Regina Kennel & Obedience Club 1826 McAra St, Regina, SK (306)359-6909 Home Membership Form Classes Info Show Handling (Working Class) Show Handling (Learn how to Show) Puppy Obedience Beginner Obedience Advanced Beg. Obedience CKC Novice Obedience CKC Adv. Novice Obedience Open/Utility Obedience CARO Rally Obedience Agility Classes Competitive Agility Junior Classes Spit and Polish About Us Demo Team News Members Shows and Trials Links Contact Us What is... Obedience Rally Obedience Agility Conformation

Conformation If you have ever seen a dog show on television you would have seen well dressed handlers trotting around a ring accompanied by a clean, well groomed dog. To the average person it looks like the Judges make their decision based on the dog who looks the nicest that day, but, there is a lot more to it than that. Judges base their decisions on which dog is closest to the ideal dog description of that breed compared to the other dogs entered. The Breed Standard gives all the qualities that makes a breed unique. The dogs build, height, weight, temperament, movement, color and coat type as well as general breed characteristics are all established in this standard. The dog in a class that resembles this standard the best, is most likely to win. The classes a dog can enter in is dependent on the age and sex of a dog, however, a Specials class is offered to those dogs who have already earned a Championship title. A dog may begin its show career at six months as a junior puppy. Once puppies reach nine months they are placed in a senior puppy class and at twelve months they must join the adult classes. All dogs compete against their own sex first, then the top male and female in a breed go against all the dogs in that breeds' Specials class in a Winners class. The winner of this goes to a Best of Group to compete against the winners in that group. Then the seven Group Winners go for the Best in Show. Puppies and adults have their own classes, but may compete against each other in an Open class. When dogs compete in shows they are looking to earn points that go towards earning a Championship title. A dog must get ten points under three Judges in order to get that title. Points are accumulated based on how many dogs are in each class and how far through the different classes it goes. Puppies do not receive points for a Best Puppy in Show, but adult dogs can receive points for Best in Show. Only the male and female winners in each breed get points. Five points per show is the maximum a dog can receive. If a Judge feels a dog doesn't have good enough qualities to represent that breed they may withhold points. In order to show, a dog must be able to stand quietly while being checked (touched) all over by the judge. A dog that snaps, bites or does not allow itself to be examined by the judge can be excused, but, some judges just place them at the end of the line. It is the handlers job to keep the dogs attention and have it look and its best. Placing the dogs feet in the correct place is allowed as well as the use of toys and bait. Verbal cues are also permitted. A handler must also make sure their dog is used to having other dogs around, if the dog is interested in the other dogs as opposed to the handler it doesn't show as well. If you are considering showing your dog, taking it to handling classes is a good idea. It will help familiarize you with what is going on, and get your dog used to what is expected at a show.