My first AKC Dog Show – What to expect and what I learned

I went to my first dog show and LOVED it!

But… I had soooo many questions before going and here are a few things I learned and tips I’ll share for the next person looking to learn.

First, I talked to my friend Marti Michalis of Ruff House Pet Resort in Riverside, CA because she’s one of the few people I know that shows dogs. She has gorgeous bloodhounds that she shows very competitively and is quite successful. We chatted on the phone and she had these major tips for me:

1.

Always go to the Superintendent at the show and introduce yourself. They’re a wealth of information and once I told her it was my first show she was so helpful in making me feel comfortable and know what to expect.

2.

They have a AKC dog show book you can pick up for free too with lots of rules and tips to review.

3.

You have to know your number and get it at the ring 15 minutes before your class.. you CANNOT say your dog’s name cause they typically start with the breeder’s info and this keeps it fair amongst entrants (in case the judge hears). It’ll be listed in the Judging Program available at check in with the Superintendent.

4.

Respect and etiquette are huge! You ALWAYS use Sir and Ma’am in the ring! You can read about more tips from the AKC on Unspoken Etiquette.

5.

No spike collars or face halters are allowed. You’ll get DQ’d!

Well, me trying to look all cute showed up in my fancy beaded collar. Nope, not one person had a regular dog collar on. They all use slip leashes. Every. Single. Person. If I didn’t stick out like a sore thumb newbie.

6.

She warned me against the ‘mean people’ but you know what, I haven’t found any yet! Everyone has been sooo nice and helpful.

Waiting for the show to start. A good wipe down and we were ready.

My next task in preparing for the show was to enter. You have to enter waaaaaay in advance – you cannot enter at shows. I was entering in the 4-6 month old beginner puppy class at the Lake Mathews Kennel Club. There are a couple sites you can enter on, but I used Jack Bradshaw Dog Show Superintendents since I wanted to enter online (it costs a little more to do so). First you find your show you want to enter, which was scheduled for April 23rd, 2021. It says: 4-6 BPUP Lake Mathews KC. Once entered I was so excited, it was time to practice and what was I going to wear!?!

Since I have a Labrador Retriever, I was like do I get the stacking box, or put my dog on soup cans? How do I do this thing they call ‘stacking’? Well guess what, you can move their legs with your hands, and let’s be real these puppies are puppies, let’s just go have fun! Apparently each breed is different and luckily enough Labs don’t need either of these things. You can just set them up by hand. Which we’ll get to…

So ya, no real prep needed I have a lab. So bath 3 days before and a nail trim. I was show ready. Wait the outfit! What do men wear? Did I need a suit jacket, tie? How’s this all work. So after lots of sleuthing and watching videos of various shows I settled on better dress the part! I decided to wear dress pants, a dress shirt, and dress shoes. No tie or jacket since it was a puppy class. Which ended up being the perfect complement to my class. The only thing I’d change is to wear light colored pants, my puppy being chocolate blends into my legs, and you want that contrast to stand out.

Show day is coming up! I got a program in the mail about a week before, and the Judging Program was also available online. I was the only lab, but had other puppies in my Sporting Group. This is getting exciting!!!

Okay it was show day.

I prepped a bag. Water bowl, crate, towel, toys, snacks for both of us and headed out. Lucky for me my breeder Juan Carbonell of Loretta Labs was at the show to help me. He had a whole set up so I was able to put my stuff in his area and start to make friends and meet people. First I went to the Superintendent and introduced myself (she was sooo amazing in making me feel comfortable), got my COVID wristband and that was it. I was ready! Well that’s after Juan looked sideways for having a collar on my dog and lent me a slip show lead.

Juan practicing with my girl stacking

I didn’t know my number… it’s in the judging program.. so back to the Superintendent to ask my number and look it up in the book. They also sell these, which you should always support your local Kennel Club! I then went to the ring, and got my number. You always wear it on your left arm. And tips of the trade told me use two or three rubber bands to hold it on in case one snaps and breaks in the ring. Okay butterflies were starting. You can only get DQ’d from class if your dog bites the judge or goes the bathroom in the ring. How am I supposed to stop her from peeing? So lots of go potty on the side making sure she didn’t have to.

The wins!

Since I wanted to see how the show worked, I had Juan go in for me in the Labrador class since she was the only entry. It was great watching a pro at work and really helped me mentally prepare for what would happen in the sporting group. I do have to say, watching the other breeds go the Judge what heaven sent. She was so patient, helped everyone learn, gave tips on how to hold the lead (fold it over a bunch of times in your left hand), and let people practice. She knew these were puppies and a lot of first timers, so now I wanted in the ring. I could do this! She wanted the dogs to have fun and didn’t push anyone or any dogs. It was a great training, learning, and practice day.

So Neena, my puppy, won best of breed (the only entry :P), and now it was time for the Sporting Group winner. I was ready to take her in now after hanging out on the sideline and learning from each breed going, and hearing the tips and tricks the judge was giving each participant. We went in, set up, did our little pattern, did our gait as they call it (trotting around the ring since I’m a horse person), and came back into line. It was time to award the prizes, and I WON!!! I couldn’t believe it. I was enthralled. Soooo much fun. Why was I worried an nervous, everyone made it so comfortable.

And the happy photo. Thanks Kit!!

Well now I really needed that win photo. My first dog show and a group winner! Luckily enough I had met with Kit the photographer and she was sweet enough to give me these tips when setting a dog up: Always start with the farthest back leg, and only hold the hock to adjust the legs. From there then do the far front leg by holding the elbow, and then adjust the closest front leg to you again, only using the elbow. Touching the feet throws the dog off balance and they typically will move.

And there you have it. This great win photo. A win of making all kinds of new friends. A win of doing something new. And a win of having a blast at my first AKC dog show.

I’m hooked.