Beginner's Guide to Handling Dogs in the Showring

It is easy to assume that handling a dog in the show ring looks easy. It should look easy. But let me say, the easier it looks, the chances are that the handler is working terribly hard to make it look easy and has been practising for many a show, and done some work in their own back yard.

Some people pay others to handle their dogs for them. However, I must say that if you are capable of getting around a ring and giving your dog the opportunity to move well, then there is really very little reason why you can't show your dog. I know of a handler who is in a wheel chair and she shows her own dogs. She has someone push her wheel chair, but she does all the work with the dogs. And she does some very good winning.

Indeed, even though I have some very good friends who are "professional handlers" (ie: they make a living out of taking other people's dogs in the ring), I would encourage you to show your own dog. It is a very rewarding experience.

Who is the judge?

They judge the breed by what is called a "standard" which is a set of rules of how the breed should look. Strictly speaking, the dogs aren't judged against each other. They are judged by how well they meet the standard. This is why dogs of different breeds can be judged alongside each other.

Is judging fair?

I would not be alone in saying that my favourite judge type is one who has a professional manner in the ring, is respectful to both dog and handler, and gives first place to the best dog on the day. Actually, the vast majority of good show people will respect a decision that gives the best dog the win, regardless of who owns it. Afterall, there is nothing wrong with being beaten by a better dog. All show people will have a problem when a lesser quality dog wins, however.

"Face judging" is the term given to practice of placing or not placing a dog based on who is handling it, rather than the qualities of the dogs. This does happen. However, there are moves underway to get this practice eliminated.

You will learn who the "facey" judges are after a while.

So what is the judge looking for?

A judge will look for the following comparing it against the standard as they go:

The overall appearance of the dog	Your dog needs to be groomed within the required standard. In some countries and for some breeds, the dogs should look natural, and definitely not "glamorous". Generally you need to follow the standards in your country. If you are having trouble with grooming, get someone to help you. It is important that you learn the "tricks", and there are plenty when it comes to grooming. When I say "tricks", this is not the illegal things that some people do, these are the things that are perfectly legal within the showring, and often provide you with the desired result in a quicker way.
Movement	You must understand the pace at which your dog needs to move to produce the desired gait. For some breeds, the dog should be move slowly. For others, you should move the dog at a quick speed. For example, the chow chow is showed at a relatively slow pace, while the great dane, should move very quickly, showing the judge that the dog can move at the pace required for the dog to perform the job it was bred for. Often people make the mistake of running their dog at an incorrect speed. Get other people to help you sort this out. You will be required to run your dog in a certain pattern. Most common is the triangle where the judge is ascertaining the movement of the dog three different ways. It is rare that a dog with poor movement (ie: crabbing) will be a major winner in the ring. A dog with poor movement will more often than not re-produce this poor movement in subsequent generations.
At a "stack" This refers to the dog standing square	It does take practice for both you and your dog to get him/her to stop and stand in the required fashion. You will have to learn how to "free stack" your dog, and also how to "hand stack". Both are required. Often it will take a young pup some time to get used to this. I've found the best way to train this is by using positive reinforcement methods only. You need to able to stack your dog in less than 10 seconds, and free stack it at the end of a triangle.
Temperament	A dog that demonstrates a poor temperament in the ring should not win. Often dogs as they are new to the ring will not be too happy as they can be nervous, just like the handlers! However, a dog should never be vicious. Unfortunately, there are some vicious dogs in the ring, and many of these will reproduce this temperament in future generations.
Animation	Ah.... this is a hard one. The judge is looking to see how interested your dog looks in what is going on around him/her. Many a ribbon has been lost because the dog has been too hot or too complacent to show the "required" animation. It is perfectly "legal" for you to use a small piece of dried liver in your hand, or a small toy to show the judge that your dog can be animated. Note: some judges hate you using food and/or toys in the ring.

What do I do with the leash?

People will generally use what is called a "choker" or slip chain around the neck of the dog. The leash will usually be black and thin.

There's one web site that will supply you with the best show leads possible. They strategically won't supply cheap quality gear. This is a great bonus for new people to the show ring. Click here to access the site.

Please note: if you have a large and/or strong breed, make sure you have a suitable leash strength for the ring. Seek guidance from the vendor if you need to. Personally I prefer a leash that does not bring attention to the fact the dog is on a lead. Therefore, flourescent pick is definitely out.

You also need to be careful of the length of the lead. Generally you want to be able to quickly roll the leash up into your hand - so you don't want anything too long. On the other hand, you also need enough length so that you can allow your dog freedom of movement as it moves around the ring.

You need to practice collecting the leash up in your hand. You should never have the end of the lead dangling out of your hand as it detracts from the overall picture that you are trying to create. Whether you run your dog on a loose leash or a firm leash is dependent on how your dog works for you. Generally, I run my dogs on a loose leash. But this does take practice - and it should be practiced at home. The show ring is no time to practice a new skill.

What should I wear?

As a general rule, I dress as if I'm going to a job interview, or I'm speaking in front of a large group of people.

And often when you go into the ring, you are in front of a large audience.

So make sure you look fabulous. Wear a colour that is different from your dog. Try and wear a plain outfit - definitely nothing with florals, dots, etc. Dress conservatively.

Make sure your hair is neatly brushed, and your makeup (if appropriate) is nicely down.

Make the effort!

Please ensure that you take any loose coins and keys out of your pockets before you enter the ring, and generally speaking, unless it's a very hot day, it is not the norm to wear either a hat or sunglasses in the ring.

How should I act in the ring?

There are some people in the show ring that will act in a way that they should be ashamed of. You will most probably encounter some things in the ring that should never be seen there. If this happens, take it in your stride. It is more than likely the judge (and the crowd) has seen it too. I have heard of many occasions when the judge has seen such errant behaviour from a handler, and has deliberately not awarded the dog a ribbon. Personally, I believe that if a handler exhibits such poor behaviour, they should be excused from the ring for the rest of the day's activities.

When you handle the dog, treat it as if it is a precious being, which, of course, it is. Show respect for your dog and yourself. If possible on a hot day, you may be permitted to move your dog into the shade.

And smile! Too often you will see someone in the ring with a terrible frown on their face. Often, they will not be aware they are doing it. I had to train myself and ask for lots of feedback from friends to make sure I corrected my frowning in the ring. It is definitely hard to smile when you are working hard and if you are nervous. But with practice you can do it.

After a while, you will probably learn to enjoy yourself in the ring. I know at first, I was very nervous. It took me many shows to gain the confidence I needed.

If you have a bad day, well that's part of the game. Some days will be great days. Enjoy all the different sorts of days and look at mistakes as learning opportunities.

What Next?

Talk to as many people as you can, and read lots of books. You can join email groups dedicated to the dog handling scene. Take a chair and a hat, and sit by the ring at a show for a couple of hours and observe how people handle their dogs. You will see some good things and some bad things. It's always good to take notes so you can remember later. You can learn as much from a bad handler as you can from a good handler. Don't forget that!

For a list of some of the books I recommend, click here