Stand! E-Book

Trish Haill

• Herausgeber: Crowood
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 434

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2015

Beschreibung

Stand! is the must-have guide to dog showing in the UK, for beginners and seasoned exhibitors alike. From the mechanics and rules of exhibiting, to specific showing information for currently recognized breeds, Stand! includes everything you need to know about dog showing in the UK, with over 250 beautiful illustrations. Topics covered include: an introduction to dog showing; companion shows to champion shows; regulations, how to enter and understanding the judging process; buying and preparing a puppy to show, ringcraft training and basic grooming; showing information for all currently recognized breeds; Crufts; showing your dog abroad and finally the future of showing in the UK.

Leseprobe

STAND!

A Complete Guide to Showing Your Dog from Companion to Champion

TRISH HAILL

THE CROWOOD PRESS

First published in 2015 by

The Crowood Press Ltd

Ramsbury, Marlborough

Wiltshire SN8 2HR

www.crowood.com

This e-book first published in 2015

© Trish Haill 2015

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781 84797 994 0

Disclaimer

The authors and publisher do not accept any responsibility in any manner whatsoever for any error or omission, or any loss, damage, injury, adverse outcome or liability of any kind incurred as a result of the use of any of the information contained in this book, or reliance upon it.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my husband, Steve Haill, for his support and putting up with being dragged along to most of the dog shows I’ve attended, and to my son, Michael Haill, for his encouragement and help.

And of course I can’t forget Bess (Snuggler Honey Pie over Smokeywater), without whom I wouldn’t have started showing at all.

Acknowledgements

First and foremost I have to thank Gill Tully (Highclare), whose encyclopaedic knowledge of the dog showing world has been fundamental in ensuring this book is as accurate and informative as possible. I thank her for her time, help, ideas and encouragement, both with the book, and in the show ring. Without her practical, no-nonsense approach and support, this book might not have been written!

I have been overwhelmed by the amount of advice and encouragement given freely by so many people … I thank them all, but in particular I’d like to mention David Alcorn, Kim Black, Sue Brown, Katherine Bull, Olivia Carty, Julie Frost, Georgina Harrison, Jane Heggie, Vicki High, Paul Meakin, Helen Moore, Amelia Murray, Virge Neary, David Paton, Graham Peers, Jamie Read, Val Rottger, Gillian Serpa and Carla Young; and Sharron Dyer (Sharnphilly), who suggested ringcraft classes, and the Central Essex Dog Training Society, which set me off on the right path!

There was a huge response to my call for photographs, for which I’m extremely grateful. It was a very hard job sorting through them all, and I apologize that I was unable to use all the photos submitted. I did enjoy seeing them all!

In addition, I have to thank the various Breed Clubs which so kindly responded to my requests for Breed Showing information, and the Kennel Club for so patiently answering my queries about the less obvious interpretations of the regulations.

Finally I’d like to thank Pat Brown who initially suggested that I enter the show world.

CONTENTS

Foreword by Valerie Foss

Preface

Introduction

1 Dog Showing and Show Dogs

How it all started – a Brief History

Which Dogs can be Shown?

The Kennel Club

What is the Purpose of Showing Dogs?

Surgical Alterations

How Do you Know if your Dog is Good Enough to Show?

What Age can an Exhibitor start Showing?

2 Preparing to Show Your Dog

What Age Does my Dog Need to be to Start to Show?

Socialization

Ringcraft

Stacking and Free Standing

Puppy Obedience Training Classes

Collars, Leashes and Show Leads

Getting your Dog used to Travelling

A Word about Breakdown Cover

Start your Grooming Regime Early

3 Types of Dog Show

Which Shows can you Enter?

How your Dog will be Judged (And why you Might not Always be Placed)

Showing Regulations

Types of Show

Fun Days

Companion Dog Shows

Open Shows

Championship Shows

Benching

4 Entering a Show

The Show Schedule

AV and AVNSC Classes

Breed Classes on Offer

Checking you meet the Criteria

Picking the Right Classes

Challenge Certificates or ‘Tickets’

Stakes Classes

Entering More than one Class

Handling

Seen Dogs

Completing an Entry Form

5 At the Show

What to Wear and What to Take

Order of Judging

Arriving at the Venue

At Open Shows

At Championship Shows

What Happens in the Show Ring?

Judging Conformation

Show Etiquette

Critiques

Keeping Records

What Qualifications does a Judge Have?

Stewards

6 Rosettes, Awards and Champions

Rosettes and Prizes

Unbeaten Dogs and the ‘Unbeaten Dog’ Rule

Withdrawing from Classes

Best of Breed

Group Judging and Best in Show

Shows not Judged on the Group System

Best Puppy in Show

Challenge Certificates (CC)

Champions and Show Champions

When no Challenge Certificates are on Offer for the Breed

Collecting Points for Awards

Show Certificate of Merit

Junior Warrant

Stud Book Numbers

Stud Book Bands

Other Prizes

Showing for Children and Young Adults

7 Breed Watch – Breeding for Health and Fitness

Breeding Pedigree/Purebred Dog

Health and Welfare

High Profile Breeds

Breed Watch

Disreputable Breeding Practices

Breeding Healthy Dogs

8 Buying a Puppy to Show

Deciding on your Breed

Finding a Breeder

KC Assured Breeder Scheme

Where to Look for a Puppy

Contract of Sale/Puppy Contract

Bitch or Dog?

