I’m looking at regional specialty results on BayRay and I’m seeing the JAM acronym. I’m assuming it’s an Award of Merit, but the site doesn’t have a legend that I can find. Thanks!

This is Rumor, Currently 6 months, just got her Trick Dog Novice Title 2 weeks ago and planning to start showing in February! Planning to have a CGC by the time we get started in showing, So excited to get into the ring with her

title! hoping for some advice on picking a breed. i’m a groomer but i’m afraid i would get overwhelmed with a dog with a lot of hair… anyone with a curly show dog PLEAAASE show me and lmk how you like it!!

Hello! I will hopefully be getting my first Conformation prospect puppy in a month. I was just sent the contract, and I'm looking for a professional to review it for me, possibly a lawyer? I know there are people who specialize in law pertaining to horses, I assume the same exists for dogs. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Last year I picked my boy up as a puppy after watching his sire show at the Capital City Cluster; this year during the NOHS Regional at the same cluster he went BoB and Group 4. While we haven't been in groups until recently, this was the most represented herding group we had been in as we ended up on the short side of the ring after our first all around.

A year ago I was so lost at the show site having zero clue what was going on, now I have made so many friends across so breeds and my confidence grown 100x. I had thought the highlight of the cluster was being trusted to lead one of my friend's Poodle specials from grooming to the ring with her but no hearing the judge say "and Group 4 to the Aussie" had me on cloud 9.

Hi everyone!

My boy is entered in our first AKC show that just happens to be a local breed specialty in conjunction with an All-Breed show. We’ve shown once before in IABCA and have been regularly going to a weekly handling class up until two weeks ago when our club had to take a break due to heat.

I think my boy and myself are as prepared as we can be. He’s holding his stack (most of the time) and we are moving around the ring well. My handling has definitely improved alot so I know it is time for us to get out there and give it a go. That being said I am beyond nervous about next weekend. Any advice for keeping the nerves in check or for someone headed to their first “big kid show”? Or maybe something you wish you knew before going to your first show?

My puppy's fat head outgrew her brand new collar after a month, and I had been borrowing a lead but would like to get my own. Is there a group that does buy/sell/trade for collars, leads, maybe grooming supplies, etc?

I am newer to confo and looking for a waxed or somehow more textured thin white show slip lead for whippets so closer toy breed length.

The one my breeder uses we can't find and I have a mendota which works, but slips down his neck easily. Want something that will stick a bit more to make my life easier instead of constantly adjusting.

Thanks for any tips!

Sorry bad quality photo because it's zoomed in... Anyway, we've finally entered junior classes and the judges have really loved her, including the one at the breed speciality show. Couldn't be more proud of my little cutie! She has proved the people in this sub wrong that told me she looks backyard bred and not at all like a show quality dog🙈 So excited for what the future holds for us!

I am trying to get back into showing again. I am currently trying to save up for a cardigan welsh corgi and whenever I attend a dog show I offer to help (whether holding dogs ringside, going into the ring, or helping watch dogs at setups) I have a great time at the shows and enjoy being there. I also usually carry a treat bag (with poop bags and bait, just in case).

We have an upcoming cluster that I will be attending with my dog by myself for the first two days. In the past I have just car crated him and left the car on and ac running or windows down if temperature allows. However, I know AKC has new rules against leaving dogs unattended in vehicles. Can I bring my dog with me to get my armband? Is it ok to hold him while I watch the breeds before us? ​​He's a toy breed so I will just hold him to make sure he's not in the way. I know I can't bring him to the bathroom with me so we're just going to have to avoid that.

Hey, longtime lurker and occasional dog show watcher. I am looking for some advice, a (kind) reality check, or maybe encouragement?

I have a new puppy who I think is gorgeous, good natured, and a great representation of his breed. I bought him from a breeder who has a few titled dogs. I had no intention of getting a dog for showing, so I did not raise this with the breeder or ask for a specific “show quality” dog. Anyway, that being said, I am intrigued by the idea of showing him. He is 4 months old currently, and he is doing great in puppy training classes. He is AKC registered. I know the general advice that I see on this sub is to talk to folks / go to shows / etc. I’m happy to do that, but I wanted to ask:

1. If I didn’t discuss this with the breeder prior to buying him do I need their permission to show?
   
2. Can folks just “show up” (register) for Conformation shows? Do you need to be a part of certain organizations ahead of time?
   
3. Would I have to connect him to a handler or could I do this myself?
   
4. Are my questions making it obvious that I know very little? And if so, does that mean that I should let this idea go and just enjoy my little guy without showing him?

Again, be kind. Just a girl with a tiny dream and wondering if I should lean in or lean out. Thank you!

Just as the title says, looking for advise on gait training. Puppy is 12 weeks old currently and has been doing great with stacking. Unsure on how to start gait training to properly extend. We have a few handling classes lined up but they were paused for heat through August. Wanting to get started on my own in the meantime. Any advise or videos I could watch would be greatly appreciated.

Jinny Lu can call herself the ugliest dog in the world for a year. The pug was chosen as the winner at the annual "WORLD UGLIEST DOG CONTEST." Deserved or not?

Hi all, looking for suggestions for an electric battery or generator that I can take to shows to power my blow dryer. I have a CC Kool dry 2xtreme. I see people at shows with electric generators or batteries all the time so it must be possible. I would really like something that's not huge so it's easier to move around. TYIA

One thing I notice is that I’m holding the collar in the wrong spot. I kept doing that! I felt sooo clumsy trying to handle him and the show lead

Hello I'm new to showing dogs, this is my F Shiba 12months old she already got 1 jcac and one VG but we've got a big show coming and she's still very lacking in presentation. Do you have any training routine to teach them to position correctly and to be more attentive? She tends to refuse the judge's manipulations I've been working a lot on it and she's fine when its me but I don't have people to help me with touching especially the mouth area. Any advice is welcome

Hi Dog Show Friends!
My 1 year old smooth fox terrier recently became a champion! He is a great dog, loves showing, it is his favorite thing to do! But I need some tips and tricks for how I can make him crate trained at the dog show. He is great at home and in the car. But he won’t settle and stop barking in a new environment. Like I would love to be able to make a little setup for him while we wait for groups where he is content to just take a nap. But for right now that means we go back to the car. I want to try and get a handle on this while he is still young. Thank you so much for your help!

Sharing this here for anyone in the New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and yes even New York City area. Pat Foley is amazing! Her classes are more than just show handling. She meets you where you and your pup are, and gives advice that is tailored to you. I learn something new each time I attend, from ring craft to ring etiquette to grooming tips, on top of show handling of course. And the classmates are so friendly and extremely helpful. Whether you're a newbie like me, or a seasoned show person, these classes are worth the trip. See you in class!

What have you all done with the ribbons your dogs win?

I’m so proud of her. Work constraints kept me from being able to show her, so she was out with a wonderful professional handler who helped her get her champion.

I have a kit from Danecraft Designs to make a show lead. They have a link to a YouTube video tutorial on their website but it appears the video no longer exists.

Does anyone have a good video tutorial for an absolute beginner? There is a paracord core strand and then 4 leather strands that are about 2x the length of the paracord.

I’ve tried scouring YouTube and Facebook, but I’ve only found short videos that don’t tell me how to start or stop or how I should make the larger loop for the handle and the smaller loop to attach to the show slip collar.

Photo of my new champion from last weekend. He’s my first show dog 🥹