GUIDE TO DOG SHOWING 101
THE CLASSES (this information applies to American Kennel club classes at all breed conformation dog shows only)
1. A dog or bitch is entered into a dog or a bitch class, respectively. They are not shown together until the last class (BEST OF BREED)
2. There are a number of classes which can be entered, it is POSSIBLE to enter your dog in more than one class but is very seldom actually done, if ever.
3. You enter your dog in the class most appropriate for the dog. The following classes are available at most shows:
puppy (age 6-9 months)
puppy (age 9-12 months)
puppy (age 12-18 months)
***IMPORTANT***be sure you are accurate down to the day of the age of your dog. If you miss this by one day you will be declared ineligible for the class, EVEN if you have taken the win!
(in most SPECIALTIES all three classes ae available, in many all-breed shows the puppy classes will be 6-12 months and 12-18 months)
Novice class: for dogs who have never had more than three blue ribbons (first place wins) or who have never taken a Best of Breed win
***again, be careful of this one. More Novice winners are later declared "ineligible" than you would care to imagine! myself included! (and I had taken Winners Bitch at a Specialty!! Only to be told it didn't count!***
American bred (dogs who were bred in America) this class is often entered as a sign to a judge that the dog/handler may be inexperienced but are not eligible for novice OR sometimes when a handler is handling more than one dog and is entering a lot of the classes.
Bred-by exhibitor: this class is exclusively for the BREEDER-OWNER of the dog to show their own dog
Open: exactly what it says, any dog, any age over 6 months, any country of origin, even a finished champion, may enter the open class
***again, these classes are for dogs and bitches, respectively****
NOTE: SPECIALTY shows often hold extra (non-regular) classes such as Veterans and variety classes, for example in the Newfoundland breed there are Open classes for dogs of another color other than black. (O.A.O.C.---Open, Any Other Color)
LAST BUT NOT LEAST: Best of Breed: dogs already finished to their championships compete in this class for Best of Breed
HOW DOES THIS ALL WORK?
The judge selects a winner (blue ribbon) from each class, and also 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place winner.
The winner from each class then competes after Open and before Best of Breed. There is a winners class from the dogs, and from the bitches.
**** It is from this class that the points are awarded. (READ HERE ABOUT THE POINTS)!***
There will be a "WINNER'S DOG" and "WINNER'S BITCH" chosen. The SECOND PLACE winner from the class from which the winners dog, or winners bitch, was chosen from, then goes into the ring, and all remaining dogs in the winners class including this second place winner, are judged and a "reserve winner" is chosen.
The WINNER'S DOG and WINNER'S BITCH then go into the BEST OF BREED competition along with any champions already entered. From these dogs a BEST OF BREED will be chosen, and a BEST OF WINNERS and a BEST OF OPPOSITE SEX TO BEST OF BREED.
Here is a diagram that may help to explain all of this.
The BEST OF BREED then goes on to be shown in the GROUP RING.
***for all the neatest clothes to wear to the dog show visit Dogdaze Designs***
Baby "Dudley" at the age of five/six weeks learning how to "stack" so he can go to a dog show when he grows up!
AT THE RINGSIDE
The catalog at the dog show will have all of the classes listed, when and which ring they show, and who the judge is. Each ring will have two "stewards" to help you. One outside the ring who sits at a table and hands out the armbands to the exhibitors in each class, and one in the ring to help the judge. Before you show, buy a catalog. Check out your ring number and your catalog number. Go to your ring and pick up your armband. (That has your catalog number on it) They will have rubber bands there for you., Put the armband on your arm with the rubber band.
WHAT IS THE CONFORMATION RING?
THE GROUP RING AND BEST IN SHOW