open & utility)
Premium List – A publication created by the show superintendent, listing all the details about a particular show (location, events, entry forms, classes available, prizes)
Ring Steward – A judge’s assistant, responsible for the smooth operation of their ring.
Show Secretary – Coordinator for the dog show. Generally generates and distributes the premium list, receives the entries, creates catalogs, keep all records and generates reports for the CKC.
Special – A champion of record who is being actively campaigned.
Stack – A dogs standing position that best displays it’s virtues. This position may be achieved by “hand stacking” or “free stacking”.
Standard – The written description of an ideal specimen of the breed.
Type – The qualities that define a dog breed and separate it from all other dog breeds. Breed type encompasses appearance, character, condition, temperament and movement.
Bait – A particularly tasty food item (cooked liver, piece of hot dog) that is used to bait the dog into showing expression and animation during judging.
Bitch – A female dog
Dog – A male dog
Campaign – To enter a large number of shows with a Champion of record in order to attain a national ranking.
Champion – In Canada any dog that has been awarded 10 points at CKC conformation shows, under at least three different judges earns a Championship title.
Regular Classes – Conformation shows are broken into several different classes:
Junior Puppy 6 – 9 months of age
Puppy 9 – 12 months of age
Yearling 12 – 18 months of age
Open – any age, usually entered by dogs over 18 months
Canadian Bred – any age, dog must have been bred & born in Canada
Bred by Exhibitor – any age, dog must have been bred by the exhibitor
Specials – any age, must have already attained a championship title
Some shows offer alternate classes such as baby puppy 3-6 months, veterans, brace, brood bitch, stud dogs, etc.
Free Bait – to use food or a toy to get the dog to stack properly (without physical handling) and show alert expression while being judged.
Free Stack - to guide the dog into a stacked position without physical handling
Handler – The person presenting the dog in the ring (often used to refer to professional handlers)
Junior Handler – Persons under the age of 18 may compete in classes which judge their handling skills as opposed to their dog.
National Specialty – An annual event specific to a single breed which is generally considered to be the breed’s most important, competitive and prestigious event each year.
Obedience – A competitive performance event where the dog and handler are judged on their ability to execute a predetermined set of exercises. Dogs are scored between 0 and 200. Dogs achieving 3 qualifying scores of at least 170 points each are awarded obedience titles. There are different levels of competition (novice, open & utility)
Premium List – A publication created by the show superintendent, listing all the details about a particular show (location, events, entry forms, classes available, prizes)
Ring Steward – A judge’s assistant, responsible for the smooth operation of their ring.
Show Secretary – Coordinator for the dog show. Generally generates and distributes the premium list, receives the entries, creates catalogs, keep all records and generates reports for the CKC.
Special – A champion of record who is being actively campaigned.
Stack – A dogs standing position that best displays it’s virtues. This position may be achieved by “hand stacking” or “free stacking”.
Standard – The written description of an ideal specimen of the breed.
Type – The qualities that define a dog breed and separate it from all other dog breeds. Breed type encompasses appearance, character, condition, temperament and movement.