Pure Dog Talk

Straw, Sticks and Bricks - Understanding the blueprint to build a brick house foundation for better dogs. How breed history and the breed standard work together, form and function, and learning the language of the standard.

How to Count Championship Points Understanding the Classes All classes are divided by sex and championship status. The non-champion male dogs compete for Winners Dog. The non-champion female dogs compete for Winners Bitch. Only animals awarded Winners Dog and Winners Bitch are eligible to earn points toward their championship status. After that, the Champion animals and the Winners Dog and the Winners Bitch compete for Best of Breed. What are the classes? Class options and order are: 6-9 months puppy 9-12 months puppy 12-18 months Novice class (which is designated for dogs which have not won three blue ribbons in another class. It applies to the dog, not the exhibitor) American Bred Class (dogs bred in the US) Bred By Exhibitor Class (dogs bred by the person showing the dog or an immediate family member) Amateur Owner Handler Class. (defined by the exhibitor not the dog) Open Class (any animal, any age, any handler). In certain breeds classes might also be divided by coat, color or size. Very seldom will you see entries in every single one of the available classes. The non champion (or class dogs as we call them) males are all judged in class order. The winner of each class remains at ringside to return and compete for Winners Dog. The second place animal in each class (if there is one) ALSO remains handy. Winners Dog This can sometimes be a little confusing. The steward will call the winners of each class back into the ring — in the reverse order they were judged. The judge will select Winners Dog from the class winners. This is the dog who is awarded championship points (more on this later). Once Winners Dog leaves the ring, if there was a dog which placed second in the winner’s class, that dog will be called back in to the ring to be considered for RESERVE Winners Dog. If there was no second place animal, reserve is chosen from the dogs remaining in the ring. Reserve is literally, the animal who could be awarded championship points if the Winners animal is deemed ineligible for any reason. Winners Bitch The female entries go through the same process in order to select Winners Bitch and reserve winners bitch. Best of Breed Competition All of the champions are called in to the ring, with Winners Dog and Winners Bitch, at the end of the lineup. Generally the judge will ask for male champions first, female champions next, followed by the winners. This is NOT a given and how the champions are lined up is completely at the judge’s discretion. This is one of the reasons it is smart to watch a ring for a breed or two before yours is judged. At the end of judging, the judge will line the dogs up in order of their placement… Best of Breed winner is first. Next in line is the Best of Winners. This is the judge’s choice of the best of the class dogs. This award can have bearing when counting points, as we will discuss shortly. Next is the Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed. If the judge selects a male dog for Best of Breed, this award is given to a female and vice versa. Finally male and female Select awards are presented. These awards confer grand champion points and are only available to champion dogs in the ring which did not win Best of Breed or Best of Opposite. How to Count the Points Points are awarded based on the number of dogs defeated. Dogs can earn from zero to five points at a given dog show. For example, if there is only class dog and one class bitch entered, there will be no points available. Any time a dog defeats enough animals to earn three, four or five points it’s called a Major. All dogs have to earn two major wins and accumulate 15 total points to be awarded championship status. How many championship points are awarded is determi...

How to Count Championship Points Understanding the Classes All classes are divided by sex and championship status. The non-champion male dogs compete for Winners Dog. The non-champion female dogs compete for Winners Bitch. Only animals awarded Winners Dog and Winners Bitch are eligible to earn points toward their championship status. After that, the Champion animals…

  Growing Up Your Show Dog: In this Episode Shaping a Show Dog What are Why are boundaries important? Crate Training and Safety Exposure and Early Socialization: Matter of fact introductions. Your role and attitude and how it imprints on the dog. Frequency of socialization. Fitness Training: Early puppy play and interaction with you. Formal fitness training. Cavaletti Poles Understanding how to prevent problems in the ring. Grooming, toenails, table time. Positive acceptance of strangers Show dogs make great pets...and go beyond to therapy and service.

Growing Up Your Show Dog discusses how to understand and create canine boundaries, early positive socialization, your confidence, and fitness training for your dog.

