| It is extremely easy for pet owners to spoil their | | | | their offspring registered and compete in AKC |
| dogs. Dogs really are our best friends. They wait | | | | events. |
| patiently for us to return home. They are always | | | | The best of the best of these AKC shows are |
| by our side. Of course, they never talk back. It's | | | | eligible to compete at the biggest of all dog |
| no wonder that dog accessories have become | | | | shows- The Westminster Dog Show. This show is |
| more and more available and mainstream. It is not | | | | so popular it is televised every year. Dog |
| uncommon today to notice a dog walking outside | | | | enthusiasts everywhere tune in for a week in |
| with small dog clothes covering his fur. We love | | | | February to enjoy the show. At the Westminster |
| them so much there is nothing wrong with | | | | Dog Show AKC judges consider the best of a lot |
| dressing them in dog clothes. We find great | | | | of dog breeds. The dogs are placed into groups |
| pleasure in giving them life's little pleasures. While it | | | | such as Sporting, Hound, Working, Toy, Terrier, |
| is fun to pamper our pooches, it is not necessary | | | | Herding and Non-Sporting. There are up to 25 |
| to do so for a dog to be judged fairly at a | | | | varieties in each group. At each level, the dog is |
| prestigious dog show? | | | | judged compared to that breed's standard. The |
| In the universe of dog owners, dog shows have | | | | written standard of the breed is the ideal. Usually |
| become a very popular way of competing. | | | | this relates form to function (i.e., the original task |
| Thousands of dogs as well as their owners (or | | | | that the dog was bred to carry out), these |
| handlers) enjoy competing in local, national and | | | | standards usually depict overall appearance, |
| international shows. The most prestigious shows | | | | movement, temperament, and specific physical |
| are for animals registered with the American | | | | traits such as height and weight, coat, colors, eye |
| Kennel Club (AKC). For those that are not | | | | color and shape, ear shape and placement, feet, |
| purebreds there are dog shows also. Obviously, a | | | | tail, and more. Some standards can be extremely |
| mutt is not registered with the AKC, but there | | | | precise; some can be relatively general and leave |
| are bred dogs like the labradoodle that cannot | | | | much room for individual interpretation by judges. |
| compete in AKC sanctioned shows. Because of | | | | This results in the sport's subjective basis: one |
| this non AKC dog shows are gaining popularity all | | | | judge, applying his interpretation of the standard, |
| over the country. This makes it easier for dogs | | | | giving his opinion of the best dog on that particular |
| that are not up to the AKC very rigid standards | | | | day. The parent club of each breed owns the |
| compete at a less significant level. | | | | written and maintained standards. In the end, one |
| The American Kennel Club was established in | | | | lucky dog receives the Best in Show title. |
| 1884 to promote the study, breeding, exhibiting | | | | When watching an AKC dog show you will no |
| and advancement of purebred dogs. Today it is | | | | doubt observe many pampered pooches. But |
| the biggest not-for-profit purebred dog registry in | | | | anyone, anywhere can pamper their own mutts |
| the nation. It is quite prestigious for a breeder's | | | | at home the exact same way. You can buy the |
| litter to be AKC registered. AKC registration | | | | rhinestone collar, doggie platform bed, or the |
| means a dog, its parents, and its ancestors are all | | | | varied accessories available in specialty and online |
| purebred. This should not imply that the animal is | | | | stores. You certainly do not need to have a "Best |
| healthy. Dogs that are AKC registered can have | | | | in Show" to treat him like one. |