By Gary Hodson
Chairman, VDD-Group Canada
Recently Newfoundland member Ken Dinn posted a message on the Drahthaar Mailing List on the Internet asking for advice on how he should prepare his dog for the upcoming Breed Show. He received the following reply from GNA Breed Warden Lynn Whitely. It is reprinted here for the benefit of others who are entered in this event.
In general, be sure that the dog is in good physical condition, neither fat nor underfed, and showing it’s best muscle tone. Be sure that it is free of parasites well ahead of the breed show, and is eating a high quality diet. If needed, you can strip the coat at least 6 weeks before the breed show. This will allow time for new hair to grow in. DO NOT CLIP THE COAT. This will result in disqualification.
Don’t waste time teaching your dog a pose, because it will be judged in motion. Mostly at a walk, but also at a trot and gallop. If you are not fast enough to get your dog to gallop while on lead, you will be asked to leave your dog at one spot and then go to another spot and call it. You might want to work on this a couple of times.
Dogs are also judged for temperament, so they should be accustomed to being handled by strangers. This includes having their mouth examined, and males having their testicles checked. Dogs should also be accustomed to being around strange people and dogs. Temperament problems can be factored into the conformation score, and if serious enough they will disqualify the dog from the Zuchtregister, or worse.
Just show up with your dog in good shape, and have a good time!
This article appeared in Drahthaar News, May/June 2002
Permission to reprint this article may be obtained by contacting
Sandy Hodson, Tel.: 902-757-3116
Comments