The Dog shows, breed shows or compliance shows are competitions where the judges examine dogs of a specific breed or sometimes dogs of all breeds, to see whether it meets the breed standards or not. These fun and exciting events are commonly organized by kennel clubs and breed clubs. Examining specific breeds is only done at specialty shows.
The standards are set prior to the show by the judges of the show. Matching the set standards laid out for the show is an extremely tough task as the judgement is totally subjective. One dog is not only compared to another dog but also to the judge’s image of an ideal dog which meet the breed standard almost perfectly. The dog show is organized to select a dog that fits almost completely the set breed standards, as the winner.
The breed standard is jotted down in a long list, which is called a conformation point - all the judges get together in a group and frame the conformation point. Certain common requirements remain the same for all competitions although conformation points can vary from one competition to another. The fur is the most important factor, the pet’s color, pattern, length, type and quality are all observed. The layout, quality and quantity of the markings are also viewed carefully.
The judges will also take into consideration a healthy pigmentation free skin and the shape and color of the head. The general attitude and temperament of each breed of dogs are also noted down. The judges will compare and take into consideration the mouth and structure of the teeth and how they align when the jaw is closed. Also taken into consideration and scrutiny are the shape and color of the eyes and the shape and set of ears, including the ratio of the length and height. The style of walking and gait and also the shape of the feet and tail, projects the degree of preparation the dog has been undergoing, which counts toward the overall judging. It is necessary to register the name of the participating dog, breeder and breeder kennel to facilitate identification.
Since every dog has a registered name and a call name, during the competition, the kennel club calls the dog by its registered name while the owner refers to it by its call name. Contenders from different parts of the country are attracted to participate in the many dog shows conducted at various levels: both local and national. The hierarchical nature of the competition qualifies only dogs that have won at each competition to enter the next competition.
To ensure that the chosen champion is the best in the breed, these shows at the highest level only allow pets that have already won championships in other shows. Such shows improve the reputation of the dog, breeder and kennel with the price of the puppies of that particular dog sold for a surprisingly high price. Since people will always want to buy a pet that resembles a champion, the popularity of the breed increases rapidly. Out of the many dog shows taking place, Crufts in the UK and the Westminster Kennel Club Show in the United States are the two prestigious ones available.
