Top Dog Judging Shows

At both championship and Open shows, entries have to be pre-booked, and indeed there are also smaller shows which now operate on the same basis. However, Exemption show entries are made on the day. These are organized in aid of charity, but should still be held under Kennel Club license.

Champions and other dogs which have won very highly at more formal shows are ineligible for entry. Exemption shows provide an enjoyable day out for the less serious exhibitor, with a limited number of mixed pedigree classes and several fun classes such as 'Waggiest Tail' and 'Most Appealing Expression', as well as some in which owners join in the fun, such as 'Best Set of Six Legs' and 'Fancy Dress'. Despite the small charge for entry there are often substantial sponsored prizes to be won, these generally having been donated in the hope that they will attract higher entries at the show and bring in additional revenue for the charity for which funds are being raised.

The experience of judges at these events is varied. Sometimes the judge has limited experience in the dog world, while occasionally well-known names take to the ring because the show is being organized for a good cause. In consequence, the standard of judging is varied, but some serious exhibitors use these shows as a training ground for their youngsters. When taking puppies to Exemption shows, remember that the minimum age for entry is six months and that not all dogs at the show are well-trained, or, occasionally, not well supervised, so one must take care not to allow one's young 'hopeful' to be put off the show situation through lack of caution on the part of the owner.

Dog ring craft classes and show training
Many highly successful exhibitors never take their dogs to ring craft classes but, especially for novice exhibitors, such classes provide an ideal opportunity for both exhibitor and dog to learn how to show well. A ring craft class must not be confused with an obedience class, as the former is specifically aimed at training dogs for the show ring, while in obedience a dog learns to sit, stay, walk to heel and such like. A dog must be trained to stand. Some ring craft classes are good, others less so, so it is important to seek out a relatively local class which is well-run by dedicated enthusiasts who ideally have substantial experience in showing dogs themselves. Meetings usually take place on one evening each week, perhaps in a village hall, and on first visit it is wise to just sit by the ringside as an observer, thereby assessing whether or not the circumstances seem suitable and, in the case of a young puppy, allowing your dog to get used to a new environment.

Most ring craft clubs operate on a non-profit making basis and many are registered with the Kennel Club, but this does not apply to all. Usually there is a nominal membership fee and then a small sum payable per visit so, except for the sake of practice, it is not essential to attend every week.

At a ring craft class, exhibitor and dog will learn the basics of what is expected of them in the showring. A small breed of dog can learn to stand on a table in order to be assessed by a judge, because it is important that a dog stands still and shows off its merits to its best advantage. Larger dogs are trained to stand still on the floor, and on the whole, the way of showing off a dog in the ring will depend to a great extent on the individual breed. Most dogs are shown in profile when standing, but some breeds, such as Bulldogs, are shown with their head on to the judge. In some breeds, the tail needs to be held up or out at a certain angle, perhaps outward in line with the back, as in some of the Gundog breeds.

In the majority of breeds, the teeth will be inspected by a judge, usually to check their number and placement. In a few breeds, the color of the tongue, gums, lips, flews and roof of the mouth are also assessed. It is essential that a dog tolerates such close inspection and that its temperament is steady because ill-tempered dogs may be asked to leave the ring and can be disqualified from showing.

Dog judging at a ring craft class
Frequently ring craft classes are held in small venues so there is not sufficient space to lay out a ring as it would be in a real show situation. However, there will still be an opportunity to move one's dog, hopefully at the correct pace according to the breed. It is important to learn to move at a speed which  is right for the dog so that the judge sees it moving at its best. A structural fault will often show up even more evidently on the move, but this may be lessened by moving at the correct pace.

In the showring a judge will normally ask exhibitors to move around the ring with their dogs together in order to obtain a general impression and, especially in the case of younger exhibits, to give them a chance to get the feel of the ring. Then each dog will be assessed individually, either on the table or the floor according to the breed. After such assessment a dog will usually be asked to move in a triangle, with the dog on the left-hand side of the handler, then possibly once again up and down the centre of the ring or, as is used frequently on the Continent, move in an arc back to the dog's original place along the side of the ring. When the ring is small the judge may ask that the dog is moved up and down the centre will assess movement coming and going and will then move to another position to assess profile movement. An important rule is that as an exhibitor one should never position oneself between dog and judge so it may be necessary in this instance to move one's dog on the right-hand side, again a technique which can be practiced in ring craft classes.

Winner dog
When all dogs have been assessed individually, the judge will make a final selection, in a particularly large class possibly selecting just a few before making final placings. Then the winners of each class will compete against each other in order that the judge can select the best. In shows held on a Group basis the best of each breed in its Group will compete against the others, then the ultimate Best in Show winner will be selected from the Group winners.

Whether one has won or lost, good sportsmanship is important, after all the judge is entitled to his or her opinion and on another day, under another judge, the results may be quite different. As is so often said at shows: 'one always takes the best dog home' at the end of the day, whether or not one has won as highly as one would have liked.

Dog showring jargon
Those attending dog shows on their first few occasions, as either exhibitors or visitors, are likely to be completely confounded by some of the colloquialisms used by the judges and other experts. It is relatively easy to become acquainted with general show terminology but some of the jargon used needs a little explanation:
Big Green One: Challenge Certificate, usually referred to as a CC.

Bridesmaid: Used to describe a dog which is frequently placed second but rarely wins. This can also refer to a dog which regularly wins Reserve CCs but insufficient CCs to gain the title of champion.

