Show Information

Types of Shows

Breed Shows
Obedience Shows
Agility Shows
Obedience Working Trials
Gundog Trials

Breed Shows

Three Levels of Judging

In competition, dogs are judged at three levels: within their breed, by group and, finally, by best in show. At the breed level, dogs of the same breed are examined and, ultimately, one will be named Best of Breed (BoB). That dog advances to the next level - group competition.

There are seven groups (Gundog, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Utility). For example, in the Non-Sporting Group, the BoB Dalmatian, Great Dane, Boston Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel and other Non-Sporting breed winners compete against one another. Similarly, in the Hound group, the Basset, Afghan Hound, Whippet and other breed winners compete. At this level, each dog is judged in comparison to their standard, not against the looks of the other dogs. For example, competitors in the Hound group vary from the tallest breed, the Irish Wolfhound, to the shortest breed, the Miniature Dachshund.

You really can’t compare the two, but the judge compares the Irish Wolfhound to his ideal and the Miniature Dachshund to his ideal. The winner is the dog that best matches his standard. The seven group winners advance to the Best in Show competition, where a judge examines the seven dogs in the same method as in the group judging, comparing the dogs to their appropriate standards.

Types of Breed Shows

Championship
These are shows where Challenge Certificates are on offer. One is on offer for the Best Dog and one for the Best Bitch in each breed. The judge has the option to refuse this award.

Only senior qualified judges are allowed to judge these shows. They must be listed on a current Championship Show Panel or if from overseas, meet the criteria set down for a judge from that country or have specific approval of the Executive Council.

Championship shows must be entered in advance of the show. A catalogue listing the details of every dog entered is produced. The owner(s) of a dog must be financial members of the NZKC to enter a dog at a championship or open show.

Open Shows
Open Shows are conducted like Championship Shows with pre-entry and Catalogues but Challenge Certificates are not on offer.

Ribbon Parades
Ribbon parades are designed as fun days for clubs, training grounds for judges and exhibitors and a place for education of exhibitor, exhibit and judge alike.

Ribbons are the only prizes which can be awarded.

Matches
These are shows which are often conducted in conjunction with other clubs where elimination type judging takes place. They can come in many forms and are informal.

Fundays
These are club events where conformation judging does not take place. These are the only activities that a club, that has not been recognised, can hold although they can take part in a match with another club.

Obedience Shows
Dogs and handlers execute a series of exercises designed to illustrate the ability of the handler to control the behaviour of the dog. The tests are graded on difficulty.

Types of Obedience Shows

Championship Obedience Tests
Associated All Breeds clubs and some Affiliated All Breeds Clubs hold these shows. A Challenge Certificate is awarded to the first two place getters in Test C provided they obtain 290 points or more. All tests must be scheduled.

Obedience Open Trials
Tests conducted along the lines of Championship Tests but without the award of Challenge Certificates.

Obedience Ribbon Trials
Obedience Ribbon Trials are judged by lesser qualified judges where ribbons are the only prizes.

Club Days
Fun events for club members and members of training classes. Often used as a graduation exercise or as an assessment whether a dog and handler should progress further. These have no status.

Agility

What is Agility?

Agility is a sport that is fast growing in New Zealand. It has been likened to horse show jumping, however instead of riding the animal over a range of obstacles or hurdles - the owner/handler runs with his or her dog through the course. Agility dog training strengthens the bond between the dog and the handler. It provides fun and exercise for both dogs and handlers who compete at various levels. Any dog can compete at agility, but some breeds are more suited than others. Working breeds usually excel. Others like the tiny toys might have difficulty with the contact equipment. No matter what the breed though, the enjoyment of the sport is guaranteed.

Where it began - The idea of agility was born in 1977 when Crufts Dog Show needed something to fill up spare time in the main arena between the end of the obedience championships and the start of the group breed judging. Various dog training demonstrations were held over the years, some of which included dog jumping. The new demonstration had to be a nice to see event and it should be suited to the hard Olympia floor. The main idea of a dog jumping competition is based on the show jumping of horses. Some people put their heads together and they came out with a test based on vast practical dog training knowledge and experience in working trials. Main factors that had to be kept in mind were: that it should be fun, without being dangerous and it should have to amuse spectators. They built the equipment. Another club was contacted to form a second team of four dogs and they all helped each other with training ideas and modifications to equipment. The base was laid for agility today.

Starting in Agility

You do not have to join an agility club to participate. The advantage of joining a club is learning from experienced handlers on equipment owned by the club. After your dog knows the basics, it is time to enter an event. There are two main agility events to enter.

