Want A Showdog? Start Preparing Before Birth

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Want To Reach Westminster? Prepare For Expense

Admit it, you've thought about it.

Maybe you were watching Best In Show, or maybe you were catching a rerun of Bravo's reality television show, Showdogs Moms & Dads. At some point you looked over at your canine companion and thought, "My dog could do that."

Maybe you even want to compete in the Westminster Kennel Club's annual dog show, running Feb. 12 and 13 this year.
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Unless you've invested years of time and thousands of dollars into your dog's training, chances are it can't.

Turning your dog into a showdog isn't something that's decided on a whim. According to Susan Kerwin-Hagen, a certified American Kennel Club judge and coordinator of Midwest Airlines Premier Pet Program, it's a choice that should be made long before you've even taken your puppy home.

Choosing The Right Puppy

If you want to a raise a showdog, the first step is to choose the right purebred puppy.

"It starts with selecting a good breeder," said Kerwin-Hagen, who's been raising showdogs for about 30 years.

Since dogs are judged on how well they fit the standard -- a written description of the ideal specimen of that breed -- it's important to find a breeder who can provide good lineage. Prospective owners can locate these breeders by going to dog shows and talking to breeders and owners, getting referrals, searching the Internet and talking to local trainers.

Once you've selected the breeder, the next step is to find a dog that is expecting a litter.

When your selection is made, it's time to meet with the breeder.

While this meeting allows you to tell the breeder of your intention to show the dog and request a male or female, it also gives the breeder a chance to evaluate you.

"Breeders are a bit persnickety about who they let take their showdogs," said Kerwin-Hagen, adding that since showing and breeding dogs is about enhancing the quality of the breed and its future generations, it's important to know dogs will be well cared for.

Let The Training Begin

Once you take your puppy home, it's almost time to start the training process.

According to Kerwin-Hagen, you should begin basic training with your dog at about eight weeks of age. To get started, you should attend local dog shows and ask other owners for recommendations on where to train and what clubs to join.

Training centers can help you with the following:

# Conformation training: Teaching your dog to show its structure and physical characteristics.

# Grooming: Learning how to correctly keep and trim your dog's hair, which shampoos to use and which vitamins are needed to improve its coat.

# Equipment: Figuring out what equipment you will need to show your specific breed of dog, such as different types of trimming scissors, coat thinners and showing tables.

Ready For The Competition Ring

When your puppy reaches the AKC-required six months of age, you can begin entering dog shows.

In the ring where you will figure out if your dog has potential to be a great showdog or not.

"A good showdog is one that has great attitude and showmanship, that wants to be there. 'Look at me, I want to win,'" said Kerwin-Hagen, who raises Irish setters.

The AKC guidelines state that judges evaluate the dogs according to the breeds' standards. Most standards describe general appearance, movement and temperament. They also include specific physical traits such as height, weight, coat, color, eye color and shape, ear shape and placement, feet and tail.

But Kerwin-Hagen said that other factors also go into evaluations. Dogs should have the complete package -- look pretty and elegant, be well groomed and attract the judge's attention.

New showdogs compete for points, with 15 points and two major wins needed to become a champion. Each victory earns a dog points -- the number varies at each event, depending on how many dogs compete -- with the most points awarded for major wins, which is classified based on the size of the field.

Once a dog is classified as a champion, it can compete in best of breed events, which could qualify them to compete for the top dog in its group -- sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, non-sporting and herding -- and potentially best in show.

Start Saving

While training a showdog is a big time commitment, it can also be a financial strain, starting with around $1,000 in equipment.

The upkeep of a showdog includes not only special equipment, shampoos and vitamins, but these dogs also usually eat special performance food.

There is also the additional veterinarian costs. While vet visits can be costly for the average dog, showdogs require extra X-rays of their elbows and hips to ensure the quality of their joints and structure.

And there are also the competition costs. Aside from entry fees, owners have to pay to get their pet to out-of-town shows. For big shows, like the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, many owners will fly their dogs to the event. Carriers such as Midwest Airlines make special arrangements for pets and fly the dogs in a cabin below the pilot where the dogs' crates are all strapped down to ensure limited movement throughout the flight and the temperature is kept at 55 to 70 degrees.

Once at the site, dogs can stay in pet-friendly hotels with their owners.

Some owners also acquire the additional cost of a handler during competitions. While Kerwin-Hagen said most owners show their own dogs in the ring, some -- such as elderly people who would have trouble moving in the ring, affluent owners and celebrities like Bill Cosby -- hire a handler to show their dogs.