Paws For Agility

After months of grooming and canine obedience exercises, dogs from around the globe congregated at the Westminster Kennel Club last week to decide who would hold the prestigious title of “Best in Show.” For those of you who aren’t familiar with the competition, the dogs are broken down into various groups and judges on a variety of criteria, including dog show conformation. These include hound, toy, non-sporting, herding, sporting, working and terrier.

The winner of each group is then eligible for the top prize of Best in Show. Since there are several different breeds at the competition, much of the judging is subjective. This year’s champion, Sadie, was an exquisite Scottish Terrier.

Dog shows have traditionally been only for breeders and avid dog enthusiasts, but in recent years dog showing has made its way into the mainstream. This has been due in large part to the film “Best in Show,” as well as increased coverage from the undisputed king of sports coverage: ESPN. One of the main components of a dog show is the judging of conformation.

For those unfamiliar with dog conformation, it is essentially the basic structure of the dog. In dog shows, a systematic evaluation is conducted that is specific to the dogs breed. Some of the main factors that go into a conformation analysis are length, size, substance and overall proportion.

For most people, the annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show is the only canine competition that carries any weight. The show is broadcast on national television, and it serves to bring increased exposure and awareness about a fiercely competitive world. You might notice that the judges look over each animal with a scrupulous attention to detail. The Westminster show is an all-breeds contest where the judges are interested in conformation in addition to other factors.

Dog show conformation is evaluated in order to determine a dog’s breeding stock. Each unique breed has its own characteristics that suggest whether or not it will produce quality puppies. Generally speaking, conformation refers to the animal’s overall appearance and structure, including its gait.

Show dogs need to be able to maneuver themselves gracefully and with speed. A lot of training is involved in getting a dog ready for a big dog show. In recent years professional dog show judges have been paying more attention the level of agility possessed by competing dogs. Jumping, running around cones and crawling are all required of dogs competing in dog shows in order for the judges to evaluate agility.

Many professional trainers recommend competitive pups take part in dog agility training. Agility training teaches a dog control in its movements. And also can teach specialized skills like jumping through hoops, crawling under logs and walking on the hind legs. Show judges say that dogs that have been through agility training perform much better than those who have not.