At the ringside, I don't understand a thing
Don't worry. Who does what in the ring, why the dogs trot, who won and how to read the catalogue: every answer, in diagrams you can tap.
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In the middle, the judge compares each dog with its breed standard: watches it standing, examines it (teeth, body, bone), then watches it move.
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The ring steward calls the numbers, keeps the running order and records the results the judge dictates.
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Dogs stand still to show their outline. The handler places the legs and holds the head with a slim lead.
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The judge has the dog trot in a straight line or a triangle to see its movement from behind, the side and the front.
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All the dogs in the class trot together anticlockwise, with the dog on the judge’s side.
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Each handler wears the dog's number, as listed in the catalogue. With a catalogue in hand, you know who's who.
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At the end of each class, the best four are placed and receive cards, rosettes or plaques.
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You watch without entering or calling the dogs. Always ask the owner before stroking a dog, and never just before it goes in.
How judging works
- 1
The class comes in
Dogs of the same breed, sex and age class come in together.
- 2
Going round together
A first lap at a trot for an overall view.
- 3
One-by-one examination
Each dog is stacked, examined, then trots in front of the judge.
- 4
The grades
The judge gives each dog a grade and often writes a critique.
- 5
The placings
The best are placed 1 to 4. The winner may receive a certificate.
01
How does the day unfold?
Doors open
Exhibitors arrive and set up crates and grooming tables. The public usually comes in a little later.
Breed judging
Dozens of rings run at once: each judge works through his breeds, class by class. The schedule tells you where and when.
Best of Breed
At the end of each breed, the winners meet to choose Best of Breed. Judging carries on into the early afternoon.
The main ring
The main ring comes alive: junior handlers, breeders’ groups, then the ten FCI groups one by one.
Best in Show
The ten group winners come in together. Only one leaves with the title of the day: the most spectacular moment.
02
Why don't all the dogs go in together?
They are judged by breed, then by sex (dogs first, then bitches), then by class, mostly by age. Move the slider.
- Minor puppy : Optional depending on the country. No Excellent grade: comments such as "very promising".
- Puppy : Same principle as minor puppy: encouragement comments.
- Working : For dogs holding the working certificate required for their breed.
- Champion : For dogs that are already champions (national or international).
03
What is the judge doing when he handles the dog?
He checks with his hands what the eye can't see: teeth, bone, muscle, coat quality.
The look, eye shape and colour, ear carriage: expression is often described very precisely.
The judge lifts the lips to see how the incisors meet and whether teeth are missing.
Highest point of the shoulders: that's where height is measured.
The judge runs a hand along it to feel firmness and line.
Its slope affects tail set and drive.
The angles of hip, stifle and hock, compared with the front: balance matters.
Straight legs from front and rear, tight feet, elbows close to the body.
Set, length, carriage at rest and on the move.
04
Why do they run them like that?
Each pattern shows movement from one angle: rear, side, front. Run them one by one.
The dog stands still, side-on to the judge: it shows its outline and proportions.
Straight down the ring and back to the judge: he sees the movement from behind, then from the front.
Three sides in one go: from behind, from the side, then from the front. It is the most common pattern.
The whole class trots anticlockwise, dog on the left, on the judge's side.
Less common: a line, a right-angle turn, then back the same way.
05
So who actually won?
A show is a series of finals. Tap each step.
The grade Every dog gets one: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Sufficient… It measures the dog against the standard.
The placing The best in the class are placed 1 to 4 among dogs graded at least Very Good.
The certificates The national certificate (CAC, CACS in France) and, at international shows, the CACIB: they count towards champion titles.
Best of Breed Class winners meet: one dog represents its breed.
Best in Group Best of Breed winners within each of the 10 FCI groups compete.
Best in Show The ten group winners: one dog is named best in show.
06
How do I read the catalogue?
With the catalogue you know who is who. Tap each line.
Fictional example, open class dogs
The number the handler wears. Spot it in the ring to follow your favourite dog.
The dog's registered name, often including the kennel name (affix).
