Conformation

Have you attended a few conformations shows but you are CONFUSED? How do the animals earn points? What are the judges looking for? How does a dog move up to Group or Best In Show? What is Jr. Handling? Click here to go to the BEST informational show sites I have found on the internet, lots of reading material for those wanting to get started in AKC Conformation Shows

OBEDIENCE

Conformation isn't for you? Obedience can be fun! It is always benificial to your relationship with your dog to attend some obedience classes, and it easily becomes an addiction! Nice people, bonding with your dog, and the competitive spirit sets in and you want to prepare for the obedience ring. The Dog patch Obedience page offers alot of links to help you understand the rules and get started training for the ring

Rally

Ok.. Obedience is too formal for you right now. You want to learn the exercises, but you and your dog aren't having enough FUN? Rally-Obedience might be just what you are looking for! Obedience exercises in a quick paced course where you can talk to and encourage your dog, while making your way through a flexable course design.

U K C

The United Kennel Club Homepage.
We have really become fan's of the UKC this year! 2005 was the first we showed in the UKC, and we enjoyed the laid back attmosphere, no artifical grooming allowed and no professional handlers. It seems the judges really look at structure and soundness and an "honest" dog can win. I just wish there where more UKC shows around my place! If there were I would go every weekend!

HUMORIST'S DICTIONARY OF DOG SHOW TERMINOLOGY

ANGULATION - Degree to which dog handlers will bend over backwards to impress the judges.
BALANCE - How to arrange the checkbook so your husband won't know how much money you spent on dog shows last month. Usually done in the bathroom with the door locked.
BITCH - A. Name for a lady dog. B. name often overheard at dog shows, not always to describe a lady dog.
COAT - The hairy covering of a dog that usually falls out about one week before the Specialty show.
DAM - A. A lady dog with children. B. Expression frequently overheard at dog shows as losers leave the ring.
ELBOW - Method of getting to ringside when late.
EXPRESSION - "Sweet" look adopted by dogs while staring ravenously at chunks of liver.
FANCIER - Degree to which some gentlemen handlers dress more than others.
FEATHERING - What winners are accused of doing to judges' nests.
FRONT - Part of the dog often stacked toward the outside of the ring.
HEEL - A. you feel like when your dog beats the one you had just sold to an eager novice. B. Expression often screamed to attract the attention of deaf dogs.
HEIGHT - As in "Maximum Allowed", a measurement which all champions fall under by AT LEAST 1/8 of an inch.
HOCK - A way of financing your dog shows by the use of jewelry such as wedding rings.
KENNEL - Where you go when the kids fight and your husband yells at you.
LITTER - Trash left all over the building and parking lot after a dog show.
MASK - What to wear when you have to show the pet you sold six months ago.
MUZZLE - What to put on your kids at a dog show to prevent them from calling your competition what they overheard you call him last night.
NOSEPRINTS - Cute marks left all over your French doors.
OUTCROSSING - What your husband tells the minister you are doing out in the kennel with the dog and the bitch.
POINTS - Minute, invisible awards for winning which you cannot convince your spouse are more important than cash prizes.
PUPPIES - Small, doglike food-processing machines with the ability to stink up an entire house and collectively deafen a band of magpies.
(These creatures have not yet been perfected, as they come with a leaky system, and can also be dangerous to weak hearts and bank accounts).

Send in your dog shows entries on line, Search for Shows by state and date, see the results of nationwide shows Do it all at

INFO DOG

Now you found a show near you... Here is a link to Yahoo Maps. Just enter your home address and the show location and you will get diriving directions, a printable map and estimated travel time!

YAHOO MAPS

A K C

American Kennel Club Homepage
Need the offical rules for an obedience show? Want to register a litter of puppies? Check your dogs show points on line. Learn about new legislation and health studies. All your AKC needs in one handy place on the internet.
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At this time Vista Dei is very disappointed with the AKC's support of the PAWS legislation as are a huge number of people and organizations. We feel that PAWS is the first step in preventing dogs from being raised and socialized in a home enviroment, that we believe is so critical to their well being and future good temperments as pets. The PAWS legislation is an effort to bring more small breeders under the licensing and inspection of the USDA. On the surface one might thing it is a good thing for breeders to be licensed and inspected, however, what most people do not realize is that under the rules of the USDA, NO PUPPIES OR BREEDING ANIMALS MAY BE KEPT IN THE HOUSE! All dogs and puppies must be kept on concrete or wire, never to run in a yard or sleep on a bed. This saddens us, and we feel betrayed by the AKC's support of this action. This legislation, while currently only affecting those who have more than 25 puppies or 6 litters a year, is just the begining, even AKC acknowleges the numbers can be lowered in the future to include even smaller scale breeders - if this continues, soon ALL puppies will be raised in commercial kennel facilities, never to know the warmth and love of a family enviroment like we provide for our animals. We urge you to join us in contacting your law makers and opposing bill S1139 / HR2669 "PAWS" for more information