Conformation
 

What happens in a conformation show?

A dog show aka conformation is essentially evaluating breeding stock based on the animals conformation to the written standard set forth by the AKC.

Multiple dogs of each breed will compete and be evaluated based on the judges interpretation of that standard.

:) Hope this helps clarify!

Well, in a conformation show, dogs are entered and compete against each other, first in the same breed, i.e. Yorkies compete against Yorkies. It is a conformation show because the dogs are judged by how they conform to their breed standard which is a written blueprint of how the dog should look.

So the dogs are judged by how it looks standing and moving by a judge who should know what that breed is supposed to look like.

Ok, after all the different breeds compete, the winners of each breed are entitled to compete in "group" judging. The Yorkie is in the toy group. There is also a sporting group, working group, non-sporting group, terrier group,
hound group and herding group. The group winners then compete for best in show.

I'm sorry if I left out a group and I hope my explanation wasn't too confusing.

What actually happens is that you enter the ring when the steward calls your number. you set your dog down on the floor and the judge will tell you to take it around the ring in a circle. if there are other dogs, you all go round the ring together. Then you stop and ge down to stack your dog and wait your turn on the table. When the person in front of you removes her dog from the table to walk again for the judge, you set your baby on the table and stack her. After the judge goes over her with his hands, he will tell you to do a triangle, then a diagonal line and you stop a few feet from him. he then looks at your dog in the face to see how alert and etc he is. Then he pulls out the best ones and they all go round the ring again and he chooses a winner. Plus the other posters above me explained the classes and etc. This is just what actually happens.

You first start by showing the dogs and bitches that are not champions yet.

The dogs (males) will compete first in one of these classes: puppy 6-under 9 months, puppy 9-under 12 months, 12-18 months, american bred, bred by exhibitor, or open. A 1st place ribbon will be given to a dog in each class and then those dogs will compete for winners dog (best of all the dogs entered).

Then the bitches (females) will compete just like the dogs did above...in one of those classes. The 1st place winning bitch of each class will compete for winners bitch.

Then you go on to Best Of Breed competition. The dogs that compete in BOB are winners dog, winners bitch, and all of the specials (bitches and dogs that are already champions). Best of Breed will be chosen here. Also chosen is Best of Opposite sex (so if a male wins BOB then a female will get BOS). And then a Best of Winners is chosen out of the winners dog and winners bitch.

So then the dog that won Best of Breed will go on to compete in the Toy group competition. A group 1, 2, 3, and 4 place are given in the group ring.

Then the winner of the toy group will go on to compete against the other 6 group winners to compete for Best in Show.

Some judges get upset if you do not allow your dog to walk into the ring.
Some don't care if you carry the dog in the ring.
So always watch to see what the exhibitors are doing that are going in before you so you can see if they are walking the dog in or carrying the dog in.

Deana
Prestigeous Yorkies

It is always a good idea to get to the ring early so you can watch the breeds ahead of you and see what pattern the judge is using...everyone uses something different, although a down and back is used the most. I have hat to do the L pattern and the triangles...we practice the T pattern at classes but have not had a judge ask for it yet. This always helped settle down my nerves.

Judges get frustrated when you do not do what they asked, so if you did not hear them well enough ask them to repeat their instructions!

EEKKKKKKKKKKKK! i didn't know that. I never set my gal down until the judge says for me to come into the ring then I carry her just inside the ring. this is good to know.

i have never had to do the L or T yet. That would have scared me to death hadd I been asked. At class we just do the diagonal and triangle and round the ring.

I've never had a judge tell me to walk my dog in personally but I do either or...
It always looks good to walk your dog in but usually if I have a puppy I carry them in and have never been told either way. My handler always carries Radar in the ring but when I have showed him I let him walk in. I've seen most handlers carry them in but I guess that's in this area...

Donna

Sometimes I carry them in, sometimes I walk them in.
If we are the only entry in that class I walk them in as they usually just have us go right around and put them on the table. If I know they put them straight on the table I will carry them in...so it just depends...lol

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! This is so intimidating (sp?)! Is there a site i can go to or does someone have a video maybe???
(My dog will be in the puppy class)

I think it's best explained by actually experiencing it yourself. I attended my first dog show last July, and although I didn't have a clue how they worked or really what was going on I still got a feel for what dog shows are like. Then I met exhibitors and a couple people who knew what was going on, and they explained and answered all my questions. Once you're there and are able to ask questions and see it in person, you pick up what's going on pretty quickly. So look up some local shows and go to watch..that will probably help a lot

I was told that if you are at the beginning of the line up and have more time to walk the dog in and if you are at the end of the line and time is at a premium just carry the dog in to set it up quickly.

thank you so much. I am usually in the middle since my girl follows other dogs better than if she goes first.