  Problem Solving 101: In Episode #5, we tackle three of the most consistent ring issues. Showing the Bite Showing the dog's bite can be nerve racking for the beginner handler.  Since training the bite starts at a young age, sometimes an inexperienced handler needs a little help. Listen as Laura goes through the basic steps and enjoy the video. Backing away from the Judge The handler's reaction to a dog backing away from the judge is critical.  Since the dog is unsure or exhibiting stress, harsh corrections should not be used to add to the stress. Pacing Pacing is described as both the left or both the right legs moving simultaneously.  When a dog paces, the gait cannot be assessed by the judge. The simple solution is to "pop and release" the leash upward to break the dog's stride. Professional tips: FIRM, FAIR and CONSISTENT If YOU are nervous, it goes right down the leash ALL dogs are imperfect in some way. Know what is good AND bad about your dog and learn how to present the dog in his best light. Dogsteps - Rachel Page Elliott Considered one of the "Must Have" books for understanding gait and movement.  Explains what to look for and why a dog moves the way they move. SUPPORT PURE DOG TALK BUY THE BOOK

In this Episode: Problem Solving in the Show Ring Showing the bite Backing away from the judge Pacing Professional tips: FIRM, FAIR and CONSISTENT If YOU are nervous, it goes right down the leash ALL dogs are imperfect in some way. Know what is good AND bad about your dog and learn how to present…

  Steps to Mastering the Dog Show Ring: In this episode Laura Reeves takes you on a Virtual Tour - How to move from beginner to master level. Mastery is a mental game that Master handlers make look simple. Simple Tips: Get to the dog show early. Checklist of what to do before your ring time. Understanding ring times. Preparing your dog and yourself for the show ring. Ringside before you enter - mental preparedness. Ring Awareness and Spacing Sportsmanship Bait and Toys Stand with shoulders back and be proud of your exhibit. Project the Winning Image!   The Art of Handling Show Dogs Mr. Frank T. Sabella Frank T. Sabella in the 1960's was a sought after professional handler that started in Poodles.  He won Best in Show at Westminster in 1973 with Standard Poodle CH. Acadia Command Performance and returned as the Best in Show Judge at Westminster in 1990. Mr. Sabella awards include Kennel Review's Male Handler of the Year and Gaines FIDO Man of the Year. The Art of Handling Show Dogs translates Frank Sabella's talent as a professional dancer and dog handler into easily understood body movement and awareness to the novice and experienced dog handler.

  Dog Show Basics - Moving Your Dog Moving your dog. How to move gracefully with your dog. Why moving your dog smoothly is important and how to it helps you succeed. Getting Rid of Bad Habits Don’t mince your steps Lower your center of gravity Upper body and leash hand still Stand up tall Move your free hand naturally Professional Tip - Line the dog up in front of the judge Training proper movement Start puppies out early Walk before you run About turns and high knees Pop and release Professional Tip — Give the dog something to carry in its mouth Putting it all together The difference between technically proficient and winning presentation is “showmanship” — it’s in your head, in your hands, in your eyes and in your body posture.

In this Episode: Mastering the ring Arrive early and watch Ring procedure Ring awareness and spacing Sportsmanship Baiting Food — when and why Squeaky/toys — how and caution Professional Tip - Use bait as a reward, not a crutch Concentration and Focus Mastering the ring is mental. Practice makes perfect and leaves you free to…

In this Episode: Moving your dog. How to move gracefully with your dog. Why moving your dog smoothly is important and how to it helps you succeed. Getting Rid of Bad Habits Don’t mince your steps Lower your center of gravity Upper body and leash hand still Stand up tall Move your free hand naturally…

Stacking your dog. What is stacking and how to do it. We cover the hand stack and the free stack of your show dog.

Stacking your dog. What is stacking and how to do it. We cover the hand stack and the free stack of your show dog.

Listen here for the 411on Pure Dog Talk. We share with you our passion and purpose behind this podcast.

Listen here for the 411on Pure Dog Talk. We share with you our passion and purpose behind this podcast.