Have you been watching the dog shows lately? Maybe you saw the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship during Super Bowl weekend. Maybe you watched the famous Westminster Kennel Club Show this week. Dog shows — like any kind of competition — come with their own special lingo.
Talking about the dogs:
- Angulation: the angles created at the joints.
- Gait: the way a dog moves. This is a good indicator of structure and body condition.
- Pedigree: a written record of a dog’s family tree. Traces the line back three generations or more.
- Soundness: mental and physical well-being.
Handlers and handling:
- Baiting: using a treat to catch the dog’s attention and keep him or her looking alert.
- Exhibitor: a person who brings a dog to a dog conformation show and shows it.
- Fancier: a person who is interested in purebred dogs and is often active in the sport.
- Handler: a person who takes the dog into the show ring. Often not the dog’s actual owner!
- Junior Handler: a child between the ages of ten and eighteen who is able to compete in certain dog shows. Junior handlers are judged on their handling, as well as their dogs’ conformation to breed standards.
- Points: credits earned towards a championship title. A dog must earn fifteen points in at least three different competitions in order to add the word “Champion” to their name.
- Stacking: posing the dog’s body and legs to create a pleasing stance.
Different types of show and dog:
- Bench Show: a dog show where dogs are kept on assigned benches while not being shown in the ring. This allows attendees, breeders, and other exhibitors/handlers to view and discuss the dogs.
- Match Show: an informal dog show. No championship points are awarded.
- Miscellaneous Class: a transitional class that includes breeds that are looking to gain full American Kennel Club recognition. Once the breeds are recognized, they are added to one of the seven existing AKC classes.