Level 1Beginner
Why are some shows more important than others?
The answer
“This show really matters!” You’ll sometimes hear that phrase around the rings. But matters… for what?
A show can be important for earning a title, discovering a breed or meeting more competitors. So its value also depends on your goal.
Because some results play a specific role in a championship
To earn a title, piling up wins is not always enough: the rules may require results obtained at specific events.
For example, for the Australian Shepherd, the breed club distinguishes, in the requirements for the title of Champion de France de Conformité au Standard (French Champion of Conformity to the Standard), between results from the French Championship or the Nationale d’élevage (national breed show), those from an international show and those from a breed specialty show. Other requirements complete the path.
So these awards are not all interchangeable. Check the rules that apply to your breed and the title you are aiming for.
Club Français des Bergers Australiens (the French Australian Shepherd club) — Devenir Champion de Beauté, section « Champion de France de Conformité au Standard ». This example concerns the Australian Shepherd.
Because some events award particular titles
FCI World and Section Shows have a supplementary set of rules and allow titles specific to those events to be awarded.
That gives them a special place in the calendar. However, you need to tell apart a title won at one event from a championship earned by combining several results and requirements.
Because they bring together people who love a breed
MyDogShow tip: before aiming for a Nationale or Régionale d’élevage (national or regional breed show), check that your breed is one of those managed by the organising club.
For you, it can be a valuable opportunity: seeing different dogs of your breed, chatting with their owners and asking the club questions.
Because the competition can be different
Winning a class with two entries and winning a class with fifteen is not the same comparison.
But the number of competitors does not automatically change the grade: the judge assesses each dog against the standard, then draws up the placings. The quality of the dogs present matters too; numbers alone don’t tell the whole story.
And for you, which one is important?
| Your goal | What to look at |
|---|---|
| Discovering dog shows | An organisation and journey that are easy to manage |
| Getting to know your breed | Its club’s events |
| Improving your handling | Conditions suited to your dog |
| Preparing for a championship | The results required by its rules |
A small show close to home can become a great memory: your dog’s first calm assessment, a few successful steps at the trot, or a meeting that helps you improve.
Beginner: building a good experience
- Choose according to your comfort. Distance, waiting and surroundings deserve as much attention as prestige.
- Set a small goal. A relaxed run in the ring is a useful success for what comes next.
- Watch without constantly comparing yourself. Use the day to learn the ropes.
Intermediate: choosing with intention
- Give every outing a purpose. Learning, meeting the club or aiming for a specific result.
- Read the comments you receive. They will help you prepare for the next time.
- Vary the settings gradually. Match new experiences to how at ease your dog is.
Advanced: planning a coherent path
- Start from the rules of the title you are aiming for. Identify the events and results required.
- Check the additional requirements. Health, behaviour, deadlines and homologation (official confirmation of the title) may also count.
- Protect recovery time. An ambitious calendar must remain compatible with your dog’s wellbeing.
These nine tips are practical suggestions.
Illustration caption: learning on a first outing, meeting people who love your breed and taking part in a big event — three different reasons to give a show importance.