Chapter 17
Doing the Dog Show Scene
In This Chapter
Determining whether your Lab has what it takes to be a show dog
Understanding the structure of dog shows and how they work
Comparing the ideal Lab to the practically perfect Lab
Sure, you like to have just as much fun as the next person. Frisbee, agility, hunting, and runs in the park are just great. But maybe, just maybe, when you look at your Lab you see a true beauty, a rare specimen, the closest thing to Lab perfection you can imagine. Maybe you’ve known from the start that you wanted a show dog, or maybe you hadn’t considered it until your Lab grew into a dog with star quality. In either case, if you’re considering showing your Lab, you need to know what’s involved, how dog shows work, and most importantly, whether dog shows are something in which both you and your Lab will enjoy participating together.
Knowing When a Star Is Born
How do you know if the dog show circuit is for you? Most people show their dogs in dog shows for one of two reasons:
To earn the Champion of Record title, which will make a dog a more valuable breeder
For fun
No matter what your reason, to do well in competition, you have to have the right kind of dog. What is the right kind? This is a loaded question. The right kind of dog for you may very well not have anything to do with the right kind of dog for a dog show competition.
For Lab dog shows, experts in Labs judge them for how closely they match the breed standard. A breed standard is a complete and thorough description of the ideal Labrador Retriever. Standards for all breeds are developed and periodically updated by national breed clubs. The American Kennel Club (AKC) must then approve the standards. After they’re approved, that standard becomes the ideal for that breed.
The standard for the Labrador Retriever, for example, states that the eyes of Labs should be brown in black and yellow Labs and either brown or hazel in chocolate Labs, and that the tail should be what is known as an otter tail, which means it is covered all the way around in thick, short fur, rather than the long, feathery furred tail you would see on a Golden Retriever. The standard also states that your Lab should weight between 55 and 80 pounds.
Does that mean your 47-pound, yellow-eyed Lab with a long, thin, feathery tail won’t be the best pet you ever had? Certainly not. But she may not do very well in a dog show. If, on the other hand, your dog does closely match the standard, loves to perform, thrives on the attention of a crowd, and is proud to strut her stuff, you may have the makings of a champion.
Understanding the Labrador Breed Standard
Both the AKC and the UKC have developed breed standards for the Labrador Retriever. Of course, no dog meets the ideal in every way, but breed standards provide a standard so that breeds can be continually improved in looks, health, temperament, and skill. Dog show judges use breed standards to give them something by which to judge show dogs.
Breed standards are chock-full of dog-world jargon, so in this book, we translate for you instead of quoting directly. If you want to check out the official standard, flip to the Appendix to find out how to contact the AKC.
The AKC standard
The official breed standard — translated in this section into everyday, simplified language — was last updated in 1994.
General appearance
The Labrador Retriever is a strong and athletic-looking, medium-sized dog with a short, dense coat; a clean-cut look; a broad skull; and warm, friendly eyes. The Lab’s size and balanced body make him ideal for retrieving, as well as for a wide variety of other activities. He should be hardy, healthy, and sturdy enough to hunt for long hours under difficult conditions; the character, personality, and looks to do well in dog shows; and the right temperament to be a great family companion.
A short-coupled dog, a term mentioned in the official breed standard, is relatively short in length from the shoulder blades to the hips, as opposed to longer-bodied dogs such as German Shepherds.
Size, proportion, and substance
When measured from the ground to the top of the shoulder blade, the ideal Labrador Retriever should be
Between 221/2 to 241/2 inches for males
From 211/2 to 231/2 inches for females.
After they are one year old, males in good shape should weigh between 65 and 80 pounds.
After one year, females should weigh between 55 and 70 pounds.
Any Lab over 1/2 inch above or below the standard is disqualified from the show ring.
Proportionally, a Lab should be relatively short from shoulder to hips, but just long and tall enough to make walking and running easy and efficient. Labs in good shape have lots of muscle and no excess fat.
The withers is the top of the shoulder blades and is used to measure the height of dogs.
The brisket may refer to the chest area or to the entire front half of the torso (the thorax).
When a dog looks weedy, he looks light-boned or has an insufficient amount of bone for his size.
A cloddy dog, on the other hand, is low and thickset and looks relatively heavy.
Registering your Lab with the American Kennel Club
If you buy a purebred Labrador Retriever from a breeder and your Lab is eligible for registration with the AKC, you’ll want to register him, especially if you want to participate in dog shows or other AKC dog events that require registration.