Kennel Names and Affixes

Dogs Owned in Partnership and Breeding Contracts

Importing a Dog

Import Register

9 Grooming for the Show Ring

Grooming Pet Dogs Versus Show Dogs

Grooming Effort Required for Different Coat Types

Grooming your Dog Yourself

Finding a Groomer

Kennel Club Rules on Preparing your Dog for the Show Ring

Wet Show Days

Trimming Nails

10 Crufts

A History of Crufts

Qualifying for Crufts

Entering Crufts

What’s it Like to Show at Crufts?

11 An Introduction to Showing Your Dog Abroad

Microchipping

Pet Passports

Tapeworm

Travelling with Dogs

Showing Abroad

FCI Groups

Judging System

Puppy Class Gradings

Awards

CACIB

CAC

Showing Surgically Altered Dogs Abroad

Irish Shows

Entering Shows Abroad

12 The Future of Dog Showing in the UK

Keeping up with the Changes

Changes Brought in from January 2015

Changes under Consideration

Other Possible Changes

Appendix: Breed Showing Information Guide

Glossary of Common Terms

Common Abbreviations

References

Useful Addresses

Index

FOREWORD

After reading Stand! by Trish Haill, my first thoughts were ‘What a well written and suitably illustrated book’. It would have made life easier for me when I first entered that exciting world of dogs many years ago. I had so many questions to ask but nobody to answer them. Sometimes people gave you incorrect information but you could not check it and so just believed it (as people still do).

In my early days the people who did know the answers were so far up the ladder in the chosen breed that you felt you could not even speak to them. As the years went by, some of these people became good friends and were always happy to share their knowledge.

But with this excellent book you can find out all you need to know from the beginning. One sentence especially rings true: ‘You hope that one magic day you’ll reach the point when you “know everything”! But I suspect there are very few people, if any, who could legitimately make this claim.’ This book will help you in your quest and will always be to hand.

Valerie Foss

Valerie Foss has had sixteen UK Champions and Champions in Europe with her two breeds, English Setters and Golden Retrievers (Elswood). Being extremely busy in the canine world, she has personally not bred or shown for ten years.

A renowned judge, she awards Challenge Certificates in the Gundog, Hound, Working and Pastoral Groups, regularly judges Groups at Championship Shows, including the Gundog Group at Crufts in 1995, and the Pastoral Group in 2014, culminating in being the Best in Show Judge at Crufts in 2010. She judges all over the world as well as in the UK. She has had eleven books published, and is President of the following organizations: the Young Kennel Club, the Manchester Dog Show Society, the English Setter Association and Scottish Breeds.

Valerie Foss, Best in Show Judge at Crufts 2010, and her winner, Hungarian Vizsla ‘Sh CH/AUST CH Hungargunn Bear It’n Mind’. With Moray Armstrong, Jock Bettie and John Thirlwell. (© The Kennel Club)

PREFACE

Many years ago I bought a pedigree dog, and the breeder asked me if I would show him. Piece of cake, I thought, so I trotted along to a Companion Show. I hadn’t heard of ringcraft, had made no preparation, and hadn’t a clue what to do. My dog was miserable, with his tail between his legs. I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me and I was disillusioned when the judge didn’t place us. Despite owning more pedigree dogs, I didn’t go back to the show ring for about twenty-five years!

Fast forward a couple of decades and I acquired an Irish Setter and decided it was time to try again. This time I decided to learn something about dog showing first, but I found that however hard I looked, I really couldn’t find all the information I was looking for in one place, either in books or on the internet. Even though I’d gone to ringcraft training, there seemed to be a lot of practical gaps in my knowledge – this was only too apparent when I arrived at my first show and didn’t even know what a ring number was, let alone how to obtain one!

Knowing that it would have been helpful to have understood the details before I set foot in the show ring, I decided to write the book that I felt was missing to help newcomers to the sport enter the show ring with more confidence. My background in research and in interpreting legislation came in useful when trying to understand the show regulations, and with the expert advice from knowledgeable friends and contacts Stand! gradually emerged.

As I was writing and talking to people, it became clear that many exhibitors have learnt from the famous ‘sitting with Nelly’ method, and there were lots of conflicting views and interpretations about what the showing regulations actually mean, even among experienced show-goers. So I’ve taken the time to try to cover most (I wouldn’t dare to say all) topics in the dog showing world, and hope that Stand! will act not only as a basis for newcomers, but also as a reference book for those already actively engaged in the sport.

There is no doubt that dog showing will change over the next few years, and some possible changes are discussed in the final chapter. It’s an interesting time, with newcomers actively encouraged to join in the sport, giving everyone owning or thinking of taking on a pedigree dog an opportunity to show off their beloved pets, to make new like-minded friends and to engage in the canine world in a way which has a positive benefit to dog health and welfare.

For newcomers, I hope that Stand! gives you the knowledge you need to enter that first show ring with confidence; for more experienced exhibitors, I hope it will be a book that can be dipped into to refresh your memory.

As things never stand still, there may be some changes after this book is published. Keep an eye on my website, www.trishhaill.co.uk, through which I will endeavour to keep you up to date with anything new in the show world.

Trish Haill

‘Snuggler Honey Pie over Smokeywater’ (aka ‘Bess’) and the author.

