At dog shows, breed shows or compliance shows, dogs are closely scrutinized to see if they conform to the breed criteria set for the competition. It is often conducted by kennel clubs and breed clubs. Examining specific breeds is only done at specialty shows.
The standards are set prior to the show by the judges of the show. Matching the set standards laid out for the show is an extremely tough task as the judgement is totally subjective. Apart from comparing one dog with another, the dog must also match the judge’s image of an ideal dog which meet the breed standard almost perfectly. Selecting a winner dog which matches the breed standards is the objective of each dog show.
From the the long list of breed standards which contributes to the conformation point, all the judges work together to frame the conformation point. There are certain necessities that form the basis of competitions though conformation points can vary from one competition to another. Although the pet’s color, pattern, length, type and quality are observed, in the final analysis the fur is still the most important factor. The layout, the quality and how many markings there are also play an important part in the judges’ decision.
A pigmentation free healthy skin and the shape and color of the head are other important determining factors that the judges look for. The general behavior of each breed of dogs are also closely observed. The judges will compare and take into consideration the mouth and structure of the teeth and how they align when the jaw is closed. Shape and color of the eyes and shape and set of the ears are looked at including the size, ratio of the length and height also compared. The dogs entering competitions should be well groomed because the style of walking and gait and the shape of the tail and feet are closely observed. The name of each participating dog and the name of the breeder’s kennel are registered to identify the participating dog.
Every dog can have a registered name as well as a call name so the kennel club uses the registered name and the owner refers to the pet using the call name. Competitors from different parts of the country are attracted to participate in the many dog shows conducted at various levels: both local and national. Due to the hierarchical nature of the contests , only winners at each competition are seeded to enter the final stage of the competition to select a worthy champion.
To fulfil the aim of choosing the best in the breed, these shows at the highest level only allow pets which have already won championship in other shows. Such shows improve the reputation of the dog, breeder and kennel with the price of the puppies of that particular dog sold for a surprisingly high price. This is because other people want to buy a pet, which resembles the champion so the popularity of the breed increases rapidly. Crufts in the United Kingdom and the Westminster Kennel Club Show are acknowledged as the two prestigious dog shows available.