Visually minimising faults without cheating

Making sure your presentation doesn’t work against your dog

A misplaced foot, a lead held too tight, a rushed stop… Some clumsy moments give a less favourable impression than the dog’s real construction.

You can correct these slips and show your companion at his best. However, his characteristics must remain observable and accessible to examination.

The right goal: to show a well-prepared, comfortable and honestly presented dog.

Beginner — Avoiding slips that emphasise imperfections

1. Tell a poor setup from a fault in construction

A foot placed crookedly after a stop is not enough to conclude there is a fault. Watch your dog over several natural stops, then ask someone experienced in the breed for their opinion.

To try: film three stops without touching his legs. Does the same offset come back? This comparison helps you prepare a discussion with your trainer, without making a diagnosis from a single image.

2. Redo the stop rather than manipulating everything

When the dog ends up hunched or off balance, you can sometimes get a better stack by walking a few steps and then asking for a new stop, if the situation allows.

Your cue: after the stop, wait a moment before stepping in. Your dog may still adjust his feet. Then correct only what is necessary, gently.

3. Prepare a clean, well-kept coat

Tangled or poorly kept hair can blur the reading of the outline. Adapt the care to the breed and to the show rules.

The FCI regulations prohibit substances that alter the structure, colour or shape of the coat, skin or nose.

The useful habit: plan your grooming routine in advance. A permitted technique must also respect the characteristics expected in the standard.

Intermediate — Finding a balanced presentation

1. Adjust the reward to keep the body straight

A treat held too far to one side can turn the head, then the shoulders. You then risk creating an impression of asymmetry yourself.

To try: move your hand slightly and watch the whole body. Aim for calm attention with a comfortable posture, rather than a maximum stretch towards the reward.

2. Avoid exaggerating the placement of the limbs

Setting the hindquarters far back or spreading the feet can unbalance the outline. Adapt the position to the breed and to the dog’s construction.

Your exercise: compare on video a modest stack with the one you usually use. Which one does your dog hold more easily once your hands are removed?

3. Work on a steady gait

Find a speed suited to the gaits expected for the breed. Rushing or a tight lead can disturb the movement.

To try: film several short runs at similar speeds. Compare the regularity of the movement and your coordination. The judge must be able to see the movements requested, including from the front and from behind.

Advanced — Presenting with precision and transparency

1. Check the result from several angles

Don’t settle for the most flattering side-on photo. Look at your dog from the front, from behind and on the move too.

The test: does your stack stay consistent when the observer changes position? A useful correction makes the examination easier overall and leaves the different parts of the body visible.

2. Let the judge examine freely

Take your hands away after setting him up and cooperate with requests to examine him. Don’t cover an area and don’t routinely turn the dog away when the judge wants to look at it.

In training: ask a partner to play the judge. Work on your ability to clear the view and let your dog be touched calmly.

3. Use the critiques to improve your work

After the show, separate what relates to presentation from what relates to the dog’s construction.

Your notebook can have three lines:

Judge’s observation: what was noted.
Presentation: what your handling may have emphasised.
Next session: one concrete point to work on.

You will progress more easily with a precise goal than by trying to “repair” the whole outline.

The “Am I showing it or hiding it?” game

Before adopting a technique, ask yourself these three questions:

Does my dog stay comfortable?
Can the judge still see and examine the area concerned?
Does the presentation stay true when the dog moves?

Correcting a clumsy setup can improve the presentation. A real fault remains something the judge must be able to assess.