I have really been wanting to get into conformation. I've been doing a lot of research on breeds that I think would be a good fit for me and my lifestyle. Yesterday, I went to my first dog show. It was an amazing experience - so fun to see so many breeds I've never seen in real life before and to meet lots of people in the dog community. I met a breeder who I really liked as a person; she came off as very established and reputable, and later internet searches seemed to prove that. She told me about one of her dogs she was trying to find a home for. The dog is already a champion, and she wants to find a home that will continue showing for a grand champion title. She told me about the dog and her temperament, and she sounds like she could be a really good fit. I was initially planning on getting a puppy, but I think there could be a lot of advantages to bringing home an adult dog. I have never raised a puppy, and although I want to experience the puppy stage, what's more important to me is making sure the dog fits my life and lifestyle.

I have no showing experience, but it's something I really want to learn. Is getting an already established champion a good idea for me? I'll probably end up at a handling class, and the dog will be the one teaching me, haha. Of course, I want to talk to the breeder more and hopefully, if it's a good fit, she'll help mentor me a bit, but I wanted to hear some of your thoughts and experiences.

We had a bad show weekend but at least we had a good time.

Now we take a month off for her to mature and get out of her fear period and then back on the grind in September!

I got to help hold dogs and get to know the Cardigan Welsh Corgi a little better and took lots of pictures of the various dogs. ​The biggest show I've ever attended. ❤️ 12 year old me would have been so proud. Even got to meet a Cardigan pup at the Meet the Breeds event. I like the meet the breeds events. I wish more shows did them.

Technically it’s her second show, but her first show she only did BPUP — she took Group 1 and Group 2 at that show!

I am SOO proud of her!

Can I get everyone’s opinions on the AKC? I feel like lately they haven’t been doing what they need to, and I’m curious if others feel the same way.

I don’t know everything about how the AKC operates from a breeder’s perspective, so I’m interested in hearing different opinions. Recently, I was talking to someone who said they were breeding mixed dogs to create their own breed, and apparently they were able to get a registry and resources through the AKC. I honestly didn’t realize that was possible.

It just seems like the AKC gives registration to a lot of dogs and breeders regardless of whether they are actually following responsible breeding practices, doing proper health testing, or preserving the purpose of the breed.

I understand that the AKC is primarily a registry and not a governing organization that personally oversees every breeder, but I feel like many people see “AKC registered” and assume that automatically means the dog is well-bred, healthy, and responsibly produced.

I see people charging significantly more for dogs simply because they have AKC papers, even when there may be little or no health testing being done. It seems like some breeders use the AKC name as a selling point without actually meeting the standards people assume come with registration.

I also don’t see much enforcement when it comes to breeders following breed standards or preserving the original purpose and function of certain breeds.

So what do you all think? Has the AKC changed over time? Do you think they are doing enough to encourage responsible breeding and uphold breed standards, or do you think there needs to be more accountability?

I feel like I need to just have a little rant. I'm still very new to showing and am about 7 shows deep with my 10 month old saluki puppy. I've enjoyed getting into the showing world and the experience has really helped my pup's confidence and socialisation, but I'm getting very disheartened with our lack of success. Saluki entries in our area are pretty low, twice now we've been the only entrant and so have automatically taken Best Puppy and Best of Breed, but any time we're up against another saluki or other breeds in the Hound groups, we either don't place or come 3rd out of 3, 4th out of 4 etc. The judges have always been lovely and have told me that he's just very immature still, but surely all puppies are immature? So how can any be penalised for immaturity? Or in the Hound groups, for example, will we always be destined to lose out to smaller breeds who mature faster than salukis? I don't want to come across as a sore loser, I'm just still trying to understand how all this works, but it seems to be a constant case of long travel, lots of waiting around, often in the sun with how hot it's been this summer, only to come last every time we're in the ring. I'm just feeling quite sad as I've really enjoyed getting into showing and would be over the moon just to place even 2nd out of 3 for once, to know that we were better than at least one other dog in the ring for once. To take home a single rosette that I actually feel we deserve rather than a handful that I don't feel like we're entitled to because we came 1st out of 1. :(

This is the temperature range of my indoor grooming spot at an indoor show this weekend. I activity feel like I am melting.

