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While any dog that is exhibited can be called a show dog, the term is most often used in describing that rare individual who possess both the required attributes for its breed and the intangible quality of showmanship. This is a dog who exudes presence and thrives on being in the spotlight. The ring is his stage. From the moment he enters it, he is on and every eye in the house is on him. Animated, proud and confident, he demands attention. He is a show dog and possibly even one the greats.

Now that your 'star to be' has finally arrived, you will be anxious to get to work. Before you begin, however, you must be aware of all of the factors that will contribute to his success. With careful planning and the use of good quality breeding stock, the breeder has laid the groundwork for producing a quality show candidate but genetics alone do not determine the final product.

All dogs have 2 types of traits - inherited and acquired. Inherited characteristics will not change but, the way a dog is raised has a tremendous influence on his acquired traits. In addition to training, proper nutrition, conditioning and exercise are vital to your puppy's development and essential in enabling him to reach his full potential as a show dog.

By the time puppies are evaluated, between the ages of 6 and 8 weeks, the breeder will have already started the important tasks of socializing and acquainting them with the lead, grooming, examination and standing on a table. Assuming you have taken some of the early steps in preparation, you should be somewhat ready to continue the training that the breeder has begun. The two key elements you will have to concentrate on are stacking and gaiting.

In the dog world, the term 'well stacked' has an entirely different connotation and refers to stance. Known as stacking, the show stance, with front legs set solidly beneath the dog and rear legs slightly extended is the most effective way to display a dog's conformation. It is said that if a dog is built correctly, he cannot stand wrong. A dog that naturally walks into a stacked pose, without the assistance of his handler, presents a picture of perfection.

A well trained show dog must also allow his handler to hand-stack him by individually adjusting his feet and placing them in the proper position. This is particularly important for smaller breeds that are examined on a table. In addition to creating a beautiful picture, a dog that is properly stacked is more easily examined by the judge.

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