INTRODUCTION

This book is for anyone who’s involved in, new to, or just thinking about showing their dog. As well as the mechanics and rules of exhibiting, we’ll be looking at the reasons why we show dogs at all, and what showing means to the dog world in general. If you’re just starting out, the book will give you the information you need to enter your first show with confidence, and for more experienced exhibitors it will act as a reference guide making the showing regulations more accessible.

Showing off our canine companions may not quite be as old as time, but certainly man’s (and woman’s) desire to prove that they have the best hunting, racing or fighting dogs goes back far longer than records have been kept. Mention of actual dog shows appears in records from the second half of the eighteenth century but the change really came in 1835 when dog fighting – up to then the most popular dog sport – was made illegal. Law-abiding folk started to concentrate more on showing off their dog’s conformation, breeding and looks, rather than their fighting skills, resulting in the kind of shows that we take part in nowadays. When the Kennel Club was formed half-way through the reign of Queen Victoria, dog shows were given a more formal structure and the regulations that were brought in at that time are still largely in place today.

Seasoned exhibitors, who have been showing all their lives, have learned and absorbed most of the various rules and practices which surround the hobby and which have evolved over the last century and a half. But for the newcomer, something which should appear simple (you turn up, enter your dog in the ring, and hopefully win a prize) becomes more complicated the longer you’re around the show ring. You hope that one magic day you’ll reach the point when you ‘know everything’! But I suspect there are very few people, if any, who could legitimately make this claim.

Over the 140 years since the first showing regulations were introduced, custom and practice have lent them an interpretation that can be difficult for a newcomer to understand. So this book sets out to try to demystify the world of dog showing and to help make sense of the sport. It is important to remember that an understanding of the regulations is vital for anyone who shows: every time you sign an entry form you confirm that you will comply with the official rules for dog showing – which may prove difficult if you don’t know what they are, or have simply relied on word of mouth as to what they actually say!

The Kennel Club is currently undergoing a review of the dog showing regulations to bring the sport into the twenty-first century and make it more attractive and participative. Certain changes are being trialled from January 2015 for a period of two years, after which they may or may not be confirmed by a rewrite of the rules, or perhaps some other changes will be brought in instead. This book reflects the changes that were to be trialled in early 2015, and where these appear there will be an indication of where to check for the latest information. Updates can also be found by visiting www.trishhaill.co.uk.

When I first started exhibiting, I found there were a number of questions that even a thorough knowledge of the regulations wouldn’t answer. For example, what is a ring number, and how do you get one? Which classes, and how many of them, should you enter? What is the dress code for various shows? And then, even when I knew the basics, there were a myriad of other questions I wanted to know the answers to. For example, what is a beaten dog? What is, and how do you achieve, a Junior Warrant or Stud Book number? Or to put it simply, what is the whole point to dog showing other than turning up at a show and hopefully going home with a rosette?

During my forays into the hobby, I found I wasn’t the only person ignorant of the bigger picture, or even of some of the minor details. People come into showing in a number of ways. A breeder might suggest showing a promising puppy. Some people actively set out to buy a puppy from a top showing kennel with exhibiting in mind. People may have shown an unregistered dog at Fun or Companion Shows and, having enjoyed the experience, decide to take up showing more seriously. A friend might say an older dog is looking really good and should be shown. Someone in the family might show. Sometimes it’s as simple as just being a dog owner and wanting to learn more about, and to improve, the breed they love. All of the above share the same dismay when they find that everyone else seems to know what they are doing, and they feel they are the only one who doesn’t. Well, that certainly isn’t true, but this book will, I hope, give you more confidence and help you know what you are doing, and why!

Taking your first step into the dog show scene could mean stepping onto the initial rung of the ladder leading to becoming a Champion or even Best in Show at Crufts. Of course, you may not do it with your first dog, or your second, or your third – or at all! But to get the most out of showing, you will benefit from an understanding of what it’s all about, and what you should, or shouldn’t, do according to the rules that govern the sport, and from learning how to avoid the many mistakes that can be made.

Dogs in the UK

In the UK we’re not known as a nation of dog lovers for nothing! A quarter of households in the UK own at least one dog, and it’s estimated that the total dog population is approaching eight and a half million. Nearly a quarter of a million pedigree puppies are registered with the Kennel Club each year, which suggests that there are in excess of two million pedigree dogs at any one time that are eligible to enter conformation shows. Annually a staggering 22,000-plus dogs are exhibited at Crufts in the breed judging, all of which have to first compete at other shows in order to qualify and be eligible to enter the most prestigious dog show in the world.

CHAPTER 1

DOG SHOWING AND SHOW DOGS

So where’s the best place to start with a book about dog showing? We could start with how and where to buy a puppy specifically to show, but it’s possible you already have a potential Champion sitting beside you as you’re reading! And even if you’re setting out to buy a show dog, having knowledge of the show world will give you important pointers as to what you need to be looking for. So while how to acquire a show puppy definitely should be covered, and will be in Chapter 8, here we’ll begin with which dogs can be shown and some general points about dog showing. Whether you’re thinking about exhibiting with your current dog or puppy, or buying one to show, or are already involved in the sport, we’ll provide some context as to why we exhibit dogs in conformation shows, and give an introduction to how dogs are judged and the sport’s influence on canine health and wellbeing in general.

