A Championship Show is an exhibition of registered dogs at which Best of Breed and Challenge Certificates are awarded. A Best of Breed and Challenge Certificate evidences the number of points awarded at the fixture towards the title of Australian Champion. At these shows only qualified judges officiate.

An Open Show is an exhibition of registered dogs at which no Best of Breed or Challenge points are awarded, but dogs which have been awarded the title of Australian Champion may compete. At these shows trainee judges officiate and it is considered the training ground for all young dogs and owners. It is particularly good to help socialise your dog as you may show your puppy from the age of three months.

Your monthly Canine Control Council of Qld magazine, contains a listing of dog shows, the Golden Retriever Club of Qld Newsletter will include a schedule of upcoming specialty shows.  This information is also available from the Canine Control Council of Qld website under Shows. This gives the date, day of the week, the name of the club conducting the show, the venue, the time judging commences and also the month in which the show schedule was published in the Gazette.

The show schedule provides all the information that the beginner, and indeed the veteran, needs. In addition to the above items, it sets out the names of the judges, entry fees, admission prices, judging times and sequence, catering arrangements and a wealth of other information. Admission is generally free.

Classes

A dog show is divided into several classes which are based on either age of exhibit or prior qualifications. The following are the specifications of classes approved for show fixtures. Please note where separate classes are provided for each sex, the class numbers for bitches are followed by the letter 'a', i.e. Baby Puppy Bitch Class 1a.

Class 1 Baby Puppy - for dogs of three and under six months of age.

Class 2 Minor Puppy - for dogs of six and under nine months of age.

Class 3 Puppy - for dogs of six and under twelve months of age.

Class 4 Junior - for dogs of nine and under eighteen months of age.

Class 5 Intermediate - for dogs of eighteen months and under thirty-six months of age.

Class 10 Australian Bred - for dogs six months of age or over whelped (born) in Australia.

Class 11 Open - for dogs six months of age or over.

Class 12 Veteran - for dogs aged between 7-10 years of age

Note: Occasionally desexed exhibits sweepstakes are conducted at shows. Age classes are occasionally reviewed and altered by the Australian National Kennel Council and notification printed in the Gazette.

How to enter an exhibit in a dog show

When you have read the schedule you will note a number of important features of the show are quoted:

• the date of the fixture
• the type of fixture, Championship Show, Open Show
• the judge or judges officiating
• the name and address of the Kennel Club Secretary to whom the entries should be sent
• the closing date of entry
• the classes offered for the breeds
• and many more other matters pertinent to the show

If you are lodging an entry form for your first show we recommend you seek advice and assistance from an experience person, maybe the person from whom you purchased your puppy or any club committee member. Once you decide on the fixture in which you wish to enter, you will need to do the following:

Complete an official entry form. These may be purchased from the Canine Control Council office. Entry forms are printed in easy 'cheque book' style with a butt to provide a record of your entry for future reference. Also a booklet of entry forms preprinted with your dog's details may be obtained, for a small charge, and this will save you writing out the same details every time that you enter a show.

If you have a booklet of blank forms complete the entry form in ink in block letters or in type ensuring all the information entered in the appropriate places is correct. We recommend you copy the information direct from the registration certificate.

When you have completed filling out the entry form and are satisfied all the details entered therein are correct, place the entry form in an envelope addressed to the Show Secretary as shown in the schedule along with a remittance (cheque or money order) covering the entry fee and purchase of the show catalogue which comprises a programme of all dogs entered in the show under their respective breeds and classes, a standard size stamped, self addressed envelope for return of exhibit number or acknowledgement of receipt of entries and payment of the show catalogue.

Official Show Entry Form (PDF) Click to Download

Below is an Official Entry Form Click on to see a larger view

Exhibit number/Catalogues

Will be handed out on the day of the show.

Preparing for the show

As the day of the show approaches you should be preparing your dog by regular grooming/bathing and training so that it may be presented to the judge in top show condition and trained to behave correctly in the judging ring.

