What to Expect at SV Conformation Show - Page 1

Hello.  I'm working with my two dogs to get them ready for a WDA conformation show in March.  Both will be in the working class.  I've been looking around at youtube videos and online to find out what exactly the dogs will be expect to know what exactly I need to train them to do.  I found info here and there but need help putting the whole picture together.

Could someone explain the ring procedure/ the order thing are done?  What are some thing the adult dogs are expected to know/do?

I'm teaching them now to trot in front of the handler, and to stay in a stacked position.  Does the handler stay beside the dog? Or must they move away from the stacked dog?  Is the judge the one that opens the mouth, or does the handler open the mouth?  Will the dog have to stay perfectly still while the judge physically examines them?

I'm going to knock out the AD too at the same show, so I've been going biking with them and keeping them at a trot.  Im hope that is more than sufficient to build ring endurance

What area are you in?
You could possibly contact a show line kennel for help in preparing your dogs.

Alot of the larger show kennels have ring sessions almost weekly to prep their dogs.

Depending on the "type" of schutzhund club you go to, it will be geared to either work or show.
It's hard to get working line people to spend time doing ring training, but it does pay off.
Also make sure your dog is clean (no undercoat tufts hanging all over), free of dirt/mud, and short nails too.
Ears should also be clean so verification of tattoo can be done with ease.

You won't run as much in a smaller club type conformation show as you would a regional or national.
You may want to pack a couple extra pounds on your dog if it is in good hard working condition,
most showlines tend to be a little "fuller" figured.

Depending on the judge, most will allow you to open the mouth to show teeth/bite.
The dog can move a little, but a death roll or thrashing will get you in trouble

2 AD's in one day? Wow, impressive (and a bit crazy )

I almost forgot, the way these organizations are now,
make sure check, double check and triple check your paperwork so you have everything.

An SV show has many aspects to it.
The order of the show goes from the youngest(3 months here in the USA) to the working class as last.

All dogs over 12 months of age must pass a gunfire test. The judge normally puts them in groups of 5 or so, asks the handlers to have a loose leash, and fires the gun while watching for fearful reactions. If he thinks he/she sees a fearful reaction then they will fire again to make sure of what they are seeing. If the dog does not pass the gunfire test it is excused from the show. Also, forget about putting weight on your dog! Some judges will put dogs they think are overweight in the back regardless of their quality. Some judges are such fanatics about this that if the dog is not showing some rib it will be considered fat. And YES the muscle tone is definitely taken note of and can be part of the placement order, so do work your dogs out as much as possible.

The procedure for the working class is:
All dogs/bitches compete separately according to sex.
They will line up in catalog order. 
Sometimes they will do a round of gaiting.
Then they usually check teeth and testicles. This can be done by either the judge or someone whom the judges assigns this responsibility to. The handler normally shows the judge/rep. the dog's teeth, but some judges/reps. like to do this them selves. The front of the teeth will be checked for how the "bite" lines up and the sides will be checked to see that there are no extra or missing teeth. It is especially hard to get the lip and tongue out of the way so that the judge can see the very small tooth right behind the lower K9's. Sometimes you just have to poke the tongue a little to get them to move it out of the way. This is generally done with a closed mouth although the side can be shown with an open mouth. Sometimes the teeth and testicles are done in the individual stand for exam and not in the line up.
 (They may do a round or two or gaiting before the individual exams... usually, not always, if they do the teeth and testicles in the line up as opposed to doing them in the individual exam.)
Then the stand for the individual exam. The handler takes the dog to the center of the ring, in front of the judge and stacks the dog. The owner is outside the ring and keeps the attention of the dog. Since, at this point, the dog must stand still, it usually only takes the dog seeing it's owner to keep the attention. If the dog goes crazy to get to the owner then the owner must hide and only call from their hiding place if needed. 
The dog then will be asked to gait coming and going away from the judge and immediately gait around the ring for the judge to see.
Once all the dogs have gone through the individual exam  then the judge will sometimes have them all go back to catalog order and gate. Other times he will go directly to the "call out" where the judge calls the numbers of the dogs in the order he wants them placed. The rest of the time is gaiting and stopping and stacking off and on, with one time around healing with the owner and one time around doing a fast gait. During this time the judge may make several changes in the order. Until the judge calls an end and starts to do the verbal critiques.
Debby

Both of you are awesome!  Thanks for responding!

