Case Studies...
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10 Question to Ask Yourself Before Breeding Your Dog
The essential requirements of a good breeder. Ask yourself these questions and make sure breeding is right for you!...
All About The History of Crufts
Crufts dog show was founded by Charles Cruft in 1891when shows were allowed to be run for personal profit. Upon his death his widow sold the show to the Kennel Club....
Are Purebred Show Dogs Unhealthy?
Since August 2008 when the controversial documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed was aired on BBC television there has been a public and media backlash against the ‘show breeder.’...
Be Prepared for the Weather
After preparing your dog for a dog show the last thing you need is to be faced with adverse weather conditions either travelling to the show or when you arrive. To have to get a dog from the car park ...
Benching and Tents at Dog Shows
Tents and benches give the dog and its owner a base where they can be seated and groomed. The size of a bench is determined by the size of the breed of dog....
Breeding Dogs Responsibly
Responsibility for a puppy does not end when you sell it. You are responsible for this dog for as long as it lives. Keep in touch with your puppy owners. Many lifelong friendships have been made betwe...
Breeding Your Own Dogs
Carefully consider what your motives are for wanting to breed from your bitch. If it is for the money forget it, you are not wanted as a member of any breed if you are not breeding for the good of the...
Bringing Home a New Puppy
Plan ahead before you bring your dog home. Will your dog sleep outside in a kennel or in the home. Where in the home will he live?...
Buying a Show Dog
Choose your breed wisely and be prepared not only to study the litters of puppies carefully but also to be interrogated by the breeder you will be purchasing from....
Can Anyone Be a Dog Show Judge?
A judge of dogs must be prepared to study and learn all there is to know about their own breed and the world of dog shows....
Canine Charities
There are so many canine charities it is well worth studying them before deciding where to donate your money. Ensure that the money you give goes to the needy dogs and not the administrators and publi...
Code of Best Practice for Dog Show Judges
The Kennel Club has certain rules for anyone wishing to judge dogs at their registered clubs in the UK. It is down to the breed club who nominate them and each individual judge to ensure that they are...
Companion Shows
Companion Dog Shows are run to raise money for charity and breed club funds.
Both pedigrees crossed breeds and dogs not registered with the Kennel Club can enter....
Competing in Junior Warrants
A junior warrant is an award that dogs from the age of six months to eighteen months may compete for. Awards are made to dogs that have gained twenty-five points by winning breed classes at open and c...
Congenital Deafness
hereditary deafness in dogs and how to cope with it...
Considerations when Choosing the Brood Bitch
Your bitch plays a very important part in your future as an exhibitor and breeder. She must be registered with the Kennel Club otherwise you will not be able to register her puppies. Her health and ag...
Considerations When Rescuing a Dog
Every breed in the UK has a rescue organisation attached to its clubs. Breed rescue is an important part of every breed club whether they actively work with the organisation or raise funds to support ...
Crufts Judges
Judging is very much a career for some people who will climb the ladder to the top of the dog world. Many people are good and honest supporters of their breed - some are not....
DNA Screening Use in Dog Breeding
the benefits of DNA screening in dogs and some tests currently available...
DNA Tests to Trace Dog Breeds' Lineage?
This must be very upsetting for you. To see a dog that you purchased in good faith not turn out as expected is annoying. The good news is that yes there are DNA tests available for dogs in the United ...
Docked Tails and the Law
At this time over 50% of dogs in the UK are docked. This will change in the next year with the introduction of the UK Animal Welfare Bill and will have far reaching affects on dog showing for some tim...
Dog Breed Standards
There is a standard blueprint for every breed registered with the Kennel Club. Breeders as a blueprint for producing the best puppies use these standards. Judges also use the Breed Standard when judgi...
Dog Breeders
When deciding to buy a dog for showing, you should get more from the breeder than just the hand over of your new dog. This article discusses the advantages of a good breeder....
Dog Handling Courses
Every person needs to train his or her new puppy for the show ring. Even hardened campaigners take puppies to ring craft classes. If you didn’t bother and your dog now creates havoc in the ring don’ t...
Dog Pedigree Explained
A pedigree is a puppy’s family tree. This will show his parentage and also what awards his ancestors have won. A pedigree will also show health tests and other significant information for the new owne...