The date of birth decides which class the dog is entered in.
The number in its country's stud book: proof that it is a registered purebred dog.
Sire then dam. "Ch." marks a champion.
Who bred the dog: the right person to talk to if the breed interests you.
Not always the person handling: a handler may show the dog for its owner.
07
Why such different breeds in the afternoon?
In the main ring, breeds are gathered into ten FCI groups by function. Tap a group to see all its breeds, or search for yours.
Group 1 : Sheepdogs and cattle dogs (47 breeds)
1.1 Sheepdogs
- Australian Kelpie
- Belgian Shepherd Dog
- Schipperke
- Croatian Shepherd Dog
- Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
- Beauce Sheepdog
- Briard
- Long-haired Pyrenean Sheepdog
- Picardy Sheepdog
- Pyrenean Sheepdog - Smooth Faced
- German Shepherd Dog
- Bearded Collie
- Border Collie
- Collie Rough
- Collie Smooth
- Old English Sheepdog
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Komondor
- Kuvasz
- Mudi
- Puli
- Pumi
- Abruzzes and Maremma Shepherd Dog
- Bergamasco Shepherd Dog
- Polish Lowland Sheepdog
- Polish Tatra Shepherd
- Portuguese Sheepdog
- Romanian Carpathian Shepherd Dog
- Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog
- South Russian Shepherd Dog
- Slovakian Chuvach
- Catalan Sheepdog
- Majorca Shepherd Dog
- White Swiss Shepherd Dog
- Dutch Schapendoes
- Dutch Shepherd Dog
- Saarloos Wolfhond
- Australian Shepherd
- Miniature American Shepherd
- Bohemian Shepherd Dog
- Lancashire Heeler
1.2 Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs)
- Australian Cattle Dog
- Bouvier des Ardennes
- Bouvier des Flandres
- Welsh Corgi (Cardigan)
- Welsh Corgi (Pembroke)
- Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog
Group 2 : Pinschers, schnauzers, molossoids, Swiss cattle dogs (58 breeds)
1.1 Pinscher and Schnauzer type - Pinscher
- Austrian Pinscher
- Danish-Swedish Farmdog
- Affenpinscher
- Dobermann
- German Pinscher
- Miniature Pinscher
1.2 Pinscher and Schnauzer type - Schnauzer
- Giant Schnauzer
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Schnauzer
1.3 Pinscher and Schnauzer type - Smoushond
- Dutch Smoushond
1.4 Pinscher and Schnauzer type - Russian Black Terrier
- Russian Black Terrier
2.1 Molossian type - Mastiff type
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- Shar Pei
- Broholmer
- Dogue de Bordeaux
- Boxer
- Great Dane
- Rottweiler
- Bulldog
- Bullmastiff
- Mastiff
- Italian Cane Corso
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Tosa
- Saint Miguel Cattle Dog
- Majorca Mastiff
- Presa Canario
- Cimarrón Uruguayo
- Brazilian Campeiro Bulldog
- Continental Bulldog
2.2 Molossian type - Mountain type
- Bosnian and Herzegovinian - Croatian Shepherd Dog
- Newfoundland
- Pyrenean Mountain Dog
- Hovawart
- Leonberger
- Landseer (European Continental Type)
- Atlas Mountain Dog (Aidi)
- Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog - Sharplanina
- Castro Laboreiro Dog
- Estrela Mountain Dog
- Rafeiro of Alentejo
- Romanian Bucovina Shepherd
- Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Central Asia Shepherd Dog
- Karst Shepherd Dog
- Pyrenean Mastiff
- Spanish Mastiff
- St. Bernard
- Tibetan Mastiff
- Kangal Shepherd Dog
- Macedonian Shepherd Dog Karaman
- Romanian Raven Shepherd Dog
- Transmontano Mastiff
2.3 Swiss Mountain- and Cattledogs
- Appenzell Cattle Dog
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Entlebuch Cattle Dog
- Great Swiss Mountain Dog
Group 3 : Terriers (36 breeds)
3.1 Large and medium sized Terriers
- Brazilian Terrier
