{"id":1621,"date":"2017-11-27T05:46:26","date_gmt":"2017-11-27T05:46:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pslra.org\/?post_type=project&p=1621"},"modified":"2018-01-24T04:25:43","modified_gmt":"2018-01-24T04:25:43","slug":"conformation","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/www.pslra.org\/project\/conformation\/","title":{"rendered":"Conformation"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Conformation<\/strong><\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding=”0px||0px|” _builder_version=”3.0.92″][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.pslra.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Venues_ConformationV2.png” _builder_version=”3.0.95″ \/][et_pb_divider color=”#00470f” show_divider=”on” divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2″ height=”1px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ \/][et_pb_toggle title=”What is Agility?” _builder_version=”3.0.94″ title_font=”Lato|700|||||||” title_text_color=”#00470f” background_color=”#ffe9a7″ border_width_all=”3px” border_color_all=”#00470f” border_style_all=”double” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_module=”52903″ saved_tabs=”all”]<\/p>\n

Want to learn more about Agility and Agility Competition?\u00a0 Visit our Agility page for more details. [Read\u00a0More]<\/a><\/p>\n

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Want to learn about Field Work and Retrieving Events?\u00a0 Visit our Field Competition page for more information. [Read More]<\/a><\/p>\n

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Want to learn about Obedience and Rally Competition?\u00a0 Visit our Obedience & Rally page for more details. [Read More]<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_divider color=”#00470f” show_divider=”on” divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2″ height=”1px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ \/][et_pb_toggle title=”What is Scent Work?” _builder_version=”3.0.94″ title_font=”Lato|700|||||||” title_text_color=”#00470f” background_color=”#ffe9a7″ border_width_all=”3px” border_color_all=”#00470f” border_style_all=”double” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_module=”52901″ saved_tabs=”all”]<\/p>\n

Want to learn about Tracking, Nose Work and Barn Hunt?\u00a0 Visit our Scent Work page for more information. [Read\u00a0More]<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_divider color=”#00470f” show_divider=”on” divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2″ height=”1px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ \/][et_pb_toggle title=”What is Therapy Work?” _builder_version=”3.0.94″ title_font=”Lato|700|||||||” title_text_color=”#00470f” background_color=”#ffe9a7″ border_width_all=”3px” border_color_all=”#00470f” border_style_all=”double” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_module=”52902″ saved_tabs=”all”]<\/p>\n

Labrador Retrievers make wonderful Therapy and Service dogs.\u00a0 Visit our Therapy page for more details. [Read\u00a0More]<\/a><\/p>\n

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Want to help make our events a success, and join in on the fun?\u00a0 Visit our Volunteer page to see the Volunteer Opportunities PSLRA currently has available. [Read More]<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_divider color=”#00470f” show_divider=”on” divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2″ height=”1px” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ \/][et_pb_toggle title=”Join PSLRA” _builder_version=”3.0.94″ title_font=”Lato|700|||||||” title_text_color=”#00470f” background_color=”#ffe9a7″ border_width_all=”3px” border_color_all=”#00470f” border_style_all=”double” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_module=”51890″ saved_tabs=”all”]<\/p>\n

Want to become a PSLRA Member?\u00a0 Visit our Membership page to learn more about PSLRA, and to submit an on-line Membership application.\u00a0\u00a0[Read More]<\/a><\/p>\n

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What is Conformation?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Per the AKC, \u201c\u2019Conformation\u2019 is the official name for \u2018dog shows.\u2019 While they may seem glamorous, the true purpose of conformation showing is to evaluate breeding stock. The dog\u2019s conformation, his overall appearance and structure, is an indication of the dog\u2019s ability to produce quality purebred puppies, and that is what is being judged in the ring. That\u2019s why mixed-breeds and spayed or neutered purebreds are not eligible to compete.<\/p>\n

