Level 3Experienced
Choosing a show to fit your goal
Intermediate level — “I’m starting to understand”
The right show is the one that matches what you want to achieve with your dog.
Improving your handling, meeting people who love your breed or working towards a title: each goal may point you to a different event. Before you look at the mileage, start with this question: “Why do I want to go?”
Here are three tips to turn a wish to go out into a considered choice.
1. Match your goal to the right event
This table gives you a first direction. The suggestions for learning and meeting people are practical advice; the possibilities for certificates and confirmation depend on the applicable rules.
| Your goal | The event to consider | The point to check |
|---|---|---|
| Improving your handling | A show where the journey and conditions are easy to manage | The venue, the waiting and the chances to rest |
| Seeing dogs of your breed and exchanging ideas | A regional or national breed show | Your breed must be accepted by the organising club |
| Going for a CACS | A show announcing the award of the CACS (the French certificate) | The class entered and the conditions of the title aimed for |
| Going for a CACIB | An international show awarding the FCI’s CACIB | The eligibility of the dog and of his class |
| Getting a dog registered in the LOF (the French stud book) by descent confirmed | A confirmation session or a show offering this examination | The entry procedures and the documents required |
Note: a confirmation session is an examination, not a competition with placings. If your only goal is confirmation, a dedicated session may meet your need without entering a competition class.
The practical tip: choose one main goal. You can take advantage of the day to make other discoveries, but you will know why you chose that date.
2. Check that the show really lets you reach your goal
An “international” poster does not mean that all dogs can compete for the same certificate.
The FCI regulations distinguish in particular:
- The CACIB, available in the intermediate, open, working and champion classes, under the regulatory conditions.
- The CACIB-J, linked to the junior class.
- The CACIB-V, linked to the veteran class.
Your level of experience does not determine the dog’s class: “intermediate exhibitor” and “intermediate class” mean two different things.
If you are working towards a title, read its regulations before building your calendar. The requirements may cover certificates, judges, countries, deadlines and, depending on the breed and the title, working tests.
The practical tip: before paying, check three things: “Is my dog eligible? Is the class suitable? Can this show give me the result I’m looking for?”
3. Define what will make your outing worthwhile
A placing also depends on the competitors present. To measure your progress, add a goal you can work on.
For example:
“At this show, I want to move my dog at a steady gait and manage to set him up again in a stack calmly.”
After the outing, note what worked, what is still difficult and what you will prepare next.
Even if you are after an award, keep this second marker. A “1st Excellent” does not guarantee the CACIB: the judge also assesses whether the dog has the required quality.
The practical tip: prepare your review before the show with two lines: “My goal” and “What I learned”.
The habit to keep
Before every entry, complete this sentence:
“I’m choosing this show because it will let us…”
A precise answer will help you choose an outing that counts for the two of you.