Cynologist

The following article is written, not as an intended criticism of the judges.We have seen many Dog Shows, but in the hope that it may prove of use to novice judges. Their methods varied of course, but underlying all their decisions, the same outstanding fact was plain that each possessed a great knowledge of confirmation, type, soundness and, of course, the necessary attributes of each of the various breeds in the ring. None of them were deceived by trimming, however careful it was.. This, of course, is as it should be; as, after all, a dog show is an exhibition of dogs and not of careful barbering. Here novice exhibitors, who have been patient enough to have read this far, must not think judges do not appreciate good trimming; quite the opposite is the case, because it makes a judge's task so much easier; he has not to search for such points as clean skulls, well- laid back-shoulders, etc. On the other hand, careful trimming cannot conceal faults from any keen judge. Where careful trimming has the pull, it is in the judges final summing up, i.e. just before he nods to his steward to hand out the cards. However, to get back to the original object of this article: 1. When your steward has all his dogs in the ring, Read more [...]

If you're planning to enter your pet at a dog show held under Kennel Club rules, you must enter for the appropriate classes well in advance. You'll be sent an entry ticket and a benching number. You'll also be asked to attend by a specific time. What to do when you arrive When you arrive at the show, buy the catalogue which gives full details of all the classes. Next, make your way to your numbered bench and make your dog comfortable. Dogs are benched according to breed and sex. If yours is a small dog, the bench may be a cage; for larger breeds it will be a stall - which is why you need a benching chain. Settle your dog with its own bed and a drink of water, but don't feed it until after it has finished its classes of it may feel (and look) sleepy. Organizing your dog The classes for which you've entered will have been confirmed to you by the show organizers. Check your entries in the catalogue and note the times of the various classes. Only the first class in each section has a definite time, but all the classes are numbered and follow each other in order. As a particular class is being judged in the show-ring, its number is displayed on the judges table. This is how you can judge the progress of the order of classes. Don't Read more [...]