Many times a new exhibitor will get started in dog shows by finding a mentor, usually the breeder from whom they acquired their puppy. Many AKC clubs also offer handling classes to teach owners how to present their purebred dog to a judge at a dog show.\u201d Wikipedia describes a conformation show, also referred to as a breed show, as a \u201ckind of dog show in which a judge familiar with a specific dog breed evaluates individual purebred dogs for how well the dogs conform (hence the term “conformation”) to the established breed type for their breed, as described in a breed’s individual breed standard.\u00a0 Such shows are useful to breeders as a means of evaluating dogs for breeding purposes.<\/p>\n

A conformation championship from a recognized national kennel club is generally considered a reasonably objective indication of merit, as it indicates that the dog has been found to be a superior example of its breed by some number of different judges on some number of separate occasions. Many breeders even consider a championship a prerequisite for breeding. A conformation dog show is not a comparison of one dog to another but a comparison of each dog to a judge’s mental image of the ideal breed type as outlined in the individual breed’s breed standard. Dog show judges attempt to identify dogs that epitomize the published standards for each breed. This can be challenging, because some judgments must necessarily be subjective. As an example, what exactly entails a “full coat” or a “cheerful attitude”, descriptions found in breed standards, can only be learned through experience with the breed that has that particular requirement. Judges are generally certified to judge one or several breeds, usually in the same group, but a few “all-breed” judges have the training and experience to judge large numbers of breeds.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

Explanation Of All-Breed & Specialty Shows<\/strong> (from the AKC)<\/h3>\n

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All Breed Shows<\/strong><\/h4>\n

All-Breed shows are conformation events that are held for the more than 190 breeds and varieties of dogs recognized by the AKC to compete in, unless otherwise noted on the club’s premium list. Also listed under All-Breed are the Group Shows, or shows limited to one of the seven AKC Groups: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding. Approximately 1,500 AKC All-breed conformation point shows are held throughout the United States each year.<\/p>\n

Specialty Shows<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Specialty shows are events limited to a single breed, e.g. Bulldogs, or the varieties of one breed like Poodles, which include the three varieties: Toy, Miniature and Standard. Some specialty shows may be held in conjunction with an All-Breed event while others are stand-alone events. There are about 2,000 independent national, regional and local specialty point shows held every year. There is no better place to learn about your breed than at a Specialty Show, in particular the national specialty (\u201cthe National\u201d), which is usually held annually by the breed\u2019s national parent club. It\u2019s where dedicated fans of the breed meet together year after year, sharing their knowledge and passion and bringing their best dogs to compete. As with any dog show, the point of the conformation classes is determination of the best breeding stock to continue the breed\u2014and this point is taken nowhere more seriously than at specialties and particularly at the National.<\/p>\n

A class win at the national can be a high point of a dog person\u2019s year, and a Best of Breed or Best in Sweepstakes is often a pinnacle achievement for person with a long history in a breed. Whether you\u2019re a prospective owner researching a breed, a new owner, or an experienced breeder, handler or judge, Specialty Shows are your best opportunity to spend time with others who share your love of your breed. Many provide educational seminars and may offer other events such as obedience, tracking, and agility, as well as breed-specific performance venues such as Earthdog or field trials, herding tests and trials, lure coursing or draft tests. There are many specialties across the country every year. PSLRA holds its annual specialty in August of each year.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Sweepstakes<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A non-regular class, usually offered at specialty shows, which are specifically designed to recognize outstanding young dogs and puppies, as well as veteran dogs.\u00a0 Winners of Best in Sweeps, Best Opposite Sex in Sweeps, and often all of the class placement winners, receive a portion of the entry fees as prizes for their placement.\u00a0 \u00a0Puppies must be under 18 months old to be eligible for Sweepstakes competition and Veterans must be 7 years or older (8 years or older at the National Specialty).\u00a0 \u00a0The judge for sweepstakes is usually a different judge than the regular class judge(s).<\/p>\n

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What is a Match?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cAKC Match Shows are a great opportunity to socialize your dog in an informal and educational dog show environment, all while meeting other dog lovers who are already part of the AKC community. Most of all, it\u2019s pure fun! Get started with your dog now:<\/p>\n