About Dog Shows
Dog shows are wonderfully fun for those people wanting to participate in a leisure activity with their dog. It’s also a great place to meet other people with similar interests. The thrill of competition keeps exhibitors coming back for more! There’s a variety of events to participate in, including junior handling competition for kids.
During the process of working with and training your dog you will foster a strong bond and become a team. Handling your dog in the ring yourself can be a very rewarding experience. Training classes offer the best hands-on way to practice and attending shows and observing your breed is also a great way to gain a better understanding of what to expect at a show. Dogs must be at least six months of age to enter any events.
If you do not wish to handle your dog yourself, you may hire a professional handler who charges a fee for showing your dog.
During the process of working with and training your dog you will foster a strong bond and become a team. Handling your dog in the ring yourself can be a very rewarding experience. Training classes offer the best hands-on way to practice and attending shows and observing your breed is also a great way to gain a better understanding of what to expect at a show. Dogs must be at least six months of age to enter any events.
If you do not wish to handle your dog yourself, you may hire a professional handler who charges a fee for showing your dog.
The conformation ring
Behind all the fun, there is a serious purpose to conformation dog shows…evaluation of breeding stock. Dogs are being judged against the written breed standard which takes into consideration physical characteristics as well as correct temperament and movement. Not everyone who is involved in showing will breed, some do it just for fun!
Each breed is judged separately, first the males in order of age with the youngest classes first, then the female classes. Last to go are the specials (dogs that already have their championship).
In each class dogs are brought into and moved around the ring so the judge can evaluate their movement. Handlers then stand their dogs in profile. The judge will examine the dogs individually, checking for things such as correct structure, head shape, expression, coat qualities, length of ears and tail, the alignment of the teeth, body proportions, shoulder and pelvic angles, topline, and male dogs are checked for the presence of two testicles. Dogs are moved individually, then together so the judge can compare them. The judge will award 1st through 4th placements for each class. The winner of each class is brought back into the ring to compete for winners dog and winners bitch (only the winners dog and bitch will accumulate points towards their championship). The last class is for the specials along with the winners dog and winners bitch who will all compete for the coveted Best of Breed award.
To attain a championship title in Canada, ten points must be awarded by at least three different judges and include at least one win of 2 or more points. The number of dogs competing determines the number of championship points that will be allotted to the winner, up to a maximum of five points per show.
The dog that was awarded Best of Breed now will compete at the group level (the mastiff is included in the working group). All the best of breed winners from each of the breeds in the working group compete for 1st through 4th placements. The dog that places 1st in each group goes on to compete for the prestigious title of Best in Show. The best puppy of each breed competes for the title of Best Puppy in Group, then on to Best Puppy in Show.
Each breed is judged separately, first the males in order of age with the youngest classes first, then the female classes. Last to go are the specials (dogs that already have their championship).
In each class dogs are brought into and moved around the ring so the judge can evaluate their movement. Handlers then stand their dogs in profile. The judge will examine the dogs individually, checking for things such as correct structure, head shape, expression, coat qualities, length of ears and tail, the alignment of the teeth, body proportions, shoulder and pelvic angles, topline, and male dogs are checked for the presence of two testicles. Dogs are moved individually, then together so the judge can compare them. The judge will award 1st through 4th placements for each class. The winner of each class is brought back into the ring to compete for winners dog and winners bitch (only the winners dog and bitch will accumulate points towards their championship). The last class is for the specials along with the winners dog and winners bitch who will all compete for the coveted Best of Breed award.
To attain a championship title in Canada, ten points must be awarded by at least three different judges and include at least one win of 2 or more points. The number of dogs competing determines the number of championship points that will be allotted to the winner, up to a maximum of five points per show.
The dog that was awarded Best of Breed now will compete at the group level (the mastiff is included in the working group). All the best of breed winners from each of the breeds in the working group compete for 1st through 4th placements. The dog that places 1st in each group goes on to compete for the prestigious title of Best in Show. The best puppy of each breed competes for the title of Best Puppy in Group, then on to Best Puppy in Show.
 |  |
Rally obedience
This is a less formal version of traditional obedience trials. A number of “stations” are set up and the handler is able to walk the course before the trial begins. At each station the handler will get their dog to perform a specific exercise. Praise, double commands and lots of encouragement are allowed. You can even repeat an exercise if you didn’t get it right the first time, without being disqualified (but you will lose some points).
There are three levels: Novice, Advanced and Excellent. At the novice level there are 31 different exercises from which the judge will select between 10 – 15 for the trial. Each trial will be scored from 0 to 100. A qualifying score is 70 or greater, and 3 qualifying scores will earn you a rally title.
There are three levels: Novice, Advanced and Excellent. At the novice level there are 31 different exercises from which the judge will select between 10 – 15 for the trial. Each trial will be scored from 0 to 100. A qualifying score is 70 or greater, and 3 qualifying scores will earn you a rally title.
Canine good neighbour
This is a non-competitive test that assesses the handler and the dog’s relationship, along with the handler’s ability to control the dog. There are a series of 12 exercises that will demonstrate the ability to perform basic commands and good manners in everyday situations.
The purpose of the test is to encourage responsible dog ownership and ensure that one of our most favored companions is accepted as a valued member of the community.
The exercises are:
1 Accepting a friendly stranger
2 Politely accepts petting
3 Appearance and grooming
4 Out for a walk
5 Walking through a crowd
6 Sit/Down on command and stay in place
7 Come when called
8 Praise/Interaction
9 Reaction to a passing dog
10 Reaction to distractions
11 Supervised Isolation
12 Walking through a door/gate
For a detailed explanation of the test please see the Canadian Kennel Club website.
The purpose of the test is to encourage responsible dog ownership and ensure that one of our most favored companions is accepted as a valued member of the community.
The exercises are:
1 Accepting a friendly stranger
2 Politely accepts petting
3 Appearance and grooming
4 Out for a walk
5 Walking through a crowd
6 Sit/Down on command and stay in place
7 Come when called
8 Praise/Interaction
9 Reaction to a passing dog
10 Reaction to distractions
11 Supervised Isolation
12 Walking through a door/gate
For a detailed explanation of the test please see the Canadian Kennel Club website.
Dog show etiquette for spectators
Always ask before touching a dog - this includes children. Some breeds take many hours of grooming to prepare for the show ring and others may be nervous if they are just being introduced to the dog show environment.
Most participants love to talk about their dog and their breed. It is courteous to ask if it's a good time to talk.
Do not congregate around the ring entrances.
Only dogs that are entered in the show are allowed on the show grounds.
Most participants love to talk about their dog and their breed. It is courteous to ask if it's a good time to talk.
Do not congregate around the ring entrances.
Only dogs that are entered in the show are allowed on the show grounds.
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.
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
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 superintendant, 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 show. Generally generates and distributes the premium list, receives the entries, creates catalogues, 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.
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
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 superintendant, 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 show. Generally generates and distributes the premium list, receives the entries, creates catalogues, 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.