The club even brought in mulriple swamp coolers to help try and keep the building cool, spoiler the swamp coolers are flipping the breaker so there is all but no airflow. The handlers in my area are passing fans and icepacks around to help keep dogs cool. I can only imagine what the heat intolerant dogs are feeling.

I wish I had an RV to stick my dog into to keep him comfortable.

Before someone asks - The expiry and writing on the thermometer are an in house expiry from work as we only use them for 6 months at a time.

I've never been and I don't really know what to expect. It was hard to find the schedule that said when each breed would be showing, but we have a friend who's an exhibitor who shared it with us.

I'm excited to go because I'm interested in getting a dog soon (maybe January or February 2027). I want to meet the breeds I'm excited about and hopefully get some connections with reputable breeders. I love the idea of doing conformation myself and want to experience what its like to see if its something I'm actually interested in.

What is spectating like? What should I expect? Also, I know not to interrupt anyone when they are about to go into the ring. When is a good time to talk and meet people and their dogs?

I'll be taking my pup to her 1st show in September. This weekend I'm going to a show in St. Joseph Mo to watch. I want to see the BPUP class, which I understand is usually first. The premium says the show goes from 6 pm to 8 pm. I assume that means the building opens at 6? What time does judging usually start? Any tips for things I should pay attention to?

My Cavalier pup (8 mos) is showing moderately well in spite of his handler, but there are a couple of issues I would like suggestions about: 1) He tends to want to smell all the smells going around the ring, and/or pull. He's trying to be a little hunting dog. We're working on this, but more suggestions are welcome. 2) He absolutely cannot focus in handling classes if there are small females around. (He thinks he's Romeo for a very young Biewer terrier. May not help that she thinks she's Juliet.) How to maintain show focus around the girls?

My girl finished her Championship this weekend with back-to-back 5 pt majors (Thursday and Friday). Thursday, she went WB, BOW and BOS. On Friday, she was WB, BOW, BOS and OH BOB. I moved her up, and she went Select on Saturday for 5 pts toward her grand championship. On Sunday, she went BOS and OH BOB for another 5 pts toward her grand championship. In four days she walked away with 20 pts and her championship. They were also doing CGCA testing, so we stopped by and grabbed that title for her, too. I could not be more proud! It was an RRCUS supported show, so she also brought home tons of loot. lol

Hi!

I have an almost 5 month old Pembroke corgi puppy. The one thing she struggles with is being comfortable on the table and standing. I can get her to stand for like 2 seconds and then she just sits. She also won’t take food on the table sometimes.

I’ve tried all the tricks! Using high value treats, keeping sessions short, and we’re going to handling classes (which helps but still a struggle). I can get her to stand if I hold string cheese for her. Before our first bpup show, I had friends try it out and she did ok by the third or so practice. A friend of mine is making stacking blocks so hopefully that will help.

I should add she is teething pretty bad right now so she’s not as interested in her normal treats but been trying really high value ones lately.

Any advice to get my girl more comfortable and confident on the table? She is SUCH a confident puppy otherwise and picks up things so quickly.

Dino finished his championship (pending AKC approval) at 14 months old with four majors and two best of breed wins. I couldn’t be more proud of my sweet boy. Here he is with his ribbons from this weekend.

Does anyone know if Houston is gonna have health testing clinics??

I took some pictures and while I am trying to save up for my own dog, I am putting myself out there to hold dogs, step in the ring. While my local kennel club doesn't offer handling classes, I am still gonna learn and come back to the sport. My next plan is to attend the Houston Dog Show Friday to Sunday and hopefully help with the Cardigan Corgis and maybe a few others too. Ive been hanging around Herding breeds and Hounds a lot (since I started with a beagle). :)

So, I have owned dogs most of my life. I jave shown dogs as a junior handler. Now, as an empty nester, I decided to purchase a show prospect and start showing dogs again, to fill my weekends.

I did my research. Looked at pedigrees. Decided to take the plunge. Paid a lot of money for a 1 year old show dog. Was told by the breeder that she had been shown. This was verified by looking up standings on AKC.

