Showing a Curly Coated Retriever

I am not an expert on showing Curlies by any means! I have been active in the sport of pure bred dogs since 1979, starting in Jr's and Obedience with Irish Setters. The grooming, showing, and presenting of the dog isn't exactly my specialty. (You would probably agree if you have observed me in the ring!) If you are new to dogs, I suggest you find a local kennel club and see if they hold any handling classes. Go to dog shows and watch what goes on in the ring. You can purchase a variety of good books and videos on the subject of showing dogs. Before you even think of going in the ring, take an honest look at your dog. Or have someone who knows the breed take a look at your dog. Everyone thinks his/her dog is the best in the world. Your dog may be the best companion in the world, but may not be a dog that should represent the breed in the show ring. Did the breeder sell the dog as a show prospect? Some breeders will put this label on every dog they sell, to make the buyer think the dog is worth more. Yes, you can show just about any pure bred dog, and then call him a show dog, but you will be throwing away a lot of money, and end up getting frustrated with the dog show system, the judges, and your dog. This should be fun! Even if your dog is deemed now show quality, there are other activities you can participate in. Obedience, Agility, Hunt tests to name a few.

Once you have found a local kennel club and taken a few handling classes, you may want to try a Match Show. These are fun shows that are used for practice and training of both dogs and novice exhibitors. While these shows award no points toward an AKC title, they are a great place to "get your feet wet" before entering a real show. Your dog should be in good coat and good condition. Showing a fat out of shape dog does nothing to promote the breed, and is in many ways an insult to the judge. Same goes for a dirty dog. These judges have to put their hands on hundreds of dogs. Your curly shouldn't be dirty, or have an ton of coat gunk on. The dog should be groomed correctly.


Grooming the Curly Coated Retriever

A majority of the time, the first thing you will do when you enter the ring is stack your dog. Stacking is positioning your dog into a show pose. Remember to take your time (but not too much time) setting your dog up, keep breathing and stay as calm as you can. Practice at home in front of a mirror. Sometimes it is best to just walk in and free stack the dog, using a little bit of bait to tease him. Watch other handlers to see what they do when they go in the ring, since every judge runs his ring differently. It is up to you and your dog as to what you do with the tail. Ideally, you dog will stand there with all four feet in the proper position, ears perked up, intelligent look on his face, with his tail straight off his back, or wagging. Ok, but realistically, your dog may fidget, move his feet, tuck his tail, or wag it gaily above his back, all the time with his tongue lolling out as he tries to sniff the dog in front of him! This is where practice and experience come in. You have to know your dog, and know what his likes and dislikes are. The proper bait may get his attention. But always have an alternative plan, since some judges don't like you to use bait. Also, never give the dog a big hunk of liver right before the judge comes to examine his bite! I have seen Curly owners use food for bait, tennis balls, squeaky toys, and some even a few feathers. If you are new, and your dog is young and out of control, you may not want to use bait at all. Some people make their dog look worse by baiting. Again, know your dog.

You need to know how to move your dog. The judge will tell you to do a ring pattern so he can see how your dogs gait or movement is. The individual gaiting is probably the most important part of the dog's examination. It is critical that you learn to move (whether walking or running) in a straight line, with your arm that is holding the show lead held in a steady position away from your body. If your arm isn't steady, there will be bouncing on the lead which will make your dog's head and neck bobble and makes the dog's movement seem choppy and uneven. There are lots of variables to gaiting your dog. At an outdoor show, the ground will be uneven. Indoors, the floor mats may be bunched up. You and your dog will both do things differently. Do the best you can, and remember, showing dogs is supposed to be fun. Move at a speed that is comfortable for both you and your dog. I don't like to see someone string up a curly, and move them at an unnaturally fast pace. I like to let the dog set the pace, and if you have a dog with correct structure, reach and drive, that is the best way to show them. I like to use a nylon or small chain choke collar with a thin show leash. This gives me the best control over the dog, while still letting them show naturally. Some people prefer a slip leash, and keep the dogs head raised the whole time. This is how Setters and spaniels are shown. Curlies are notorious for pacing. (moving one side of the body at a time) If the judge sends you on the down and back again, chances are your dog was pacing. Be alert as to what your dog is doing. I have found with pacing dogs that nudging them off balance a bit as we start out will make them stop. Also trying to move them at a bit of a faster trot when you start out. Pacing is a lazy way of moving for a dog.

