A show-guide for beginners

Penny, judged by Nicola Arini,
Toy Dogs Club's president.

Showing is a difficult and expensive hobby, but it can give a lot of satisfaction!
First of all, you must decide if your dog is show quality or not (for appearence, stucture and temperament): a breeder or a judge can tell you.
He must have pedegree and tatoo (or microchip).
Then, you must get you and him ready: leash training, obedience courses, meet other dogs, exercises at home, walking, stacking, judge exam on the table, grooming...
Ring training is very important, and it can't begin when your dog is too old. Puppies are willing to comply their owner, but they get soon tired: brief and funny exercises will be amusing to them.
Look for information everywhere you can: buy books and magazines, go and see as many dog shows as you can, meet breeders and other dog owners, study the standard of your breed, subscribe the breed club...

If you and your dog feel ready, there are some rules that you need to know before to go into the ring:

don't ask too much to your dog, and too soon: wait.
standards must be interpreted, there is no perfect dog: find assets and faults of your dog.
you can use a "bait" to get the attention of your dog, while you are in the ring. "Double handling" (i.e. a friend of yours, out of the ring, runs and calls loudly the dog) is forbidden.
if you don't feel skilled enough, you can ask an "handler" to show your dog.
there are different kinds of shows. In american shows you earn "points", in FCI shows you earn "C.A.C." (Championship Attitude Certificate) and "C.A.C.I.B." (International Beauty Championship Attitude Certificate).
usually, while you walk, you must keep the dog on your left side and walk counterclockwisely.
before your first show, you must go to the secretariat and ask for the "qualifications booklet" of your dog, released by ENCI (or its delegations).
give it to the ring-commissioner when you are called in the ring.
you must entry your dog to the show at least 20 days before, sending the entry form and entry fee. In the entry form, you must specify the "class":

YOUNGS for dogs 9-18 months old,
OPEN from 15 months but without the "champion" title,
CHAMPIONS for champions,
WORK for breeds submitted to work trials,
VETERANS-PUPPIES for particular ages (these classes are available just in few kinds of shows),
COUPLE male and female, same breed and owner,
GROUP 3 or more dogs, both males and females, same breed, same owner or breeder.

judgments include a classification (I, II, III ...) and a qualification (ECC. =excellent, M.B.=very good, B.=good, A.B.=almost good).
your dog can win titles like BOB (best of breed), BOS (best opposite sex), BIG (best in group), BIS (best in show).
if your dog wins 30 points in YOUNGS class, he becomes "giovane promessa ENCI".
if your dog wins 6 CAC (at least 2 of which in international shows, and 2 in speciality shows), he becomes "italian champion".
if your dog wins 4 CACIB in 3 different countries, he becomes "international champion".

National Canine Society: E.N.C.I. (belongs to F.C.I.) - Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana - Viale Corsica 20 - Milano.

If you want to attend some dog show during your holiday, check here the dates of the shows in Italy and in Europe.

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