Conformation

What is Conformation?

First, note the spelling of conformation- It's conf"o"rmation, not conf"i"rmation. Conformation, or the sport of dog showing, is spelled with an "o" not an "i". It's a test of how well dogs conform to the written breed standard.

So where did conformation get its start? Rumor has it that groups of men would gather at the local pub in Northern England (nah...that couldn't be), and wagers would ensue. A bet would be placed on the dog who was the swiftest, bravest, or the most adept at the work the dog was bred to do. Gradually these get-togethers became more formal and evolved into meetings of breeders who compared their stock against that of their neighbors. Hence, the first dog show was organized. Only Pointers and Setters were shown, and 60 dogs represented these two breeds. The oldest record of an official dog show belongs to Newcastle-on-Tyne, England in June of 1859. In the United States, the earliest records are for a dog show held in conjunction with a field trial in Chicago on June 4, 1874. The Westminster Kennel Club hosted the first dog show three years later, with more than 35 breeds represented. (By the way, Westminster is the second oldest continuously held sporting event in the country, beaten only by the Kentucky Derby.) The American Kennel Club (AKC) followed 10 yrs. later (in 1884); their goal was to maintain the breeding records of purebred dogs in the United States.

Dog showing, or conformation, began as a competition among friends interested in breeding dogs. While kennel clubs and exhibitors will tell you that dog showing is for the betterment of the purebred dog, reality can be something else. Purebred dogs are big business, with more than a million a year registered by the AKC alone. With so much money involved, conformation is not as clean as it used to be. Today, the objective often seems to be nothing more than to produce dogs that will win in the ring. This is not to say that there aren't dedicated breeders whose primary goal is to breed healthy dogs. They work to eliminate genetic disorders and improve temperament while while ensuring that the dogs physically match the standard as close as possible.

So you want to compete?

To compete in conformation your dog must be a purebred registered with a kennel club. Purebred dogs adopted from shelters or rescue groups can get a special listing that allows them to compete in performance events, but NOT in conformation. Also, dogs must be intact (that is, not spayed or neutered) to compete in Conformation events. This requirement is based on the belief that such dogs will be used for breeding.

So, what is the breed standard anyway? Rather than try to explain it here, just click on the link. The Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States has a great description of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Breed Standard.

How do I compete?

As was previously mentioned, your dog MUST be an intact purebred registered with a Kennel Club. Unless registration papers come with the dog, it can't take part in a show. The next question you must ask yourself is, "Do I want to show my own dog or have someone show it for me?". Some people find the experience of being in the ring petrifying, and they never return. Others find it very satisfying and rewarding. If the first description is what you'd expect, then I'd recommend hiring a professional handler or a friend that is an experienced handler. If you think that you'd like to learn to show your own dog, then I'd enroll in handling classes. Either way, I would not enter a dog in the ring with an inexperienced handler. If you're not sure, enter a "Match" which is specifically for practice. The judges do NOT have to be licensed by any Kennel Club. Your dog will not earn any points toward a Championship, even if you win. This is the place for you, your dog, and even the judge to gain some experience. "Shows" are the real deal. Do not even bother entering until you and your dog are ready for some stiff competition. You'll only be wasting your money if you do.

Matches and Shows?

Matches and Shows are further subdivided:

Workshop Match- informal, dogs judged at random, not by group or breed
Fun Match- dogs judged by breed, usually with ribbons awarded
Sanctioned Match- most formal, unofficial show, excellent practice
Specialty Show- single breed show
Multibreed Show- show with multiple breeds but not all registered with a Kennel Club
All-breed Show- show with all breeds registered by a Kennel Club

Additionally, there is a "Benched Show". At a benched show, all dogs entered for competition must remain on the show grounds in their assigned space whenever they are not actually in the ring being exercised or groomed. This gives spectators an unequaled chance to see breeds and talk to their owners, breeders, and handlers.

Coming soon...judging, how dog shows are organized, etc.