The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Showing Your Dog

by SMITH, CHERYL S.

• ISBN13: 9780761533597
• ISBN10: 0761533591
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2001-06-07
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press

Summary

The Blue-Ribbon source for showing your dog. Showing your dog can be great fun! You know your dog has what it takes to be a champion, but how do you get started? Inside is everything you need to know about the rewarding world of the dog show circuit. This easy-to-read guide will help you discover whether the show ring is the right place for you and your dog, learn the basics of training, and develop the skills for successful showing. In the end, both you and your dog will be ready to succeed in the show ring! "A comprehensive how-to manual that encompasses every level of experience." Corky Vroom, president, Professional Handlers' Association "Masterfully written, offering insight and tips for both aspiring and experienced dog show enthusiasts. By far the most complete book on the market." Susand Bulanda, senior conformation judge, UKC "Demystifies thesportof dogs without erasing the wondrous mystique of theart, and mentors the novice through the world of dog shows." Lilian S. Barber, exhibitor, breeder, and AKC judge "If you've ever wondered about dog shows, shown a dog, or wanted to try it, this book is tailor-made for you." Darlene Arden, author,The Irrepressible Toy Dog

Author Biography

<b>Cheryl S. Smith</b> is the author of several dog books and has worked on the Dog Writers Association of America's newsletter, served on the board of the Cat Writers' Associate, and is a longtime member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She lives on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington with her Kelpie mix, Nestle.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xi
Introduction	xiii
Part I: Is Showing Right for You?	1	(52)
Fancy That!	3	(9)
A Short History of Conformation	4	(1)
The Goals of the Sport	5	(1)
Who Can Play	6	(1)
Types of Events	7	(3)
Breeds and Groups	10	(2)
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly	12	(9)
A Learning Experience	13	(1)
Camaraderie and Mentoring	14	(2)
The Other Side of the Coin	16	(2)
Fakery and Sabotage	18	(3)
Conformation as a Spectator Sport	21	(10)
The Basics	22	(1)
The Players and How to Find Them	23	(3)
What the Judge and Handler Are Doing and Why	26	(5)
The Life of the Party	31	(11)
The Temperament You Need for the Ring	32	(2)
The Temperament Your Dog Needs for the Ring	34	(1)
Travel Time and Money	35	(2)
Choosing a Show Dog	37	(5)
Leaving It to the Pros	42	(11)
The Pros and Cons of Professional Handlers	43	(3)
Can an Amateur Beat the Pros?	46	(1)
How to Hire a Professional	47	(2)
Agreeing on Services and Costs	49	(2)
Is This Still My Dog?	51	(2)
Part II: Basic Training	53	(80)
Homework	55	(9)
Understanding Your Sport	56	(1)
Understanding Your Dog	57	(2)
Setting Reasonable Goals	59	(2)
Practicing Good Sportsmanship	61	(1)
Be Prepared!	62	(2)
Check It Out	64	(8)
Veterinary Checkup	65	(2)
Reliable Identification	67	(1)
Socialization	68	(2)
Conditioning Program	70	(2)
Boot Camp	72	(10)
Choosing a Conformation Class	73	(2)
What You Should Learn	75	(2)
The Points of the Dog	77	(3)
Other Learning Opportunities	80	(2)
Anatomy Class	82	(16)
Bodies in Motion	83	(1)
The Front Half of the Dog	84	(4)
The Connection of Front to Back	88	(2)
The Rear Half of the Dog	90	(4)
Heads and Tails	94	(1)
Not All Dogs Were Meant to Trot	95	(3)
The $64,000 Pyramid	98	(10)
The Progression of the Classes	98	(2)
Explanation of Placements	100	(2)
Beyond the Classes	102	(1)
Points and How You Get Them	103	(3)
The Mathematics of a Championship	106	(2)
Taking It on the Road	108	(8)