When you buy your Lab, you should receive an AKC application form that has already been filled out correctly by the breeder or previous owner. When you complete the form, submit it to the AKC along with the specified fee. When the AKC processes your application, you will receive a registration certificate. Keep it in a safe place!
If the breeder or previous owner doesn’t have the proper paperwork, but the dog you’re purchasing is represented as eligible for registration, the breeder must give you records that provide all the necessary identifying information, and the breeder’s signature. This information includes the breed, sex, color, date of birth, registered names of the dog’s sire (father) and dam (mother), and the name of the breeder. If the seller can’t provide this information, don’t buy the dog.
If you need help filling out the proper information, ask the breeder for help or contact the American Kennel Club (see the Appendix for contact information).
The head
A Labrador Retriever’s skull should be wide, but not so wide as to look exaggerated. The top of the skull should be parallel to the top of the muzzle, and both parts should be about the same length. The head should look clean-cut with strong jaws, but without fleshy cheeks or lips. The nose should be wide and black on black and yellow Labs; it should be brown on chocolate Labs. The teeth should be strong and even, with the bottom teeth just behind the top teeth when the mouth is closed.
Ears should hang next to the head, relatively far back and low, and should reach to the inside of the eye when pulled forward. The eyes should show good temperament, intelligence, and alertness because these traits are so representative of the Labrador Retriever. Eyes should be brown with black rims in black and yellow Labs and should be brown or hazel with brown rims in chocolates.
A dog’s foreface is his muzzle area.
Scissors bite refers to a bite in which the outside of the lower six front teeth (incisors) touches the inner side of the top six front teeth (also called incisors).
A level bite occurs when the upper and lower incisors meet exactly, rather than overlapping one way or the other.
The neck, topline, and body
The neck should be strong without loose skin and long enough to make retrieving easy. The back should be straight and level between the shoulder blade and the hips, and the body should have a nicely tapered rib cage (not too flat or too barrel-chested). (See Figure 17-1.) The Lab tail should be very thick at the base and then taper off. The Lab tail should also be covered in thick, short fur all the way around (called an otter tail) rather than long, feathery fur as on a Golden Retriever. The tail shouldn’t curve over the back like a Husky tail and should continue the flow of a line from the top of the head to the tail tip.
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Figure 17-1: This Lab demonstrates the suggested neck, topline, and back of the breed standard. |
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The topline is the outline of a dog’s back (in profile) from just behind the top of the shoulder blade to the base of the tail.
Throatiness refers to excessive loose skin under a dog’s throat.
A ewe neck refers to a neck in which the topline has a concave (sunken) curve rather than a convex (protruding) curve.
The croup refers to the pelvic girdle. The underline is the outline of the dog’s underside (in profile) from the front of the chest to the base of the abdomen.
The hock is the hind-leg joint corresponding to the ankle joint on a human.
Docking refers to the procedure of shortening a dog’s tail by cutting it. In America, many breeds have their tails docked, although in many European countries, the procedure will disqualify a dog from the show ring and is frowned upon as unethical.
The forequarters
The front part of the dog should be muscular (but not so much as to restrict movement) and balanced with the back part so that shoulders and hips are in proportion, as are front and back legs. Front legs should be straight with strong bones, and when viewed from the side, the dog’s elbows should be directly beneath the top point of the shoulder blade. Feet should be strong and compact with arched toes and well-developed paws.
Forequarters are the front part of the dog, from shoulder blades to paws.
Hindquarters are the back part of the dog, from hips to paws.
Pasterns are the forelegs between the “ankle” and the joint where the toes begin.
Dewclaws are “toes” on the inside of a dog’s leg, separated from the other “toes” and comparable to a thumb, except that they aren’t used. They are commonly removed because they serve no function.
Must your dog fit the standard?
Must your dog exactly match the AKC or English standard for a Labrador Retriever? Of course not. No Lab will exactly fit every aspect of the standard because no dog is perfect. But your dog may be perfect for you.
If you want a show dog, you have to pay close attention to the published standard because it’s used to judge show dogs. But if you want a pet, take more interest in certain aspects of the standard, such as temperament.
If you live in a cold climate, you want a Lab with a good coat in addition to a good temperament. If you would like a hunting companion, you want a Lab who excels in retrieving and has lots of endurance and strength.
You may find it interesting — even helpful — to know what the perfect Lab is like, but your Lab need only meet your personal standard for perfection. And lots of that perfection will come from the way you raise, train, and treat your dog. They don’t come pre-perfected!
