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ON YOUR MARK

© Marilyn Koyanagi

The Making of a Show Dog (Part One)

In the sport of dogs, there are no instant experts and no shortcuts to the making of a genuine show dog. Success is directly proportional to one's commitment and anyone, who is willing to invest the time, can experience the exhilaration of winning* and the enormous pride that comes with a job well done.
The only requirements are:

1. A love of dogs
2. A competitive nature and, of course,
3. One SHOW DOG! (more will come later)

(A spouse or partner who likes to cook is not a necessity but it helps.)

Like a registration certificate, the term show dog is not, in itself, an indication of quality. Although it does imply a certain degree of excellence, it is an arbitrary term and newcomers to the sport should understand that there are varying levels of quality - some higher than others.

There are several factors that will contribute to your success in the ring but, above all, you must start with a top quality dog. The best source is an accomplished breeder who has a good show and breeding record. This should be an individual who is very selective and places a high value on a championship title. He or she will have a vested interest in your success and should be eager to help you.

Many new exhibitors prefer to begin with a puppy. While there are advantages, the quality of a dog's conformation cannot be completely determined until it has reached maturity. Although an experienced breeder has a better than average chance of predicting how a youngster will develop, there is still a risk. If you are looking for an absolute guarantee of show quality conformation, you may be wise to consider an older puppy or an adult.

In determining a dog's potential, conformation is not the only consideration. When faced with a number of exceptional specimens, a judge will almost always go with the dog that stands out from his competition and demands to be noticed. This is showmanship, a trait that all top winning dogs possess. It cannot be taught. Experienced fanciers believe that a dog is born with this attitude and it is one of the important factors in evaluating potential show prospects.

One of the unique aspects about dog shows is that amateurs and professionals compete against one another. In other sports, it is not surprising to see professionals win. In dogs, however, it is often attributed to a lack of fair play on the part of the judges. There are politics in every walk of life and dog shows are no different. The fact remains, however, that the professionals' dogs are almost always better trained, better groomed and better handled. If you are going to win against them, and you can, you must be well prepared and your dog must be competitive. Pay attention to the way a good handler prepares and presents his or her dogs. Learn what gives them the winning edge.

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