Showing Your Chow Chow
Please find below some basic info on showing your dog… more in depth info can be found at the link below
http://www.dogsvictoria.org.au/GetInvolved/WhatisConformationDogShowing.aspx
Showing your pure breed dog can be a great way to bond and interact with your pet, to meet new people and learn more about the breed. But it can be very confusing if you don’t know what it all means.
So what is the point of showing anyway?
Every pure breed of dog has a standard. This standard describes in detail all aspects of that breeds physical appearance- from eye shape to body length, from movement to bone structure. Our standard is the guide to what makes a Chow a good example of the breed. When we enter our Chow at a show, the judge is comparing our Chow to the one that is described in our breed standard and how closely it comes to being the same as that standard. Technically the Chow that wins Best of Breed is the one that comes closest to the breed standard in the judges eyes.
But why does showing help the breed in general?
We as show people and breeders are trying to improve our breed. When our dogs do well at shows, they are generally the ones which we go on to breed with, therefore making sure the quality of the breed is improving and that future generations of Chows still look like Chows!
What is the process of a dog show?
To really simplify it, generally we are all trying to make our dogs into an Australian Champion (Ch). To do this you require 100 points awarded at championship shows. You can go further and become a grand champion this requires 1000 points and then there is Supreme Champion 1000 points and 3 best in show or 10 best in groups.
How does it all work and how are the points awarded?
Each dog must firstly compete in its class, for its age this is separated by its sex. Please see the list of classes below. Only dogs of a certain age can compete for points.. Once all the best dogs (and then the same for bitches) have been awarded for their classes they all go in to compete for the challenge (the points) there is 5 points up for grabs plus 1 extra point for every dog you beat.
The best dog and the best bitch will then compete for the best of breed winner. The best of breed winner will then compete against all the other best of breeds for that group. There are 7 groups in all with Chows being in group 7 or the “non sporting group”
Once all the best of breed winners have been picked for your group you all compete against one another for best of group. This means out of all the different breeds in your group the judge has picked you as the best, this I quite an honor to win. And you are then automatically awarded 25 points.
Once all the in group winners have been picked you then go up for Best in Show. And as you can imagine by this point winning a best in show is a big deal.
Also there is a runner up is show and this is also quite prestigious.
Classes
A dog show is divided into several classes which are based on either age of exhibit or prior qualifications. The following are the specifications of classes approved for show fixtures. Please note where separate classes are provided for each sex, the class numbers for bitches are followed by the letter 'a', i.e. Baby Puppy Bitch Class 1a.
Class 1 Baby Puppy - for dogs of three and under six months of age
Class 2 Minor Puppy - for dogs of six and under nine months of age
Class 3 Puppy - for dogs of six and under 12 months of age
Class 4 Junior - for dogs of nine and under 18 months of age
Class 5 Intermediate - for dogs of 18 months and under 36 months of age
Class 6 Novice - for dogs six months of age or over which have not won a first prize at any open show or championship show
Class 7 Graduate - for dogs six months of age or over which have not won a challenge certificate
Class 8 Limit - for dogs over 12 months of age which are not champions or have not gained sufficient points to qualify as a champion
Class 9 - State Bred - for dogs six months of age or over whelped (born) in the state in which it is exhibited
Class 10 Australian Bred - for dogs six months of age or over whelped (born) in Australia
Class 11 Open - for dogs six months of age or over
Class 15 Puppy Neuter - for neuter dogs aged six and under 12 months
Class 16 Junior Neuter - for neuter dogs aged nine and under 18 months
Class 17 Intermediate Neuter - for neuter dogs aged 18 and under 36 months
Class 18 Open Neuter - for neuter dogs aged six months or over
Class 21 Champion - for all champions entering an open show
Note: Occasionally desexed exhibits sweepstakes are conducted at shows. Age classes are occasionally reviewed and altered by the Australian National Kennel
Council and notification printed in theGazette.
What are the judges looking for?
Each Judge is different with a different way of thinking.. but basically it is the best example of the breed as set out by the breed standard
Please see the breed standard below and further information on the conformation of a chow
What is the difference between a Championship Show and an Open show..
A championship show is an exhibition of registered dogs at which best of breed and challenge certificates are awarded. A best of breed and challenge certificate evidences the number of points awarded at the fixture towards the title of Australian champion. At these shows only qualified judges officiate.
An open show is an exhibition of registered dogs at which no best of breed or challenge points are awarded, but dogs which have been awarded the title of Australian champion may compete. At these shows trainee judges officiate and it is considered the training ground for all young dogs and owners. It is particularly good to help socialise your dog as you may show your puppy from the age of three months.
Is it expensive to enter my dog in a show?
Entries range from show to show but each entry is usually between $ - $
Can any Dog be entered in a show?
The dog must be a pure breed and be on a full register.
This is just the basics, if you are seriously interested in showing your dog, go along to a few shows and see what it’s all about.. Talk to as many show folk as you can and ask questions!
Please find below some links relevant to dog showing
| cccv-illustrated_standard.pdf |
| joanne_obrien_article_on_angulation.pdf |
| joann_obrien_-_chow_judging.pdf |
| joanne_obrien_chow_anatomy.pdf |
| joanne_obrien_-_chow_balance.pdf |
| joanne_obrien_-_chow_breed_type.pdf |
| joanne_obrien_-_chow_soundness.pdf |
| judging_the_chow_chow_2011updated.pdf |
| the_smooth_chow.pdf |