Match Shows Versus Point Shows	108	(1)
How to Find Shows	109	(2)
Choosing a Show	111	(1)
Choosing a Judge	112	(1)
Managing Your Bookings	113	(3)
For the Younger Set	116	(17)
The Basics of Junior Showmanship	117	(7)
Special AKC Junior Showmanship Opportunities	124	(1)
Junior Showmanship in Canada	125	(1)
4-H Dog Programs	126	(4)
Apprenticing	130	(3)
Part III: Mechanical Skills	133	(54)
Grooming for Success	135	(9)
Coat Types and How You Handle Them	136	(2)
Knowing When You Need Help	138	(1)
Combs and Brushes and Much, Much More	139	(2)
Ears and Nails and Teeth and Toes	141	(3)
Stacking Up	144	(10)
The Stacked Pose	145	(1)
Setting the Front	146	(1)
Setting the Back	147	(1)
The Magical Free Stack	148	(2)
Preparation and Practice	150	(1)
Keeping Cool in the Ring	151	(3)
At the Gait	154	(14)
Leash and Collar Management	155	(2)
Speed Limits	157	(2)
The Patterns of Gaiting	159	(6)
Final Thoughts on Patterns	165	(1)
What the Judge Is Looking For	165	(3)
Taking the Bait	168	(8)
Choosing the Best Motivator for Your Dog	169	(3)
Best Use of Bait	172	(3)
When Bait Is Not Allowed	175	(1)
The View from the Top	176	(11)
Putting It All Together	177	(1)
Listening to Your Dog and Others	178	(2)
Being Excused or Disqualified and Other Transgressions	180	(3)
The Cropping/Docking Controversy	183	(4)
Part IV: Paperwork and Paraphernalia	187	(64)
Papers Aren't Just for Puppies	189	(14)
What Registries Are and the Purposes They Serve	190	(1)
The U.S. Kennel Clubs	190	(9)
International Kennel Clubs	199	(4)
At a Premium	203	(16)
The AKC Entry Form	204	(6)
Which Class to Enter?	210	(3)
The UKC Entry Form	213	(1)
The ARBA Entry Form	214	(1)
Mailing Entries in on Time	214	(4)
Making Changes	218	(1)
Double-Check and Dress for Success	219	(11)
How to Select Show Ring Clothes	220	(3)
Looking Good in the Ring	223	(2)
That All-Important Footwear	225	(1)
Confirmation of Entry	226	(1)
The Judging Schedule	227	(3)
Packing It In	230	(8)
Checklist for Packing	231	(1)
Your Tack Box	231	(2)
Other Equipment	233	(3)
Your Road Kennel	236	(2)
A Special Look at the UKC, ARBA, CKC, and FCI	238	(13)
United Kennel Club	239	(5)
ARBA	244	(1)
Canadian Kennel Club	245	(1)
Federation Cynologique International (FCI)	246	(5)
Part V: Show Time	251	(52)
Setting Up Camp	253	(9)
Setting Up at the Show Site	254	(2)
Safety and Comfort	256	(2)
Armbands	258	(1)
Studying the Catalog	259	(1)
Potty Breaks and Exercise	260	(2)
In the Ring	262	(9)
Steward's Instructions	263	(1)
Judge's Instructions	263	(3)
Etiquette	266	(2)
Show Photographers	268	(3)
Here Come da Judge	271	(10)
The Making of a Judge	272	(4)
The Breed Standard and Judging	276	(1)
Judicious Judicial Conversations	276	(2)
Judicial Quirks	278	(1)
Protests	279	(2)
Beyond the Championship	281	(12)
Hitting the Big Time	282	(3)
Ratings Systems	285	(2)
Advertising	287	(1)
Other Options	288	(5)
When Showing Leads to Breeding	293	(10)
Making the Best Match	294	(3)
Being Ready for Puppies	297	(2)
Considerations If You Own the Stud	299	(1)
Considerations If You Own the Bitch	300	(1)
Genetic Disease and What Fanciers Can Do About It	301	(2)
Appendix A: Additional Addresses	303	(3)
Registries	303	(1)
AKC Dog Show Superintendents	304	(2)
Appendix B: Varieties and Class Divisions	306	(4)
AKC Varieties	306	(1)
AKC Class Divisions	306	(2)
UKC Varieties	308	(1)
FCI Varieties	308	(2)
Appendix C: Alphabetic List of Breeds and Their Registries	310	(11)
Appendix D: The Big Time	321	(4)
The World Show	321	(1)
Crufts Dog Show	322	(1)
Royal Sydney	322	(1)
Royal Canadian Invitational	322	(1)
Westminster Kennel Club	323	(1)
UKC Premier	323	(1)
The Louisville Cluster	323	(1)
Westchester Weekend	323	(1)
Detroit Kennel Club	324	(1)
Del Valle/Golden Gate	324	(1)
Appendix E: For Further Reading	325	(2)
Dog Magazines	325	(1)
Books	325	(2)
Glossary	327	(13)
Index	340