Conformation

Conformation Showing

Data & I explored conformation showing as a learning experience and new adventure we could do together. Each sport has its own lingo, nuances and culture. I found out there is much more to conformation showing than I had imagined. My previous dog sport knowledge and experiences had given me some distinct advantages and also some challenges from patterns and habits I had already established. It was a giant step outside my comfort zone to embrace the role of owner-handler in conformation! Data was an easy partner and amazing first conformation dog, he made me look good! It helped that Data was outgoing and "showy"~ he loved attention.

We hoped that Data would mature to be an excellent example of the Entlebucher breed and become a stud dog. To me that meant I owed it to the breed, Data and his breeders to at least try to show him. I thought about hiring a professional handler, but was encouraged to try it myself, first. I committed to put in the time, work and a good faith effort, also believing a championship would have more meaning if we could achieve it together. My goal was to earn Data's CH (owner-handled) by the time he was 3 yrs old then re-evaluate.

We began with classes at the Wisconsin Rapids Kennel Club and continued with Carlin Rasmussen. Data entered his first show at 6 months, 1 week old. To my shock and delight, he took Best of Breed one of the days. That gave me the desire to work harder and learn more. Together we enjoyed a magical, fairy tale road to his Championship & Grand Championship! Data earned "Best Opposite" in Puppy Sweepstakes at our 2011 National Specialty. Data Earned his Championship with points from 6 different judges, in just 10 days of showing. Data was the 9th Entlebucher to earn an AKC Champion (CH) title and the 26th Entlebucher Grand Champion (GCH). I did not expect or plan to continue showing. I thought maybe I would "Special" him at bigger shows like Nationals or if he was needed for Judge's Education presentations. We focused on other goals showing in conformation infrequently. When Jaylah joined our family, I started showing her and figured, why not? As a Special, Data was on fire successfully going BOB- Best of Breed at most every show we entered plus earning many awesome Herding Group placements. Data earned his Grand Championship with points under 8 different judges, in just 12 shows for his Grand Champion (GCH) status. Impressive in a rare (or any) breed!

In 2014 we set out on an ambitious adventure to show in multiple sports at our National Specialty. Data ran agility and earned a QQ (Double Q) in the morning, then went on to win BISS (Best in Specialty Show) at the 2014 Entlebucher National Specialty in the afternoon under judge Carolyn Herbel. That places Data in a very elite class being an agility Champion athlete (MACH) that won his breed's National Specialty. Data is also the 1st and currently to date, still the only Entlebucher with dual Championship titles. He was an extraordinary dog and I was so lucky to have him as a teammate, partner and 4-legged best friend!

There are not many Entlebuchers showing in AKC conformation. They are considered a low entry breed. Personally I have a hard time with the politics, lack of meaningful feedback, and outrageous expenses for such very little ring time. I will exhibit at bigger shows or if Entlebucher friends want to get together as part of a fun, social outing. I do understand the need for our rare breed to be seen and experienced by judges and the public but it is hard for me to justify the time and expense when I can choose from multiple fun performance sports any weekend. Really, if there are no other Entles showing, it is pointless (pun intended). The commeraderie and friendships add to my enjoyment of dog sports. I have amazing dog friends in other breeds that show in conformation but it's just not the same when you have to show alone without others from your breed.

Our female Kai was also shown in conformation. Kai was pretty and structurally a nice example of a female Entlebucher though she was a bigger, "doggy" female (not as feminine & got mistaken for a male). Kai was not naturally "showy" and hated strangers touching her. I worked hard at making it fun hoping she could learn to enjoy it. We gave it our best shot but Kai retired from conformation having both majors and 13 of 15 points needed toward her Championship. I believe in the partnership and bond that develops by working together as a team and felt the experience was good for Kai but after a while it did not seem fair. Looking into her eyes anyone could see how much she hated conformation showing. And if it's not fun for the dog, why do it? I did what I felt was right. Kai had many gifts and talents, the relationship was best served pursuing activities of mutual enjoyment!

Jaylah's first conformation show was Oshkosh Kennel Club, close to home. She was almost 8 months old, we went in with no expectations. Jaylah is super friendly but had a hard time standing still calmly without kissing, wiggling or giving her signature {hugs} to everyone she meets. I would have called it a success for her to just stand still for exam and have a positive experience. To my surprise, her first day she earned her first conformation point. In her second show, she turned a 4 point Best of Winners into a coveted 5 point major by going BOS-Best Opposite Sex (beating a Special) to BOB- Best of Breed.

Jaylah finished her Conformation Champion (CH) title October 21, 2017 at 13 months. She earned her Championship at the same show Data had earned his 6 years earlier. It only took Jaylah 5 shows under 4 different judges to complete her title. I am proud and honored to be her partner! Jaylah is on the shorter side but very balanced and has a lot of nice structural qualities plus she is full of confidence and attitude! She displays strong natural athletic talent plus the ability to switch sports almost effortlessly with focus and enthusiam. Jaylah continues to make her "Czech" mark on the Entlebucher breed in the U.S.

