Conformation Showing
Conformation showing is often referred to as the "canine beauty contest"; when in fact, conformation showing started as an organized manner for Breeders to show off their breeding stock. It is still the primary way Breeders have to exhibit their top dogs and bitches, before educated Judges, to solicit the Judge's subjective evaluation of their breeding lines.
To be considered a Conformation Champion (the "CH" in front of the
dog's registered name e.g. CH. Over The Top Dog), the dog must have
earned 15 points in various conformation shows. The points are
earned by defeating other dogs of their sex and/or by defeating all
the dogs or bitches entered in that breed's showing at a particular
show. Points are determined by how many of the dogs are entered in
the Breed competition at that show and can range from 1 point to 5 points.
A show that has enough dogs entered to be considered worth 3, 4 or 5 points
is called a "major". A dog must have won at two or more shows that
are considered "majors" as part of the 15 points needed to be a Champion.
In other words, to be a Champion the dog (or bitch) must have won at
least two shows worth 3 or more points and earn an additional 9 points
in other shows. There is no time limit on how long you have to earn
the 15 points once you start.
To enter a Conformation show a dog must be six months of age, be a purebred specimen of a recognized breed and have no disqualifying faults (as outlined in the Breed Standards) or physical lameness.
Prior to Six months of age, puppies may enter Sanctioned "B"-Matches for fun and for the learning experience. Ribbons are awarded the winners in Breed and in Groups, but no Championship points are awarded at the Matches. Matches are a great place to practice and receive some friendly feedback on your dog's overall suitability for Conformation showing.
Conformation shows are predominately un-benched - meaning that when the dog is done showing for the day, its owner or handler are free to leave the show grounds. Benched shows (of which there are only five left in the United States) require that all exhibitors remain in a "benching area" when they are not showing so that the public may view the dogs. Golden Gate Kennel Club's show at the Cow Palace during the first weekend in February is the only west coast benched show.
Conformation showing starts at the Breed level. The Breed level is all the other dogs of your breed entered to show that day. Dogs and Bitches are separated into Puppy Categories of 6-9 months and 9-12 months and into other categories including 12-18 month dogs, Open, Bred-By-Exhibitor, and Novice. Winners from each of the categories compete against one another for the Winner's Bitch and Winner's Dog. The Winners of the Bitch and Dog entries receive the points toward their championship. The Winner's Bitch (WB) and Winner's Dog (WD) enter the ring with already Championed dogs (Called Specials) to compete for Best of Breed (BOB), Best Opposite Sex (BOS) and Best of Winners (BOW).
Occasionally, there are dogs over seven years of age entered to compete for Best of Breed. All the dogs over seven years of age compete in a Veterans class to determine the best Veteran to send to the Best of Breed Competition.
While in the ring, a Judge studies each dog entered from the sixth month old puppy to the aged Veteran. The Judge is guided by his or her interpretation of each Breed's written Standard. The Standard is the "ideal" specimen the Judge is looking for. The Judge uses his eyes and his hands to exam the dogs individually. He checks the color of the eyes, the texture of the coat, the muscles and angulations of the joints. The Judge will ask each exhibitor to move their dog around the ring and then move the dog away from and back toward the Judge so that the Judge has an opportunity to see that if everything he has seen and felt is reflected in the dog's movement. The Judge awards ribbons based on what he or she has seen in the ring that day.
Division 9 Point Break-Downs for the Standard Schnauzer (Effective April 2006 )
| Breed Points | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Dogs | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 9 |
| Number of Bitches | 2 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 14 |
Division 9 Point Break-Downs for the Standard Schnauzer (Effective May 14 2006 )
| Breed Points | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Dogs | 2 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 11 |
| Number of Bitches | 2 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 16 |
Click here to see the 2007 AKC Divisions for Standard Schnauzers.
The Best of Breed winners from each breed compete later the same day in the Group Competition.
There are Seven Groups: Working, Herding, Sporting, Hounds, Non-Sporting, Terrier and Toys.
These groups are divided by the various form and functions that each of the Breeds in that Group performed.
A different Judge goes over each dog in each of the Groups. The Judge awards a Group I through a Group IV placement winner.
The Group I winners from each Group compete in the Best In Show Competition in which one dog is determined to be the closest to their individual Breed Standard at that show for that day.
In addition to All Breed Shows, dogs can compete in Specialty conformation shows to earn points toward their Championships. An All Breed show is a Conformation show in which only dogs of the same breed compete for ribbons, prizes and trophies. Specialty shows can be sponsored by regional breed clubs and by a National Breed Club. The National Club sponsors the big annual event called "The National Specialty", where all dogs in the country vie for Best of Breed honors.
In Canada, Conformation shows are conducted pretty much the same as they are in the United States. To become a Canadian Champion the dog must earn 10 points to be considered a Champion and to determine the total number of points per show, the total number of dogs and bitches are added together.
In Europe and under the FCI Federation rules, dogs do not compete against one another for Champion Certificates, but rather, receive a written evaluation by a Judge on the dogs overall adherence to the Breed Standard. The dog must receive three Champion Certificates from three different Judges, two Judges must reside in a country other than where the dog resides. There may be three or four dogs of the same breed who each earned one of the three Champion Certificates needed to be an International Champion, that day. The very best of these "Excellent" specimens compete for Best of Breed to see who goes to the Group Ring.
There are several opportunities in the United States to participate in the FCI style Conformation shows. You can find one near you at their web page http://www.internationaldogshow.com.
Obedience Showing
To enter an Obedience competition, a dog must be six months of age, be AKC registered and not be lame. Dogs with ILP registration numbers and dogs that have been spayed or neutered may compete in obedience trials. The purpose of the Obedience training is to teach the dog that he MUST obey and the purpose of the trial is to demonstrate that he WILL obey.
Obedience Trials are divided into classes or levels for competition. Beginners enter a class called Novice A or Novice B. Novice A is for anyone who has never put an obedience title on a dog in the past. Novice B is for someone who has titled a dog in the past, but is not an experienced person in the sport. Novice A and Novice B exercises are the same - Healing on and off lead, Recall with finish, Stand for Exam, Figure 8 pattern, 1 Minute Sit-Stay with Handler in the Ring, 3 minute Down-Stay with Handler in the Ring. The dog must pass each of these tests and have an over-all score of 170 or greater before three different Judges to earn the Title Companion Dog (CD) to go after their Registered Name (eg. Mom's Little Over-Achiever, CD).
With further training, the dogs move up to the Open A or Open B classes. Open exercises include those demonstrated at the Novice Level except that all are done off-leash. The dog must drop to a down position during the Recall; the Long Sit and Down Stays are performed for three minutes and five minutes each; the dog must retrieve an object on a flat surface and over a high jump, and the dog must jump the broad jump and finish in front of the Handler in a Sit position. The dog must pass each individual exercise with a 50% or higher score and have a final score of 170 points or more, under three separate Judges, to earn the Title Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) after their registered name.
To move on, the dog must be able to demonstrate and perform the exercises using Hand Signals and be able to scent discriminate articles. This level is called Utility Dog (UD) and is a true demonstration of Handler/Dog communications and training.
There are non-regulation classes in Obedience that include Pre-Novice, Team Obedience, Brace Obedience and Veterans. Most of these classes are demonstrated at National and Regional Specialty shows and are meant to be fun. No titles are awarded in these non-regulation classes.