What is dog showing?
Dog showing - also known as 'exhibiting' - is the most popular canine activity in the UK. It involves handling and/or grooming your dog for judges, who award the owner and dog who come closest to the Breed Standard set for each Royal Kennel Club registered breed. The breed standard details everything about the breed such as height, colour, personality and what activities they should be able to do.
All pedigree dogs can take part in this unique hobby and you never know, you and your dog could even end up at the world’s greatest dog show – Crufts!
What is handling?
Handling competitions bring the focus back to you. It's really similar to breed showing, but you are being judged instead of your dog. Judges are looking at how well you're able to complete patterns they ask for, which shows your skill at handling your dog. An important thing to remember is to never get in between your dog and the judge. Even though the competition is all about you, the best handlers blend into the background and let their dogs do the talking.
Why should you take part?
- Enjoy a unique hobby and make lots of new friends
- Your dog will love being the centre of attention
- Learn new things about your breed
Competing in Young Kennel Club competitons
Stakes
To take part in the Young Kennel Club Stakes classes, the dog must be registered solely or jointly in the member’s name, or in the name of a member of the family (i.e. a group of people related by blood or marriage) - under these circumstances, the dog must be resident at the YKC member’s address.
In certain cases, members may get special permission from the Young Kennel Club office to show a dog that is not registered in their name or family name, or registered at their address. They must write to the Young Kennel Club office for permission to show, stating the reasons why, and this will then be put to a Management Meeting for approval. Approval must be granted before the member can compete with the dog in question.
Handling
Young Kennel Club handling competitions are for members to compete against one another to find out who is the best at showing their dog. The competition is held in exactly the same format as a breed ring, but it isn't the dog being judged, it's you! And always remember the most important thing: never come between your dog and the judge!
Below are approved patterns that judges can ask you to do in a Young Kennel Club handling class.
The Triangle
Standard Path: A → C → D → A (picture above)
Reverse Path: A → D → C → A (picture above)
Description: ‘The Triangle’ should be made of 3 approximately equal length lines. The first straight line should begin with the handler and dog moving away from the judge towards the right-hand side. The handler should then make a left turn, bringing the dog exactly perpendicular to the judges view and start the second straight line by proceed forward approximately the same distance as the first straight line. The Handler should then perform their final left turn to face the judge and proceed forward. At each of the corners, the handler should take the outside line with the dog on the handler’s left-hand side throughout. Handlers should not need to switch hands at corners “C” or “D”.
Reverse Path: A → D → C → A (picture above)
Description: ‘The Triangle’ should be made of 3 approximately equal length lines. The first straight line should begin with the handler and dog moving away from the judge towards the right-hand side. The handler should then make a left turn, bringing the dog exactly perpendicular to the judges view and start the second straight line by proceed forward approximately the same distance as the first straight line. The Handler should then perform their final left turn to face the judge and proceed forward. At each of the corners, the handler should take the outside line with the dog on the handler’s left-hand side throughout. Handlers should not need to switch hands at corners “C” or “D”.
Up and Down
Standard Path: A → B → A (picture above)
Description: The Up and down pattern should feature two straight lines, one directly away from, and one directly towards, the judge. The handler should set off in the direction that the judge’s feet are pointing. The style of turn should be at the discretion of the handler but as long as the golden rule is not broken.
The ‘L’
Standard Path: A → B → D → B → A (picture above)
Reverse Path: A → B → C → B → A (picture above)
Description: The “L” pattern is designed for the judge to see the movement of the dog from each of its sides. The ‘L’ should be made of 4 lines. For the initial straight line, the handler should set off in the direction that the judge’s feet are pointing. The handler should then make a 90° left turn and walk in a straight line for approximately the same amount of paces as the first straight line. Upon finishing the second straight line, the handler should perform an inward-turn, during which they will be required to swap the lead into their other hand. The Handler should then retrace their steps back to the judge beginning with a straight line, followed by a 90° right hand turn, followed by a final straight to the judge.
Reverse Path: A → B → C → B → A (picture above)
Description: The “L” pattern is designed for the judge to see the movement of the dog from each of its sides. The ‘L’ should be made of 4 lines. For the initial straight line, the handler should set off in the direction that the judge’s feet are pointing. The handler should then make a 90° left turn and walk in a straight line for approximately the same amount of paces as the first straight line. Upon finishing the second straight line, the handler should perform an inward-turn, during which they will be required to swap the lead into their other hand. The Handler should then retrace their steps back to the judge beginning with a straight line, followed by a 90° right hand turn, followed by a final straight to the judge.
The ‘T’
Standard Path: A → B → D → C → B → A (picture above)
Reverse Path: A → B → C → D → B → A (picture above)
Description: The “T” pattern is a more complicated form of the L pattern. The ‘T’ should be made of 5 lines. For the initial straight line, the handler should set off in the direction that the judge’s feet are pointing. The handler should then make a 90° left turn and walk in a straight line for approximately half the amount of paces as the first straight line. Upon finishing the second straight line, the handler should perform an inward-turn, during which they will be required to swap the lead into their other hand. The Handler should then proceed straight for approximately the same amount of steps as the first line. A second inward-turn should be performed along with an accompanying swapping of hands. The handler should then proceed straight, using around half the number of paces as the first line. To finish, the handler should then turn 90° to the left and walk back towards the judge.
Reverse Path: A → B → C → D → B → A (picture above)
Description: The “T” pattern is a more complicated form of the L pattern. The ‘T’ should be made of 5 lines. For the initial straight line, the handler should set off in the direction that the judge’s feet are pointing. The handler should then make a 90° left turn and walk in a straight line for approximately half the amount of paces as the first straight line. Upon finishing the second straight line, the handler should perform an inward-turn, during which they will be required to swap the lead into their other hand. The Handler should then proceed straight for approximately the same amount of steps as the first line. A second inward-turn should be performed along with an accompanying swapping of hands. The handler should then proceed straight, using around half the number of paces as the first line. To finish, the handler should then turn 90° to the left and walk back towards the judge.
How do I take part?
- Find a training club in your area to take part in training for the event
- Your dog must be registered on The Royal Kennel Club Breed register
- Make sure you read the Young Kennel Club Stakes and/or Handling Rules
- Dogs can enter from 6 months old