Risa and Geordi both debuted in the AKC Conformation ring in 2023. Time will tell if Risa sparks to it. She is not fond of strangers touching her and wants more action but thinks the high value bait is really worthwhile; so the verdict is out for her! Risa has some really nice qualities including a beautiful head and being structurally well balanced; she is toward the taller end of the breed standard and is also a more "doggy" female. Given the opportunity I think she could earn her championship with a little effort. Risa has earned points for 1 Major toward her AKC Championship requirements. Geordi is like his dad (Data), Geordi loves attention and thinks the world revolves around him. He has a more "showy" look-at-me quality and is structurally put together well; his movement is stunning and he will have a stellar conformation career when he matures, if we can find shows with competition to attend. He should finish easily. Geordi has earned points for both Majors toward his Championship.

Thoughts on Conformation Showing

To give Risa more experience and additional socializing exposure after covid, I showed her in IABCA (International All Breed Canine Association). Risa has earned her International Championship (IntCH) title. I enjoy IABCA, it's a European-style showing venue! All dogs receive written critiques from the judges regarding how they conform to their breed standard. The atmosphere is relaxed, friendly and felt very welcoming to this newcomer. Their culture encouraged learning, questions and the judges gave helpful handling tips. It was refreshing and ideally what conformation should be.

Showing in IABCA provides value having multiple shows in a day, quality length of hands-on time in the ring, plus quality by being able to talk to the judges regarding their expertise and impressions while evaluating your dog. The experience having the judges go over my dog while discussing what they see and feel made our breed standard even more clear and the judging process was transparent for me. By giving written critiques to the breed standard, the judges are focused on going over the points with you. The judges also take more time to allow your dog to relax and get comfortable so the dog can show better. I left having learned something new! I was grateful for the experience and will be eager to show again in the IABCA venue!

It also has shown me firsthand by contrast, the deficiencies of AKC Conformation shows. One of the biggest lacking values in AKC is that the judges spend a minute (or less) with actual hands-on or going over the dog. This means most of their evaluation is subject to visual perception. There are many visual games people can play to make their dog appear to look a certain way: hair color, hair spray, chalking, creative sculpting and clipping or grooming & other visual tricks. Supposedly AKC rules say altering your dog's appearance is wrong but judges and people not only look the other way- it is allowed and encouraged to play visual games, if you want to "win".

AKC has many unwritten "cultural" norms and procedures that are intimidating, they do not encourage conversation and generally give no feedback for their impressions or decisions. AKC Conformation is not warm or friendly to beginners; there is a steep learning curve. The entire premise is set up to fail in that all the dogs being shown in the ring on any given day could meet the breed's standard yet only one will "win" with the possibility of a couple to a few others, being awarded points. The system does not acknowledge how the beauty and positive traits of the entrants meet their breed standard. Without having the breed standard to consult, the system is set for bias and memory to eliminate negative traits or potentially see positive extremes for rewarding.

There have been times in the AKC rings that the judge was behind schedule and I could feel them pushing and even rushing to get through more quickly. There have even been times the judge did not know our breed standard. Sadly in 2022, I had a judge tell me my dog was not in the Herding group (breed recognition in the AKC Herding group was 2011). I have left AKC conformation shows feeling like it was a waste of my time, money and effort only to be told that Entlebuchers are a low-entry breed and "they encourage" more to show, just to be seen (but evidently not taken seriously for the high entry fees paid). I do not always expect to win or place in the groups. I do expect to feel that the judge gave my dog a fair evaluation, hands-on time, plus the focus and attention deserved for our time in the ring. I also believe it is insane and unrealistic for a judge to remember the subtleties of so many breed standards, especially under time pressure and constraints. I am not surprised that AKC Conformation numbers/entries have declined. If they do not recognize the inadequacies of their system and change, they could become irrelevant. They could learn from IABCA and incorporate actual value if they expect to compete for the hard earned dog sport dollars available any given weekend. I will probably continue to show in AKC begrudgingly and sparingly only when their are other breed people that want to get together outside of the show. That has more value to me than the meager time spent in the ring.

Conformation Links

Info Dog- Conformation Showing Resources
AKC Conformation- Link to information on getting started in AKC
IABCA- International All Breed Canine Association "European-style" shows
The Canine Chronicle- magazine with events calendar, articles, and statistics
Judging To Standard- Great article by AKC Judge Katie Gammill
The Functional Saluki- by Dan Belkin, phD; Excellent article on breeding for functionality vs just appearance. Important insights & wisdom across all breeds!