The show I'm going to is 600 miles away.  As for people who have shown their dogs in an SV style show, I dont think there are any in a 200 mile radius.  My club is mostly malinois and a few WL shepherds who sort of turn their noses at show stuff; but are willing to help me practice.  I just needed to get an idea of what we had to practice (thanks djc).  My guy and gal are also WL, so we aren't going to win; just going to get the show rating, have a good time, and learn about the conformation side of GSDs.

If my husband cant get off of work and take one dog for the AD, I was hoping to take both, one on each side.  Maybe that is no no?  But if I have to bike 25 miles in one day, I will do it haha!

Forgot... owner/double handler, needs to be 1/2 ring ahead of the dog while gating.
Debby

I don't think you will be able to do both AD's in one day.
Call the club hosting the trial and ask them if they can maybe allow you to do one each day?
or perhaps provide you with someone who will do it for you.
There is always some fitness nut at these things that wants to bike or jog "just for fun".

Find a showline breeder around you, there has to be one reasonably close.
Ask them if you can come and do some ringwork.
Most schutzhund people will pitch in to help others, regardless of lines.
Where are you located roughly?

You will likely need a handler, most dogs show better for a stranger,
they will likely not "pull" as hard with you.

I remember a very nice SchH3 Nationals bitch that got Kkl2 because she was "crabbing",
what really happened is her owner handled her and she wanted to fuss instead of move OUT.

And above all, have fun! And of course good luck!
Take a bottle of something with you, have a quick shot to calm your nerves, but not before the AD

 Hi mfh27,

 It's going to be very tough on you. However you got very good advice from Workingdogs and Djc.

 We just had our G S D ,National show and i tried my hand at taking video of the show.
 So if you care to forward me your address ,
 I'll forward you a copy(D V D ) of the show.
 It may be of help to you.

You may be able to see the ring proceedure.

Sonora, that would be very helpful!  I'll PM you.

Workingdogz, I'm in Mobile, AL

This is going to be tough!  Training in my front yard with no distractions was fine.  But taking them to SchH club field to train (after bite work was done) got them all jazzed up and unwilling to stand stacked or trot correctly.  I can only imagine how distracting and exciting a show will be!

How does it work with handlers?  I've read that you can contact the host club and find handlers; and I've read you pay them the entry fee of the class.  But do you meet up with them the day before or early the day of so they can practice working the dog?  Or do you hand them the dog right before the class?  My male should be fine with anyone.  Its the female I am worried about.  She does not really like others touching her and may need some time warming up to the handler.  Or, maybe my husband or I should handle her.  How soon before the class starts can you make handler switches?

Time for me to look into show handling classes.

Usually I take my dog out to meet the handler before the show and go around the ring a few times.  Then if there's time we go around a few more practice times right before the class (generally when one class is finished you can go in and just start gaiting around until all the dogs in the class are in the ring and moving).

ETA:  At most shows you can make a handler change DURING the class.  As long as the handler has the number on and you aren't holding up the show, they aren't real strict.  Some dogs require their owners to come in to show the bite/teeth.

Sounds like you are considering the Regional show in Statesville, NC? If so.... their usual check in is Friday late afternoon. Friday afternoon there is also the practice for breed survey. Not exactly sure this time as they will have an actual trial on Friday. This can give you time to meet up with a handler for practice. It is common that owner/handler switch places during a class. In the working class there is a fast free heeling round the owner has to do. You will need an aprox 9 foot leash and a show collar. The dog should only lean slightly into the collar and gait freely. Not so easy as it looks. My male will pull like an Ox. Dont worry about the gun shots, I found them to be much quieter than on a regular SchH trial.

There is always a practice ring set up that is a bit smaller than the regular ring, but free to use at any time. If its the Statesville one, the judge is very fair towards WLs. Competition will be strong, so preperation is very important. Depending on the Judge the weight and height as well as teeth can be taken before the class shows. Get your dog used to step on a scale as well as having a silver shiny meassuring stick around it. Last time I asked for recommendation of a handler the hosting club was not very helpful at all. Best is to ring the bell here and see who is going as well, and get some recommendations on handlers.

If you never attented a SV like show you will be surprised by the HooHaaa that goes on outside around the ring. Some bigger SL kennels will come with an entire team for luring the dog to gait out and look its best. There is a lot of running, calling, yelling, honking, wrisling, oinking...you name it, going on. Dont let it irritate you, and just go with it, even if you think you look like a fool. Its just part of it...lol

The AD was done on a baseball field, next to the show grounds. You can not bike 2 dogs by yourself at the same time, and there is only one time frame available as the judge has to watch.

Well, I am thinking of entering my WL male in the adult open class. If you are going to that show maybe we can share a handler (he needs a strong one).