If you don't wish to handle your dog yourself, you may contact a professional handler to show your dog. Professional handlers charge a fee for showing dogs, so before hiring a handler make sure you obtain a schedule of the fee. Talk to several handlers, get copies of their rate schedules and visit their facilities. Observe them both in and out of the ring before making up your mind which handler to choose. You will be entrusting them with your dog's care, so make sure you are entirely comfortable before doing so. If there is something you don't understand, make sure the prospective handler answers all of your questions before entering into any agreement. In the classes, not a lot of Curly owners use handlers. In the Group ring, you will see more handlers on Curlies. Right now 4 out of the top 5 curlies in the breed standings are being shown by Pros. You will also see more Pro handlers at a large event, such as the CCRCA National Specialty.

I have asked a couple of people for input on showing a curly based on their experience. Some of the information may be conflicting, since every dog and every handler are different. What may work for their curly may not work for your curly. Don't get frustrated with your dog if he does not win. Take the time to look at why he may not be winning. Is he too immature for the competition? Is he too out of control in the ring? Is he maybe a wonderful pet, but not quite show quality? Whatever the case, make it fun for you and your dog. If showing becomes a chore or stops being fun, then it isn't worth it. By showing your dog, you can meet many interesting people, learn more about the breed, and develop wonderful friendships. The pretty ribbons and titles are nice, but don't loose your best friend in the process! Your dog doesn't know the difference between a blue ribbon and a red ribbon. Maybe that's why dogs are better than people in many ways. ;-)

SHOWING YOUR CURLY-COATED RETRIEVER
By Mary Kay Morel

Dog shows originated as a way for people to show off their breeding stock and find other quality representatives of their breed for their breeding programs. The American Kennel Club (AKC) has developed breed standards, written descriptions of what the ideal dog in each breed should look like, along with descriptions of their character and movement. To earn its AKC Championship title, a dog must earn 15 points, including two shows under different judges worth at least 3 points called majors. The AKC has a great web site at AKC that has all the rules and regulations for all different types of shows.

Breed competitions have developed into a sport that is an addiction for many fanciers. It is exciting when the judge points to you for a win. When it comes down to it though, a win or a loss is just that particular judge�s opinion on that particular day. You can be a hero one day and a zero the next. So keep things in perspective and always be a good sport, win or lose. Always treat your Curly like a winner.

With Curlys, you often have the people handling their own dogs. Owner handlers can and do beat professional handlers all the time. So don�t be intimidated. The judges should be judging the dog, not the face on the other end of the lead. In reality, this doesn�t always happen, but it is all part of the game.

Be happy if you did your best, win or lose. Sincerely congratulate the winners � don�t bitch about the judge or put down other dogs at ringside. Chances are the owner or a friend of the owner is standing right there and you will only make yourself look like a poor sport. Treat people the way you want to be treated when YOU win.

If you are going to play the game, you need to learn the rules and show your dog to its best advantage. Watch and learn from the other dogs and handlers. If you can�t handle your own dog, consider paying a professional handler. It will cost you a lot more, but it can also be fun to stand back and watch your dog in the ring.

A pro handler will usually charge between $70 and $100 to show your Curly in the class. If your dog wins and goes on to compete for Winners Dog/Bitch -- it might cost you more. If you go on to Best of Breed -- again, it might cost you more. It will definitely cost you more if your dog wins Best of Breed and goes on to compete in the Groups later in the day. And then, if by some chance your dog wins Sporting Group and goes on to win in Best in Show � expect to pay your handler a big bonus. Make sure you negotiate rates in advance. If you send your dog out to shows with a handler, that�s a whole different level of fees. Be sure you understand all the fees involved for daily board, conditioning, grooming, etc. You might have to sign a contract.

So, you think you might want to show your Curly.