HOW IT ALL STARTED – A BRIEF HISTORY

Put simply, a dog show is an event where people who share an interest in dogs meet to show off and compare their dogs with others. The origin of such meetings and get-togethers goes back to the time when dogs first became domesticated. It began out of necessity, when the best dogs were required for guarding, hunting and herding as part of daily life in order to survive. Then, as people began to move from the countryside to urban areas in the eighteenth century, they wanted to keep something of their rural life and many took to keeping dogs – no longer to herd or hunt, but as companions.

There are no records of formal dog shows until 1775, when John Warde’s passion for fox hunting led him to hold hound shows with acquaintances who shared his interest. During the latter years of the eighteenth century Agricultural Society Shows began to emerge, with Durham being the first to be held in 1783, primarily to show off livestock but including classes for dogs. This practice continued for many years, with some shows evolving to hold Championship Dog Shows alongside the competitions for pigs, cattle and sheep. It’s only in recent years that the Agricultural Shows have ceased to include a dog show as part of their event, due to the size of area needed to accommodate the large entry of dogs. But the tradition continues in that many Championship Shows are still held on land belonging to the Agricultural Societies.

Fig. 1.1 The first recorded Hound Show in 1775 was primarily for Foxhounds, and Hound Shows continue to this day. Foxhound ‘Haughmill Prefect’.

Fig. 1.2 Beagles can qualify for Crufts in conformation shows, and also by coming first in a Hound Show held by the Masters of Harriers and Beagles Association. (Photo: Graham Peers)

Fig. 1.3 The Duchess of Windsor and her Champion Borzoi 1903 – demonstrating that even the aristocracy were involved in the sport of dog showing.

Who shows dogs?

One of the reasons for the sport’s popularity, then and now, is that it has always cut across class boundaries. Poachers had lurchers to help them hunt; the aristocracy had toy breeds as a mark of prosperity or gundogs to work; and in the north whippet racing was the province of the working class. The one thing uniting all these spheres of life was pride in their stock, and the desire to show that their dogs were the best example of the breed! And this is still true today, with shows attracting exhibitors from all walks of life. Compared to some other sports, dog showing is also relatively inexpensive.

Fig. 1.4 Whippets coursing. Whippets were originally miners’ dogs used for rabbiting and racing, and the breed is extremely popular in the dog show world today. (Photo: Robert Moore)

From the early 1800s dog shows started to change and evolve as the Victorians embraced the sport with a passion. Local and small shows for working hounds and pet dogs continued, but larger shows for all breeds began to sprout up all over the country, facilitated by the advent of the railway. By the mid-1800s almost all major towns could be reached by rail, making travelling over longer distances possible. Some shows even arranged special train carriages to carry dogs and exhibitors.

The first recorded mixed breed dog show, which benefited from the new mode of train travel and thus appealed to people from a wider area, was held over two days in June 1859 at the Town Hall in Newcastle upon Tyne. The entries at this first show were twenty-three pointers and thirty-six setters. It was hailed as a complete success (although in fact it was a financial failure), and this sparked larger exhibitions in the following years, which began to cater for ever-increasing numbers of breeds and exhibitors.

Fig. 1.5 Victorian people, including a vicar, at a dog show. From Punch, vol. LXVIII (68), published in London in 1875. Dogs were benched for public viewing.

Fig. 1.6 The concept of benching hasn’t changed over the last 140 years, although nowadays it’s only at Crufts where the public come in numbers to walk around to see the dogs.

The origins of many of today’s Championship Shows date back to this period – for example, the Birmingham National Dog Show was established in 1860, the Manchester Dog Show Society in 1863, Bath Canine Society in 1877, and Southern Counties in 1870; in 1894 the Ladies Kennel Association was established to run shows for ladies, by ladies, to address the male domination of the sport that had existed up until then.

The Kennel Club itself was founded in 1873, and promptly introduced the showing regulations that are still the basis for those used today in all Kennel Club Licensed shows in the UK. In 1891 the first ever Crufts show took place – there is more about this renowned show in Chapter 10, but it will suffice to say here that by this juncture dog showing had become so popular that this first major show even attracted royal patronage. Queen Victoria herself entered some of her dogs, and won with her Toy Pomeranian called Gena and with her Collie, Darnley II. Royal support continued and in 1897 the Prince and Princess of Wales entered six dogs, which all won prizes (although whether the judge was looking at the owners or the dogs is open to conjecture!). Participation at the very highest levels of society wasn’t restricted just to British royalty – eighteen Borzois belonging to the Tsar of Russia attended the 1897 show, demonstrating that by the end of the nineteenth century UK dog shows were attracting international attention. Crufts has been run regularly ever since, except during the world wars, with increasing numbers of entries each year. Until 1942 it continued to be run by the Crufts family but when it recommenced in 1948 after the Second World War, it had been sold to the Kennel Club, which has been responsible for putting on the show ever since.

Dog showing continued to grow in popularity, with local canine societies springing up to run Open and Championship Shows, and we now have twenty-six General Championship Shows throughout the year, together with a wide range of Group and Breed Championship Shows. Open Shows, let alone Companion and Fun Shows, are too numerous to count and would run into thousands. Dog showing remains a popular and participative sport.

Fig. 1.7 It may have changed from the first show in 1891, but Crufts remains the world’s greatest dog show. (© Kennel Club Picture Library)

What is a pedigree/purebred dog?

