This information was compiled from various works supplied by Pat Davis, Fiona Holtkamp, Bettie Miller and Ms J Rossiter. It first appeared in the January 2002 edition of The Dogs New South Wales Magazine and is re-printed with their kind permission and that of the Authors.
HINTS FOR PURCHASING YOUR FIRST SHOW DOG - SHOWING
· Purchase a puppy of the breed of your choice, (which is recognised by the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC)), from a reputable Dogs NSW (DNSW) registered breeder.
· Your puppy must be "pure bred". That is, he must be pedigreed and you must have the pedigree papers.
· “It is the breeder’s responsibility to sign the transfer section on the reverse side of the papers to allow the new owner to transfer the pup into their name.”
· Ensure that the breeder feels the puppy is of potential show quality and is registered on the Main Register (Blue Certificate) with DNSW.
· When you pick up your pup ensure the pedigree papers go with you.
· If the puppy is not already in your name you will need to transfer both DNSW and microchip registration into your name as soon as possible.
· Always ensure you attend a show prior to exhibiting a puppy in your first show.
TRAINING AND GROOMING FOR THE BIG DAY
· Train your puppy daily on a lead, practicing gaiting (the pattern of movement at varying speeds and varying placement of feet) and show stance (the best possible standing position for judging purposes), for about ten minutes per session, several times daily, if time permits. The breeder will probably help you with the correct stance and speed at which to show your breed.
· Teach your puppy to be a relaxed traveller (a sick dog is no fun) by starting with short trips and gradually increase the length, until your dog is a comfortable traveler.
· Brush or comb your puppy, removing loose hair and knots, weekly to get it used to the grooming routine.
· Maintain coat and body condition with good diet (perhaps including oil), exercise and a thorough worming program. Regular vaccinations are compulsory and also essential to health.
· On the weekend before the show check that your puppy's teeth are clean, if necessary have your vet clean them and trim claws for neat feet.
· Wash your puppy the day before the show. Once again, the breeder should help you with how best to prepare your puppy's coat for the show ring.
· Before the show, organise a good outfit to show in (perhaps slacks for ladies) and sensible shoes.
· As you can appreciate, show days can be long and tiring so it is wise to consider your own comfort as well as the safety and comfort of your dog. Go armed with a bottle and a bowl for the dog's water, some lunch for both of you, a chair, an umbrella or a tent for shelter, a crate, trolley or table to secure your dog at the show. Remember, your dog must not be left unattended at the show. Don't forget your exhibit number and of course some grooming equipment.
· Make sure you know exactly where the show is and how to get there.
· Whatever your results are at the end of the day, remember that there is always another show!
HOW WILL I KNOW WHAT SHOWS ARE ON?
Dog shows conducted under DNSW regulations are organised by Affiliated Clubs and held throughout the year all over the State. Details are published in each issue of The Dogs New South Wales Magazine, together with the name, address and telephone number of the Secretary of the Club conducting the show. These details are called the "Show Schedule". The journal is published monthly and automatically sent to each member of DNSW.
Suggestion: Highlight suitable shows and mark closing date of entries, journal page number and date of show on a calendar. Don't forget to send your entries well before the closing date.
HOW DO I ENTER MY PUPPY IN A SHOW?
Official DNSW entry forms may be purchased from DNSW, some breed clubs and some vendors at dog shows. (Click here for more info)
WHAT NAME DO I USE FOR MY PUP?
Although you will call your puppy by a pet name at home, when he is entered in a show, this must be done under his correct, pedigree name, as it appears on their registration papers. His mother and father have pedigree names too, and these must also appear on your entry forms. (Click here for more info)
WHAT CLASS DO I ENTER?
On the back of the entry forms you will find the standard classification of classes at dog shows, these classes are governed by age restrictions and your dog may only be eligible to enter certain classes.
Only seven classes are judged at each show. When you read the show schedule in the Journal you will see which classes are being held at that show, and must choose from these.
Be careful to make the distinction between Dog and Bitches. Bitch classes have the same number as dog classes, but are followed by the letter "A". This is important, because sometimes a pedigree name of a puppy could belong either to a bitch or a dog, and it will save the secretary of the show a phone call to find out if your puppy is a boy or a girl! It may also save you from missing out on the show altogether. Remember to send a self addressed, stamped envelope with entry for each show.
CAN I ENTER MORE THAN ONE CLASS?
