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  SLODOG contact:Carole Eklund, conformation@slodog.org
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Apr 5 |
Saturday Run-Throughs |
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Apr 12 |
Therapy Dog visit |
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Breed-specific as well as all-breed clubs and registries (the American Kennel Club and United Kennel Club, for instance) publish written standards by which all dogs of a particular breed are to be judged in events sanctioned by the club or registry. Overall appearance as well as specific features -- allowable height range, coat texture and color, eye shape, set, even expression, tail set and gait, for instance -- might be commented upon. The standards stem from the breed's classic purpose -- to herd, protect property or flock, course, flush, and/or retrieve game, etc. But the standards, while specific, can be quite subjective. For instance, the AKC says a German Shorthaired Pointer should possess, among other things, a look of "nobility" and eyes that are "good-humored and yet radiating energy," whereas the Labrador Retriever should possess "kind, friendly eyes, expressing character, intelligence and good temperament." Part of the excitement in the show ring comes from not knowing exactly how a particular judge will interpret such descriptions nor what weight the judge will place on each component of the breed standard. And, of course, standards do change over time as human preferences in and uses for a particular breed change, so just when a judge will push the envelope is always open to speculation. When you watch The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, or Crufts Dog Show on television and see the dogs posing, then being jogged around the arena, you're watching a conformation dog show. These show dogs are being judged on their conformation as it relates to their published breed standard. A dog can be quite beautiful but not representative of its breed standard and thus not successful in the show ring. Theoretically, dogs compete at small or local shows, the winners move on to larger regional shows, and those winners move on to the big national and international shows. Specialty shows focus on a single breed. Some shows have only a few entrants per class, while others are quite large. Specialty shows are usually hosted by a national and/or local breed club. All-breed shows can have upwards of 3,000 invitation-only entrants. Initial rounds of competition resemble classes at specialty shows, with dogs evaluated in groups organized by breed. The all-breed shows then take each dog named Best in Breed and group them in terms of class (Herding, Hound, Sporting, Toy, or Working; see the AKC website for lists of which breeds fall into each). Such groupings are a little misleading: Each dog is still judged against its breed standard, not against the other dogs in the group, per se. The dog most representative of its standard is named Best in Group and moves on to the final round of competition, which pits each group winner against its breed standard. The winner of that round is named Best in Show. Showing dogs can be very exciting. The thrill of competition combines with the joy of being around beautiful dogs, each groomed to the T and revved up for the event. SLODOG member Stephanie Bunch recently showed Jim Woods' champion Malinios Solo (Ch. Calia Sacre Bleu) in the Eukanuba Cup Invitational. Under Stephanie's tutelage, Solo made a clean sweep of her events, earning Best of Breed in each of her five classes. Other SLODOG members had successful 2003 show seasons as well. Anita Ritenour's Puli Fuzzle (Ch. Puliarf Prydain Nuzzlfuzzle) completed his AKC conformation title with 15 points. Halle (Pickup Man's Payback JH) picked up her AKC Junior Hunter title (which is a performance, not conformation, title). SLODOG does not hold Conformation show practices, per se, but any dog aimed for the show ring will need a good background in Obedience, and we do hold Obedience practices nearly every other Saturday (see Calendar at right). Show dogs need not only to learn cues for stand, stay, and jog under control (to strut their stuff) but they also need to become accustomed to strangers approaching them and putting their hands all over them to examine teeth/bite, coat texture, etc. The dogs need to learn how to "turn it on" then halt on a dime in a beautiful stance when cued. If you're interested in showing your purebred dog in the conformation ring, contact us at conformation@slodog.org and we'll try to help you get started. You might also do an Internet search for your state or local breed club, or go to the AKC website, which lists many of the clubs for the 150 breeds recognized by the Club. A schedule of upcoming shows can be found at dogpatch.org. If you're considering getting a purebred dog, whether a pup or adult from a breeder or rescue, consider spending a little time at a specialty show or two, or at the Meet the Breed table at an all-breed show. You'll likely find the owners, handlers and others very helpful in explaining the breed's pros and cons, its demands and rewards. Just because a dog apeals to your aesthetic tastes does not mean it's the right dog for your lifestyle. Do a little research. Meet a LOT of dogs. It'll be well worth the effort! |
Apr 14 |
General Meeting |
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Apr 20 |
EVENT: DOG DAYS 2008 |
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May 3 |
Saturday Run-Throughs |
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May 10 |
Therapy Dog visit |
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May 17 |
Saturday Run-Throughs |
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May 24-26 |
C.O.A.S.T. Agility + Stockdog Trials |
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note... |
No May Member Meeting |
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