Elbow Dysplasia
How to detect, treat and prevent elbow dysplasia in dogs....
Eye Conditions
Many breeds of dogs suffer from inherited eye conditions in many cases causing blindness and even considerable pain. It is heartbreaking for an owner to watch their pet suffer and for the dog to lose ...
Factsheet: Health Tests a Breeder Should Know About
Health tests for the common hereditary disease affecting dogs....
Find a Ringcraft Club
Every exhibitor, new to the world of showing, needs to be trained, as does his or her dog. Ringcraft classes provide a service not just for the formal training but for a social side to dog showing as ...
Fundraising Ideas For Dog Charities
A well planned event can raise lots of money for your canine charity or dog club. With free advertising and sponsorship to attract attendance you can be assured of a well attended event....
General Care for Your Show Dog
A show dog is still a family pet and needs bathing, feeding, exercise and parasite control. Choices for the exhibitor are varied whether they follow traditional or holistic and homeopathic paths....
General Championship Shows
General Championship dog shows can be entered by any dog registered with the Kennel Club. A championship show is where Challenge Certificates can be won. A dog needs three challenge certificates from ...
General Open Dog Shows
General Open Shows are very popular types of dog shows and are held around the UK every week of the year. All Kennel Club registered dogs are allowed to enter....
Good Citizen
The Good Citizen scheme was formed in 1992 by the Kennel Club for any type of dog, breed and cross breed. The bronze, silver and gold tests are taken to show that the dog and handler are aware of good...
Group Championship Dog Shows
There are seven groups of dogs registered by the Kennel Club, each group having at least one championship dog shows for its member breeds....
Growth Defects in Larger Breeds of Dog
Much is made of growth defects being present in larger breeds of dogs. Breeders are blamed for these faults and the dog world in general is castigated. In truth pure bred dogs are healthier than cross...
Heelwork to Music
Heelwork to music first caught the eye of the general public and the attention of the dog showing fraternity after Mary Ray performed with her dogs in the main ring at Crufts just before the Best in S...
Hip Dysplasia and Hip Scoring
The causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of hip dysplasia in dogs....
How Are Judges Picked?
Breed Clubs and Show Societies must have their judges and show dates approved by the Kennel Club, in some cases this can be two to three years before the event....
How Can My Dog Compete?
Unlike any other Championship Dog Show a dog needs to have qualified in order to enter Crufts Championship Show. Qualifications can vary according to the breed of dog, studbook band and country of ori...
How DNA Profiling Can Help Puppies and Dog Owners
DNA profiling is now available to dogs owners just as it is for human beings. We will be able to identify parentage of puppies and also use profiling to look for markers that indicate diseases within ...
How to Become a Dog Show Judge
Not everyone is cut out to be a judge. It takes time and patience while you study your breed and learn the ropes....
How to Ensure Canine Travel Security
Dog theft is on the increase and we must try to make our dogs as secure as possible during travel....
How to Enter a Show Abroad
When travelling abroad to exhibit your dog there is a minefield of rules and regulations to understand before even leaving the United Kingdom...
How to Find a Breed Club
Not all breed clubs work for their breeds. Some are happy to take a yearly membership without offering value for money to their members and their dogs....
How to Find a Dog Show
Any one new to the world of dog showing will find it rather daunting - even how to find a show to enter can be quite confusing....
How to Join a Dog Committee
Every breed registered with the Kennel Club has at least one breed club. Anyone can join these clubs and they can also stand for election at the annual general meeting. Working on a breed club committ...
How to Save Money While Showing Your Dog
With a little planning and investigation you will be able to continue enjoying your dog shows without it costing a fortune....
Inherited Heart Defects & Diseases
the different inherited heart disease affecting dogs and how to deal with them...
Insuring Your Show Dog
Ensure your puppy is insured from day one. These days pet insurance can be purchased from as many sources as your home or car insurance....
Junior Handling
The future of the sport of dog showing rests with the younger generation. Younger handlers can be encourages by joining wither the Young Kennel Club or the Junior Handling Association where they are t...
Know the Class Your Dog is Showing in
It’s up to you to check what ring your breed will be judged in. Keep an eye out for late changes in the press or at the show...
