There are many reasons why people like to show their dogs and it is a rewarding practice for individuals and kennels alike. You might like to enter your dog for obedience trials because he enjoys it and you are proud of him; you might like the competition element of shows or it may be that you just like to be around fellow dog owners, comparing your dogs. There are two main categories of shows: a) Pedigree dog shows requiring you to demonstrate that your dog matches the breed standards set by the kennel club in which your dog is registered and b) All dog trial and events, irrespective of breed, registration or heritage where your dog will be judged solely on his ability to perform the activity for which he is entered.

If you are considering showing your pedigree dog for the first time, it might be worth employing the services of a professional dog handler. You will be able to draw on the experience and benefit from the opinion of the dog handler, who will very quickly evaluate your dogs most positive skills. If you decide to that this the route you wish to follow, ensure that the dog handler spends time working with your dog well before the show.

Your pedigree dog will be in competition with others of his breed or judged by the standards appertaining to their national or international kennel clubs. Countries such as the USA, Canada, the UK and Australia have kennel clubs which organize events locally, nationally and internationally. Only pedigrees can be registered in these clubs and participate in the shows. No crossbreeds are allowed. Kennel clubs outside of the USA place various breeds in different categories but none of them will recognize crossbreeds or dogs that do not have proper registration papers.

Make sure that you know the standards set for your breed by the kennel club where your dog is registered. Read as much as you can about their standards because if you get it wrong, you may be disqualified from entering or participating in the show.

Visit as many shows and events as you can and observe the adjudicators or judges. Note down anything the judges say about competitors at the time they have made their selections of winners. If you know what the judges like you can take special care to train your dog so that he will please the judges. Naturally judges are bound to make their decision based on the standards that have been set by a kennel club, but each judge will place their own interpretation on those standards.

One day before the show, put a lot of effort into the bathing and grooming of your dog, clipping is nails and cleaning his teeth where necessary. This is not something you should leave until the last moment.

On the day of the show, relax with your dog, walk around the show area and make sure he relieves himself. Where possible you should try to take him to areas where there are spectators gathering and around the ring so that he can become accustomed to these new surroundings. If he is made comfortable in the environment he will perform better in the ring.