Wondering about getting involved with shows

[Tracey1017]

thank you everyone for all the info! I have recently found her paper work and I was wrong is from ACA or the american canine association. Im in the process of having her registered threw them and im looking in to the AKC info luvmydog has given me. I have also started more obedience training with her that she is takin to wondefully. I could be more proud. Im looking into groups in my area that have events for labs as well as small time shows. I know she has it in her. I just need more education on it and she will learn from me. Thank you again everyone for all the nice things and help.

[ThreeTs]

I can tell that you love your dog, that is what is important to her.

Not sure just what sport you are interested in. In conformation/breed ring, only the dog's appearance, movement, and temperament (mostly the first two) are judged. In breed ring many dogs have minimal training, they don't need to know sit, down, heel, etc. They just need to know how to stand still (stack), and gait (trot along in a controlled manner). Conformation shows are meant to evaluate potential breeding stock. You must have full American Kennel Club registration to show in breed ring at AKC shows. AKC is the dominant conformation show venue, the competition is toughest there, and the wins have the most prestige. AKC wins turn on tiny differences between dogs, a tail just a little too short, an eye color just a little light, make a difference. Whereas us mere mortals can read the breed standard and easily think our dogs fit the breed standard, judges and show breeders may have a very different interpretation of the standard developed over years of looking at dogs critically. Here is an illustrated breed standard by the way, http://www.thelabradorclub.com/uploa...oStand2002.pdf and another http://www.thelabradorclub.com/uploa...entation1a.pdf and another (wording is a little odd because it's foreign but good illustrations) The Labrador's standard! Here's another helpful link: The AKC Parent Club of the Labrador Retriever

Another thing you might do is go to watch some AKC dog shows, leave your dog at home. There are weekend shows in your area next weekend; Elgin Kennel Club Go watch! Events are also listed on the AKC website, find out which labs are breeder or owner handled, by looking in the show catalog, and when a breeder looks a bit less busy go introduce yourself, eventually you may find someone willing to teach you and evaluate your girl's conformation.

The IABCA is another venue that I think your ACA dog can participate in: International Dog Show Calendar IABCA has conformation shows that you might be able to show your dog in, it does not have stringent registration requirements, and the judging is not as harsh. IABCA would be a great learning experience for you and your dog, the judges are often AKC licensed or Canadian. The ACA does hold some events: Event Calendar

For getting full AKC registration, to show in conformation, I don't think ACA is acceptable to the AKC. Lovemydog posted info from the AKC website, but there is more the poster didn't list:

There are a number of reasons a purebred dog would be ineligible for registration or the owner might choose to apply for a PAL/ILP instead of registering the dog. To list a few of the more common ones:

* Dog is from a rescue group or shelter
* Owner never received papers from the breeder
* Incomplete paper work
* Owner does not want to pay late fees
* Dog registered with another organization ineligible for AKC registration such as:
o America’s Pet Registry (APRI)
o Continental Kennel Club (CKC)
o Canine Kennel Club (CKC)
o United All Breed Registry
o United Kennel Club (exceptions for Coonhounds & certain FSS breeds)
o North American Purebred Dog Registry

As you can see, Continental KC is not accepted and I have a hard time believing the ACA would be. Even UKC is not acceptable and it is fairly reputable.

So that above info is just a little bit on conformation showing. As a side note, if you are thinking about breeding your girl, I hope you are not, it sounds like you have a great deal to learn first. Not saying you were headed in this direction, just some people have a very cavalier attitude about breeding dogs. Be aware that there are many health clearances a Lab should have in order to determine whether the dog is likely to produce puppies with problems. Labs can have bad hips, bad elbows, bad hearts, eye problems, CNM, EIC, and hypothyroidism among other things. A general vet exam will not reveal these issues, special tests are needed to know whether a dog has them. It takes thousands of dollars to breed a litter the right way, can be heartbreaking (my current puppy came from a litter where half of the pups were stillborn, even with the best of care), and you need to start with a sound proven pedigree. A good breeding prospect should also have successfully competed in some type of serious competition or be a working dog. To me it does not sound as though your girl has the pedigree to be a competitive conformation dog or breeding prospect. A pedigree is just a list of names, it is the ancestors themselves, which breeder they came from, what clearances and longevity they had, and what titles they have earned that make a pedigree more than just a piece of paper. You have to realize that the purebred dog world is more competitive than ever. I'm sure she is pretty and perfect for you, but there is more to it than that, sorry, I don't want to sound like a snob. I had a male who I would give anything to have back right now, he was a handsome guy, devoted, got a CD obedience title, but never would I have bred him or considered him a serious show prospect, he just was not in that league.

Here's the thing, there are tons of dog sports you can do without AKC registration, and where the dog is not judged on appearance. Obedience trials, rally trials, dock jumping, agility, hunt tests, tracking... A good place to start would be by trying to complete a Canine Good Citizen award, it is open to all breeds and mixes regardless of registration. Three of my dogs, two are gone now, have gotten their CGC certificates. There are upcoming classes and tests in your area: AKC's Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) Program - Searchable Calendar

The next stage would be to get your girl an indefinite listing privilege with the AKC or UKC. American Kennel Club - Purebred Alternative Listing/Indefinite Listing Privilege United Kennel Club: Limited Privilege You will be able to compete in all events except conformation/ breed ring, and you will need to spay her. With an ILP you could show off her obedience skills in obedience trials or rally. In obedience you and the dog complete a series of exercises and are judged on how perfect the performance is. Exercises such as heel, come when called, sit stays, down stays are part of obedience, and done to more exacting standards than day to day pet obedience. Rally is a little different and many people start in it because it is easier. If you are 18 or under you can also take her in Junior Showmanship, in it you will be judged on whether you present the dog properly, as if you were in the breed ring.

[Baloo317]

I think you can register with a PAL, the blurb above just says that they are listing some examples, its not an exhaustive list.

If they accept the CKC and the like I'm sure other registeries fall into that category as well.

[Brette]

I just wanted to mention obedience as a way to do challenging things with your dog if you like competing. My dogs, and most dogs, love it. It's stimulating mentally for them and a great thing to do on weekends. Some people get very serious about it. For me, it's something to do with my dogs. Although i have to admit, I also get a little competitive about it during a trial.

[CaliforniaLabLover]

And not just obedience in the traditional sense, but anything from rally to agility to hunt tests to flyball, etc. etc. etc. There are a TON of performance venues where you can compete with your dog to earn ribbons and titles. Even dock-dogs competitions. You can compete with spayed/neutered dogs in the performance venues as well.