A Dog is a Man's Best Friend

More and more  people from all around the world are enjoyng dog show competitions, and an ever increasing number of people are entering the arena. Shows are a great way to show off your beautiful friend.  Training for dog shos requires your dog to be extremely obidient, but must stay calm while a judge probes ears, mouth etc.  Your dog must also hold the proper pose throughout the examination.

The dog show itself is broken into several catagories, or classes,  based on the types of activities the dogs are bred for.  This enables judging to be a more level playing field so to speak. Besides meeting all of the characteristics of the breed, the dogs must impress the judges with their obediance and skills.  Working dogs will have to run an obstacle course, herding dogs will have to work some live stock, sporting dogs are tested on their fielding abilities. 

 There are seven classifications for dogs:  Sporting, Non-Sporting, Hound, Terrier, Working, Herding and Toy.

Hound Dogs are hunters, either sight or scent.  Most common are the Hounds, Beagles, Dachshunds, Greyhounds and Bassets.

 Working Dogs are bred to guard property, search and rescue, and pulling carts or sleds.  These dogs includ Doberman Pinschers, Boxers, Akitas and St. Bernards.

Terriers were bred to eliminate vermin from farms.  These dogs include the Airedale, Cairn Terrier Jack Russel Terriers and Scottish Terrier.

Toy Breeds are miniature dogs bred specifically to reduce their size.  Included are Poodles, Pomeranians, Maltese and Pugs.

Non-sporting dogs are dogs bred primarily for companionhip such as the Standard Poodles, ChowChows, Damations and Bulldogs.

Herders are bred to control livestock and include the German Shepherd, Collie and the various Sheepdogs.

Dog shows are not just for purebred lines.  Contact your local kennel club for information on your particular breed requirements, as welll as  information on networking and joining organizations that teach you how to teach your pet to run an obtacle course fo ren an obstacle course for example, or just to show off the special commandsw you had taught your dog or how to become part of a search and rescue team.