The hindquarters
The dog’s back half, the pelvis, hips, legs, and paws, should be muscular and balanced. From the side, the angle of the rear legs should match the angle of the front legs. Hind legs should have strong bones and defined thighs with steady knees. When standing still, the dog’s rear toes should stand just behind the top of the rump. Feet should be strong and compact, with arched toes and well-developed pads.
The stifle is the “knee” joint.
The patella is the knee cap.
The pasterns are the knuckle joints.
Cow-hocks refer to turned-in ankles and turned-out toes.
Spread hocks refer to hocks that point outward.
Sickle hocks refer to hocks that can’t be straightened.
The coat
Labs have a double coat, which means the coat has two layers: a thick, dense, hard, weather-resistant top layer and a soft, downy undercoat for insulation. Labs with woolly, soft, or sparse coats are considered less desirable because they aren’t as resistant to inclement weather conditions.
Color
Labs come in black, yellow (from fox red to light cream), and chocolate (light to dark). Other color variations disqualify a dog from the show ring.
Disqualifications
If you want to show your dog in dog shows, pay attention to the following disqualifications from the AKC standard. (Of course, if you don’t want to show your Lab, don’t give the following a second thought.) If your dog has any of these characteristics, he will be disqualified from show competition:
Shorter or taller than the height described in the breed standard
A pink nose or one lacking in color
Eye rims that don’t have any pigment
Shortening or in any other way altering the tail
Any other color or a combination of colors other than black, yellow, or chocolate
Brindle, a term mentioned in the breed standard, is a type of coat pattern in which black is layered in areas of light color (often tan), producing a tiger-striped look. This coloring will disqualify a Lab in competition.
Movement
When a Lab moves, he should look free, balanced, and effortless. Elbows shouldn’t turn out, the body should move straight without weaving, the legs should remain straight, and all parts of the dog should move in concert.
Temperament
Temperament can make or break a Lab. The ideal Lab is kindly, outgoing, obedient, nonaggressive, gentle, intelligent, adaptable, and above all, eager to please.
The English standard
The standard for the Labrador Retriever in England is much the same as the AKC standard, but it’s set by an organization called the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale), is a truly international dog registry that’s made up of kennel clubs from most major countries in the world except the United States (Russia is the newest member). It’s similar to the AKC standard, but it’s less detailed and has a few other differences. (For example, the FCI doesn’t disqualify dogs if they don’t fall within the ideal size guidelines as the AKC does.) All member clubs use FCI breed standards, which are based on the standards set by each breed’s country of origin.
Visiting a Dog Show
Attending a dog show is a lot of fun, and if you aren’t participating, there’s no pressure! Whether you’re checking out Labs to see whether you would like one or checking out Labs because you’ve loved them for years and want to see them compete, dog shows can be an interesting way for a dog lover to spend the day.
Getting a feel for how the show works
Dog shows judge a Labrador Retriever’s conformation, or physical appearance. Three types of conformation dog shows exist:
Specialty shows are for dogs of a specific breed. Each national breed club has a specialty show each year. For example, the Labrador Retriever Club, Inc., has a specialty show in which only purebred, registered Labrador Retrievers may compete.
Group shows are for dogs from one of the seven groups of purebred dogs. Labrador Retrievers belong to the Sporting Group and may participate in Sporting Group shows.
The AKC recognizes all-breed shows, in which different breeds compete, first against their own breeds, then against their own groups (like sporting group or hound group). The best of each group then competes against the other “bests” for the single coveted award of “Best in Show.” These are the biggest and usually the most publicized shows, such as the annual Westminster Kennel Club show in New York City.
During a dog show, dogs compete to earn points towards the title of champion. A dog can earn anywhere from one to five points during a single show. Fifteen points are required under at least three different judges, plus two majors (wins of three, four, or five points, based upon how many dogs are in a competition) earned under two different judges, to earn the title Champion of Record. Also, after your Lab earns this title, you can put the prestigious Ch. before her name (for example, Ch. Kellygreens On Target). The best dog in each show wins the Best of Show award, but many other awards and places exist, as well. Males (called dogs) and females (called bitches) are judged separately.
Understanding the lingo
You may need help deciphering some of the dog show lingo. Like people obsessed with any field of knowledge, dog show people have their own language with lots of terms familiar to them but probably strange to you. Before you attend your first dog show, familiarize yourself with the following terms:
Angulation: The angle created by bones and joints.
Baiting: Using a treat to get a dog’s attention or have her appear alert.
Bench show: A dog show during which dogs are kept on benches when not in the ring, making it easier for the people attending the dog shows to see the different breeds.