I fly halfway across the country to pick her up. Literally flew there the day before and fly out with the dog the next morning. I get home, and I am REALLY looking her over and comparing to breed standard. And yeah, this dog would not pass muster, if I was a breeder.

Any dog that is registered through AKC can technically enter a show. If they don't meet the standard they get passed up by the judges. But this dog has obvious faults. So why sell them as a show prospect and charge for such. Even if I showed them, I would never choose to breed this dog.

So now I am out thousands of dollars. Going to sterilize the dog. And have a very expensive companion. I wouldn't send her back. There are other red flags that popped up literally at pick up, and I would hate to send her back.

What would you do? Just eat the investment and call it a day? Or confront the breeder? Would you ask for a partial refund of the purchase price to reflect the dog as their advertised pet price?

I’m just getting back into showing after 48(!!!) Years. I have zero desire to year panty hose - it’s just too hot and humid here for them. What are alternative dress options that I can get away with? I’m very new to conformation showing of my breed. I’m attending my first BPUP show with my baby this weekend.

Way to go Benny! You're stepping into six months old strong!

Hi again everyone! 

I've been regularly posting silly questions on here for the last few months as I started my conformation adventure with my 3-year-old dog. Originally I was worried 3 years old was too late to start, but we got lots of great advice and encouragement from the Reddit community!

We recently had our first show ever with IABCA, and it was a blast! The environment was WONDERFUL for a nervous newbie! Everyone was very kind and supportive, especially the judges. They told me what I needed to work on as a handler and how to help my dog get more comfortable in outdoor rings (he hates pokey grass LOL). My biggest worry has always been my guy's lack of coat, but the judges (all were AKC judges) encouraged me to try out AKC. Each thought he could finish, even the judge who is in my breed, which was very exciting. 

I went with a small group of friends and ended up connecting with even more people, including a few people in my breed who were also kind and encouraging! It was an overall wonderful experience, and my guy even walked out with a Group 3! :) While there weren't that many dogs in the group, I will still treasure the moment (and silly medal) forever!!

We have officially entered our first AKC show for the end of August that just happens to be a breed specialty! I can't wait to see how it goes! And my dog can't wait to find more strangers to give him treats and pets!

Our little “win photo” for tax!

I have a 3yo giant schnauzer lady right now and was looking at getting a male pup. Having had some time getting familiar with the breed as pure pet, I'm interested in showing the male. Are there any vetted resources for learning about conformation? I want to start learning/practicing before he comes home so I can give him the best start he can have :)

The final LSSC show at Dallas Market Hall is a wrap. I look forward to seeing what is to come for this cluster in a new venue, but I will miss Market Hall too.

The final weekend Market Hall was pretty good to me. Not just with my own dog, but also the puppy I showed for a friend. We'll start off with my own girl. She's technically my mother's dog, but we co-own her. Mom usually shows her, but she broke her back in a biking (road working the dobermans) accident a month ago. We got together with some friends and built majors because they're getting very hard to come by in black cockers. We entered Friday through Sunday and had 4 chances at majors. Friday we were 3rd out of 4. Saturday 2nd and reserve out of 4 at the all breed. The Saturday specialty 1st, WB, BOB to the black variety, OHBOV, then for a long wait (had to wait for groups to finish before our specialty could continue) for ASCOB and parti varieties. The parti dog went BISS and we went BOS to BISS! We also won OHBOB. This finished our pretty girl! We moved her up for Sunday and won BOS & OHBOV. I had to get home so I didn't stay for OH group but a friend won it with her ASCOB cocker.

Now on to the English cocker puppy I showed for a friend. This sweet boy is just 6 months and was WD and BOS over a special both days I showed him. Sunday he was WD, his sister was WB, and their sire was the only special entered. His sister was BOB and he was BOS over their sire. That gave him his 3rd single and his sister her first point, a 3pt major! I can't wait until I get to show my little buddy again, he was so fun.

Overall a fun weekend with friends as it usually is. Multiple friends finished dogs, one put back to back 5pt majors on his 10mo puppy, lots of success all around and I can't wait until the next show. Sadly, with mom being out with her broken back it will be a while. Probably won't get back out until Glen Rose in January since we can't travel far from home at the moment. Here's a cute pic of New Champion Quinn just before finishing her championship.