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Conformation Procedure & Examination at AthleticDogs.com
Conformation Show Procedures
Conformation shows follow a consistent procedure regardless of the size and scope of the show, or the sanctioning organization. Generally, you must register to show your dog ahead of time, though some venues allow same day registration. After you have checked in you will receive the premium, which provides details about the show, classes, and a schedule of showing times.
At your scheduled time, you and the other handler and dog teams will enter the ring and line up. Dogs are normally shown on a slip lead – a thin nylon lead used specifically for showing. At this point, the judge will usually ask the group of exhibitors to walk the dogs around the ring once or twice. This provides the judge his or her first assessment of the class. Next, the judge will examine each dog. When asked, you will need to place your dog on the table (and stack him or her!) and hold the dog in position to make the examination easier for the judge.
Following the examination, the judge will usually ask you to move your dog by walking it in a triangle pattern, allowing the judge to evaluate its gait from the front, back and side. Once each dog has been examined, the judge will often take one more look at the group before selecting the top choices. In classes with a high number of entries the judge may select a few of the dogs for a closer look, called being pulled out or making the cut. The judge will then line the dogs up in place order, sometimes making swaps or changes until satisfied. Then, the judge will instruct the ring steward to hand out the prize cards. The top three placed dog and handler teams may be asked to remain in the ring for the judge to critique further.
The judges in a conformation show are experts on the breeds they are judging. It is their job to examine (go over) each dog with their hands to evaluate the teeth, muscles, bones, and coat texture. The view each dog in profile for overall balance and watch each dog gait to observe all of the features together in action.
The judges are looking for how closely the dog conforms to the breed standard. The official written standard for each breed is maintained by the breed’s national club and is included in the AKC’s The Complete Dog Book. The standards describe the characteristics that allow the breed to optimally perform the function for which it was bred and include specifications for structure, temperament, and movement.
Check out the AthleticDogs.com store for products and training aids for conformation!
