By Lisa Peterson

Now that you have entered the first show, it is time to prepare for that event. Training your dog and learning how to be a handler is ongoing in your handling classes, but conditioning and grooming prior to that first show are just as important.

Nothing turns off a judge quicker than a dirty, unfit dog, even if it is a wonderful example of the breed.

One thing a judge looks for is how well the dog is capable of doing what it is bred for. For example, my breed, the Norwegian elkhound, should be able to track a moose over varied, rugged terrain for many hours and then hold the moose at bay until the hunter arrives to bag his trophy (or his dinner!). In order to do this, the elkhound should not only be of correct type – a square profile – but must be muscular! The dog has to be able to get out of the way of charging antlers and thrashing hooves. A fat, overweight dog lacking in stamina and strength will surely loose this battle.

The point here is the judge will be looking for those rock hard rear leg muscles, skin that doesn’t roll as he gaits and the ability to find that close coupled loin that defines his square profile. What does this translate to? You must learn your breed’s physical attributes and exercise them accordingly. My 9-year-old veteran male is walked at a brisk pace for five miles a day. This keeps him in the winner’s circle even at his age!

Many professional handlers will put their dogs on canine treadmills for daily 30-minute workouts. Exercise your breed for its needs. Make sure your dog is fit and doesn’t gasp for air after running around the ring once. That goes for the handler as well!

After working for weeks to attain the level of fitness your dog requires then it is time for the final touches of grooming. Again, go to people in your breed and find out what specific grooming techniques are used. There will be grooming done at home prior to the show and last minute (or a few hours depending on your breed) on the grooming table just prior to showing.

The majority of grooming should be done at home. A complete bath a day or two before is usually needed. Again, this depends on how long it takes for your breed to dry and the coat to relax or if it is about to blow coat then a slightly different approach may be needed. Do your homework. I hate going to a show and seeing someone with a blow dryer getting rid of all that hair into the grooming tent that should have been left at home.

With grinding or clipping, do the toenails at home – and do them a few days in advance to avoid lameness that might occur from a nail cut too close. Also, it gives time for bleeding to stop if that happens. Remember the nails should not touch the ground when the dog is standing on a hard surface. Or if you hear a clicking noise when they walk, they are too long. Short, properly trimmed nails also keep feet from splaying.

 Once at the show, a quick touch up is all that is needed to give your dog that winning edge. If your breed requires a little chalk or powder to clean it up before show time, remember to remove it all before you enter the ring. No dog should have a white cloud following it while gaiting around the ring. And it’s a bigger no-no if some grooming substance comes off in the judge’s hand during examination. You may even be eliminated!

The Newtown Kennel Club will be holding its summer point show at the Eastern States Exposition Grounds, 1305 Memorial Avenue in West Springfield, Massachusetts, on Saturday, August 25 from 8 am to 6 pm. To enter this show contact MB-F, Inc at www.infodog.com or call 336-379-9352 for a premium list. This is an indoor show and entries close on August 8. The fee is $23 to enter.

Please keep show grounds tidy! It is hard for clubs to find areas large enough and suitable for dog shows. If we leave it a mess we will not be welcomed back.

Below is a handy dog show checklist for items to bring with you.

Dog Show Checklist

· Dog show entry confirmation packet from the show superintendent. This will be mailed to you one week prior to the dog show. It contains directions to the show, your ring and time assignment, identification ticket for your dog and admission ticket for yourself.

· Show leads and collars.

· Bait – homemade liver treats or whatever excites the dog in the ring.

· Travel leash and collar

· First Aid Kit (dog and human)

· Extra show leads and collars in case primary ones break (and they will!).

· Brushes, combs, grooming tools, nail clippers, etc. (have two sets of everything – one for your show tack box and one for home grooming)

· Sprays, lotions, chalks, powders, creams – whatever breed-specific items you need for grooming. Make sure they are filled and bring extra spray bottles (these also always seem to break at the shows).

· Grooming Apron to keep your show clothes clean.

· Water bowls – a secure one for the crate that won’t tip over. Either in a holder attached to the side of the crate or a spill proof bowl.

· Water from home (and lots of it). If you run out, buy bottled water. Don’t risk giving local water to your dog. You may be sorry later.

· Towels, rags, paper towels, Wash N’ Dry – for grooming needs and cleaning up messes both doggie and human.

· Plastic bags for poop scooping after you dog.

· Keeping cool in summer – A shammy to wet down and place over dog’s back or stand on, ice water in spray bottles to mist dogs faces and pads or spray in mouth for a quick cool down, small metal bucket for ice and water to store spray bottle in at ringside, a cooler with lots of ice, crate fans and cool pads when soaked in water turn ice cold and stay that way for days!

· Sun tarps, screens and clips – either on top of ex-pens or over the windows of the van to keep sunshine out.

· Crates, ex-pens, grooming table and arm with noose.

· Portable chair – one may not always be around when you want to sit. The chair in a bag is very popular these days. You can take it with you and sit yourself down at any ringside or in the grooming tent.

In our final column – on our series for first-time dog show participants – we will take you step-by-step from ringside through judging to picking up that ribbon and taking that photograph!

Lisa Peterson is the AKC Public Education Coordinator for the Newtown Kennel Club. She is a long-time breeder and exhibitor of Norwegian Elkhounds in conformation and obedience and the AKC Delegate for the Norwegian Elkhound Association of America.