Perennial Spellbinder OA OAJ RS-N JS-E GS-E NAC EJC EGC TN-E U-AGII HIC TDInc CGC, major pointed, (aka Ben) going Best of Winners from the Bred By Exhibitor class, Lake Shores Kennel Club 2001.
The conformation or "breed" ring is sometimes likened to a beauty pageant. To the uninitiated, conformation may seem to be a subjective ranking of beautiful animals. In fact, the conformation ring at its best provides impartial evaluation of a dog's quality in light of the breed standard and the competition present that day. Each breed is initially judged separately, and of course each animal must be registered with the sanctioning registry,whether it is the Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA), the American Kennel Club (AKC), the United Kennel Club (UKC), the States Kennel Club (SKC), or the International All Breed Kennel Club of America (IABKC). The rules and procedures are quite different in the different registries, so be sure to read the rule books, and if possible watch a show or two, before entering.
The Breed Standard
A breed standard is a document developed by a breed club to define the hypothetical perfect specimen of the breed. In the United States, Aussies are shown primarily in ASCA (Austalian Shepherd Club of America) and AKC (American Kennel Club) shows. The ASCA and AKC standards for the breed are similar but not identical. You can find the two standards through the following links:
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A-CH Perennial Ribbon of Darkness, AKC & ASCA CD NA NAJ RS-N JS-O GS-N NAC OJC CGC) ~ Zoe ~ finishing her altered championship under ASCA Breeder Judge Heather Herron, handled by owner Sally Meyers.
If you don't yet have a dog and you think you'd like to become involved in conformation showing, contact breeders and discuss your goals with them so that you start with a show-quality animal. If you already have an Australian Shepherd, and you aren't certain that it is show quality, you will need to take a step back and evaluate your dog honestly. Get a copy of the breed standard and go through it point by point, examining your dog for each characteristic. Keep in mind that there is no such thing as a perfect dog, and all show dogs have faults. It's accumulation of faults, or a single disqualifying fault, that will keep a dog from doing well in breed competition. Keep in mind also that whether or not yours is a show-quality Aussie has no bearing at all on your dog's value as a topnotch companion!
A-CH Perennial Trailblazer, OA OAJ OAC OJC RS-O JS-O GS-N NAC NGC, aka Clark, was Alt-BOS at the 2003 ASCA Nationals and all 3 pre-shows! Handled here by Cindy Elliott.
If your dog seems to measure up, then you need to start training. There's more to showing a dog in the breed ring than meets the eye. Contact local training clubs to find out about conformation handling classes in your area. Attend shows and watch the handlers, noting what the good ones do to make their dogs shine in the ring. Read about handling - there are a number of excellent books on the market, and many magazines publish articles on handling. If possible, attend a few shows with an experienced Australian Shepherd exhibitor - offer to be a ringside dog-holder or a gofer in exchange for some guidance on grooming and showing.
When you're ready to test your new handling skills, consider starting small. Look for "puppy matches" in your area. Contact area clubs for information. Despite the name, adult dogs can participate in puppy matches so long as they do not have major points toward their championships. Wins at matches do not count toward championships, but matches provide a chance for you to practice your handling and for your dog to become used to the ring environment in a more relaxed atmosphere than a show.
Multiple Best of Breed ASCA Champion
Perennial Ironman of Los Suenos, ASCA & AKC CD ~ Mac