A pedigree or purebred dog is one whose parents – both sire (father) and dam (mother) – are of the same breed. This might seem an obvious point to make, but nowadays some cross-breeds are being given rather fancy names, and in many cases are becoming known, inaccurately, as ‘breeds’ – Labradoodles and Cockapoos, for example. And, buyers beware! Do not be fooled by adverts which state these dogs are ‘pedigrees and come with papers’. As lovely as it might be, a Puggle (a Beagle crossed with a Pug) will never be able to exhibit in the conformation rings at Crufts. Although it is possible to establish a new breed, it takes many years and many generations of dogs, not to mention the dedication of extremely knowledgeable breeders who are experts in genetics before a cross can breed true. And there is already a vast range of pedigree dogs to choose from.

WHICH DOGS CAN BE SHOWN?

So, how can you take part in this centuries-old sport? First, you need a dog. There are opportunities for any dog to be shown at a variety of different shows. But if your ultimate aim is to show your dog in the breed classes at Crufts, and have a shot at winning the top accolade of Best in Show, you will need a pedigree dog that has been registered with the Kennel Club.

Cross-breed or non-pedigree dogs, or pedigree dogs that have not been (or cannot be) registered, can enter Fun and Companion Shows. Large numbers of these shows are held up and down the country every week and it’s far from unusual for someone to get their first taste of showing in a local informal setting, find they enjoy it, and make the decision they want to show more seriously.

Dogs can start showing either as puppies, or as adolescents or as mature adult dogs. There is no upper age limit. There’s nothing wrong with beginning to show an older dog who has matured very nicely, or even starting off with a veteran over seven years old!

We’ll have a brief look at Fun and Companion Shows as these are good starting points for novice handlers, but in the main we’ll be concentrating on the shows and regulations for pedigree dogs.

Fig. 1.8 An example of a pedigree dog: English Setter ‘Arabin Street Party’.

Fig. 1.9 A pedigree dog is one whose parents were the same breed. This is Papillon ‘Sunshoo Jeremy Fisher’.

Fig. 1.10 ‘Teddy’ is a lovely Cockapoo, but as one parent was a Cocker Spaniel and the other a Poodle, he is not a pedigree dog.

THE KENNEL CLUB

The Kennel Club (KC) is the body that regulates the registration of purebred dogs in the UK. It also operates an activity and companion register for cross-breed dogs. Although the Kennel Club has a much wider role, being dedicated to the health and welfare of all dogs, whatever their breeding, its spheres of influence in which we are primarily interested here are its functions with regard to the show exhibitor. These include its responsibility for maintaining the breed standards, recording health test results on breeding stock, running the Assured Breeders Scheme and last, but by no means least, producing the show regulations that govern the majority of dog shows in the UK (exceptions being some shows in Northern Ireland which are run under the Irish Kennel Club Showing Regulations, and Fun Dog Shows).

Although originally drawn up by breeders as early as the nineteenth century, today it’s the Kennel Club which owns the breed standards of all the 210 breeds currently recognized in this country. A breed standard can be defined as a word picture of the perfect example of the breed. The standard describes looks and physical features, size and character, and every dog of that breed is measured against it. The basis of judging in dog shows is the comparison of each dog to the standard. A dog is said to have good conformation when it is a good match, but poor conformation if it deviates significantly from the standard. All the breed standards can be found on the Kennel Club website.

Other countries have similar bodies to the Kennel Club, all looking after dog health, welfare, registration and showing. Eighty-nine countries (including most of Europe and Northern Ireland) are members of the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) – the Worldwide Canine Organization – which governs registration, breed standards, show regulations and judges in all of its member countries. In America the American Kennel Club (AKC) has this responsibility.

Kennel Club registration

Registration of show dogs, and of cross-breed dogs competing in various disciplines, is important as it is a unique identifier of that dog. When registration is coupled with a microchip, we can be absolutely sure of a dog’s identity, which is important when conferring awards or recording the results of health tests. Microchipping of all dogs will be mandatory by 6 April 2016 in England and Scotland, and is already a requirement in Wales and Northern Ireland.

Who can register a puppy?

Puppies are normally registered by their breeder soon after birth, and the buyer receives a transfer of ownership form when they go to collect their puppy. The Kennel Club will then send the registration certificate to the new owner. Some people wanting a puppy just as a pet don’t bother about transferring ownership into their name, but it is mandatory if you are going to show, as the owner’s name goes onto entry forms. You can pay for a five-generation pedigree at the same time as transferring ownership and it’s a useful document to have. You’ll be surprised how often you’ll be asked about your dog’s breeding by other exhibitors at shows.

Registration of puppies is only possible if both their sire and dam are registered, and only the breeder can complete the registration; it’s not something the new owner can do. Registration can be done after you’ve collected the puppy (if he’s entitled to be registered), but a late registration fee (currently £60) is payable after twelve months and needs a letter of explanation as to why it wasn’t done earlier. So having a piece of paper in your hand (or at least checking online) at the time of purchase is far better than an airy promise that it will be done at a later date.

There are a few circumstances where pedigree puppies cannot be registered with the Kennel Club, so make sure you check before you commit to a purchase. If you’re offered a puppy which has not been registered, it’s often a sign that you should avoid that breeder.