You are not restricted to entering only one class, once your puppy is over six months, but by the nature of the structure of a dog show and the way the awards are gained, if your pup fails to gain a first place in ANY class in which he is entered, then he is no longer eligible for a Challenge Award. (More about Challenges later). So the usual practice is to enter your dog in his appropriate class, you can also enter sweepstakes for your dogs age group.
I'VE POSTED MY ENTRY, WHAT HAPPENS NOW?
Some time before the show you will receive a receipt for your entry fee together with a piece of card bearing a large black number. This is your puppy's catalogue number/exhibit number, and when you take him to the show YOU must wear this number somewhere on your left hand side (usually on the left arm above the elbow) clothing where it will be easily seen by the ring Stewards and the Judge when you take your pup into the show ring.
ON THE DAY!
You've filled out the form, received your exhibit's number, washed, groomed and trimmed your pup and the great day has arrived!
Double check in the Journal what time the judging is due to start. It is wise to plan your arrival at the show in plenty of time to find yourself a place to park your car, find the right ring, find a place to sit with your pup in the shade and wait for the judging of his breed and to have time to settle your squeaky clean pup and give him a quick once over with a brush or comb to make him look his best.
HOW DO I KNOW WHICH RING TO GO TO?
Shows at which all breeds of dogs are being exhibited will usually have at least one ring for each Group. Pedigree dogs are divided into seven groups. The names and numbers of these groups are: -
1. Toys
2. Terriers
3. Gundogs
4. Hounds
5. Working Dogs
6. Utility Dogs
7. Non Sporting Dogs
You probably know already which group your pup belongs to, but if you are not sure then buy a catalogue and a quick glance will tell you.
Each ring should be clearly marked with the name and/or number of the breeds or groups being judged there, together with the name of the judge for the day. To save yourself traipsing all over the grounds looking for your show ring, when you collect your catalogue, ask the Secretary of the show where your ring is, or where a map of the show layout can be found.
THE JUDGING HAS STARTED, NOW WHAT?
Ensure that you check the catalogue to see when your breed is being judged, unless your pup belongs to a breed which is at the beginning of the group, you will have some time to wait.
Make sure you can hear the steward calling breeds and classes from where you choose to sit, or go over to the ring now and then to check which breed/class the judge is up to. When the class before your pups is being judged, take your pup over to the ringside (but not in the way of dogs and handlers going in to or coming out of the ring) and listen for your class to be announced and your number called. Note that a role call may be made while the previous class is still being judged.
While you are waiting at ringside:
· watch carefully the procedure in the ring
· where the steward is lining up the dogs ready for the judge
· what the judge does when he examines each dog
· the pattern he is asking handlers to follow when they are parading their dogs.
This will help you to feel a little less like a 'fish out of water' when your turn comes.
When you hear your number called by the steward, answer clearly "Here" and enter the ring, going to where the steward directs if your pup is first into the ring or following the other pups if he is further down the line.
When the steward assembles your class, the numbers are called in order and a line is formed to enter the ring. Any person who fails to answer the steward's call will be marked as absent after three (3) calls, so don't get involved in conversations or other activities which will mean you missing your call. If called absent, an exhibit can not enter that ring.
OK, now it's your turn! Always follow the judge's instructions and be courteous and considerate at all times to the judge, steward and other exhibitors. The judge will probably ask you and the other exhibitors in your class to gait your puppies once around the ring before standing your puppy back in front of them, (allow approximately two metres between dogs when gaiting dogs with other exhibitors). The judge will then examine your dog from nose to tail, either on the ground or a table for small breeds, to check for correct conformation (the outward appearance and physical formation of a canine. The overall quality of a dog's structure, form and arrangement of parts), coat and condition. You will again be asked to gait your dog individually to assess movement.
The breeder of your puppy or the Secretary of your Breed Club (this can be checked in the club directory in The Dogs New South Wales Magazine or by contacting DNSW) could help you with what you actually do once you are in the ring or you could go to show training classes (contact DNSW).
You should have practiced standing him at home and getting members of the family or friends to pretend to judge him, therefore the procedure should not be too strange to your puppy when he is in the ring.
JUDGING
As a new exhibitor, do you find the show ring a bit bewildering? The judging procedure may seem like a maze but basically it is a knock out contest with winners ascending to the next level of competition. By the end of the show there is one winner from the total show entry and that exhibit is Best In Show.
Along the way to this ultimate prize, there are other prestigious awards, Best In Group, Runner Up Best In Group, Best of Breed, Runner Up Best of Breed and Best in Class. Breed Club Shows usually award Opposite Sex winners in class.
