Be a Shih Tzu Show Dog Spectator First
by Connie Limon (Email: connielimon@yahoo.com)
Photo: Ginger of Stain Glass Shih Tzu

If you are planning to show your Shih Tzu, your first experiences with conformation should be as a spectator. You need to do some studying and practicing before actually going into a show with your Shih Tzu. Leave the Shih Tzu behind.

The first thing you will want to purchase at the show is a show catalog. Don't miss out. Clubs often run out of these early in the day. The show catalog is like a scorecard. They are usually for sale on the superintendent's table.

At a specialty show all the dogs are the same breed. Many clubs hold local specialties and generally the national breed club will hold a national specialty once a year.

If you see many breeds on the show grounds, then you are probably at a multibreed show. Each breed will be taking a part in a separate show. There is no competition beyond Best of Breed.

Group shows are all the breeds in an AKC group. Group shows are most often done with the Terriers and the Toys. Thus, the Shih Tzu is included here.

An all-breed show is of dogs of every imaginable size, shape, coat and color. Every breed registered by the kennel club can be shown. Examples of all-breed shows are:

* Westminster * Golden Gate * Crufts * The World Show

Some of the larger shows take place over two days. About half the breeds are shown the first day and the other half the second day. If there is a specific breed you want to see, such as the Shih Tzu, you will have to find out which day the Shih Tzu will be shown.

Whatever variety of show you attend, it is called conformation because all judging is meant to be based on how well each dog conforms to its written breed standard.

Take a chair with you and find a place near ringside for the purposes of being a spectator. Remember, you are going to this show without your Shih Tzu. You want only to watch, observe closely how other people show their dogs. You can learn a lot being a spectator.

A term you may hear and may not understand at first is "a dog has been put down for the ring." This does not mean the dog has been put to sleep for health reasons. In the dog fancy, "put down for the ring," means groomed appropriately for the breed (which in your case is the Shih Tzu) and ready to show.

Other terms you will want to become acquainted with are:

* A handler: This is the person in the ring with the dog or Shih Tzu, doing the showing. A handler can be the Shih Tzu owner, the breeder or a professional handler. * An Agent: Is usually a professional handler in charge of the Shih Tzu on the owner's behalf. * A breeder: Is the person who owns the Shih Tzu bitch who whelped the Shih Tzu dog in question.

After you feel you have learned enough as a spectator, it is time to get into the ring with your Shih Tzu.

Author: Connie Limon. Visit us at http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com I raise Shih Tzu puppies in a variety of colors for pet or show prospect. I have the small AKC standards, the imperials and teacups (nicknames for the less than 9 pound Shih Tzu) at reasonable prices. I also have the larger size Shih Tzu occasionally. Puppies are sold with a health guarantee. I have ten years experience raising only the Shih Tzu.

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