Puppies which cannot be registered with the Kennel Club

Usually the only circumstance where purebred dogs with long pedigrees cannot be registered is when they are an imported breed, and owners and breeders have not yet applied for the breed to be recognized by the Kennel Club. This applies to a tiny minority of dogs in the UK. Worldwide there are many breeds that are popular in their country of origin, but are rarely, if ever, seen in the UK. The breeds currently recognized by the Kennel Club are listed in the Breed Showing Information Guide at the back of this book.

Fig. 1.11 ‘Mr Wizzy’ is a pedigree Powder Puff Chinese Crested but he wasn’t registered by his breeder. He is shown in companion shows, but cannot be shown in breed shows.

Fig. 1.12 English Shepherd dogs are recognized in other countries, but owners/breeders in the UK have not applied for the breed to be recognized here. ‘Edenvillage Harris’.

Registration when parents are not registered

There are exceptional circumstances where a puppy whose parents were not registered can nevertheless itself be registered. However, this happens very rarely and needs a lot of supporting information. It is only likely in breeds that are very small in number, and where such registration is likely to benefit the breed. This is not something that would be attempted by newcomers or even by most established exhibitors, and it only tends to be applied for by breeders/exhibitors with an in-depth knowledge of their breed, and the lines within it.

It is a sad fact that all too often puppies cannot be registered due to disreputable breeding practices. The Kennel Club, in its role to improve the welfare of dogs, has certain criteria for registration. They will not register more than four litters from one bitch in her lifetime. They will not register litters born before the bitch is one year of age, or after she turns eight, or where the relationship between sire and dam is too close (for example, father/daughter, brother/sister) except in exceptional circumstances. They will also not register puppies if breeding restrictions have been placed on the sire or dam – sometimes breeders have endorsed the puppy and don’t want it bred from, for example, if a fault or possibly hereditary disorder has been identified in the line or individual dog. Reputable breeders will follow these guidelines, but unscrupulous breeders, such as puppy farmers who use bitches as breeding machines, or anyone who sees breeding as a way of making money, may breed more than the recommended number of litters, or ignore the faults in their breeding stock. They may well be producing ‘pedigree’ puppies, but these can’t be registered and therefore will not be able to be shown. Sometimes the excuse is given that registration is expensive, but in reality it currently costs the breeder just £16 per puppy (£14 for Assured Breeders), which is very little compared to what they’ll be charging for each of the litter!

Whether or not you are thinking seriously about showing when you buy a pedigree puppy, make sure you get the Kennel Club registration papers when you collect him, or at least have confirmed that registration is in progress. You can check online – the easiest way is to check for the progeny of the dam.

It goes without saying that no person with a love of dogs would want to support unethical breeders who are exploiting their bitches or selling puppies which may end up leading unhealthy lives. So if you are buying a pedigree puppy, please be sure that it can be registered.

And lastly, a warning! Be extremely careful: to get round the lack of registration papers, some puppies are offered with ‘Pedigree Papers’. An example of the official Kennel Club registration document which the breeder should provide you with is shown in Fig. 1.15. It may not look as pretty as some of the fake papers, but this is the one you should be given.

Fig. 1.13 ‘Io’ was bought as a purebred Rottweiler, but without papers. As she grew, it became obvious that, although a lovely family pet who excels at agility, she is a cross-breed.

Fig. 1.14 This is what ‘Io’ was expected to turn out like. Pedigree Rottweiler bitch, ‘Alldenria All That Jazz’. (Photo: Dave Gaffney)

Kennel Club registration certificate

Formerly, the official Kennel Club registration certificate was A4 size, but it recently changed to A5 size. The document shows the current registered owner; the dog’s registered name and any previously registered name (an affix might have been added); any titles he may have achieved; his breed, date of birth, colour and sex; and the breeder’s details. It also shows the dog’s registration number, stud book number, DNA profile and any microchip or tattoo number, and the results of any health screening. (For a puppy, a lot of these fields will be blank.) It will also show if there are any endorsements, and the details of the sire and dam are recorded, along with any results of the parents’ health testing. You will need the sire and dam’s registration details when you complete any entry form for a Kennel Club licensed show.

The reverse of the certificate has a change of ownership form which the breeder must sign if you are transferring ownership into your name.

Fig. 1.15 Example of an official Kennel Club Registration Certificate.

Explanation of the dog’s registered name (kennel name)

Your puppy’s unique kennel name will initially be his breeder’s affix (the registered kennel name of the breeder) and the name they have chosen for your dog. As he goes through his showing career, his name might change in various ways:

You might decide you want your own kennel name, which can be added at the end of his name using a preposition such as ‘of’, ‘over’, ‘for’, etc.

He might win awards such as a Junior Warrant (JW) or a Show Certificate of Merit (ShCM), which can be added at the end of his name.

He might win a title such as Champion or Show Champion, a working title or even titles abroad, which can be added at the beginning of his name.

If a dog is imported to the UK, then ‘IMP’ will appear at the end of his name.

Fig. 1.16 How a kennel name is made up.

Endorsements

There are two endorsements that can be placed by the breeder. One is to prevent any progeny being eligible for Kennel Club registration, and therefore to discourage the puppy being bred from, although often a breeder will lift this endorsement if they are assured that the puppy has developed into a good example of the breed, and all relevant health tests have been done. The other endorsement is that the puppy is not eligible for the issue of an export pedigree; unless this is lifted, the dog cannot be registered by an overseas Kennel Club, and subsequently cannot be shown abroad. The endorsements are encouraged by the Kennel Club to ensure dogs are responsibly bred, and that they are not sent overseas to countries whose concern for dog welfare does not match the UK’s. Endorsements can obviously not prevent dogs being bred, or being sent abroad, but they do act as a deterrent.