- German Hunting Terrier
- Airedale Terrier
- Bedlington Terrier
- Border Terrier
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- Fox Terrier (Wire)
- Lakeland Terrier
- Manchester Terrier
- Parson Russell Terrier
- Welsh Terrier
- Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier
- Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Irish Terrier
- Kerry Blue Terrier
- Andalusian Terrier (Sherry Terrier)
- Valencian Terrier
3.2 Small sized Terriers
- Australian Terrier
- Czech Terrier
- Cairn Terrier
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Jack Russell Terrier
- Norfolk Terrier
- Norwich Terrier
- Scottish Terrier
- Sealyham Terrier
- Skye Terrier
- West Highland White Terrier
- Japanese Terrier
3.3 Bull type Terriers
- Bull Terrier
- Miniature Bull Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
3.4 Toy Terriers
- Australian Silky Terrier
- English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan)
- Yorkshire Terrier
Group 4 : Dachshunds (1 breeds)
4.1 Dachshunds
- Dachshund
Group 5 : Spitz and primitive types (48 breeds)
5.1 Nordic Sledge Dogs
- Canadian Eskimo Dog
- Greenland Dog
- Samoyed
- Alaskan Malamute
- Siberian Husky
- Yakutian Laika
5.2 Nordic Hunting Dogs
- Finnish Spitz
- Karelian Bear Dog
- Norwegian Elkhound Black
- Norwegian Elkhound Grey
- Norwegian Lundehund
- East Siberian Laika
- Russian-European Laika
- West Siberian Laika
- Jämthund
- Norrbottenspitz
5.3 Nordic Watchdogs and Herders
- Finnish Lapponian Dog
- Lapponian Herder
- Icelandic Sheepdog
- Norwegian Buhund
- Swedish Lapphund
- Swedish Vallhund
5.4 European Spitz
- German Spitz
- Italian Volpino
5.5 Asian Spitz and related breeds
- Chow Chow
- Eurasian
- Akita
- American Akita
- Hokkaido
- Japanese Spitz
- Kai
- Kishu
- Shiba
- Shikoku
- Korea Jindo Dog
- Thai Bangkaew Dog
- Kintamani-Bali Dog
5.6 Primitive type
- Basenji
- Canaan Dog
- Pharaoh Hound
- Xoloitzcuintle
- Peruvian Hairless Dog
5.7 Primitive type - Hunting Dogs
- Cirneco dell'Etna
- Portuguese Warren Hound - Portuguese Podengo
- Canarian Warren Hound
- Ibizan Podenco
- Taiwan Dog
- Thai Ridgeback Dog
Group 6 : Scent hounds (75 breeds)
1.1 Scent hounds - Large-sized Hounds
- Bloodhound
- Brazilian Tracker
- Billy
- French Tricolour Hound
- French White & Black Hound
- French White and Orange Hound
- Gascon Saintongeois
- Grand Griffon Vendeen
- Great Anglo-French Tricolour Hound
- Great Anglo-French White & Orange Hound
- Great Anglo-French White and Black Hound
- Great Gascony Blue
- Poitevin
- English Foxhound
- Otterhound
- Polish Hound
- American Foxhound
- Black and Tan Coonhound
1.2 Scent hounds - Medium-sized Hounds
- Austrian Black and Tan Hound
- Coarse-haired Styrian Hound
- Tyrolean Hound
- Bosnian Broken-haired Hound - called Barak
- Istrian Short-haired Hound
- Istrian Wire-haired Hound
- Posavatz Hound
- Finnish Hound
- Ariegeois
- Artois Hound
- Beagle Harrier
- Blue Gascony Griffon
- Briquet Griffon Vendeen
- Fawn Brittany Griffon
- Griffon Nivernais
- Medium-sized Anglo-French Hound
- Porcelaine
- Small Blue Gascony
- Harrier
- Hellenic Hound
- Hungarian Hound - Transylvanian Scent Hound
- Italian Rough-haired Segugio
- Italian Short-haired Segugio
- Montenegrin Mountain Hound
- Halden Hound
- Hygen Hound
- Norwegian Hound
- Polish Hunting Dog
- Serbian Hound
- Serbian Tricolour Hound
- Slovakian Hound
- Spanish Hound
- Hamiltonstövare
- Schillerstövare
- Smålandsstövare
- Swiss Hound
- Colombian Fino Hound
- Appennine Hound - Italian Hare-hunting Dog
- Estonian Hound
- Segugio Maremmano
1.3 Scent hounds - Small-sized Hounds