Exhibitor: The person who brings the dog to the show and enters her in the appropriate contests.
Fancier: Someone who is particularly interested in purebred dogs and is usually involved in some aspect of the sport. This could be you!
Gait: The way a dog moves or walks.
Groom: To brush, comb, and trim a dog’s coat to make her look her best.
Handler: The person who brings the dog into the show ring and is with the dog during competition. (Also applies to other kinds of events such as obedience [see Chapter 11] and agility trials [see Chapter 15].)
Heel: The request (what we call “commands”) used to keep a dog in control and next to the handler.
Match show: A more informal dog show in which championship points can’t be earned.
Miscellaneous class: The class for those purebred dogs that haven’t yet become fully recognized by the AKC as a part of one of the seven groups (see the “Group of seven” sidebar for more information), yet are still considered purebred and able to participate in some dog show events.
Pedigree: The written record of a dog’s ancestry, dating back at least three generations.
Points: Credits toward the Champion of Record title or any title.
Soundness: A dog’s mental and physical well-being.
Stacking: The posing of a dog’s legs and body so that he or she looks good.
Winners: An award given to the best dog and the best bitch in the regular classes.
Group of seven
The AKC recognizes seven different groups of purebred dogs: sporting dogs, bred to hunt game birds on land and in water, including Labrador Retrievers; Hounds, used for hunting by sight or scent; working dogs, used to pull, guard, or search and rescue; Terriers, bred to eliminate vermin; toy dogs, bred to be companions; herding dogs, bred to assist shepherds and ranchers with livestock; and non-sporting dogs, which don’t fit into other categories.
Your first time out
Buy a show catalog and study it. It points you to the rings where the breed(s) in which you’re interested will be judged. It also provides the names of breeders and owners of all dogs entered in competition.
To see a particular breed, arrive early. After that breed has been judged, most of those dogs will probably leave.
If you attend with friends, pick out a meeting place. Dog shows get crowded, and you can easily become separated. The superintendent’s booth is a good meeting place.
Even if you miss the Labrador Retriever competition, you can still see Labs in the group competition, when the Sporting group is up.
Sometimes grooming areas are open to spectators. Although Labs don’t take much grooming, you may be interested to see what professional groomers do to keep Labs looking their best.
Never pet a dog at a dog show without asking permission. If the dog has just been groomed for competition, every hair is in place.
Vendors for pet products and dog clubs set up booths at dog shows. You can find a lot of good (and free!) information at these booths.
Wear comfy shoes. Many dog shows are pretty spread out, so you’ll walk a lot. You’ll also stand a lot because dog shows are typically crowded and don’t usually have enough seats for everyone.
Talk to Lab breeders and handlers if you’re considering getting a Lab. They are the experts and can tell you a lot about the reality of owning Labs. Wait until after they’ve shown their dogs, however, so that they aren’t busy.
If you bring your young child to the show in a stroller, be very careful of dog tails and feet, and make sure your child is under control and won’t grab or poke at any dogs.
Although dog shows can be fun, they’re also highly competitive. Breeders often pay handlers to exhibit their dogs because earning championships can mean a breeder’s lines are more valuable. Obedience, agility, or other dog activities (covered in Chapters 15 and 16) may be more fun for you because they’re less seriously competitive. Do what’s fun for you and you Lab, and when it isn’t fun anymore, try something else.
Looking at the Ideal Lab versus the Practically Perfect Lab
Although having a champion is great and is something to be proud of, we’d like to emphasize one more time that your practically perfect Lab needn’t ever see the inside of a dog show ring. Many good breeders, while breeding for the ideal, put the health and temperament of their puppies ahead of physical characteristics. Joel breeds first and foremost for excellent family pets, and we both believe that is an excellent priority for a breeder. Using the term pet quality to denote inferior specimens misses the point of breeding dogs. Dogs are what they are today because humans wanted companions, helpers, and partners. A dog who looks beautiful but isn’t friendly isn’t worth much, even if she does have a Ch. before her name (which she certainly won’t earn if she growls at a judge!).
Puppy or senior dog, perfectly shaped or a little bit crooked, healthy or health-challenged, a Lab who is well-trained and well-loved will repay her owners with loyalty, affection, and the kind of unconditional love you rarely find here on earth. Love like that is worth every ounce of effort and more. It means having a friend, no matter how unsuccessful, how unfashionable, or how poor you are. It means being the object of a Labrador Retriever’s devotion — and we can’t think of many things we’d rather be.