Originally Posted by gemy  In regular conformation events held by AKC CKC(Canadian Kennel Club) FCI altered dogs or females are not allowed to be shown. The reason as stated earlier is that these conformation shows held by the aforementioned clubs are designed to assess a particular dog for breed worthiness. How-ever there may be some clubs check out your Rare Breed Clubs and UKC that may offer special classes for altered dogs for conformation showing..
Performance events agility, obedience, rally, dock diving, etc allow neutered dogs to enter and qualify.
To answer your second question: How do you know if you have a show potential pup.
Firstly did your breeder sell to you as a "show" dog? If not then it is highly likely that in that breeders opinion this dog is :not" show potential. If they sold you a dog as pet quality then you should review your sales contract to see if there are limitations on you "should" you want to show this pup. Even if no limitations as a matter of courtesy I would talk to my breeder about my desire to show this pup. If this is indeed your desire.
So putting that to one side. How do you a "newbie" to the sport get a more informed idea if your guy is not just "cute" to your eyes, but is a show star just waiting to develop.
First I encourage you to read, then read, then read again the standard for the breed.
then take a look at some of the dog shows that are on the net of Yorkie competitions, look at Westminster, NYC specialty, Bratslavia dog show 2009 are some suggestions. Look at the class dogs particularly puppy class dogs. This will give you a progressive idea of the quality, type, and overall look of show dogs from puppy to adult.
Now with this more informed eye you can look at your pup. Is he/she a natural stacker?,This means your dog comes into a 4 square stack, front paws under them, back paws set so that hock joints are perpendicular?. is their top line straight?, what about their ear carriage, ear set? when they move is it pleasing to my eye? Is there a sense of similar reach and drive ( front legs reach forward about the same distance and back legs reach back. Does the top line remain level on the trot? Do I see a lot of rolling across the hindquarters? Does my boy walk and trot with head held up - proud alert inquistive terrier that he is?
Now what about colour and coat? Is the coat silky? Will his/her color break? Has it started to? What were his/her parent's coat and colour like?
A note to you most breeders and exhibitors by the time their dog is 8-12 weeks old have already started the training for their show potentials. They train the little ones to love to be touched when they stand - to be comfy with head control and direction, to stand still for increasing amounts of time, to like or at least accept their back and front legs being positioned.
Is there alot to know - of course!! But that is part of the fascination for this sport of showing dogs. And yes it is a sport. You and your dog need to train together, take lessons from a good handling teacher, and find the fun in it all. Because that is what it should be is fun! Fun for you, and fun for your dog!.
And yes whilst conformation shows are about assessing and finding dogs worthy of carrying on the breed, not all dogs that finish their championship are bred!.
If you wish to show that is between you, your breeder, and your dog. Clear it with your breeder first, know your aims and desires, Have them take a look at your dog now, see what they think.
I hope you find, should you choose to show, much fun and fullfillment in the conformation ring. |