The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Showing Your Dog Book

Contents
Acknowledgments Introduction
I: Is Showing Right for You?
Chapter 1: Fancy That!
A Short History of Conformation The Goals of the Sport Who Can Play Types of Events Breeds and Groups
Chapter 2: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
A Learning Experience Camaraderie and Mentoring The Other Side of the Coin Fakery and Sabotage
Chapter 3: Conformation as a Spectator Sport
The Basics The Players and How to Find Them What the Judge and Handler Are Doing and Why
Chapter 4: The Life of the Party
The Temperament You Need for the Ring The Temperament Your Dog Needs for the Ring Travel Time and Money Choosing a Show Dog
Chapter 5: Leaving It to the Pros
The Pros and Cons of Professional Handlers Can an Amateur Beat the Pros?
How to Hire a Professional Agreeing on Services and Costs Is This Still My Dog?
II: Basic Training Chapter 6: Homework
Understanding Your Sport Understanding Your Dog Setting Reasonable Goals Practicing Good Sportsmanship Be Prepared!
Chapter 7: Check It Out
Veterinary Checkup Reliable Identification Socialization Conditioning Program
Chapter 8: Boot Camp
Choosing a Conformation Class What You Should Learn The Points of the Dog Other Learning Opportunities
Chapter 9: Anatomy Class
Bodies in Motion The Front Half of the Dog The Connection of Front to Back The Rear Half of the Dog Heads and Tails Not All Dogs Were Meant to Trot
Chapter 10: The $64,OOO Pyramid
The Progression of the Classes Explanation of Placements Beyond the Classes Points and How You Get Them The Mathematics of a Championship
Chapter 11: Taking It on the Road
Match Shows Versus Point Shows How to Find Shows Choosing a Show Choosing a Judge Managing Your Bookings
Chapter 12: For the Younger Set
The Basics of Junior Showmanship Special AKC Junior Showmanship Opportunities Junior Showmanship in Canada
4-H Dog Programs Apprenticing
III: Mechanical Skills Chapter 13: Grooming for Success
Coat Types and How You Handle Them Knowing When You Need Help Combs and Brushes and Much, Much More Ears and Nails and Teeth and Toes
Chapter 14: Stacking Up
The Stacked Pose Setting the Front Setting the Back The Magical Free Stack Preparation and Practice Keeping Cool in the Ring
Chapter 15: At the Gait
Leash and Collar Management Speed Limits The Patterns of Gaiting Final Thoughts on Patterns What the Judge Is Looking For
Chapter 16: Taking the Bait
Choosing the Best Motivator for Your Dog Best Use of Bait When Bait Is Not Allowed
Chapter 17: The View from the Top
Putting It All Together Listening to Your Dog and Others Being Excused or Disqualified and Other Transgressions The Cropping/Docking Controversy
IV: Paperwork and Paraphernalia Chapter 18: Papers Aren't Just for Puppies
What Registries Are and the Purposes They Serve The US Kennel Clubs International Kennel Clubs
Chapter 19: At a Premium
The AKC Entry Form Which Class to Enter?
The UKC Entry Form The ARBA Entry Form Mailing Entries in on Time Making Changes
Chapter 20: Double-Check and Dress for Success
How to Select Show Ring Clothes Looking Good in the Ring That All-Important Footwear Confirmation of Entry The Judging Schedule
Chapter 21: Packing It In
Checklist for Packing Your Tack Box Other Equipment Your Road Kennel
Chapter 22: A Special Look at the UKC, ARBA, CKC, and FCI
United Kennel Club ARBA Canadian Kennel Club Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI)
V: Show Time Chapter 23: Setting Up Camp
Setting Up at the Show Site Safety and Comfort Armbands Studying the Catalog Potty Breaks and Exercise
Chapter 24: In the Ring
Steward's Instructions Judge's Instructions Etiquette Show Photographers
Chapter 25: Here Come da Judge
The Making of a Judge The Breed Standard and Judging Judicious Judicial Conversations Judicial Quirks Protests
Chapter 26: Beyond the Championship
Hitting the Big Time Ratings Systems Advertising Other Options
Chapter 27: When Showing Leads to Breeding
Making the Best Match Being Ready for Puppies Considerations If You Own the Stud Considerations If You Own the Bitch Genetic Disease and What Fanciers Can Do About It
Appendix A: Additional Addresses
Registries AKC Dog Show Superintendents
Appendix B: Varieties and Class Divisions
AKC Varieties AKC Class Divisions UKC Varieties FCI Varieties
Appendix C: Alphabetic List of Breeds and Their Registries
Appendix D: The Big Time
The World Show Crufts Dog Show Royal Sydney Royal Canadian Invitational Westminster Kennel Club UKC Premier The Louisville Cluster Westchester Weekend Detroit Kennel Club Del Valle/Golden Gate
Appendix E: For Further Reading
Dog Magazines Books
Glossary Index