Conformation showing? What's it all about? How do I get involved with the sport? These are some of the questions you may be asking yourself when you first seen a dog show. You may have been to a dog show and wondered where do I start as my dog is every bit as good as those in the conformation ring.

One is an “Open” Show and the other is a “Championship” Show.

You do not have to be a member of Canine Control Council of Qld (CCCQ) to show a dog in an Open Show.

You must be a current registered member of the CCCQ to show in a Championship Show.

In both cases your dog must be a registered pedigree dog with the CCCQ, original ANKC Registration papers display the pedigree details for your dog to three generations.

When a dog accumulates 100 points it may be granted the title “Australian Champion”.

Points are accumulated via winning Challenge Dog or Bitch, more points may be gained if you go on to win Best of Breed (BoB), Group Specials at an Championship show.

No points are accumulated at an Open Show when winning challenge or BoB or Group.

About becoming a Member:

Online contact list
Australian National Kennel Council and Member Bodies
• Canine Control Council(Qld)
• Royal New South Wales Canine Council Ltd
• Victorian Canine Association Inc
• Tasmanian Canine Association Inc
• South Australian Canine Association Inc
• Australian Capital Territory Canine Association Inc -  PO Box 815, Dickson, ACT, 2602. Ph:(02)6241 4404 Fax:(02)6241 1129
• Canine Association of Western Australia Inc - PO Box 1404, Canning Vale, WA,6970. Ph(08)9455 1188 Fax:(08)9455 1190
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• North Australian Canine Association Inc - PO Box 37521, Winnellie, NT, 0821. Ph:(08)8984 3570 Fax(08)8984 3409

Being a member ensures you will receive the State Kennel Council magazine which advertises when various shows are on and where.

Once you have your membership number and pedigree numbers you can show at a Championship show.

Planning Your Campaign:

You will need the following:

- a quiet spot from interruptions
- a highlighter
- pen
- show entry forms( can be purchased from your Kennel Association, see above for details)
- Kennel Association monthly magazine
- Monthly Calendar (enables you to view at a glance what shows are on when)
- Coffee

Go through the magazine highlighting the shows you would like to attend.

Mark on the calendar you have booked and start times eg. Durack, 10am start.

Show Entry Forms:

Make sure you complete your entry forms with the same details word for word as found on your registration pedigree papers.

NOTE:
Print clearly and enter the full details as found on your Pedigree Papers

Example:

Breed: Border Collie
Name of exhibit: Elkana Jacks Back
Date of Birth: 31.07.03
Registration Number: 4100099262
Bred by: Mrs E Wong
Sire: Elkana Phantom Blue
Dam: SURFIR ITS AWONDER
Entered in Breed Class Nos: 11a

All details on these forms are critical, as they will appear on the show catalogue and any certificates.

When your dog gains its 100 points they will want to view all the original certificates you have accumulated.

NOTE:
If the details on these are incorrect or inconsistent they will not be able to be counted towards the total score.

Enclose cheque or money order for the correct amount.

Tip: A money order is easier to cash for the person handling the entries.

Your contact details are important so that the club secretary can contact you if there are any changes or corrections in fees.

Just make sure you send your long before the due date.

Please consider that the show secretary is trying to organise the catalogue details for the show when submitting late entries and calling them before a show, apart from personal, work and family commitments.

Order the show catalogue it tell you
- which ring you are in
- the breed and how many in the ring before you
- who you will be competing against and who will be there
- judges for the day
- your numbers
- class you are in
- Sire and Dam of the other dogs you are competing with.

Tip:
You can take notes in your catalogue which tells you later who won and in what class.

Diet:

A complete balanced diet of Premium Dog Food

• IAMS Eukanuba
• Hills Pet Nutrition
• Royal Canin
• Pal Advance
• Purina Pro Plan
• Scottys Pet Foods
• Coprice

Supplements help, in coat condition, coat re-growth, teeth, eye colour and overall well being. But if you are feeding your dog a complete balanced diet(stated on the packaging), you may consider avoiding the use of supplements. Supplements can bring other problems so please seek lots of advice before using them.

• Calcium Powder
• Thrive D by Nature Vet
• Missing Link
• Megaderm

Seek guidance from your breeder or Vet

Training and Socialisation:

Contact your local kennel club regarding show training classes or your breeder only if they are involved in the sport of your choice.

Master the triangle, up and back patterns

Stacking
Presenting your dog for examination by the judge (practice daily with your dog/puppy)

2 Basic Ways
One is to lead them into standing position, where they stand naturally where feet are position correctly.
The other way is to literally stack the dog, positioning their front feet then the rear ones.

Tip:
Get someone who knows the breed to show you how to do it.(different breeds get stacked differently)

Tip:
Count in seconds as you do it to improve your time in stacking.
Speed is essential here, so that you are presenting your dog first in the line up.


Socialize:

Take the puppy to shows, shops, beach, parks where you will meet people and other dogs, you do not want your dog barking excessively and being aggressive towards other dogs or people.