• Ribbon Trial - Ribbon trials are informal events held by clubs. There is usually no more than one run held in each level. Prizes are usually only ribbons with the occasional additional prize donated by the club. Ribbon trials are a great place to start competing. Entry for ribbon trials are on the day of the event. In a ribbon trial an additional level of Elementary is often run. This is for the very beginner dog and handler and usually contains either no weave poles, or only six.
  
• Championship Event - A championship show is a higher level event. These events are usually attended after the dog has mastered contact equipment, although Starters level does not contain any contact equipment. These events are listed on this website and advertised in the NZKC Gazette. Entries usually close at least two weeks before the event. Handlers must belong to the NZKC in order to enter. Major dog food manufacturers usually sponsor these events and provide some of the prizes.

Judge's Briefing - When the course has been set up, the handlers gather together for a "judge's briefing" where the judge summarises how the class is judged.

Walk the Course - After the judges briefing, handlers only (no dogs) are allowed to walk the course. Handlers walk the course to familiarise themselves with the layout and flow of the obstacles. Most handlers will walk or run the course several times looking for potential challenges for themselves and their dogs. Based on their previous experiences, handlers will plan their own strategy to handle the challenges set forth by the judge.

The Competition Runs - Agility dogs run their courses naked (no collar and no lead) to prevent hooking a collar or catching a leash on a piece of equipment and having it come crashing down. Failure to remove a collar or lead will cause the team to be disqualified for the run. The Judge usually tells the handler when they may begin the course. The Timer starts the stopwatch as soon as any part of the dog crosses the start line and stops when any part of the dog crosses the finish line. Sitting next to the timekeeper is a Scribe who records any faults the dog may have which have been signalled by the judge with hand signals or by voice. Once a run is completed the timekeeper shows the scribe the stopwatch and watches as the scribe records the correct digital read on the scribe sheet. The scribe sheet is then taken by a runner to the score tent for final calculation. Final scores are then posted for competitors to view their placement and if their round earned them a qualifying leg towards an agility title if in the senior level.

The Judge - Each judge designs unique courses for each event run. The same course is never used twice. The judge is responsible for monitoring the final set-up of the course ensuring it matches their layout and finally measures the course for an accurate yardage to determine the standard course time (SCT). Judges are dedicated agility enthusiasts who enjoy both competing and creating courses.

Faults - Common course faults include: missing a contact zone, incorrect weave entry, non-completion of an obstacle, off course (taking an obstacle out of sequence), knocking a bar off, leaving the table before the judges count of five in an AD event, and exceeding the time allowed for completing the course.

The Levels of Agility

There are four main levels to agility in New Zealand. They are:

• Starters - a simple course with 12 weave poles and no contact equipment.
• Novice - a slightly more complex course with 12 weave poles and contact equipment.
• Intermediate - a complex course with the seesaw introduced at this level.
• Senior - the most complex course with all equipment possibly used and many traps for handler and dog.

A dog may not compete in more than two levels at a time. In order to compete in a higher level a dog must “win out” of each level. The only exception to this rule is in the Starters/Novice levels. These levels are for dogs beginning agility. A dog may win out of Starters with two first place wins. Another way to win out of Starters is for a dog to obtain its AD certificate. The dog then progresses to the Novice and Intermediate level. To leave the Novice level a dog must win three Novice or Intermediate events or have a combination of two Novice/Intermediate wins and have obtained the ADX (Agility Dog Excellent) certificate. The top dogs and handlers compete at the Intermediate/Senior level. They are competing for the title of Agility champion and Agility Grand Champion.

A dog will compete at one of three different groups based on their height at the shoulder:

• Mini (up to 380mm)
• Midi (380 to 460mm
• Maxi (over 460mm)

To determine what height level they will compete at dogs are officially measured at eighteen months of age to confirm what group they can compete in. They are measured again at two years after their adult height has been attained. All dogs compete on the same course. The jumps are just adjusted for their height. Thus, mini, midi, and maxi dogs all compete against each other for the same prizes.

No matter what the level a team competes at, or what breed your dog is, the bond between dog and handler is strong. As a sport, Agility is a good way for families to have fun with their dog. A team may spend their entire career at the Starters/Novice level, but in the end it isn’t the level attained that is important. It is the enjoyment received.

Obedience Working Trials

Dogs runs through a series of obedience agility and tracking exercises of ascending difficulty. The dog is granted a trials award if a certain standard is achieved.

Gundog Trials

Gundogs run through a series of exercises in pointing, setting and retrieving. Gundog trials are run by members of the New Zealand Gundog Trial Association under their rules.