Laws Concerning Dogs
There are many laws connected to dogs in the UK, some would say too many. However if you look after your pets, make sure they are tagged correctly, kept on a lead while out walking and pick up if they...
Making Friends When Showing Dogs
Starting out as an exhibitor may feel lonely but before long you will have many friends within your breed and amongst other dog showing people....
Making Sure Your Dog Breed is Healthy
Anyone who purchases a puppy be it a pure breed dog with a pedigree or a cross breed from a rescue centre needs to know that the puppy is healthy and hopefully does not carry any genetic diseases....
Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)
The diagnosis, treatment and prevention of osteochondritis dissecans...
Overseas Show Rules
The introduction of the Pet Passport has opened up the frontier for UK exhibitors to show their dogs around the world. However, rules change from country to country with regards to the dog shows. Ther...
Pet Passport - Pet Travel Scheme
The pet passport scheme has enabled exhibitors to travel beyond our shores to compete with their dogs at an international level....
Petlog: Registration Scheme Helping Reunite Owners and Lost Dogs
Petlog is the largest pet reunification serviced. Provided by the Kennel Club it works to unite owners with their lost or stolen pets....
Picking the Right Puppy to Be a Show Champion: A Case Study
What to look for when choosing a puppy for a show career....
Points of a Dog
Each breed has a unique construction, when this is described many technical words are used when referring to the body parts. These are called ‘points of the dog.’...
Quiz: Does Your Dog Have What it Takes to Be a Champion?
While we all love our dogs and think that they are the best in the world, those who compete with their dogs – whether it is for fun or in earnest – hope that others will judge their dogs to be the bes...
Quiz: Is Dog-showing Right for You?
A quiz to find out if you have the right habits and attitudes to enjoy dog showing as a hobby....
Registered Dogs
Registered dogs in the United Kingdom have a long history of quality that is controlled and administered by the Kennel Club....
Ring Stewards
A ring steward is essential for the smooth running of the show ring and to guide the exhibitors and judges while the classes are being judged. Stewarding is a voluntary job....
Selling Your Puppies
Long before your puppies are due to be born you should be considering how to sell them. There are places you should never attempt to advertise a puppy for sale....
Show Dogs Are Pets Too
Show dogs are pets as well. They need care and love as much as any other canine companion. Their needs must be provided for and their future secure....
Show Etiquette
There are strict rules for dog exhibiting and there is also show etiquette. Much of this is common sense but it pays to be aware....
Single Breed Open Shows
A single breed dog show is only open to entries from dogs of one breed. The exhibitor does not have to be a member of the breed club to enter....
Sport for Dogs: Agility
Agility is another form of sport for dogs where the dog is controlled by its handler to cover a set course over jumps, through tunnels and other obstacles. The Kennel Club licenses all agility clubs a...
Stud Book Numbers
The Kennel club stud book was first introduces in 1873 when the Kennel Club was formed. It is an annual book that records all championship dog shows and all dogs that have won at a level that has awar...
Syringomyelia
The diagnosis, treatment and prevention of syringomyelia in dogs...
Taking Your Dog to Obedience Classes
The Kennel Club licenses obedience societies and clubs. Dogs can compete for different classes until they reach the title of obedience champion. General obedience training is advised for all dogs as i...
Team Sport for Dogs: Flyball
Flyball is a fast paced team sport for dogs where a team of four dogs race over hurdles, trigger a box to release a tennis ball and race back to their handler. The fastest team wins....
The Dog Show Entry Form
Take a little time to read the schedule for the show you wish to enter. Check that you have entered the correct details on the entry form....
The Importance of Show Dog Nutrition
It goes without saying that every dog should be fed good quality nutritional food. However, when an exhibitor is preparing a dog for the show ring it is vital that the animal is in tip top condition i...
The Importance of Training for Shows: A Case Study
How training can make all the difference to winning at dog shows....
The Kennel Club & Dog Shows
The Kennel Club regulates all dog shows in the United Kingdom. Rules and regulations are set for the organising clubs and societies to follow as well as for the exhibitors....
The Kennel Club Breed Initiatives
the requirements of the Kennel Club’s Accredited Breeder’s Scheme and the DNA screening tests available for dogs in the UK...
