| Conformation Events |
| Conformation shows are our main line of work for our dogs. This is a "Life for a Conformation Dog" story. People get started in conformation normally after meeting a breed they like, or seeing a dog show on TV or in person and say - hey I want to do that. There are so many breeds out there - you have to do your research and find out what breed do you like. You can go to www.akc.org and find out about all the breeds out there, find the parent organizations for each breed which will direct you into finding reputable breeders who show in conformation and performance events (obedience, agility, herding trials, hunt test, etc). Our national club organizations have code of ethics which their members adhere to. You won't find your show dog in the newspaper - those people are normally what we call backyard breeders and puppy mills - individuals who are out to make a quick buck raising dogs. Start talking with breeders, ask questions, attend some dog shows - be prepared to wait for a puppy - we don't mass produce show dogs. Dog shows are like a beauty pagent. Each breed has a Standard that we all strive for, and we ask judges to examine our dogs and determine which specimen closesly fits the written standard. Just as some people prefer blonde hair to black, dog show judges and exhibitors have their differences too. No dog is perfect and to be successful in the show ring you must know your dogs strengths and weaknesses. |
| OK - so next come that puppy! Listen very carefully to your breeder, they know the dogs better than you do. Your breeder is your mentor into this sport - it is a breeders job to help you succeed and we will try to make sure the perfect puppy goes home with you. |
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| Training the new show babies starts as soon as they can stand. We teach them to learn to stand in what we call a stack position and they have to learn to walk on a leash and to trot. We also start crate training before they leave our house and have lots of visitors to help spoil them rotten. |
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| Each breed has different grooming that is necessary. There are some basic grooming tools everyone needs and then some breed specific. Some common examples of items we use are: crates, grooming table, blowdryer, brushes/combs, mix of chemicals we use for clearning and fluffing. New Show babies have to get use to being groomed - normally ours are fighting for whose turn is next - they enjoy it so much. |
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| Conditioning: The rule of thumb is don't do serious road work training until a puppy is at least a year old. Any puppy needs to go for walks though. Every show dog needs a conditioning routine whether is be on a scooter as shown, walking, running, rollerblades, out with you on a bike or even on a dog tread mill. Conditioning just builds muscles tone and it's a great bonding tool for you and your dog! |
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| Not only do our babies attend Conformation classes but we even teach them! Conformation Classes help you learn to handle and they help train your puppy what to expect at shows. Also, we attend puppy matches - these are more casual enviroments that are geared for the younger dogs - practice events meant to help train our young dogs about what a dog show is really like. |
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| Time to go to shows - now our sport really begins. We have trained our dog, and the team is ready to hit real shows. This is also where the expensive come in. Between entry fees, hotel/travel bills - you have decide how many shows you can go to in a month. We prefer doing 2 show weekends a month - three if they are close. Most breeders/owners have real jobs - and dog show weekends take a lot of work - so if you do too many, you get too tired for the real world. The Show Prep is cleaning and organizing gear, loading your vehicle, unloading and setting up a grooming spot at the show and of course the bathing and grooming of the dogs. |
| Win Photos! There are official show photographers on hand to take your photo for the big win. Whether it be your first point, major win, Best of Breed, Group Placement, Specialty Win or a Win at Nationals - these photos are a great documentation on your success in the ring. They are usually used for advertising purporses and used for references down the road. You are not required to take a photo - but I highly encourage it. They are well worth it to me! |
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| Sometimes shows offer other fun events like costume contests , Parades of titleholders and even Meet the Breeds. These are all just fun ways to spend more time with your dog - and actually, they can be a way to help educate new people into our sport. |
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| Portraits for Advertising. I highly recommend advertising in your national club publications. Sometimes instead of that great win photo, you want a different look. These are some examples of photos we have taken to be used in advertising. |
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| Enjoy your dog - this is a hobby for the everyone involved two legged and four legged. We let our dogs be a major part of our life and not just locked out in the backyard or in a kennel - this bond helps make our teamwork really great in the show ring! |
| So - we have had success in the show ring - our dog has proven itself to have good qualities of the breed. We think we might like to raise a litter and produce a new puppy to show. FIRST - get all health testing done! Normal health test are eye exam, hips and shoulders xrayed for dysplasia, thryoid, heart, DNA testing, etc. We make sure our dogs can pass all testing necessary for their breed. Second - we make sure we pick the right mate for our dog - not just the closest, most convenient, or even the top dog in the country. We have to compare pedigrees, compare the strengths and weakness of each parent. Having a litter of puppies is not cheap. After the health test costs, there is the stud fee and expenses with the breeding. If we have a natural birth, that helps - but a c-section can cost over $1,000. The puppies normally need declaws removed, 2 rounds of wormings, at least 2 shots. Having a male dog does not mean people are flocking to breed to him. And, having a stud is just as important has a bitch - you need to make sure the breeding is compatible too and not just taking stud fee money because you can. We also recommend that people see how hard or easy it is to find homes for their pet puppies - some breeds - people will wait for a dog - others - you can't even give the puppies away it seems. Have a litter is so much fun AND so much work! Watching dogs you produced enhance other peoples life is so wonderful though. And of course, watching something you helped produce win in the show ring is such a wonderful joy! |
| Conformation showing is not for everyone - it all starts with having a great mentor. I have so many friends and people that I call family in this sport. Going to dog shows is a relief from normal every day life. My dogs love to travel and they enjoy the aspects of a show. If you open your eyes and your heart, you can learn something new every day in the dog show world. Nobody is perfect - no dog is perfect - just enjoy your hobby and most importantly - enjoy your dog! |
| FYI- we were Robin Hood, the King,Queen, Princess, Fryer Tuck, and castle guards for a Halloween contest |
| Some of our 2006 Conformation students when we trained at the OKC Armory |
| Parade of Titleholders |
| A Meet the Breed booths where we try to educate people about our breeds |
| FINAL NOTE - There is so much more in the world of dog sports than just conformation. Well rounded dogs like to work in more than one venue -so try something else in the world of dogs too. Agility, Obedience, Rally Obedience, Herding trials, Pet Therapy, Hunt Tests, Lure Coursing, etc. the sport of dogs has something to make everyone happy! |
| Crate Training. All dogs should have some crate training. A crate is normally an plastic airline crate, a metal wire crate or a soft sided crate (used on dogs that are not destructive!). Dogs see their crates as their home, like a den and they know which one is theirs. If is the safest way to travel with your dog, or in time of emergency like a tornado warning. Even having house guest over, using a crate is a perfect way to have a well behaved dog. With dog shows - traveling is a big factor, so not only do you have crate traveling but staying in hotel rooms is a new adventure - one's that dogs just love! |
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| At one of our conformation we had an impromptu mosh pic of puppy socialization and as you can see everyone had a blast |
| Conformation training as Canine Sports Academy |
| It's Show Time! There are all breed shows and specialty shows which we attend. We show indoors, outdoors, on concrete, dirt, on carpet, on matts. Sometimes you win - sometimes you loose - it's all in the name of game - the most important thing is to relax and enjoy time around your friends and make sure your dog realizes this is fun! |
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| AKC Responsible Pet Ownership Event, Stillwater, Oklahoma 2008 |
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| What Not to Wear- this deserves it's own page. When you show your dog you need to be dressed sporty professional, not too casual, not to skimpy or tight. You need to look like you are proud to be exhibiting your dog! |
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