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In order to compete, your dog will need to be 6 months of age or over on the first day of the show. Health is of paramount importance, so before taking part in dog showing, make sure your dog is fit for function: fit for life. She instead suggested that I hook up with the organizer for the show I was attending, and let them know this was my first show. They would likely be able to connect me with someone at the show who might be able to help me show my dog, either on a friendly volunteer basis or paid.
“Show Me The Bully”Article by: Bully The Kidhave been happening for hundreds of years. The image of dog shows usually starts with a poorly dressed individual oddly running around the ring with a poodle like dog at the end of his or her leash. The dog show enthusiast is stereotyped as a quirky, odd person that has devoted their entire life to dogs. Down to dachshund shaped loafers, and specific breed related sweaters! The truth is most individuals that show dogs are just regular nine to five working individuals that just happen to love dogs.The dogs are generally incredible examples of their breeds and descend from long lists of champions and show winners.
The dogs that don’t carry the standard pedigree of winners are often detected from outside the show ring quickly and the differences are fairly obvious. The question about dog showing generally revolves around what the judge is looking for as the dogs go around the ring and stand stoically on groomer like tables. Breed TypeBreed type is the first thing a judge should be looking for in any breed.
Breed type consists of the characteristics that separates one breed from another. The very things that make it identifiable as the breed it is.
A lot of novices, and even some experience dog show enthusiasts struggle with the concept of breed type. However, breed type is simple, it is elementary in identifying a breed. The should scream English Bulldog, not French Bulldog, or Boston Terrier, or Pug, it should be an English Bulldog. It’s attributes and characteristics should separate it as a breed of it’s own. From the moment the dogs are stacked up in the ring, a judge should be able to go down that line and determine breed type! This can happen without ever putting hands on the animals.
It is found in the long line of dogs presented to compete in it’s breed ring. The Judging ProcessThink of how a show ring operates. The dogs enter the ring, a judge has all the dogs stack in a line. He looks at that line (he should be identifying type here). He then walks to the front of the line and looks down the line before examining the first dog.
Again he should be judging breed type at this point. Size, proportion, back length can all be determined in these first initial looks. A lack of type at this point and the dog in question should be out of the ribbons at the time to select a winner. No matter how structurally sound the dog is, or how luxurious it’s coat is, or how elegantly it moves around the ring, if it does not look as the breed it is, it should not place in the show ring.
Examining the dogThen the judge physically examines the first dog, this examination, is primarily to check bites, coat, tone, elbows, hocks, etc. This examination deals with the aspects of the standard that are not visible from across a show ring. Does the dog have an under, or overbite? Are the feet tight, the elbows in?
Are the joints weak, does the dog have a strongly built rear? Pushing, pulling, and touching the animals gives the judge an opportunity to truly feel how an animal is built. To actually feel a dog and determine faults and weak points in the dogs structure. Is it soft or hard muscled?
It’s a physical examination of the things you can’t see from a distance. It is an important part of the process, but the truth is experienced handlers have learned to hide and showcase dogs in a way that even the most seasoned judge may miss a fault or two during the physical examination.
Judging Rear MovementThe next portion of the show ring is the down and back, to determine front and rear movement. Does the dog paddle, is it hocky, does it move tightly in the rear, what is the dogs natural stack at the end. Is it easty westy, does it truly have good turn to stifle or was it a handler created illusion? The down and back although brief is important in determining what was felt in regards to shoulder placement, and rear assembly.
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The process although not the end all or be all, also gives the judge an opportunity to see how a dog actually stops on it’s own. Many dogs have lost competitions when they come back in front of the judge after the down and back. If the dog stops in a way, that makes it appear to be heavily faulted a judge may take that dog out of the ribbon selection. Judging the Side GaitThe last element for the judge is the go around, this is a look at the side gait, which will show the true top line and overall structure of the animal.
The dogs reach and drive is determined by balance between it’s front assembly and rear assembly. Is the dog built correctly for it’s breed? Movement is not a one size fit all thing. Each breed has it’s own desired movement, and it’s movement is directly correlated in the function required of the breed. The term form matching function is often used in deciphering movement. A dog should have movement that exemplifies it’s breed.
In some breeds the actual movement is not described in the standard, but if you understand what a standard is calling for in structure, you will quickly be able to assess the proper movement required of the breed. Faults that appeared minor, can be exposed as major in movement. Attributes that appeared while the dog stood still, can be exposed as detriments as the dog goes around the ring. Restricted shoulders, weak rears, poor top lines, and poor head carriage all can be found in movement. StructureWhich is of most importance in regards to judging a show dog, breed type, or overall structure.
A good judge should want to see breed type, but good breed type only beats out dogs that lack breed type. There isn’t in my opinion great breed Type and good breed type, it is more a case of a dog either has it, or lacks it. Once that is determined, in my opinion the results should be based on structure. Structure is how the dog is built, and the show ring is an evaluation of the dogs that will be bred. Dogs is building dogs, so the foundation which is structure is and should be of the most importance. The Determining FactorMovement is the ultimate determining factor in my opinion.