The best way to ensure your exhibit has an equal opportunity in competition is to present it in the best possible show condition by pursuing a regular grooming and training programme every day. The top winning exhibitors will tell you that you win your prizes in the backyard by grooming and training your dog - you only go along to the show to collect them! Diet and exercise also play a large part in presentation of your dog.

Golden Retrievers require special preparation/trimming and information in this respect can be obtained from your breeder, or any of the club committee members or by attending one of our scheduled fun days which have grooming demonstrations.

On the evening before the day of the show, prepare for your departure by:

• Assessing the travelling time you will require to arrive at the show venue in plenty of time to settle down prior to the judging starting time and particularly allowing time for any unforeseen event which may cause you delay en route.
• Pack the grooming gear, the dog's leash(including a show lead, a drink container, water for the dog and any other equipment you may require for preparation and/or comfort of your exhibit.
• It is worthwhile to consider also a foldaway chair and a table if you have these items available and any other items for your personal comfort, wet weather gear, beach type umbrella, sun hat, sun block, food, etc., and, of course, water for your dog.
• Don't forget:
• your show ring number clip to pin to your jacket or blouse
• the fixture schedule (if applicable)
• your entry form butt

The day of the show

On the morning of the fixture arise early leaving home at a time which will allow you to travel to the show venue without panic.

On arrival at the show

Attend to your exhibit so that it is comfortable whilst awaiting your call to the judging ring. Under no circumstances leave your dog in your vehicle during hot weather.

Present your catalogue slip to the show secretary's office and on receipt of your catalogue check your entry in the class (or classes) entered, collect your exhibit number and assess the approximate time your breed will be judged by:

• allowing approximately 40 catalogue exhibit numbers per hour.
• keeping the judging ring in view so that you can see what breed is in the judging ring at any time.

Before you bring your dog to the ring, and again when you are waiting to be called in for your class, watch how the judge is going about the task. Almost every judge employs a different technique, how the dogs are paraded, where they stop, which pattern of movement is required, where the dogs that are fancied are placed in the initial stages, how different handling methods are viewed and so on. An astute exhibitor can learn a lot by carefully observing the judge's methods and requirements. HINT Always keep the dog between you and the judge, even though you are looking good they are there to see your beautiful Goldy.

Present your exhibit at the ringside in sufficient time to be able to answer the steward's call.

How does my dog become a champion?

Your dog needs to win a total of 100 points to become a Champion and 1,000 points to become a Grand Champion.

Points are awarded at the judges discretion to be best of each sex of each breed (over six months of age) at a championship show, there are also additional points allocated to the Best of Breed winner.

Challenge points are calculated as follows, five (5) points plus one (1) point for each dog in competition (over six months of age). The maximum points available to any exhibit at any one show is twenty-five (25) points. 

In the judging ring

Pay attention to the judge's and steward's instructions.

Exhibitors will be required to:

• Parade their dogs on the left hand side
• Bring the dog to the judge and stand it to the best advantage
• Move the dog from and back to the judge as requested
• control and exhibit the dog to the best advantage during the judging

Exercises that the judge may ask you and your dog to undertake

Up and Back

With the dog's leash in the left hand all the time, move up to the ring edge directly in front of you. Turn so the dog turns to the left on the inside. Return to the judge and set your dog up.

Correct Triangle

Start with the leash in the left hand and move to your right hand top side of the ring. Now move across to the other top side and now return directly to the judge. Set your dog up.

'O' Pattern (for around the ring) Simplest of all.

Start with the leash in your left hand move anti-clockwise and finish where you started. Set your dog up.

When you have been judged remain within the precincts of the judging ring until your breed judging is completed.

Once you have more experience and all of this is second nature, don't forget that it was once all new to you and lend a hand to other new exhibitors who may not be as confident.  Also being new don’t be afraid to ask one of the committee members there on the day for help or tips.