Can't get past: Implying that it is difficult to beat a certain dog.

Down the line: Placed lower than first or second, usually referring to Reserve (4th) or VHC (5th) placings.

Facey / face judging: A judge appearing to give high awards to well-known exhibitors (although one must always appreciate that those who are well-known probably have very good dogs).

Gained his/her crown or title: The dog became a champion.

Go Over: Assessing a dog with one's hands to feel construction.

Good doer: A dog which eats and thrives well.

In the cards: Awarded one of the class prizes.

In good company: Implying that although a dog was unplaced there were others of merit in the class which also unsuccessful.

Judging the other end of the lead: Judging the handler rather than the dog.

Knocked: Placed lower than expected.

Laying on of hands: Said of a judge who goes through the motions without feeling sufficiently well to assess structure.

Looking for his third: Hoping to win a third CC, hence becoming a Champion.

Made up: Made a Champion.

New dog: An exhibit not yet assessed by the judge of the current class.

Pulled out: Selected amongst the final few in a class. Often it is said that a dog was 'pulled out' but not placed.

Put through: Generally denoting a dog which has been declared Best of Breed and has therefore been selected to represent that breed in the Group.

Put up: Placed first, or may be used to denote the Challenge Certificate winner.

Reserve Ticket: Reserve Challenge Certificate.

Seen dog: An exhibit which has already been assessed by the same judge at that show.

Set up/Stack: To present a dog in standing position for the judge.

Table dog: A dog to be examined by a judge on the table, rather than on the floor.

Thrown out: Unplaced.

Ticket: Challenge Certificate.

Frequent abbreviations
CC: Challenge Certificate

RCC: Reserve Challenge Certificate

DCC/BCC: Dog/Bitch Challenge Certificate

BOB: Best of Breed

RBOB: Reserve Best of Breed

BOS: Best of Sex

BP: Best Puppy

BPIB: Best Puppy in Breed

BPIS: Best Puppy in Show

BIS: Best in Show

RBIS: Reserve Best in Show

Other dog events
There are many competitive events which can be enjoyed if one is a dog owner. For some, one needs to be almost as fit as one's dog but that is not always the case, indeed some disabled exhibitors derive much pleasure from competing at dog shows.

Many canine events can be watched at Crufts where participants must have qualified to compete, so the standards are extremely high. As well as activities in the main ring at Crufts, in recent years there has also been a Special Events ring in which demonstrations and competitive events take place all day for each of the four days of the show.

Junior dog competitive events
Although children and teenagers are of course at liberty to enter dog shows just as adults do, there are other competitive opportunities open to them, such as Junior Handling classes.

For youngsters aged between six and 18 there are classes held at shows which are based on handling ability rather than on the quality of the dog. Divided into two age categories, even juniors can have great fun and a serious challenge in these competitive events. Each year those who have qualified attend semi-finals and finals, the overall winner going on to compete against young winners from other countries.

Competition is high, and one hopes that Junior Handling standards will not be taken to extremes. But there are many dedicated, excellent and well-mannered young handlers who have moved gracefully into the adult show world. Their expert handling skills stand them in very good stead to show their dogs to best advantage; some are already on their way to becoming professional handlers.

Kennel club junior dog organization
Set up by the kennel club in 1985, the Kennel Club Junior Organization is known usually as the KCJO. The aim of the organization is to encourage young people to be interested in the care and training of dogs, promoting courtesy, sportsmanship and discipline. Many events are held each year covering all aspects of the canine world, with useful talks, practical demonstrations and regional visits to various interesting establishments which are involved with dogs. There are also quizzes and the ever popular KCJO Stakes classes, held at shows throughout the year.

Agility
Agility events are highly entertaining both for dogs and human participants, as well as for onlookers. This is a competitive activity which has become highly popular in recent years but both dogs and owners need to be physically fit. Handlers have to run around the course with their dogs which jump over hurdles, through hoops and negotiate their way through tunnels, over see-saws and the like. Penalty faults are awarded for any errors made, such as an erroneous route or a dog jumping down from a table before the given time, and each circuit of the course is also timed. Even small dogs can now compete in Mini- Agility which effectively means negotiating a scaled down version of much the same obstacles.

Agility training is fun in every respect - the dogs love it and so do their owners. Competition at the top level is extremely high, but along the way much fun can be had in good company with both dogs and humans.

Fly ball
Another very recently introduced competitive sport - Fly ball - is another in which dogs and owners show their energy and enthusiasm. Working in teams, dogs race each other, cleverly releasing and catching a ball en route. The atmosphere is electrifying and this, too, is a great spectator sport, one particularly enjoyed by Crufts' audiences who watch the competition played at the highest level.

Obedience
There is plenty of opportunity for Obedience competition at various levels throughout the country. Some dogs shows, Exemption events included, host Obedience as well as Show classes. Such dogs have been trained to do things such as walk, sit, lie down, wait and retrieve at various competitive levels of ability. Even if one has no intention of progressing far in competitive Obedience, basic obedience classes are especially useful for owners who wish to have well behaved, well trained pets rather than show dogs.

Heelwork to music
Adapted from normal obedience work is the increasingly popular 'Heelwork to Music', where dogs perform obedience, timed to synchronize with music, the speed of movements being altered accordingly. The skill of the handlers and dogs is really something which needs to be seen to be believed, and obviously an understanding of the amount of work involved in obedience work helps one to appreciate the time and effort which has gone into training for this, the newest competitive event with dogs, one which also makes for thoroughly enjoyable demonstrations.