If you have any interest in showing your Curly, you need to be up front with your breeder when you purchase your puppy. The difference between a �pet quality� pup and a �show quality� pup might not be obvious to you. After all, all Curly puppies are ADORABLE, right? But a breeder should be knowledgeable about the breed to be able to discern which of the pups (if any in that litter) best match the breed standard and will be show/breeding prospects. This all has to do with angles, bone, proportion, and the breeder�s �eye� developed through experience. At age six to eight weeks, it is very difficult to know some things about a Curly, like how its coat will turn out. At eight weeks, you can get a pretty good idea of what the pup�s conformation will be when it is an adult, but coat is always the wild card. Some Curlys don�t develop their full coats until they are three or more years old!

Expect to pay more for a show quality pup and also to have additional clauses in your contract about breeding. Any breeding contracts should include requirements for mandatory health clearances for hips, eyes, and hearts.

Limited vs. Full Registration

Breeders will often keep their best show pick puppies or place them with other breeders or people they know and trust will do a good job of showing their puppies. After all, the puppy�s success is a reflection of the success of the breeder�s program. The Curly gene pool is small. It is important to keep the best pups IN the breeding pool, if they are worthy. (Just because a dog is an AKC Champion doesn�t mean it should be bred � there are also a lot of other factors involved in responsible breeding.)

Pups sold as pets on a limited registration are NOT eligible to show in AKC conformation shows. They can compete in performance events, such as obedience, agility, and tracking. They are NOT considered breeding stock, however, and any puppies these limited registration dogs might produce cannot be registered with the AKC.

Some breeders sell all puppies on a Limited Registration basis. They then evaluate the dog and if they consider it worthy, they can submit forms (and additional money) to change the registration status to FULL registration. (((CHECK AKC rules regarding age))) If your own breeder tells you your dog is not a show prospect, and specifically why �they know what they are talking about.

Be sure to send in your AKC registration promptly. It can sometimes take weeks to get the papers.

So, assuming you have a show quality pup eligible for Full AKC registration, what is your first step?

Enjoy your Curly puppy! As soon as it has its puppy shots and you are safe to be out among other dogs, take your puppy to lots of different places. Socialize the heck out it. Show dogs need to be relaxed around lots of other people and dogs. Get your puppy used to being handled and touched all over by a lot of different people. Don�t let your puppy get overweight.

Practice checking your puppy�s teeth, and introduce it to having its teeth brushed. In the show ring, judges check to make sure that male puppies have both of their testicles, so make sure you get your puppy used to that kind of examination, too. Also keep your puppy groomed. It will need to have its toenails clipped regularly (at least every 10 days to 2 weeks). Make bathing your Curly a fun and enjoyable experience. Show dogs get bathed frequently. Also get your pup used to being groomed on a grooming table. This will save your back.

Training Classes

Puppies can�t show for points toward their AKC championship until they reach six months of age, but they can start their show training much earlier. Make it FUN for the pups. Keep all training sessions short.

Take a conformation class to help you learn how to handle your own Curly and to give the puppy actual ring experience with other dogs.

Show Leads and Collars

You�ll also need to buy a show collar and lead. These are available at shows or through catalogs. Many different kinds are available. You might need to experiment to find the kind you like. When you are getting started, though, pick a black lead for a black Curly and a brown lead for a liver Curly. Don�t buy hot pink or some other pretty color. You want the lead to be as invisible as possible.

For a Curly, you can�t go wrong with a thin nylon collar and basic nylon lead about 36� long. I recommend a show lead without a snap for beginners. It is too easy to unsnap it accidentally in the ring. When the dog is older, you might try a thin herringbone chain collar that won�t pull the coat. Some people prefer thin leather leads, or martingale type leads that combine the collar and lead.

If you can�t find a show lead at first, you can improvise using a long nylon shoelace. Only use your show lead and collar for showing. Use your regular buckle or training collar to walk your dog or take it out to exercise it. Be sure to �air� your dog before you show. In conformation, a dog is not eliminated if it has an accident in the ring, but it is considered poor form, and should be avoided.

A lot of good books and videos are available to help you learn how to handle your dog. You need to learn proper ring procedure, etc.

