THE CONFORMATION RING

Many American Kennel club dog shows are both "all breed" and "obedience". They also can be "Specialty Shows" (shows put on specifically with just one breed). An "all-breed" show hosts regular conformation classes, and "obedience" classes are exactly that...Obedience classes. Specialty clubs also host both conformation and obedience classes and also they often host other types of working classes, such as field trials or working trials..When you have the pleasure of owning a dog that you feel can be shown at a dog show you will find that there is a wide selection to choose from.

Conformation, to put it quite simply, was originally developed to determine and select the best breeding stock. For this reason, the dogs are judged according to the standard of their own breed, with an examination of the dog's conformation by a individual judge. It is the subjective determination of the Judge on that day, with that particular group of dogs, that determines the winners of the classes at a conformation show.The winners of the Conformation classes keep showing until they have attained their Championship and many go on to "special" their dogs.

To make his determination, the judge will do a "hands-on" inspection of the dog, noting such characteristics as broadness of skull, number of teeth, depth of muzzle or lack therof, depth and breadth of chest, length of loins,conditioning and musculature, length of ail, straightness of legs, and presence or absence of correct testicles in the case of a male. The judge will also do an inspection of the movement of the dog, commonly called "gaiting".

All of the characteristics will be based upon the standard of the breed as written by the "parent club" of the breed, which has been fully approved by the American Kennel Club. The "parent club" is usually a National breed club such as for example the National Newfoundland club of America, or the national Brittany club, etc.

"Bench" Shows are a type of conformation show where all exhibitors must keep their dog at the show in a specific area where there will be "benches" upon which the dogs may be tethered with a short leash or upon which the crates may be placed. This will allow the public to view the dogs and to visit with the owner or breeder during the dog show hours. An example of a "benched show" is the Westminster Kennel club Dog Show.

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