Fig. 1.17 A sign of a very good breeder. Four-week-old Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppies have an outside playpen to provide them with plenty of stimulation. (Photo: Swisshaven)

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF SHOWING DOGS?

Showing your dog in conformation shows may well cater to your inner competitive streak, but it also has a more important function than an individual dog simply getting placed and being in the line-up to receive a rosette. For a beginner, this may suffice as a first goal, but here’s a glimpse of the bigger picture. Breeders continually try to produce dogs that match their breed standard as closely as possible. If a dog does not match the standard exactly – possibly he has a wavy rather than a straight coat – this is called a fault, or a deviation from the breed standard. Breeders strive to eradicate that fault in their lines by a careful selection of dogs to breed from, although it may take many generations to remove the fault entirely. No dog, however, is ever a complete match to the standard, and all deviate from it to a greater or lesser degree.

Assured Breeders Scheme

The Kennel Club’s Assured Breeder Scheme is certificated by UKAS (the United Kingdom Accreditation Scheme). Breeders can join this scheme if they abide by the criteria set out for their breed; these include the recommended ages between which a bitch can be bred and the relevant health tests that should be carried out before breeding. There are also general conditions about how the puppies should be brought up, their early socialization and training. Assured Breeders have inspections to warrant their compliance with the breeding standards. There are some fantastic breeders who are not part of the scheme for a number of good reasons, but unethical breeders are unlikely to be able to show they conform to these requirements.

Fig. 1.18 Winning Reserve Best in Show, this Wire Fox Terrier ‘Ch Travella Starcraft’ is a very good match to the breed standard. (Photo: Graham Peers)

‘Proving’ a dog in the show ring means judging him not against all other dogs present, but against the breed standard. The dog who best matches the standard (in that judge’s opinion) will win ‘Best of Breed’ and may go on to win Best in Show, where he will have been measured against the top dogs in all other breeds.

Originally the main purpose of conformation dog shows was for breeders to show off their breeding stock, and to identify the best quality dogs to continue their lines. But there is nothing wrong in an exhibitor just wanting to show their dog for the fun of it, and not having any breeding plans whatsoever. There’s always the chance that the dog winning Best of Breed, or even Best in Show, may not come from a top breeder’s show kennel at all.

SURGICAL ALTERATIONS

When you sign the entry form for a show you are confirming that any operation which alters the natural conformation of the dog has been reported to the Kennel Club and that you have a letter granting Permission to Show.

Neutering

If you’re not even contemplating wanting to breed at some point in the future you may be considering neutering your dog. Don’t be put off by the myth that neutered dogs cannot be shown. The Kennel Club recognizes that nowadays neutering is seen to be a responsible act on the part of the owner. While most pedigree show dogs are kept entire, it is acknowledged that wins by dogs which can no longer be bred from still reflect the quality of the line. It has become common practice for most vets to recommend that all dogs are neutered, and some routinely neuter at around six months. Neutering is encouraged in the pet community to prevent unwanted puppies being brought into the world, and ending up in our already over-populated rescue shelters.

There are, however, other considerations in the show world that need to be taken into account. Neutering is a serious operation that should not be undertaken lightly. Anyone contemplating neutering their dog should research both the pros and cons of spaying (for a bitch) or castration (for a dog), and also consider the best age for the surgery. Neutering before the dog’s growth plates have closed can result in a tall, lanky specimen that no longer matches the breed standard. There can be behavioural changes (some for the better, some worse), and it may alter the conformation of the dog, as well as, in some breeds, turning a smooth coat curly. In the case of show dogs it is advisable to speak to someone knowledgeable in the breed to find out the likely effects of neutering on your show prospects. It is also important to discuss it with your breeder – particularly in less numerous breeds – as taking a potential Champion out of the breeding pool might have implications for that line.

We will be discussing what it’s like to live with an entire dog or intact bitch in Chapter 8, but if you do decide to go ahead with neutering you will need to obtain a letter from the Kennel Club granting Permission to Show. The form to request this is available from the Kennel Club website. You do not need to take the form to shows, and when applying for permission you do not need to state the reason why neutering was performed.

Neutered dogs and bitches are judged in the same way as entire dogs, but the fact that a castrated dog does not have two normally descended testicles, or any other effect in which neutering causes a deviation from the breed standard, may be taken into account during judging in just the same way as any other fault may be considered.

If a neutered dog gains its Stud Book number the letters NEUT will appear after its name in the Stud Book.

Docked dogs and cropping

Cropping of ears is still practised in some countries, but in the UK no dog with cropped ears can be shown in a Kennel Club licensed event.

Docking is a thorny subject. It is a practice that can trigger a range of reactions – dismay in those who like to see their dogs as nature intended, complete with full tails; and anger in those of the sporting fraternity who know the injuries that can be caused to the tails of gundogs which spend much time running through thick undergrowth. So let’s just stick to the facts in relation to dog showing. In England and Wales there is a ban on docking apart from working breeds, that is, Spaniels, Terriers, Hunt Point Retrieve (HPR) dogs or any cross of these breeds, but there are restrictions as to where they can be shown. A dog which had his tail docked after 28 March 2007 cannot take part in shows where the public are charged an entry fee, even if he was docked legally as a working dog, or if he had his tail removed for medical reasons, for example, after injury. The schedule for the show will specify if dogs docked after the legal date may not be entered for that show. If you have a dog whose tail has been legally docked, there will still be a number of shows which you can enter. This includes some Championship shows where your dog could be made up to be a Champion, but nowadays a docked dog can never be shown at Crufts.

