Dog Shows
Hundreds of dog shows are held all over the UK every year. We have a few
dog shows listed on our site
but we would like to see more. If you know someone who is organising one,
please let them know that they can list them on this site.
Crufts
We could not do a page on dog shows in the UK without mentioning Crufts
(officially the largest dog show in the world).
Next year’s Crufts event will be held at the NEC, Birmingham between
5th - 8th March 2009.
- 5th - Terrier and Hound
- 6th - Toy and Utility
- 7th – Gundog
- 8th - Working and Pastoral
You can find out more on the official web site at: http://www.crufts.org.uk
Discover Dogs
If you are in London around 8th and 9th November, you may like to pay a
visit to the Discover Dogs
events. The Kennel Club runs
the Discover Dogs show, which is being held at Earls Court 2.
Types of dog show
The Kennel Club have nine formal names for different types of dog shows.
The categories are:
- Agility
As the name suggests this is an active sport for dog and handler. Using
only voice commands and gestures, the handler must guide the dog through
a number of obstacles (Seesaw, Crossover, Tunnel, Jump, Weave poles,
Pause box or table, Tire jump, hurdles, A-frame), in the fastest time
and without gaining penalty points for going in the wrong direction
or missing an obstacle all together.
- Champion Dog Show
We think the name for this type of show can be a bit misleading. It
is not a formal occasion as the name may suggest. Instead these events
are often part of charity fundraising events, village fetes etc where
all dogs are welcome. If you want to run one you can get advice from
the Kennel Club, who describe this type of event as being straight forward
to organise and great fun.
- Flyball
This is a competition event where teams of dogs jump over four hurdles,
hit a peddle to release a ball then run back over the hurdles. Two teams
compete against each other in each round.
- Heelwork To Music
Another competitive event. Each owner creates a four minute routine
to match a piece of music. This is really popular and fun event.
- Limited Show
- Open Show
- Obedience
- Premier Open Show
This type of event is exactly the same as an ordinary Open Show except
with the chance to qualify for Crufts. To qualify the dog would need
to be Best of Breed where at least three classes where available. Five
or more for stud book band E.
- Working Trial Show
Both the dog and the owner are going to need to be fit for this one.
The competitions are split into stakes starting with Companion, then
Utility, Working, Patrol and finally Tracking Dog. The goal is to win
the Patrol and Tracking stakes to be awarded the title of Working Trial
Champion.
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