All About Breed Showing

By Carol Fellbaum, Owner/Breeder/Handler of Champion Bichon Frise, Owner of A Dog's Life Pet Salon in NW Houston

WHAT IS CONFORMATION?

Per the American Kennel Club, conformation is the official term for what we think of as a dog show. At a show, purebred dogs are judged by how closely they conform to the standard of their particular breed. The breed standard includes characteristics such as temperament, general appearance, proportion, height range, weight range, etc. Dogs that conform most to the breed standard will have the ability to produce puppies that meet the standard for their breed. Non-purebred dogs and dogs that are spayed or neutered are ineligible to compete in conformation.

History Of The Sport

Modern dog shows began in England during the Victorian era. The earliest dog show events were added attractions to annual cattle and poultry shows where breeders came together. The popular sport quickly spread around the world. The American Kennel Club (AKC) was founded in 1884 and opened its first office on Broadway in New York City in 1886. The Westminster Kennel Club’s initial Dog Show was held in 1877 in New York City.

The Rules

For a dog to participate in a dog show conformation event, the dog must be individually registered with the AKC, be six months of age or older, be of a breed for which classes are offered at the show, and meet any eligibility requirements in the written standard for its breed. The judge will examine the dogs and decide how closely they conform to the breed’s standards for structure, temperament and movement. Judges award first through fourth place in each class. The conformation events at dog shows are designed to cultivate breeding stock; therefore, spayed and neu tered dogs are not eligible to compete. If you are interested in learning more or getting involved in the sport, the American Kennel Club has wonderful information on their website AKC.org. “A Beginner’s Guide to Dog Shows” is very helpful.