Learning the basics of show handling is relatively easy, but refining those basics and becoming a good handler takes some time and practice. You have to learn how to present your dog to its best advantage.

Sanctioned puppy matches are a good place to get experience. These informal shows do not count for points, but are a lot of fun.

Grooming Equipment

A wide toothed comb (I use a Poodle comb) and a pair of barber scissors are essential items for grooming your Curly for the ring. I use a pair that is about 7� long and pointed. Don�t spend a lot of money on a grooming table or tack box until you are sure you are going to continue showing. More on Grooming your CCR

Toenails!

Toenails on Curlys seem to grow faster than those of other breeds of dogs. It is REALLY important to keep the nails short, so the feet stay tight and compact.

If a dog�s toenails get too long, they can split and cause painful injuries, which can also get infected. Plus, if you let the dog�s nails stay long, it will interfere with its natural gait and movement and might contribute to development of painful arthritis as the dog gets older.

Handle the pup�s feet often. Click his toenails with your nails and get him used to having his feet handled. While you�re at it, check the pads and between the toes to make sure there are no cuts or foreign objects.

I strongly recommend trimming just the tips of a couple of nails each day, and giving your Curly pup a treat afterwards. That way, the pup will be used to having it done and will associate nail trimming with a positive experience. Once your pup is older, you can trim all the nails about every 10 days to two weeks, or as needed.

If you try to trim all the nails at once, it is sometimes easier if you start with the back nails first and then the front nails.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO CUT THE NAIL QUICK! Curlys never forget and it will make nail trimming an ordeal in the future. If you do accidentally hit the nail and it bleeds, use Qwik-Stop, Flour, Baking Soda, or Talcum Powder to help stop the bleeding.

If you use a dremmel to grind the toenails, get your pup used to the sound of it before you start using on his nails. Tap the nail with the dremmel � don�t try to grind too much off at one time. It gets HOT.

WHAT HAPPENS AT A DOG SHOW?

PANDEMONIUM! You enter the building and there are people rushing everywhere, carrying dogs, leading dogs, and running to the ring. Dogs are barking, the public address system is blaring, and people are talking, it seems like everyone in the building is talking all the time! How can you make some sense of it all and start to figure out what's going on? First look or ask around for the superintendent or club or catalog table. Once you find the superintendent, you will find a pile of extra judging programs. Or, if you are looking for a breeder of a certain individual dog or breed, buy a catalog. The catalog has all the information in the judging program, plus it has the name of each dog, its parents, its date of birth, breeder and owner. In the back of the catalog, you will find the addresses of the owners. These addresses will be invaluable to you if you are looking for a puppy or a breeder. Even if you didn't connect with anyone in all the confusion of the show, you can call information and find their phone number later. If the first person you contact doesn't know where there is a litter of good puppies, they will send you on to another person, and eventually you will find the breeder and the puppy you are looking for.

With the judging program or the information in the front of the catalog, you can locate where certain breeds will be showing at a certain time. There will be a ring number and time of judging listed in the program for each breed. It's often impossible to locate someone with a breed you are interested in by cruising the grooming area, so it's a good idea to come early - usually 8:30 or 9:00 AM, so you don't miss what you really want to see. And, it's a good idea to plan to stay late, so you can see the whole event to its grand conclusion, the groups and best in show.

At most dog shows events are offered in conformation and obedience. There may also be an agility trial. The original basis for showing dogs, like other livestock, is to judge which individuals display the structure that suits the dog for its typical tasks. The way we know what characteristics do this is by comparing an individual to the breed standard, which defines the breed. Ideally, this standard will be well written and will enable the judge to tell which dogs come the closest, and are therefore best suited for the tasks ahead of them.