The Kennel Club Rules Governing Dog Showing
Every dog owner must be aware that there are rules that should be obeyed. Whether it is as a pet owner breaking local bylaws or as an exhibitor breaking Kennel Club rules you will have to face the con...
The 'Open for Dogs' Scheme
Open for dogs is an exciting new scheme whereby businesses and tourist attractions are promoted as dog friendly places to visit....
The Show Certificate of Merit
In order to encourage exhibitors to attend Open dog show the Kennel Club introduced the Show Certificate of Merit....
The Stud Dog
There is more to mating a bitch than taking her to the nearest stud dog. Homework and research has to be undertaken a long time before a mating is contemplated....
Unscrupulous Dog Breeders
Unscrupulous breeders are in the minority, but you can get recompense if you know how....
What Are Limit Shows for Dogs?
Limit shows have, as the word suggests, certain restrictions, in this case entries being restricted to members of the show society or breed club who are organising the event....
What Can I Do About a Fraudulent Dog Pedigree?
To begin please be reassured that most breeders are good people and would not be as dishonest as you state your breeder has been. Buying puppies via websites is not to be applauded. In future go throu...
What Class Should I Enter My Dog For?
Congratulations on qualifying your dog for Crufts, this is a great achievement and you are greatly honoured to be representing your breed and country at the Greatest Dog Show in the World!...
What Class to Enter Your Dog in?
Don’t get carried away and enter every class available to your dog. To begin with stick to a few classes and gain knowledge and confidence before taking the show world by storm....
What Equipment to Take to a Show
With practice you will know what to take to each dog show. No one wants to carry too much equipment, especially when you have a long walk from the car park to the ringside....
What is a Judge Looking For?
A judge should have the integrity to assess each dog before him against its given breed standard without looking up the lead to the owner of the dog....
What Made Crufts Become So Well Renowed?
Dogs from around the globe enter Crufts the biggest dog show in the world. Apart from all the spectacular events it is just another championship dog show with added glitz and glamour....
What Makes a Champion Dog?
In order for a dog, or bitch to be declared a champion in his breed he, or she, must win three challenge certificates from three different judges. If a dog is under the age of twelve months when he wi...
What to Do if Your Dog Stolen
When a much-loved dog goes missing your first instinct is to panic. By keeping a clear head and working methodically you will have a better chance of finding him....
What to do if Your Dog Won't Show
So you’ve started showing your dog, you are both doing well and then comes the day when he doesn’t want to show. He could be shying away from the judge, become a bag of nerves or just lose that shine ...
What to do if your Show Dog Gets Lost
It is a traumatic time when a loved pet is stolen or lost but with a careful plan and lots of help you can recover him....
What to do When Training for a Show
You can never start training your dog too early. The time before your first show is short so you should be practising every day....
What to Expect at a Dog Show
It’s the day of the show, is your dog ready? Are you? You may have a long wait when you get to the show ground but it’s better to be early than too late....
What to Take to an Overseas Dog Show
When travelling to a dog show a little planning before hand can pay dividends if there is a disruption to your journey....
What Training Do Dog Show Judges Have?
A person wishing to judge their breed will have to have met a criteria set by the Kennel club and their Breed Clubs before they can judge at a dog show...
When is the Best Time to Breed Your Dog?
When is the optimum time to breed from your bitch? If she is being shown around the age of two would be ideal but does it fit in with the family commitments?...
When to Start Training to Show?
Preparation for the show ring starts from day one. Once you know what to do you can incorporate this work into your daily routine....
Where To Buy a Show Dog
So, you've decided the time is right to purchase your first dog and you intend to dip your toes into the exciting world of dog shows. The first thing you will need is a dog! Fine, your neighbour said ...
Where to Stay with Your Dog
Never expect to turn up at a hotel and gain admittance with your dog. Book beforehand and make careful plans before setting out then you and your canine companion will enjoy your travels....
Whether to Breed
There are many things to consider before deciding to mate your bitch. It is both an expensive and time consuming endeavour and one not to be undertaken lightly....
Why Join a Dog Club?
Owning a dog and hoping to exhibit one day is only the beginning of your new hobby. By joining a variety of different clubs you will be entering a new phase of your chosen sport and may even be able t...
Working With Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs are trained to work with the less able bodied amongst us. These animals are trained from a young age to be the eyes, ears and even hands of the people they go to live with....