For new exhibitors a breed club show or parade is a very good learning experience as
it is a more relaxed atmosphere.
CLASS JUDGING
As each class enters the ring, the steward will tell the first person in the line whether the dog should go straight to the table or if the judge wants the class to parade around the ring before coming to the table. Each dog is examined, then is gaited for the judge to assess movement, either in a triangle, a circle or out in a straight line and back to the judge, make sure you listen to the judge's instructions.
When all the dogs in the class have been examined, the placings are given. Win or lose, don't forget to thank the judge and the steward and accept your placing gracefully. Bad sportsmanship in the ring is very undesirable and dog showing is meant to be enjoyable!
If your dog is aged over six months and wins it's class, stay near the ring as you will need to go back into the ring for the Challenge line up. All exhibits over the age of six months, placed second in their class need to stay nearby in case the Challenge winner comes from the class in which your dog was shown. In that case you will be called back into the line up for the judge to choose the Reserve Challenge winner. Later on all class winners including Baby Puppies go back into the ring for opposite sex judging (ie dog opposing bitch).
ORDER OF JUDGING
In each breed, males are shown first, beginning with baby Puppies and the judging moves up through the classes until all the males have been judged and the Dog Challenge and Reserve Dog Challenge are awarded. All class winners other than Baby Puppies enter the line ups for the judge to select the Challenge Dog.
After all the males have been shown and the Challenge and Reserve Challenge awards are made, judging for the bitches follows. This process is done in the same way as the dog challenge.
Best of Breed is then judged between the Challenge Dog and the Challenge Bitch. If the dog wins this award, the Reserve Challenge Dog will come into the ring to contest the Challenge Bitch for Runner Up Best of Breed. If the Bitch wins Best of Breed, the Reserve Challenge Bitch will contest the Challenge Dog for Runner Up Best of Breed.
Opposite Sex judging for each class begins after the Best of Breed and Runner Up have been awarded, this is where the first place dog and bitch compete for Opposite Sex. Commencing with Baby Puppies, the judging works upwards to the Open class, excepting that whichever classes the Best of Breed winners came from, then those Classes are automatically awarded to the Best of Breed winners, except if BOB runner up came from the same class as the BOB winner.
If for any class there is no Opposite Sex entry, the award is automatic for the dog or bitch which won it's class e.g. if the dog is the winner of the Minor Puppy dog class and there were no Minor Puppy bitches exhibited, the Best Minor Puppy of Breed is an automatic award to the dog (or vice versa for the bitch Minor Puppy not opposed by a dog).
CHALLENGE POINTS
Challenge Points are earned on the following system:
Best of Breed winners: 5 points and one point for each exhibit male and female including him/her self but excluding the Baby Puppies. The opposite sex Challenge Certificate (ie was not awarded Best of Breed) earns 5 points plus one point for each of its own sex exhibit, including him/her self. (e.g. if your Intermediate Dog won the Dog Challenge but was not Best of Breed, and there were 10 other dogs shown in the various classes (excluding Baby Puppies and all absentees), then he earns 5 points plus one point for himself plus 10 points for the other dogs = 16.
Challenge Certificates earn a maximum of 25 points. The points are accumulated for each Challenge Certificate and when you have a total of 100 points, the dog/bitch can be awarded its title for Australian Champion. The title of Grand Champion is awarded for 1000 points accumulated.
GROUP JUDGING
All Best of Breed exhibits are presented to the judge to choose Best in Group. The Runner Up Best of Breed from the same breed as the Best In Group is then called into the ring for the judge to select the Runner Up Best In Group. Class judging for the Group then continues, beginning with Best Baby Puppy and works upward through the classes. The Best In Group winner is also automatically awarded Best in Class for whichever class it came from. Unless the Runner Up Best In Group is from the same class as the Group winner, it also is automatically Best In Its Class.
IN SHOW AWARDS
From the seven Groups in an All Breeds Show, each Group is represented in the General Specials ring to determine the In Show Awards, with each Best Exhibit in Group competing for Best In Show. When that award is given, then the runner up from that same Group enters the ring to contest with the other exhibits for Runner Up Best In Show. Judging then taken place to find the Best Baby Puppy In Show, the Best Minor Puppy in Show and so on up through the classes in the same way that Group judging was conducted. Best in Show and Runner Up Best in Show are automatically awarded with Best In Show for their class.
Pretty heady stuff by the time you reach the end of the day and win or lose everybody goes home with a tale to tell!
Dog showing is fun and dog show people can be very helpful and friendly.
