All You Need to Know

to Show
 

       Over the years we have become much more passionate and dedicated to showing our Mastiffs.  We have great plans and high hopes for the near future of some of our new superstars to be.  We have provided direction to many families of our puppies that we have placed in getting started in the show ring. 

     We want to express to everyone what great joy can be achieved in showing your dog.  Whether you're part of our extended mastiff family or whether you are here just hoping to learn some basics on showing your dog, we welcome you.

     This information is for the novice or new comer to conformation handling.  Many people spend decades in showing dogs and will tell you the best learning tool is hands on experience.  This information is basically a crash course in "Getting Started".

     Showing dogs in conformation matches has basically been around for about 125 years.  Conformation is best described as a dogs overall construction or build in regards to the dogs' breed standard.  Though most people consider all canines to be "Dogs" their is actually a distinction in sexes.  The "Dog" is a male, and the "Bitch" is the female.   We will address showing as it pertains to our breed, Mastiffs. 

Should a Dog SHOW

     Many people pour tens of thousands of dollars a year into showing their mastiffs.  You may be only interested in showing your mastiff a little or maybe a lot ... how much you want to show your dog is up to you.  The most important concern to address first is "should" your dog show.  Is your mastiff of show quality ?  Some puppies may leave a breeder as a potential show puppy but later grow into a dog without good show qualities.  Does your dog have what it takes to be a good representative of the breed.  Talk to your dog's breeder and anyone quite knowledgeable in mastiffs and find out before spending a lot of time and money.

WHY SHOW

     Mastiffs, like all AKC dog breeds have a breed standard.  It's a well coordinated blueprint of the correct Mastiff based on the functionality of the Mastiff's original purpose or job.  The Mastiff throughout history has served many purposes... war, at guard, hunting large game, cart pulling ...and now today just good looking couch potatoes.  Their "Breed Standard" is the first thing you should learn in getting started in the show ring.   Mastiff Breed Standard

     Showing serves many purposes.  Most importantly, its a great activity for you and your k-9 family member to have fun with.  Mastiffs are "Working Dogs".  They truly do feel a sense of worth or accomplishment and love to feel like they have a job to do.  Shows are also a great place to meet other mastiffs and their owners.  Other than for fun the show ring is an important method for people to see which dogs out there are in fact "Better" in the breed.  Everyone thinks their dog is the best dog.  But the show ring can help you and your dog's breeder to see how good your dog's conformation is in regards to the standard. 

"The Breed Standard is the Blueprint, the Breeder is the Builder, and the Judge is the Building Inspector" --Percy Roberts, breeder/handler/judge  

  SHOW CLASSES

     I suggest waiting until your puppy is 3 months old at least before beginning any classes.  In the mean time its always a good idea to at least attend one show sitting on the sidelines.  No, watching a re-run on Animal Planet doesn't count.  This will expose you to the event and make your first show more comfortable.  If you are not showing that day most shows wont allow you to bring your dog. 

     Also when in training  or in the classes and of course in the ring you will want to have bait.  The bait is used as an attention getter for your dog.  Bait can be little cubes of cheddar cheese, hot dog pieces, cooked chicken pieces, cut cubes of cooked liver etc.  You will want to find out before training in the classes what bait your dog not only likes... but what bait drives him crazy.  Every dog is different.

     Prior to classes your puppy should feel comfortable on a leash.  You can practice around the yard, in the park, in the feed store or anywhere... just make sure to make your puppy's first leash experiences fun and playful.  On the leash I always start a puppy in the yard or the house. Let him wear the leash but first follow him on the leash while keeping just a little tension on it so he knows he is on the leash but doesn't feel threatened or restrained by it.  After that I start introducing him to strange people (odd looking people...people with big hats, sunglasses, big poofy dresses...etc), new places, and basically expose him to anything that might spook him at a show.

      The next thing you can do to start showing your mastiff is to get yourself and your puppy into conformation show classes.  Contact your local kennel club and ask them who is offering show classes.  Most Kennel clubs are "all breed".  You are more likely to find an all breed kennel club locally vs. a Mastiff club where you can get into classes.  Most kennel clubs offer show classes but if one does not just ask them which kennel club closest to you does.

     Conformation showing is often  referred to as just "showing".  Having trained many dogs throughout my life I can tell you that the hardest part in training a puppy is knowing "How" to train them.  That is why conformation classes will include you too.  Most conformation classes will be offered once or twice a week for about an hour per class.  In these classes you and your puppy can expect to learn the basics of being "in the ring". For these classes you will also want to buy a show collar and a show lead.  Show leads and show collars can be found online, but most kennel clubs will have them for sale and you can also buy them at most any dog show. 

     You can do an internet search for a kennel club in your area or use this AKC search to find one.  Once you click the link below, your 3rd choice on that page is Conformation Clubs (search by state).  Click that link and on the next page only enter your state, then click on 'search'.  (You want to start competing in "all breed shows" and you're looking for an all breed club.)

