What is a Dog Show?

A dog show is usually conducted by either kennel clubs or breed clubs. A show that caters specifically to one certain breed is known as a specialty show.

The standards with which the dogs will be judged are set before the show. During the show itself, dogs are chosen that match these set standards. This could prove to be quite a difficult task since the judgments should be entirely subjective. One dog is compared with another, but these comparisons must also be compared with the judge's image of the perfect dog of that certain breed and its standards. The goal of a dog show is to choose a winner dog that has all its breed standards to a tee.

A long list is written down with the breed standard, which is known as a conformation point. This is formed and put together by all of the judges. Although these conformation points may vary from one competition to the next, there are some general requirements that must be met. Fur is usually the most important factor, but there is also the pet's color, length, pattern, type and quality that must be carefully observed, as well as the distribution, quantity and quality of the markings.

Another important piece of criteria is healthy skin without pigmentation. Other considerations involve the color and shape of the head, the temperament and attitude of the dog, the structure of the teeth and the alignment of the jaw, the color and shape of the eyes and the shape of the ears, the ratio and size of the height and the length, the style of walking and the gait, and even the shape of the feet and the tail. It is a necessity for dogs that wish to enter these competitions to be very well-groomed, as they might check for skin wrinkles and measure their flaws. Dogs must have names, which will be registered and attached to the breeder's kennel name. If the dog has a call name aside from its registered name, this can be used, as well. However, the kennel club will refer to the dog with its registered name at all times.

Each dog show is conducted on different levels. Competitors from different areas nation-wide arrive for local and national shows, and mostly, a dog show is a hierarchical competition, where winners earn points for each level and show, which could make them eligible for the next ones. Dogs that win the shows at the highest levels, known as prestigious shows, are declared as champions and a 'Ch.' will be added to the dog's name.

Even if pets have already won in other shows, they are still allowed to join these shows. The single aim of these shows is to find the best in each breed, but they can heighten the reputation of not only the dog, but the breeder and kennel, as well. Once these dogs have puppies, they can be sold for an incredibly high price, since people would want a pet that resembles these champions. A breed's popularity can easily and quickly increase.

The two most prestigious shows to date are the Crufts in the United Kingdom and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in the United States of America.