Never be afraid to ask someone if you need help. If you don't hear what a steward or judge tells you, don't be afraid to ask them to repeat it.
If you're still not sure how to go about showing, then don't be afraid to ask someone for help. This will help you get the fullest enjoyment out of showing. Your breeder or your breed Club Secretary are excellent sources of assistance too.
One thing to remember is that you have paid for the judge of the day's opinion, and each judge may place a different emphasis on the hallmarks and conformation that are required in the standard of your breed.
This is what showing is all about and this does not necessarily mean your dog is not a good specimen of its breed if it does not win all the time.
So, the lights are down, the curtains up and you're on - good showing and have fun!
HOW TO ENTER AN EXHIBIT IN A DOG SHOW IN NSW
When you have read a Show Advertisement in the Canine Gazette you will note a number of important features of the show are quoted:
- the date of the fixture
- the type of fixture, Championship Show, Open Show, Parade
- the Judge or Judges officiating
- the name and address of the Club secretary to whom the entries should be sent
- the closing date of entry
- the classes offered for the breeds and many other matters pertinent to the show
If you are lodging an entry for your first show we recommend you seek advice and assistance from the person from whom you purchased your puppy.
Once you decide on the fixture in which you wish to enter the following will apply:
1. Purchase from Royal N.S.W. Canine Council office a booklet of entry forms. Entry forms are printed in easy "cheque book" style with a butt to provide a record of your entry for future reference
2. Complete the entry form in ink in block letters or in type ensuring all the information entered in the appropriate places is correct. We strongly recommend you transfer the information, where applicable, direct from the registration certificate
3. For the convenience of new members an example of a correctly completed entry form and information source is on the following page
When you have completed filling out the entry form, signed the form and are satisfied all the details entered therein are correct, place the following in an envelope addressed to the Club Secretary as shown in the schedule:
a. the completed entry form
b. a remittance (cheque or money order) covering the entry fee and purchase of the Show catalogue which comprises a programme of all dogs entered in the Show under their respective breeds and classes
c. a stamped, self addressed envelope for return of exhibit number or acknowledgment of receipt of entries and payment for the Show catalogue.
Within seven (7) to fourteen (14) days prior to the date of the fixture you should receive in the mail, return of your stamped self addressed envelope with your exhibit number. CLASSIFICATION - GENERAL CLASSES
(from January 1, 1995)
(1) "Baby Puppy" Dog. (1A) "Baby Puppy" Bitch. For dogs aged three and under six months.
(2) "Special or Minor Puppy" Dog. (2A) "Special or Minor Puppy Bitch. For dogs aged six and under nine months.
(3) "Puppy" Dog. (3A) "Puppy" Bitch. For dogs aged six and under twelve months.
(4) "Junior" Dog. (4A) "Junior" Bitch. For dogs aged nine and under eighteen months.
(5) "Intermediate" Dog. (5A) "Intermediate" Bitch. For dogs aged eighteen and under thirty-six months.
(6) "Novice" Dog. (6A) "Novice" Bitch. For dogs six months of age or over which have not won a first prize at any Open Parade, Open Show or Championship Show, Baby Puppy and local classes excepted. (Only wins up to and including the day before entries close shall count but this Rule shall not prevent any exhibit from scoring for any Special Prize for which more than one win is required.)
(7) "Graduate" Dog. (7A) "Graduate" Bitch. For dogs six months of age or over which have not won a Challenge Certificate up to and including the day before entries close.
(8) "Limit" Dog. (8A) "Limit" Bitch. For dogs over twelve months of age which are not Champions, or who have not gained sufficient points to qualify as a Champion up to and including the day before entries close.
(9) "State Bred" Dog. (9A) "State Bred" Bitch. For dogs six months of age or over whelped in the State in which they are exhibited.
(10) "Australian Bred" Dog. (10A) "Australian Bred" Bitch. For dogs aged six months or over whelped in Australia. (A State and/or Territory may reserve the right to exclude all, or any, of the recognised Australian Breeds).
(11) "Open" Dog. (11A) "Open" Bitch. For dogs six months of age or over and of a breed or variety recognised by the Australian National Kennel Council.
Such classes as Brace, Team, Litter, Veteran, Local and other Special classes shall be left to the discretion of the member body concerned.
Affiliates may select any seven of these classes for dogs and bitches provided that notice as to the selected Classes is prominently displayed on the Schedule.
Click Here to view an Official Show Entry Form
Click Here to view a Registration Certficate of a Main Register Dog
