DOG SHOW PRESENTATION POINTERS

When inside the Judging ring, the Judge expects that the exhibitor would be aware about performing certain exercises which the Judge is at liberty to ask the exhibitor to perform so that he may be able to assess the merits and demerits of the dog. Amongst the several exercises the Judge may ask the exhibitor to perform. The two most important ones are:

(a) The Show Stand Presentations:

There are perhaps as many as many shows stand positions as may be conceived, positions vary from handler to handler and exhibit to exhibit. The best position is the one that is best suited to both the exhibit and the exhibitor and the position in which the dog seems to be more comfortable. Never mind the handler as here the exhibit is more important, so think about him.

Different breeds call for different presentation techniques. The job of the handler is to bring out the very best points in the exhibits. We learn from our own dogs that different show stand positions are necessary even within the dogs of the same breed. Just like us, we must keep in mind that no dog will have the same temperament or character, each one is different like every individual is.

SOME SHOW STAND POSITIONS

THE TRIANGLE :

An exhibit will be requested to move directly away from the Judge in a straight line, towards the far corner of the ring, then back to the Judge - in a diagonal line; stopping approximately about 5 feet in front of the Judge.

THE STRAIGHT AND BACK :

As described, this exercise requests that an exhibit moves directly away from the Judge, making a sharp 'U' turn and returning to the Judge in an almost straight line; again stopping approximately 5 feet away from the Judge.

THE DIAGONAL :

Similar to the above, but in this exercise the exhibit is requested to move diagonally across the ring and back to the Judge.

THE CIRCLE :

In moving your dog in a circle, always remember that your pet is to be always held on your left, towards the inside of the ring and nearest to the Judge; never away from the Judge.

TURNAROUND : (U-TURN)

There are two (2) variations in turning an exhibit around in The Triangle, The Straight and Back/Diagonal exercises; namely the OUTER TURN and INSIDE TURN

THE OUTER TURN :

In this method, a handler lets his dog gait on the outer "semi-circle", pivoting the dog from the inside. The length of leash is to be lengthy as the dog starts on his turn and is quickly, but not abruptly, retrieved when the dog completes his turn.

This method is suggested for larger Breeds, as the inside turn will lend to "break" the rhythm of his stride, and thus will interfere with his movement.

THE INSIDE TURN :

This method id exactly opposite of the Outer Turn; where instead of the dog taking the "Walk - around", the handler walks in the outer semi-circle, and the dog becomes the pivot; but certainly not a stationary one. This method is ideal for smaller breeds that tends to lag behind the handler, or breeds with short gait.

Using this method the handler quickens his pace on the turn, but without disrupting the gait of the dog. It is not necessary to extend the length of the leash when doing this turn, but the handler would require to quicken his pace.

We find that most exhibitors pay very little attention to these basics, in moving their dogs in the ring and pay a heavy price for their lack of interest. On so many occasions we have found handlers stopping their dogs "DEAD" on the tracks in order to make abrupt and clumsy turns.

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