LEARNING WHEN
TO SHOW A DOG
By Allan Reznik
A s responsible, committed breed- er-exhibitors, we consider it a duty to mentor all our puppy buy- ers. If any express an interest in showing, it behooves us to encourage them in every aspect of learning the sport of Conformation, from study- ing the Breed Standard and becoming proficient at breed-specific grooming to finding a handling class and build- ing confidence in the ring. We know how hard it is to motivate a newcomer to try Conformation, and we must wel- come them with open arms. They are the future of our breed, and the sport. However, just as important as teach- ing a protégé how to show a puppy is helping them understand when NOT to show their dog. It is an irresistible temptation for a proud new owner with just one show puppy to want to enter it every weekend. We’ve all seen promising puppies that weren’t ready for prime time get dragged to shows, only to lose all interest once they filled out and bodied up. Disappoint- ment all around. Judges have two-and-a-half minutes to examine and evaluate each dog in their ring. As a judge myself, I can tell you how frustrating it is to see the potential that an out-of-condition dog might have, yet know that our job is to evaluate and place the dogs on the day. That means an exhibit that is underweight, high in the rear, with a questionable bite and a poor topline is not likely to be in the ribbons that day.
tor an opportunity to get in the show ring while providing one of your adult dogs with lots of extra, one-on-one attention. Definitely a win-win. We probably all remember the generous breeder-mentor who gave us our start and shared the wealth. Paying it for- ward never goes out of style. It’s not unusual to see new faces at ringside, full of hope and expectation. We must all be cheerleaders for our sport, and make some time to offer advice and encouragement. Recently, I judged a specialty and was happy to explain to a new exhibitor that she should hold the lead in her left hand, rather than in both, and slide it higher up the dog’s neck. The dog immediately moved better, and the exhibitor looked visibly relieved, even managing a smile. I urged her to find handling classes in her area, and was happy to see that other, experienced people in the breed were introduc- ing themselves to her, as her puppy’s breeder evidently lives overseas. She seemed to accept my explanation of why her young dog was not competi- tive that day. I’m glad she went home with more than a pretty yellow rib- bon; good advice and perhaps a few new friends made the experience less intimidating. New exhibitors, like promising pup- pies, need nurturing. As breeders, we must be proactive. Make that call, send that text or email, and don’t let novices flounder. Even if the dog is not one that you bred, take a newcomer under your wing at the next show.
If the puppy buyer is lucky enough to live nearby, you have the advantage of providing in-person, one-on-one coaching. However, knowing your bloodlines, you can certainly look at videos, and gently explain to the owner the growth spurts and gangly stages to expect, and when the puppy is likely to come into his own. With entry fees for Conformation shows running around $30 or more per day, those few minutes in the ring make for an expensive weekend of practice, es- pecially when you then have to factor in gas, meals, and lodging. Introduce the owner to the wide array of AKC performance events that can be enjoyed while the puppy is grow- ing up; everything from Obedience, Agility and Rally to Field Events and Lure Coursing. By joining their local kennel club and meeting fellow dog enthusiasts, they will get to social- ize, volunteer, and compete in venues where their puppy or adolescent dog won’t be judged on his appearance. With an earnest novice who quickly masters the intricacies of your breed’s grooming and loves attending han- dling class, this might be the right time to offer them a mature, finished dog of yours to show and to learn on while the puppy is growing up. Many of us have a few adult dogs at home that loved the excitement of going to shows, the attention that was lavished on them, but have now been retired to the couch or a kennel run while we work with the next generation. Such an arrangement gives the new exhibi-
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Although Allan Reznik has worn many hats in the dog world over the past 50 years—breeder, exhibitor, judge, broadcaster, men- tor, club officer—he is probably best known as the award-winning journalist and Editor-in-Chief of several acclaimed national dog magazines. Three different publications were honored as "Best All-Breed Magazine of the Year" by the prestigious Dog Writers Association of America while he was at the helm. Allan Reznik has bred champion Afghan Hounds, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Tibetan Spaniels; has served on the Board of both the Afghan Hound and Tibetan Spaniel parent clubs; and appears regularly on national radio and TV, discussing all aspects of purebred dogs and responsible dog care. He writes monthly for SHOWSIGHT and is also the Tibetan Spaniel breed columnist for the AKC Gazette. In addition, he is an AKC-approved judge of more than 20 breeds from the Hound, Toy, and Non-Sporting Groups.
16 • T op N otch T oys , J anuary 2024
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