- Basset Fauve de Bretagne
- Blue Gascony Basset
- Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen
- Norman Artesien Basset
- Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
- German Hound
- Westphalian Dachsbracke
- Basset Hound
- Beagle
- Drever
- Small Swiss Hound
6.2 Leash (scent) Hounds
- Alpine Dachsbracke
- Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound
- Hanoverian Scent Hound
- Tatra Hound
6.3 Related breeds
- Dalmatian
- Rhodesian Ridgeback
Group 7 : Pointing dogs (36 breeds)
1.1 Continental Pointing Dogs - Type "Braque"
- Old Danish Pointing Dog
- Ariège Pointing Dog
- Auvergne Pointer
- Bourbonnais Pointing Dog
- French Pointing Dog - Gascogne Type
- French Pointing Dog - Pyrenean Type
- Saint Germain Pointer
- Deutsch Stichelhaar
- German Short-haired Pointing Dog
- German Wire-haired Pointing Dog
- Pudelpointer
- Weimaraner
- Hungarian Short-haired Pointer (Vizsla)
- Hungarian Wire-haired Pointer
- Italian Pointing Dog
- Portuguese Pointing Dog
- Wirehaired Slovakian Pointer
- Burgos Pointing Dog
1.2 Continental Pointing Dogs - Type "Spaniel"
- Blue Picardy Spaniel
- Brittany Spaniel
- French Spaniel
- Picardy Spaniel
- Pont-Audemer Spaniel
- Deutsch Langhaar
- Kleiner Münsterländer
- Large Munsterlander
- Drentsche Partridge Dog
- Stabijhoun
1.3 Continental Pointing Dogs - Type "Griffon"
- Bohemian Wire-haired Pointing Griffon
- Wire-haired Pointing Griffon Korthals
- Italian Spinone
2.1 British and Irish Pointers and Setters - Pointer
- English Pointer
2.2 British and Irish Pointers and Setters - Setter
- English Setter
- Gordon Setter
- Irish Red and White Setter
- Irish Red Setter
Group 8 : Retrievers, flushing and water dogs (22 breeds)
8.1 Retrievers
- Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
- Curly Coated Retriever
- Flat Coated Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- Labrador Retriever
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever
8.2 Flushing Dogs
- German Spaniel
- Clumber Spaniel
- English Cocker Spaniel
- English Springer Spaniel
- Field Spaniel
- Sussex Spaniel
- Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
- American Cocker Spaniel
8.3 Water Dogs
- French Water Dog
- Irish Water Spaniel
- Romagna Water Dog
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Spanish Water Dog
- Wetterhoun
- American Water Spaniel
Group 9 : Companion and toy dogs (27 breeds)
9.1 Bichons and related breeds
- Bichon Frise
- Maltese
- Havanese
- Bolognese
- Coton de Tulear
- Little Lion Dog
9.2 Poodle
- Poodle
9.3 Small Belgian Dogs
- Griffon Belge
- Griffon Bruxellois
- Petit Brabançon
9.4 Hairless Dogs
- Chinese Crested Dog
9.5 Tibetan breeds
- Lhasa Apso
- Shih Tzu
- Tibetan Spaniel
- Tibetan Terrier
9.6 Chihuahueño
- Chihuahua
9.7 English Toy Spaniels
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- King Charles Spaniel
9.8 Japan Chin and Pekingese
- Pekingese
- Japanese Chin
9.9 Continental Toy Spaniel and others
- Continental Toy Spaniel
- Russian Toy
- Prague Ratter
9.10 Kromfohrländer
- Kromfohrländer
9.11 Small Molossian type Dogs
- Pug
- French Bulldog
- Boston Terrier
Group 10 : Sighthounds (14 breeds)
10.1 Long-haired or fringed Sighthounds
- Afghan Hound
- Saluki
- Borzoi - Russian Hunting Sighthound
- Kazakh Tazy
10.2 Rough-haired Sighthounds
- Deerhound
- Irish Wolfhound
10.3 Short-haired Sighthounds
- Greyhound
- Whippet
- Hungarian Greyhound
- Italian Sighthound
- Azawakh
- Sloughi
- Polish Greyhound
- Spanish Greyhound
FCI nomenclature: 364 breeds, including provisionally recognised ones (in italics).
