Of course you think your pup is the best looking dog on the block -- if only everyone else would recognize it, life would be grand. Earning a show title is one way to make it official for your purebred pooch. If you live in North Carolina, you should have no problem finding a dog show for your pup to strut his stuff in.
Established in 1884, the American Kennel Club, casually referred to as the AKC, is the grandaddy of dog registries in the U.S. The AKC's mission is focused on purebred dogs, advocating for their roles as companions, promoting good health, supporting the rights of dog owners and encouraging responsible dog ownership. As of 2014, the AKC recognizes 180 breeds of dogs and sponsors a host of dog shows throughout the country. In North Carolina, the AKC sanctions a variety of dog shows throughout the state during a year, including in Raleigh and Winston-Salem, hosted by local kennel clubs. The best place to start if you're interested in showing your AKC-registered dog is with a local dog club or at the AKC's website, which has a nationwide database of AKC dog shows.
Founded in 1898, the United Kennel Club, or UKC, wasn't too far behind the AKC. The UKC focuses on performance and looks -- known as conformation -- compared to the AKC's focus on looks, tying in with the UKC's "total dog" philosophy. Like the AKC, the UKC is for purebred dogs, though it recognizes more than 300 different breeds. In addition to shows and events for purebred dogs, the club also offers a Performance Listing program, open to mix-breed dogs, purebreds of unknown pedigree or with disqualifying faults, or breeds not recognized by the UKC. Dogs in the Performance Listing program can compete in performance events and junior showmanship. The UKC has a number of clubs in North Carolina hosting dog shows; the organization's website can direct you to UKC-designated clubs.
One of the new kids on the block, the American Rare Breed Association was established in 1991 to showcase rare breed dogs in shows. ARBA hosts as many as 30 conformation shows around the U.S. A purebred dog who competes in an International Canine Event show has the opportunity to earn an international title in the U.S. ICE hosts more than a dozen dog shows during the course of the year and makes its calendar of events available on its website. Both ARBA and ICE are conformation dog shows.
Before you jump into the show ring with your pup, do a bit of research. If there's a conformation handling class in your area, sign up to understand what's expected in a show. If there isn't, make your first dog show one without your dog and go as a learning spectator. Understanding the lingo and what's required of you and your dog are the first steps to showing your dog successfully. For instance, you'll need to gait your dog in a specific pattern, teach him how to pose for evaluation and know how to show his bite. Getting involved with a local kennel club will provide you a good start to showing your dog.
