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Can You Show Your Dog? |
After reading through this information, have a think about what you want to achieve by showing your dog.
Before you even attend your first show there are a few things you need to think about first:
Why do you want to show your dogThese are both hard questions to answer and everyone will have a different reason for each. If you can clarify in your own mind what you want to achieve with your dog, then you will have something to aim for in the long runWhat do you hope to achieve
The first thing you will need to think about is whether your dog is eligible to be shown and/or is of sufficient quality to achieve what you want to achieve.
'Show Quality' can be interpreted as many things.
A puppy which is Registered on the Main Register and has no disqualifying points according to the Breed Standard could be referred to as 'Show Quality'.
This does not necessarily mean that the puppy will grow up to display the outstanding characteristics of your breed that would be needed to do a lot of winning in the Show Ring.
Breeders cannot guarantee what their puppy will grow up to be like.
Experienced Breeders can have a well informed opinion based on years of experience, but even then, it can be no guarantee of success.
A puppy of 'Show Quality' should display evidence of outstanding Breed Characteristics as well as possessing a good temperament.
Your dog must be registered on the Main Register.
It must not have any Disqualifying Points.
You must be a member of your local State or Territory Canine Association (by the time your dog is 6 months old.)
The dog should be registered in your name.
The dog shouldn't display any Serious Faults
Read through the following section to see if your Dog is eligable to be shown.
REMEMBER: A puppy that may never grow up to be a Best In Show winner can still give you many years of fun entering Dog Shows, maybe gaining a number of smaller wins along the way and perhaps achieving your dog's Australian Championship as well.
Have a look at your dog's registration papers to see which category the Papers fit into.
The Main Register
Your dog will need to registered on the Main Register to be eligible to enter Dog Shows.
The main points to look for are:
The Limited Register
If your dog is Registered on the Limited Register, you will not be able to enter the dog at a Dog Show, nor will you be able to register any puppies bred from the dog.
The main points to look for are:
Breeders usually place puppies on the Limited Register if they feel the dog is of Pet Quality and not of sufficient quality to be shown or bred from. Dogs can be transferred from the Limited Register onto the Main Register if the dog is under 3 years of age and the Breeder and owner of the dog both give their permission for the transfer.
If you find that your dog is on the Limited Register, contact the Breeder of your dog if you would like to find out why.
Puppies are sometimes sold without official Registration Papers. You may have received only a copy of the dog's pedigree.
A Pedigree will list the dog's parents, grandparents etc. as seen on official Registration Papers, but are not proof that the dog is registered with a Kennel Control.
A dog with only Pedigree papers cannot be shown. Contact the Breeders of your dog to see if the dog has Registration Papers.
Please read through the Breed Standard of your particular breed to see how closely your dog conforms to the standard.
An ANKC Glossary of Terms can be purchased from your local State or Territory Canine Association, and this can be a great help with some of the language used in the Breed Standard.
If you are having problems deciding if your dog is of sufficient quality to be shown, try contacting the breeder of your dog, a local breeder or club who may be able to view your dog and give you their point of view.
Remember, always try to get more than one opinion before making up your own mind. Opinions can and probably will vary.
If you cannot contact any of the above people, try to go along to a Dog Show with your dog.
Exhibitors of your breed may have time to give you an opinion. Remember that many people at shows are very rushed for time, so try not to bother exhibitors while their dogs are being judged. Most will be happy to spend some time with you when they are not so busy.
If you wait until a Judge has finished judging for the day, ask if they have a few minutes to have a look at your dog. Just explain that you are thinking of showing your dog but weren't sure if your dog is of 'Show Quality' or not.
Most Judges don't mind spending a few minutes helping newcomers.
If your dog displays any characteristics that are listed under 'Disqualifying Faults', then you should not show your dog.
If you did enter a show, the Judge should ask you to leave the ring without judging your dog.
If your dog displays any characteristics that are listed under 'Serious Faults', then you may show your dog if you wish to.
However it is not recommended that you would show a dog displaying a serious fault. Your chances of ever winning at any level would be severely diminished.
The decision is of course up to you.