The grades
Every dog gets a grade, then the best are placed.
- Excellent
- Very close to the standard, in excellent condition.
- Very good
- Typical and well built, with a few minor faults.
- Good
- Shows its breed traits, with faults.
- Sufficient
- Fits its breed without its typical qualities.
- Disqualified
- A disqualifying fault under the standard, or aggressive behaviour.
- Cannot be judged
- The judge could not assess the dog (it would not move, refused examination…).
All your spectator questions
Coming to a show
Do you have to pay to get in?
It depends on the organiser: some shows are free, many international shows charge a few euros. Children often get in free.
Can I bring my dog?
Often not: many organisers only admit entered dogs, for health and safety reasons. Check the rules before you go.
What time should I come?
In the morning for a specific breed (check the schedule), in the afternoon for the main-ring finals and Best in Show.
Where can I find my favourite breed?
The catalogue and schedule give the ring number and time of each breed. Between judging, dogs are in their breed’s benching area.
Can I bring children?
Yes, with one simple rule: always ask before touching a dog, and no running in the aisles.
The dogs
Can I stroke the dogs?
Always ask the owner. Avoid it just before the dog goes into the ring: it has just been groomed and needs to stay focused.
Why are so many dogs in crates?
The crate is their quiet corner: they rest there, away from noise and crowds, like a bedroom. Dogs used to it are relaxed.
Why do some dogs wear wraps or snoods?
To protect long coats: wraps, nets and snoods keep ears and coat clean and tangle-free before the ring. They come off just before judging.
Are the dogs well treated?
Welfare is regulated: a vet is on site, FCI rules forbid mistreatment and the judge can exclude a dog. Exhibitors spend months getting a dog fit.
Why are some dogs on tables?
Small breeds are examined on a table so the judge sees them at eye level. Tables in the aisles are for grooming.
The judging
Why did the judge pick that one?
He compared each dog with its breed standard: type, construction, movement, temperament and condition. The winner is the one closest to it on the day, in his view.
How long does judging take?
A few minutes per dog. A well-supported breed can fill a ring all morning.
Why does the judge write so much?
He dictates a critique for each dog: qualities and faults. The owner receives it and uses it to improve.
Does the judge know the dogs?
He does not look at the catalogue before judging or know the dogs from the paperwork. He judges what he sees in the ring.
Who are the people handling the dogs?
Mostly the owners themselves. Some entrust their dog to a handler, an experienced, sometimes professional, presenter.
What do the cards and rosettes mean?
They mark placings and certificates. Colours vary by country and organiser: the official results are what count.
What if I got started?
Can my dog be shown?
For a conformation show you need a purebred dog registered in its country’s stud book (recognised by the FCI), identified, vaccinated and old enough for a class.
Can I buy a puppy there?
A show is not a place to buy, but it is the ideal place to meet breeders, see parents and ask questions. Reservations happen later, with the breeder.
How do I show my dog for the first time?
Find a show in the MyDogShow calendar, enter before closing and follow the "At home" course: it takes you step by step to the ring.
The spectator's golden rules
- Always ask before stroking a dog.
- Don't call or whistle at a dog being judged.
- Don't feed the dogs.
- Let dogs heading to the ring through: they have priority.
- Photos are welcome, without flash and without disturbing the judging.