A dog which has to herd sheep all day long (a herding dog) has different characteristics from a dog whose job it is to go down into a badger's den and drive the animal out (a terrier breed). A sight hound, which hunts visually, will have a different structure from a scent hound or sporting breed that uses its nose to find its prey. A toy, bred to sit on someone's lap, would have different structure than a mastiff, which is a guardian or a working breed. Each herding breed has a different job. The Puli's task is the control and movement of large flocks of 300 to 400 sheep in Hungary, while the Border Collie often searches out single ewes and lambs on difficult and often rocky terrain. The Puli is very vocal, since as a 30 pound dog in control of so many mindless sheep he must appear very powerful to them. These large numbers of sheep move as a single unit; Continental sheep like to stick together. The Border Collie is faced with sheep that like to scatter, as the pasture in Scotland is not so lush. The Border Collie approaches his sheep circumspectly, staring at them and creeping slowly up on them. These different approaches make different demands, both structural and behavioral, on the dogs. The appearance of different breeds also reflects what the breeders feel is attractive.

The objective of conformation classes is to identify dogs most suitable to breed and produce the next generations. The most important objective of obedience and agility, as well as the many other kinds of trial, such as hunting, herding and go to ground (terrier-earth dog events), is to identify the inner character and ability of the dog, which combined with the structure, produces the ideal animal. In all dog show related activities, however, whether obedience, conformation, or working events, and so forth, the second most important objective is having good clean family fun.

Dog Fancy enthusiasts attend shows every weekend. They meet friends, enjoy themselves, and compete on a very personal level, through their dogs. They may take their dogs in the ring themselves, or they may hire a professional handler. They may own one dog, a leash, and a hatchback, or 30 dogs, hundreds of pounds of equipment, and a Greyhound Bus size motor home. You never know at a show if you're standing next to a millionaire or a pauper. Well, sometimes you do know; however, often you truly don't. The point is you can attend with just your dog and a leash, and you can also win. You can have your son or daughter compete in Junior Showmanship or in the actual "breed" ring. There are so many levels of competition and so many different kinds of events that you can spend a lifetime shepherding one or many dogs through them. Dog showing for most of us is much more than a hobby, it's a lifestyle.

In the conformation ring, (the 'breed' ring), there are several different levels of competition. First, there are the dogs that are not Champions of record. These dogs compete at what's called the 'class' level, and are working toward their Champion title. They may enter the Puppy class, Novice, American Bred, Bred By Exhibitor, or the Open class. Males and females compete separately at this level. The size of the entry has a lot to do with whether all of these classes will actually have an entry at a given show. If there are only 2 dogs entered, obviously not every class will have an entry. However, each class is always available to the exhibitor to enter their dog in.

In each class there are 4 placements awarded. The first place animal from each class goes on to what is called the 'Winners' class. We still have the males and females separate here. Males are called 'dogs' and females are called 'bitches'. The dogs and bitches are still separated in the winners classes. All of these first place individuals compete as a class, and the winner is called the Winners Dog or the Winners Bitch. A Reserve Winners Dog and Bitch are also selected. The two Winners are the only dogs to earn points toward a Championship.

The number of points earned is dependent on how many were entered in all of the classes. There may be many dogs entered, and the points awarded might be 5, which is the highest number of points that can be earned at one show. There may only be a few and worth only 1 or 2 points, or none at all. A win of 3,4 or 5 points is termed a 'major' win. A dog must win at 2 majors and collect a total of 15 points to earn a Championship. The 'point schedule' of how many entries are required to make up 1,2,3,4,and 5 points, varies in different regions of the country and in different years. Check the AKC pages for the current point schedule in your area.

At the next level of competition, the Winners Dog and the Winners Bitch and any Champions that are entered compete in intersex competition for: Best of Breed (BOB), Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed (BOS), and Best of Winners (BOW). Only the Winners Dog and Bitch can earn the Best of Winners award, but any of the individuals in the Best of Breed Class may win the BOB or BOS. Under some circumstances, extra points may be earned by one of the 'Winners' by going BOW, BOS, or BOB.

The individual that goes Best Of Breed is then eligible to show in the Group. For many of the Specials dogs (Champions being 'campaigned'), this is where the competition really begins.There are 7 Groups at a dog show; Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding. Each BOB from the individual breeds which make up the Group competes for Group I, II, III, and IV. The dogs winning Group I in each of the 7 Groups then compete for Best in Show. In this manner, the Best In Show dog has defeated every other dog entered.

