Chronicle of Canine Competitions

The very first dog show we know of happened in June 1859. It was in Newcastle-Tyne, England, and it had 60 setters and pointers. In the United States, the first official dog event was in Chicago in June 1874. Then, three years later, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show started, and it had around 35 different dog breeds. This show is the second oldest sporting event in the United States that has been happening without a break, with only the Kentucky Derby being older.

In 1884, they started the American Kennel Club (AKC) in the United States. The AKC's job is to keep records of purebred dog breeding. Right now, they officially recognize 150 different dog breeds. The AKC's main goals are to make sure purebred dogs are taken care of well, encourage people to breed and show them, and also promote responsible dog ownership.

Dog breeds are sorted into different categories called show groups. According to the AKC, there are seven main groups:

1. Sporting
2. Toy
3. Herding
4. Terrier

Dog breeds that are still in the process of being officially recognized are put into a group called 'miscellaneous.' This means they can only be shown in special classes for miscellaneous breeds. Other kennel clubs, like the United Kennel Club or the Federation Cynologique Internationale, have their own groups for dog shows. The AKC, which is the organization that oversees dog shows in the United States, is one of the oldest sports organizations in the country, second only to the US Lawn Tennis Association. To give you an idea of how big the dog show world has become, there are now around 5,000 dog clubs in the United States that hold dog show events in partnership with the AKC.

Types of Competitions

Enjoyable Contests

Fun matches or practice matches are casual events that the AKC doesn't officially approve. They don't give out awards or titles at these matches. Usually, clubs that can't hold official matches organize these. They're good for people who are new to showing dogs. Even though these matches don't count for anything official, judges (who are usually not official judges) can give advice and tips to the people handling the dogs.

Authorized Contests

To organize official dog matches approved by the AKC, a dog club needs the AKC's permission. These are called 'sanctioned matches,' and they are also good for beginners. In these matches, judges don't have to be officially certified, but they are chosen because they know a lot about dogs. Winning these matches doesn't earn dogs championship points (which are awards for being the best), as you can see in the box on the right. These matches are more casual and are put on by a club that wants to get approval from the kennel club to hold a licensed dog show.

Confirmation and Challenges

Owners or handlers of show dogs can sign their dogs up for as many events as they want, as long as their dogs meet the rules for each event. But, this can get expensive because there is usually a fee for each event and for each dog entered.

Confirmation

Conformation is about how a dog looks and whether it matches the standard for its breed. The dog's body parts should fit together nicely and create a pleasing image when you look at it from different angles. Any dog can have things that don't quite meet the standard. These faults can show when the dog is moving or when it's set up in a certain way.

In conformation shows, dogs compete to earn points toward becoming AKC champions. The AKC has a set of rules written down for each breed, and dogs are judged based on how closely they match these rules for their breed. The number of male and female dogs of each breed in the competition decides how many points are given out at each show.

Tests

Trials can happen as part of an official show or separately as their own event. One type of trial is obedience trials, where both the dog and its handler are judged on how well they follow commands. Another type is agility trials, but there are also trials for tracking, herding, lure coursing, and coonhound events. These are all different ways for dogs and their owners to compete and show off their skills.

What You Can Anticipate at a Dog Show

In a dog show, there are two types: benched and unbenched. In a benched show, when dogs are not in the competition ring, they have to stay in a specific area or 'bench' on the show grounds, so people can see them. The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is an example of a benched show.

But in most shows, they are unbenched. That means there are no assigned areas for the dogs, and people can set up wherever they like on the show grounds, first-come, first-served.

When choosing a spot to set up outdoors, it's important to find a flat piece of ground. Since there may not be much natural shade, it's a good idea to bring a canopy or something else to create shade. Also, try to set up close to the show ring in case the weather gets bad.

The person handling the dog should think about the dog's temperament and how it behaves. It's easier for dogs to stay calm before they go into the ring if there aren't too many things to see or hear that might distract them.

Assessment and the Significance of Physical Presentation

When dogs enter the show ring, a judge is in charge. These judges have to have a lot of experience and meet specific requirements set by the registry, like the AKC. They need at least 10 years of experience, have finished two champions, and bred at least four litters. They can only judge the breeds they're approved for.

In dog shows, judges compare the dogs to the AKC standard for their breed. If a dog doesn't match that standard well, it might not become a champion. So, when veterinarians are treating show dogs, they need to think about whether a procedure might shave the dog's fur or leave scars that could affect its appearance. The dog's health is the most important thing, but it's better to use procedures that don't change how the dog looks as much as possible.

Achievements

The AKC gives out titles to dogs when they achieve certain things in AKC events. These titles are added to the dog's name. For example, you might see titles like Ch. (Champion), NFC (National Field Champion), or FC (Field Trial Champion) at the beginning of a dog's name. Or you might see titles like AX (Agility Excellent), ME (Master Earthdog), MC (Master Courser), or HS (Herding Started) at the end of their name. There are many other titles that can be added to a dog's name too.

Diet and Hydration

Dog shows can be tough on the minds of both dogs and their owners. This kind of stress can be harder on them mentally than it is on their bodies. Even though all dogs need more nutrients when they're stressed, a dog feeling anxious or stressed might not want to eat much. So, there's no need to give them extra vitamins as long as they eat a good, balanced diet that's packed with the right nutrients and is easy to digest.