Conformation Clubs, (search by state)    

     TRAINING

     Once you are training your puppy in the show classes you are officially started and on your way to handling your mastiff in the real shows.  While in these classes make sure to ask questions and learn from the trainer.  Have fun, don't be nervous.  In time you will get better and be a lot more relaxed.  The most important thing for your mastiff puppy to learn first in the ring is that it is fun.  Be elated and make sure your puppy is too.  A happy dog is more likely to strut around the ring holding his head high (important) and a nervous dog is likely to run around with his head down.

     Besides being happy and keeping his head up in training one of the prime things you and your dog must learn is "stacking".  Stacking is basically the most visually pleasing way for someone to see your dog while standing.  While your dog is stacked his good or bad conformation characteristics are most easily notable. 

Stacking a Dog

     Again, we are trying to provide you info on getting started in the show ring, you will learn how to show in your classes.  However, I would also like to describe to you how to stack your mastiff.  We are always communicating with people with questions about their mastiff's conformation and it is easiest to see in a stacked position.

     First using the collar and the lead you must keep control of your dogs head.  His collar should be riding at the top of the neck just under the headpiece and under the ears.  If you keep your pup's head up it will not only be correct but it will make you more in your control and he is less likely to try to move.

     While you are holding the lead up, and standing at his right shoulder, reach over his back using your left hand.  Grasp the elbow of his front left leg lift and position his leg until it is straight up and down.  Notice in the below picture how you could draw a perfectly vertical line along the back side of Gretchen's front leg.  Now switch hands holding the lead up without releasing tension and position his front right leg by the elbow using your right hand.

     After both his front legs are vertical position the rear legs by lifting up on the front of the rear leg just below the knee (the thicker joint) and above the hock joint (the skinnier joint).  When the rear legs are positioned correctly you could draw a vertical straight line on this picture starting from the rump, down along the rear of the thigh, continuing until that line hits the floor just in front of the foot.

     Below is a properly stacked mastiff.  (Gretchen)

     Showing and Handling

     Some people don't mind training a pup in the classes but don't want to handle their dog in the show ring.  I often suggest that someone hires a pro handler for their dogs first show at least.  This gives you a chance to watch and observe and see the pro do it correctly.  Most pro handlers at most shows only charge $60-$70, so many people are very happy to have the pro handler always show their dog and it can make a difference possibly in how the judge perceives your dog's worth at conformation.  However, owner handling your dog is half the fun to other people.

     When you decide to hire a pro-handler you can ask your kennel club who is the best they can recommend.  However here are some links to some handlers listed by state.  Just because you finder a handler that is a "pro" does not mean that he/she is a good pro.  Ask the handler his years of experience, experience with working dogs, large breeds and if he has handled any mastiffs.  Here are some links to some pro handlers.

AKC Registered Handlers - All Breeds

Purina Handlers Directory

Show Days Handler Directory

Dog News Handler Directory

Entering a Show

     First you will want to find shows near you.  You can decide what is an acceptable distance you will travel then you might search the states around you as well.  Most shows will be a 2 day weekend show which means your dog has a chance of taking points each day.

     Below is an AKC show search.  After you click just click your state and then click "search".  Leave the breed selection as it is because you want to show in all breeds shows.

AKC Show Search , by state

     Once you find a show you want to attend click on it for the info about it.  In reading into the show you will see which "Superintendent" is running the show.  You need to go to that superintendant's webpage to sign up for that show.  Every show will have a closing date which often is 3-4 weeks before the show.  After that date you can not enter that show.

     When a dog is entered into a show he is entered into a certain class.  The main classes to be concerned about are as follows:

     Dog Classes:   6-9 month puppy class, 9-12 month puppy class, 12-18 month puppy class, open class (more experienced but not a champion).

     Bitch Classes:   6-9 month puppy class, 9-12 month puppy class, 12-18 month puppy class, open class (more experienced but not a champion).

IN the RING

     At any show remember that this is a big formal event.  Dress in a business type suit.  Be respectful to others and of course show the utmost respect to the judges... they are here for you.  Your dog should be well groomed and rested.  Its a good idea not to feed your mastiff a full meal before the show ring as he might decide to leave his mark in the middle of the ring.

     In the ring, the  winners or the #1 from each dog class will go back into the ring to determine who is "Winners Dog", and all bitch class winners will do the same to see who is "Winners Bitch".

     The Winners Dog and the Winners Bitch will then compete against all the champions in the BOB class (the champion class).

     The amount of points your dog can win depends on the show and the amount of dogs entered.  The maximum points possible in one show are five.  5 point shows are very hard to come by and to achieve... be happy when you get even 1.  Your dog will need a total of 15 points and 2 majors.  A major is worth 3 or more points. The 2 majors must not have been by the same judge.

     Remember we are always available for advice.  Don't worry if all this seems like a lot.  The more you enjoy handling and Fido enjoys showing the quicker you will both be to learn it.

Have fun, Good Luck and may the Best dog Win !

Reach Us By Phone: (907) 982-3464
Email Us At: Goliath_Mastiffs@earthlink.net