Beyond competing to finish championships, dogs compete to gain points toward informal national ratings at the Best of Breed level and at the Group and Best in Show level. These ratings have nothing to do with the AKC. They are compiled by dog publications or breed clubs and only convey prestige to the top dogs in the country.
� M. C. Wakeman, D.V.M. 3/97- 2002 - showdogsupersite

For a person who is a spectator or one who is interested in showing dogs, the terms used at dog shows can often be confusing. The following is an attempt to remove the confusion so many novices feel about dog shows:

1.Dog � Everyone has a dog right? Well where dog shows are concerned, only those owners or handler of MALE dogs have a dog.

2.Bitch � Far from the derogatory term that comes to mind, bitch simply means a canine of the female persuasion.

3.AKC � American Kennel Club. This is the best-known registry for purebred dogs in the United States. It is a �club of clubs� that breed clubs, breeders, and dog shows turn to for rules and regulations, as well as dog and litter registration.

4.AKC Sanctioned Show - A show that is listed with the AKC that follows their guidelines. It requires sanctioned shows to receive any AKC title.

5.Registration � Official shows have registration completed by a deadline before the actual date of the show. A specialized form must be filled out with the dog�s name, number, owner and class entered.

6.Conformation � The judging of a dog on looks, structural build, gait, expression, and breed standard. Conformation classes are broken up into groups, breeds, sex and ages.

7.Group � There are seven acknowledged groups at an AKC show. These are Sporting, Non-Sporting, Hounds, Working, Herding, Terriers, and Toys.

8.Sporting group � Made up mainly of setters, retrievers and spaniels

9.Non-Sporting group- Made up of breeds that didn�t seem to fit into any of the other categories.

10.Hounds-Strictly hounds. Bloodhounds, Bassett, Beagles, Black and Tan Coonhounds and so many more.

11.Working Dogs group � A mixture of breeds whose original functions were guarding, sledding, rescue and a few herders.

12.Herding group � Dogs that were originally bred to herd livestock. A few of these are Collies, German Shepherds, Shetland Sheepdogs, Bouviar des Flandres, Corgis and many more.

13.Terriers � A specialty group made up strictly for terriers. Airedales, American Staffordshires, Bull, Fox Terriers, Kerry Blues, Miniature Schnauzer and West Highland Whites are just a few of the large group.

14.Toys- As their name implies, small sized dogs. This group will include the likes of Chihuahuas, Maltese, Japanese Chins, Pugs, Pomeranians, Yorkshire Terriers and more.

15.CH. � This is an abbreviation is seen many times in pedigrees, newspaper adds and show books. It stands for the term Champion. Receiving the set number of points the AKC requires at several dog shows will reward a dog the title of Champion.

16.Obedience � Classes where a dog competes against a perfect scorecard of 200. The dogs that score 170 or better have points towards an obedience title. These titles include CD, CDX and UD and each require a score of 170 at three different shows. They must be acquired in the following order.

17.CD � Companion Dog

18.CDX � Companion Dog Excellent

19.UD � Utility dog.

20. Junior Showmanship � A class in which 10 � 17 year olds are judged upon their handling of a dog in a conformation class atmosphere. The handler, not the dog is judge and it is a great way for youngsters to learn about dog shows.

21. Best of Breed � All the winners in a certain breed�s classes are placed together by sex. The pick male and female will then compete against each other for Best of Breed title.

Making sense of all the Titles and Abbreviations

22. Best Of Opposite Sex � The other dog in the best of breed competition.

23. Reserve � The second best dog of each sex. This dog will step up to compete if for some reason the winner of the best of breed class can�t continue competition in the Group classes.

24. Group � All the best of breed winners will then go into their respective group and compete against each other. In other words, all the different herding dog winners would be in the ring at the same time. One Collie would compete against one German Shepherd, one Corgi, one Shetland Sheepdog, etc.

25. Best in Show � After judges have picked the best dog out of each group, they then will compete in one last class. This class will be Best in Show. It is up to the judge to pick one dog that he or she feels is better than any other dog in the show. Not an easy task!

These are some of the most common terms used or overheard at a dog show and will hopefully help you out if you decide to go and watch or even participate in a show. To find out dates and locations of shows in your area, contact the American Kennel Club by phone or Internet.