If a dog has breed type, is built correctly, and has few cosmetic faults I think we may have found a show winner. Pet type dogs in my opinion, lack type and or riddled with faults that would prevent it from being a functional example of it’s breed.
Pet dogs are great at being pets, but when it comes to the show ring, it will suddenly feel that you have the ugly baby at a cute kid contest. All dogs have a place, but the dogs that are conditioned, fed quality food, and given will shine through as the of champions.Dog are a great way to be involved with your dog and to meet like minded individuals. There are dark sides to showing, but the bright side far outweighs the dark moments. The purpose is pure and when a wonderful example of a dog breed goes around the ring it can be a beautiful thing to witness!
Thinkstock. Determine where your dog will be spending most of his time. Because he will be under a lot of stress with the change of environment (from shelter or foster home to your house), he may forget any housebreaking (if any) he’s learned. Often a kitchen will work best for easy clean-up.
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If you plan on crate training your dog, be sure to have a crate set-up and ready to go for when you bring your new dog home. Find out more about. Dog-proof the area where your pooch will spend most of his time during the first few months. This may mean taping loose electrical cords to baseboards; storing household chemicals on high shelves; removing plants, rugs, and breakables; setting up the crate, and installing baby gates. Training your dog will start the first moment you have him. Take time to create a vocabulary list everyone will use when giving your dog directions. This will help prevent confusion and help your dog learn his commands more quickly.
Not sure which commands to use? Check out. Bring an ID tag with your phone number on it with you when you pick up your dog so that he has an extra measure of safety for the ride home and the first few uneasy days. If he is microchipped, be sure to register your contact information with the chip’s company, if the rescue or shelter did not already do so.First Day:. We know moving is stressful — and your new dog feels the same way! Give him time to acclimate to your home and family before introducing him to strangers. Make sure children know how to approach the dog without overwhelming him.
Go here for more on. When you pick up your dog, remember to ask what and when he was fed.
Replicate that schedule for at least the first few days to avoid gastric distress. If you wish to switch to a different brand, do so over a period of about a week by adding one part new food to three parts of the old for several days; then switch to half new food, half old, and then one part old to three parts new. For more information about your dog’s diet, check out our section on.
On the way home, your dog should be safely secured, preferably in a crate. Some dogs find car trips stressful, so having him in a safe place will make the trip home easier on him and you. Once home, take him to his toileting area immediately and spend a good amount of time with him so he will get used to the area and relieve himself. Even if your dog does relieve himself during this time, be prepared for accidents. Coming into a new home with new people, new smells and new sounds can throw even the most housebroken dog off-track, so be ready just in case.
Need more housetraining tips? Check out our section. If you plan on crate training your dog, leave the crate open so that he can go in whenever he feels like it in case he gets overwhelmed.
Also, be sure to check out the do’s and don’ts of. From there, start your schedule of feeding, toileting and play/exercise.
From Day One, your dog will need family time and brief periods of solitary confinement. Don’t give in and comfort him if he whines when left alone. Instead, give him attention for good behavior, such as chewing on a toy or resting quietly (Source: ). For the first few days, remain calm and quiet around your dog, limiting too much excitement (such as the dog park or neighborhood children).
Not only will this allow your dog to settle in easier, it will give you more one-on-one time to get to know him and his likes/dislikes. If he came from another home, objects like leashes, hands, rolled up newspapers and magazines, feet, chairs and sticks are just some of the pieces of “training equipment” that may have been used on this dog. Words like “come here” and “lie down” may bring forth a reaction other than the one you expect.Or maybe he led a sheltered life and was never socialized to children or sidewalk activity. This dog may be the product of a never-ending series of scrambled communications and unreal expectations that will require patience on your part.Following Weeks:. People often say they don’t see their dog’s true personality until several weeks after adoption. Your dog may be a bit uneasy at first as he gets to know you. Be patient and understanding while also keeping to the schedule you intend to maintain for feeding, walks, etc.
This schedule will show your dog what is expected of him as well as what he can expect from you. After discussing it with your veterinarian to ensure your dog has all the necessary vaccines, you may wish to take your dog to group training classes or the dog park. Pay close attention to your dog’s body language to be sure he’s having a good time — and is not fearful or a dog park bully. If you’re unsure of what signs to watch for, check out this video on. To have a long and happy life together with your dog, stick to the original schedule you created, ensuring your dog always has the food, potty time and attention he needs.
You’ll be bonded in no time! For more information on creating a feeding schedule for your dog visit. If you encounter behavior issues you are unfamiliar with, ask your veterinarian for a trainer recommendation. Select a trainer who uses positive-reinforcement techniques to help you and your dog overcome these behavior obstacles. Visit for more information on reward-based training.Congratulations! If you follow these tips, you’ll be on your way to having a well-adjusted canine family member.
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