A dog show is a competitive dog sport that involves the presentation of papered pedigree dogs to be judged for conformity to their breed standards. You might think of them as "beauty pageants for dogs" but they can be an essential step to improving each breed.

Dog showing is fun and dog show people can be very helpful and friendly. 

Why do we have Dog Shows?

Conformation shows are designed to display purebred dogs with the ideal characteristics of their respective breeds. These standards are determined by each breed's official parent association and upheld by organizations like Dogs Australia (formerly Australian National Kennel Council ANKC), American Kennel Club (AKC) and United Kennel Club. (UKC) Ultimately, the goal is to maintain and even improve each breed so that future lines remain of the highest quality.

Dog show judges determine the best specimens of each dog breed. Many registered breeders prefer to breed dogs that have placed in dog shows so the puppies will have the most desired traits of that dog breed. These puppies are often healthier and more desirable with responsible breeders undertaking a plethora of health tests and screening on the pups parents.

What Happens in a Dog Show?

During conformation shows, dogs are presented in the ring by their handlers. The handler may or may not be the owner of the dog. Handlers generally have a lot of experience in dog shows and know how to make the dogs look their best in the show ring, BUT anyone can be a handler, there's no special requirements!

In the ring, the dogs are judged by knowledgeable and experienced purebred dog experts. These judges look at the dogs' physical characteristics, movement/gait, and temperament. Then, they determine which dogs measure up most closely to their respective breed standards.

judging and Awards

To participate in showing your dog, you must be a member of Dogs NT or Interstate Canine Control and own a pedigreed dog on the main register. (More information on Dogs NT or Dogs Australia websites)

There are more than 198 dog breeds recognised by the Australian National Kennel Council which are eligible to be shown in Australia and these are divided into seven groups:
- Group 1 (Toy)
- Group 2 (Terriers)
- Group 3 (Gundogs)
- Group 4 (Hounds)
- Group 5 (Working Dogs)
- Group 6 (Utility)
- Group 7 (Non-Sporting)

These groups generally represent the purpose for which the breed was developed: Toys – Companions; Terriers – Vermin hunters; Gundogs – Working in the field with the hunter; Hounds – To find game by scent or sight; Working dogs – Used to work livestock; Utility – Guarding or carting; Non sporting – Multi purpose dogs for other activities. 

The judging procedure may seem complicated but is basically a knock out contest with winners ascending to the next level of competition. By the end of the show there is one winner from the total show entry and that exhibit is the ‘Best In Show’

Along the way to this ultimate prize, there are other prestigious awards – Best in Group, Runner Up in Group, Best of Breed, Runner-up of Breed and Best in Class.

Each dog is physically examined by the judge and to assess movement is gaited either in a triangle, circle or out and back in a straight line. When all the dogs in the class have been examined, the placings are given.

In each breed, males are shown first, beginning with Baby Puppies and the judging moves up through the classes (age classifications) until all the males have been judged and the Dog challenge (Winner) and Reserve Dog Challenge (Runner Up) are awarded. The judging for the bitches follows with the same judging procedure.

The winning dog and winning bitch then compete for the ‘Best of Breed’.

Best of Breed and Challenge Certificates are awarded by the Judge to a maximum of 25 points per show. To obtain an Australian Champion title a dog must accumulate 100 points and the title of Grand Champion is awarded to dogs which accumulate 1,000 points. A Supreme Champion is awarded to dogs which have 1,000 points and awarded 3 All Breeds Best in Show awards or 10 Best in Group awards.

All Best of Breed exhibits are then judged to determine ‘Best in Group’ and ‘Runner Up in Group’. Class judging for the Group then continues, beginning with ‘Best Baby Puppy in Group’ and works upward through the classes.

The ‘Best in Group’ winners are then judged for ‘Best in Show’ and ‘Runner Up in Show’. Judging then takes place for ‘Best Baby Puppy In Show’;’Best Minor Puppy in Show’ and working up through the classes.

One thing to remember is that you have paid for the judge’s opinion and each judge may place a different emphasis on the hallmarks and conformation that is required of the Breed Standard. This is what showing is all about and it does not necessarily mean your dog is not a good specimen if it does not win all the time. 

Have fun and enjoy a day with your dogs.

Dog Show Terminology

Whether or not you are a fan of dog shows, you may have heard some terms that leave you guessing. Some of them might be easy to figure out but others are not so obvious. Here are some of the terms commonly used in dog shows with explanations of their meanings: 

All Breeds: describes a dog show judge who is licensed to judge all breeds.

Bait is an object used to get and keep a dog's attention in the show ring, such as a treat or toy. Some shows do not allow bait to be used. Dogs Australia prohibits the use of squeakers or toys that may distract other entrants.

Bitch is the term used to describe an intact female dog (not spayed). An intact male is simply called a Dog.

Breed Standard is a written description of the ideal physical, functional, and temperamental traits of a specific breed. This is the standard against which all dogs of that breed are judged. The breed standard is created and enforced by the parent club for each breed.

Champion (Ch.) is a title for a dog that has earned a certain number of points competing in Dogs Australia shows.

Conformation describes the structure and physical traits of a dog and how well they conform to the breed standard. Dog shows are also often called conformation shows.

Dam refers to the mother of a litter of puppies.

Gait refers to the movement of the dog and may also be called "action." A competing dog's gait is judged when the dogs are walking and running around the ring. This helps to display proper or improper structure and conformation.

Handler describes the person who shows the dog in the ring. This is not always the dog's owner; it is sometimes even a professional handler that is paid to show dogs.

Stack refers to the position a dog stands in while being shown. Certain dog breeds have their own special positions. Most breeds stand so all four paws are aligned.