Attend a show so you can learn the routine, meet up with your breeder or exhibitors there when they are showing

Watch and learn how the exhibitors handle their baby puppies, the older dogs know the routine.

Ask the exhibitors for showing tips.

Grooming:

Once a week brush your dogs coat to ensure there are no tangles and burrs. Doing this regularly makes it easier to maintain and prepare for a show.

Tools:

- Roll tooth comb, the teeth rotate making it easier to work out tangles and loose undercoat
- Bristle brush


Wash your dog once every two weeks. We use our own hydrobath which we purchased through the trading post. Hydrobathing make washing your Border less time consuming.

Washing too often can remove the oils from the coat.

When to shampoo before a show:

- Older dogs the day before the Show
- Puppies on the day - Towel dry and keep puppy in a dry warm place until fully dry
- Trim between toes and pads with a pair of scissors


Tip:
Consider getting an experienced exhibitor to help show you the first time

Recommended Shampoo’s

This is quite an individual thing that comes down to experimentation with what works well with your dogs coat.
Plush Puppy is a good place to start.

Show Gear List:

- Umbrella or Porta Shade
- Fold-up Chair
- Exhibitor number arm band holder or pin
- Show lead and snake chain collar
- Grooming Bristle Brush
- Roll tooth comb
- Food rewards pouch
- Container of food rewards like cooked liver.
- Damp towel for ironing out any coat imperfections
- Small squeaky toy
- Water bowl and bottled water
- Food rewards also known as bait (liver, cheese or chicken pieces)
- Comfortable clothing and footwear(you are part of the presentation package)
- Show crate or trolley
- Water spray bottle(for dampening down the coat where the coat is not straight)
- Chalk powder for whitening the whites
- Cholesterol cream
- Stingoes ( For Ant or insect bites)
- Aerogard (insect repellant) - spray this on your dogs feet when necessary

Show Day:

Arrive at the show at least an hour prior to the start

Collect your exhibitor number, catalogue from the show secretary and locate your show ring.

Attach the exhibitors number to your shirt or jacket where it is clearly visible

Put on your bait pouch and fill it with food rewards.

Carry out any final grooming requirements for your dog.

Keep an eye on the ring and which breed is before you, when they enter the ring finish the final grooming touches

Head to the ring just as the breed before the Border Collies is finishing.
See catalogue for details.

Set up ( usually where the other Border Collies are)

Listen for the ring steward to call you number let them know you are present

Once you number is called out wait in the assembly area ring entrance for the stewards instruction to go into the ring.

Get you dogs attention then take a deep breath before entering the ring

Wait until both the judge and the puppy are watching you before entering the ring( try to relax and enjoy the experience)

2 aims
one- ensure puppy is gaiting correctly
two- "stack"(stand) your puppy as the judge examines your puppy
(This is learnt at show training classes)

Listen to what the judge asks you to do then do it

The judge will make a decision, if you win great, if not congratulate the winner and reflect on what you could have done better.
When you win, you may have to wait in the assembly ring to re-enter the ring to compete against other dogs.

Before you leave the assembly area ask the steward if you are required to re-enter the ring after the completion of your class.

Tip:
Ask someone you can trust if you can leave the assembly area if you are not sure ask the steward.

Warning:
Your competitor may be dishonest enough to tell you its ok to leave when it is not.

Judges List
Showing Terms

Show Ring Etiquette:

Be kind, courteous, friendly, helpful, considerate and well mannered with everyone at a show.
Behave in a professional manner.

This will dramatically lower your personal stress levels.

Some competitors like to play mind games or to try tricks to physic you out or make snide remarks about your dog to make you doubt your dog, this not part of the competition, it is their way of putting you off how you present your dog in the ring.
Do not follow this path, it will take you away from the job at hand, diminish your support and showing friends.

Remain focused on the job at hand.
Be encouraged by this because they are actually acknowledging that they are very uncomfortable with your presence and how competitive your dog looks.

Believe in yourself and your dog.

Be friendly and helpful to those around you. But do not be distracted from last minute grooming or any details you have to complete with your dog.

Always acknowledge your competitors in a professional and friendly manner.
Do not ignore people.
Do not only talk to people after the competition is over if you have beaten them.

Winning and losing with grace and a smile, reflects the inner strength of character that you have.

Do not allow another competitors behavior upset your routine. Many times the pressure of competition will being out the worst behavior in people.

Remember you should never burn your bridges before you have crossed them. Get to know someone first , give them the benefit of the doubt, never listen to gossip about other people, give them all a fair go, before making a decision that you do not want anything to do with them.

Even then continue to behave in a courteous and professional manner.

There is a bigger picture than your hurt feelings
1. The betterment of yourself in your showing technique
2. The betterment of the breed
3. The quality of the relationship with the friends around you.

Be at peace with the world and all around you.

Enjoy the day, your dog and those whom you compete against.

Have Fun!