Conformation Dog Shows

Most competitive events held under AKC/CKC rules are dog shows, where the accent is on conformation. After being examined by a judge, dogs are placed according to how well (in the judge's opinion) they measure up to their breed standard. To be eligible to enter, an AKC/CKC-registered dog must be at least six months old on the day of the show and be of a breed for which classes are offered.

There are three types of dog shows: specialty, group and all-breed. Specialty shows are limited to dogs of one breed and group shows are limited to a particular CKC group. All-breed shows, as the name indicates, are for all breeds. Most show dogs are competing for points toward their championship. To become an official CKC champion of record, a dog must earn a total of 10 points. These points are awarded based on the number of dogs in actual competition--the more dogs, the more points.. Dogs can earn from one to five points at a show. There are regular classes in which dogs seeking points may compete. (Dogs that are competing for points are frequently referred to as class dogs.) these classes are Puppy (frequently subdivided into 6 to 9 months and 9 to 12 months); open (dogs that are over one year of age), Bred by Exhibitor (the dog must be owned or co-owned by any one of the breeders of record ; Canadian Bred. There is no intersex competition in these classes; dogs compete against other dogs, and bitches against other bitches. Only one male (dog) and one female (bitch) of each breed can win points at a show. Judging in every breed proceeds along the same lines. The judge begins with the Puppy Dog class. In each class the dogs are evaluated and placements are made for first, second, third and fourth. Only the first-place winner in each class remains in competition; the others are eliminated. After the judge has completed the Puppy Dogs, , Bred-by-Exhibitor Dogs,Canadian-Bred Dogs and Open Dogs, the first place winners from each class are brought back to compete against one another. This is called Winners class. The dog selected best is the Winners Dog. He is the male who receives the points at the show. Next, the dog that placed second to the Winners Dog in his original class is brought into the ring to compete with the other class winners for Reserve Winners Dog. The Reserve Winners Dog will receive the points if for any reason the Winners Dog is disallowed by the CKC. The same process is repeated in bitches, resulting in a Winners Bitch (the only bitch of the breed to receive points at the show) and a Reserve Winners Bitch. Next, the Best of Breed class is judged. All dogs and bitches that are already champions enter in the ring for this class, joined by the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch, the judge selects one Best of Breed. Then, between the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch, the judge selects a Best of Winners. If either the Winners Dog or the Winners Bitch is selected Best of Breed, it automatically becomes Best of Winners. The judge finishes the breed judging by selecting a Best of Opposite Sex to the Best of Breed. At all-breed shows, this process of elimination takes place in every breed. Each Best of Breed winner then competes against other Best of Breed winners within its Group (Hound, Sporting, Working, Non-Sporting, Herding, Toy, Terrier). In the Group judging, the judge's job is to pick the dog that most embodies the standard for its breed. Four placements are awarded in each Group, but only the first-place winner remains in competition. Finally, the seven Group winners are brought into the ring and a Best in Show winner is selected. This information is brought to you by the American Kennel Club

Agility Trials

Agility is the training of a dog to negotiate an obstacle course. Agility training is believed to have its basis in working police and protection dogs, while similar training methods have evolved in the development of search and rescue dogs. We (Agility Association of Canada) emphasize that it is a sport; we are attracted to the sport of agility because it is fun and because it offers an opportunity for titles to be earned for those who are interested. Agility is a great way for people to experience another side of their relationship with their dogs and to improve their dog's confidence, skill levels and self image. Agility is a challenge and a competition to be enjoyed by handler, dog and spectator. The main elements of the sport are good sportsmanship and fun for the dog and handler. Nothing may be included in agility which could endanger the safety of the dogs participating, the handlers or the spectators. It is a sport which is open to all dogs, purebred and crossbred. This info is brought to you by the Agility Association of Canada. For more information visit http://www.aac.ca/

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Bandit does the Tunnel at practice

Flyball Trials

Flyball is a team sport for dogs that was invented in California in the late 70's. Legend has it that Herbert Wagner first showed it on the Johnny Carson Show to millions of Americans. Soon afterwards dog trainers and dog clubs were making and using Flyball Boxes. In the early 80's the sport became so popular that the North American Flyball Association (NAFA) was formed and they are the worldwide authority for Flyball. Flyball is a relay race with 4 dogs on a team. The course consists of a starting line, 4 hurdles spaced 10 feet apart and a box. The first hurdle is 6 feet from the start line and the box is 15 feet from the last hurdle for a 51 foot overall length. The dogs jump the hurdles and steps on a spring loaded box that shoots out a tennis ball. The dog catches the tennis ball and then runs back over the 4 hurdles. When the dog crosses the starting line the next dog goes. The first team to have all 4 dogs run without errors wins the heat. Tournaments are usually organized in either a double elimination or round robin foramt. Double elimination is usually best of 3 or best of 5. Round robin is usually best 3 out of 5 and the first team to win 3 heats receives 1 point towards their standing in the tournament. This information is brought to you by flyballdogs.com

Scent-Hurdle Racing

Scent Hurdling is a relay race with 4 dogs on a team. The course consists of a starting line, 4 hurdles spaced 10 feet apart and a box. The first hurdle is 4 feet from the start line and the box is 12 feet from the last hurdle. The first team dog jumps the hurdles and attempts to find their own scented dumbell from among the four that have been placed on the box. When the dog finds the right dumbbell they runs back over the 4 hurdles and cross the finish line so that the next team dog can be released. The first team to have all 4 dogs run without errors wins the heat. If a dog picks up the wrong dumbbell or misses a jump, they must run again at the end of their team's line-up. The hurdles for a team are set 4" below the shoulder height of the shortest dog that will be running in that heat. 8" is the minimum hurdle height and 16" is the maximum hurdle height. This information is brought to you by the Canadian Scent Hurdle Association.

Obedience

Obedience Trials test a dog's ability to perform a prescribed set of exercises on which it is scored. In each exercise, you must score more than 50% of the possible points (ranging from 20 to 40) and get a total score of at least 170 out of a possible 200. Each time your dog gets that magic 170 qualifying score, he's gotten a "leg" towards his title. Three legs and your dog has become an Obedience Titled dog! There are 3 levels at which your dog can earn a title and each is more difficult than the one before it. You may see levels divided into "A" and "B" at a trial; "A" classes are for beginners whose dogs have never received a title while "B" classes are for more experienced handlers.

Novice: The first level, Novice, results in your dog earning a Companion Dog (CD) title. The title actually describes what is expected of your dog: demonstrating the skills required of a good canine companion. He will have to heel both on and off leash at different speeds, come when called, stay (still and quietly!) with a group of other dogs when told and stand for a simple physical exam.

Open: The second level, Open, results in your dog earning a Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title. He must do many of the same exercises as in Novice, but off-leash and for longer periods. Additionally, there are jumping and retrieving tasks.

Utility: The final level results in a Utility Dog (UD) title. These are the cream of the crop. In addition to more difficult exercises, the dog also must perform scent discrimination tasks.

OTCH and UDX: The best of the best can go on for more titles. Utility Dogs that continue to compete and earn legs at 10 shows become Utility Dog Excellent (UDX). Utility Dogs that are ranked 1st or 2nd in Open B or Utility classes can earn points toward an Obedience Trial Champion (OTCH) title.

This information is brought to you by the American Kennel Club

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