In Scotland there is a total ban on docking, but a docked dog can be shown if he has had his tail amputated for medical reasons. In Northern Ireland the position is similar to England and Wales in that there are exceptions for working breeds, but the effective date is different (1 January 2013). It is permissible to show docked dogs who were docked prior to this date, and in working ability tests. But otherwise docked dogs cannot be shown where the public have to pay for admittance to the show.

Fig. 1.19 Brittanys are an example of a breed which can be born with bobbed tails or tailless. ‘Sh CH Highclare Flaming Nora’.

Tailless and bob-tailed dogs

It can be confusing in some breeds where dogs look as if they have been docked when they haven’t. The Bulldog and Boston Terrier, for example, have very short tails. The Old English Sheepdog and Brittany are examples of dogs often born without a tail, or with bob-tails. Where bob-tails turn up in breeds which normally have a longer tail, this is not necessarily seen as a fault. However, bob-tailed dogs should only be bred from by experienced breeders. In some lines it is not a problem, but in others it could cause spinal or other issues in resulting progeny.

Operations which alter the natural conformation of the dog

In order to be registered, or to continue to be registered, any operation that alters a dog’s natural conformation must be reported to the Kennel Club by the veterinary surgeon who performed the procedure. This includes where bitches require a caesarean section when giving birth. This helps to identify breeding lines where hereditary defects might be occurring or where dogs are having difficulty whelping naturally, and means that judges are not rewarding dogs in the show ring whose faults have been covered up by corrective surgery. We’ll be looking more into improving the health of dogs – particularly those with identified issues – in Chapter 7.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR DOG IS GOOD ENOUGH TO SHOW?

The first time that you may have thought about showing perhaps came when the breeder suggested that the puppy you are buying might be a good prospect for the show ring, and asked if you would show him. The breeder’s thoughts on an eight-week-old puppy, unfortunately, don’t guarantee you success as the puppy may not go on to fulfil his potential. But such encouragement from the breeder is obviously a good start to your showing career.

Dogs which have success in the show ring don’t always come from a breeder with experience of exhibiting. Pet bitches are often mated with Show Champion dogs and, while there is no knowing how well the bitch matches up to the breed standard, sometimes very good show dogs appear from pet homes. In these circumstances you don’t have a knowledgeable breeder to guide you, so it’s a matter of trying to interpret the breed standard and being as objective as possible when evaluating your puppy or dog against the criteria. Going to shows, looking at the dogs in the ring and mentally comparing your dog to others will also give you some pointers as to whether he could have any success. If you have knowledgeable friends, then you could ask them to look at him for you.

Fig. 1.20 Bought originally as a pet dog, ‘Snuggler Honey Pie Over Smokeywater’ showing at Crufts. (Photo: Kasia Czapla)

Fig. 1.21 ‘Garshakers Treasure’ (‘Skipper’) is a handsome purebred Parson Russell Terrier. His coat is too heavily marked for the show ring, as the breed standard calls for it to be predominantly white.

Fig. 1.22 A show quality Parson Russell Terrier. (Photo: Michael Trafford traffordphotos.com)

Unless your dog is quite obviously not a good match to the breed standard, there is no substitute for actually getting into that show ring yourself. Even if you don’t have success, you will have put your training into practice and have gained valuable experience that you can use at a later date if you decide you want to buy another dog specifically to show. And in the meantime you can enjoy yourself competing at Fun and Companion Shows with the knowledge that you are always taking the best dog home.

Champions on your pedigree document

Don’t be taken in by the number of names written in red on your pedigree document. Red ink indicates that a dog is either a Sh Ch (Show Champion), a Ch (Champion) or maybe a FTCh (Field Trial Champion). Champion dogs are very popular as stud dogs, and most pedigrees will have a smattering of red names throughout. This does not necessarily mean that the puppy you are buying has inherited the desired traits from these dogs, particularly if the dam was not proven in the show ring herself. But on the other hand, there is nothing to say that your puppy may not be a throwback to his famous great-great-grandsire, even if his parents have not achieved anything themselves.

Fig. 1.23 ‘Sh CH Highclare Flaming Nora’ in the mud, hardly looking like the Champion she is! Compare this picture with Fig. 1.19 to see how she looks on a show day.

Fig. 1.24 Border Collie ‘Cadiz Miss Independent’ after a good walk.

Fig. 1.25 Rough Collies playing. (Photo: Julie Growcott)

Fig. 1.26 Cairn Terriers having fun. (Photo: Mike Huolman)

Fig. 1.27 Crufts 2009 (CC, BOB and Gundog Group 2) ‘Sh CH Ansona Gamekeeper at Aarranz JW ShCM’ (‘Logan’), owned and handled by Lynne Danneau. (Photo: Carol Ann Johnson)

Fig. 1.28 The relationship between dog and handler shines through. (Photo: Carol Ann Johnson)

ARE SHOW DOGS PET DOGS?