Get the inside story on how dog show judges get started, build their skills and acquire their credentials. Whether you're a competitor or aspiring judge, this realistic-but-light-hearted book explains what judges are looking for and what it's like to judge.

Look beyond the television image of a focused man or woman awarding ribbons and learn what it's really like to judge dogs! Chris Walkowicz, a successful exhibitor and one of the top AKC judges, explains with humor and warmth how she, and others as committed as she is, learn their craft. Find out how judges get started, build their skills, and acquire their judging credentials. And learn about all the other things a judge must master including travel hassles, finances, and record keeping. While writing in a light-hearted vein, Chris answers important questions. What do judges want from exhibitors? What do exhibitors want from judges? Learn from the author how to make the dog showing experience more successful for all.

Bo Bengtson is regarded today as the foremost international authority on dog shows past and present, and his definitive volume Best in Show: The World of Show Dogs and Dog Shows has become an "instant classic," hailed by critics around the world as the most important book ever written about the sport of dogs. Richard G. Beauchamp, a revered judge and author, praises Best in Show: "At long last a factual and meticulously researched history of the purebred dog scene. It's an everything-you-ever-wanted-to know book about the fascinating world of show dogs;" Best in Show spans the history of dog shows from its beginnings in England to the present-day, highlighting the most important dogs, shows, judges, handlers, breeders, and more in 656 pages overflowing with over 700 full-color and historical black-and-white images.Bengtson is at once a student of dog-show history, an accomplished scholar, a highly regarded international judge, a breeder of champions, and, as Kerrin Winter-Churchill surmises, "the greatest living dog writer of our times." His ultimate achievement, the award-winning Best in Show begins with a history of the dog sport, "How Dog Shows Began," a chapter that talks about the development of pure breeds, the beginnings of the dog fancy, and the first dog shows. To understand the essence of dog shows, it's critical to understand what show judges are looking for, a topic that Bengtson covers in the chapter "The Breed Standards." "Without breed standards, dog shows could not exist. It would be impossible to conduct any meaningful comparison of dogs without universally accepted descriptions of each breed;. At their best, the standards;give a vivid, colorful word picture of the image each breed represents, in motion and standing, when alert and at rest." With illustrations from early and modern breed standards, this chapter discusses the evolution of the standards and addresses the variations in certain breed standards from country to country.The third chapter is devoted to dog shows and highlights the most important shows in Britain and the United States. A detailed discussion of England's most famous dog show, Crufts, begins with the origins of the show and traces its development through the 21st century. (A complete roster of the winners of Crufts is presented in the appendix of the book.) America's most highly regarded show, the Westminster Kennel Club is discussed, accompanied by many photographs of the show and its Best in Show winners. (Roster of WKC winners can also be found in the appendix.) Bengtson also discusses other premiere shows in the U.S. including Santa Barbara, Morris & Essex, AKC/Eukanuba as well as the Fdration Cynologique Internationale's annual event, the World Dog Show. The following chapter discusses specialty shows (shows for one breed or one group), addressing the importance and purpose of specialty shows as well as some of the anomalies of certain breed events. The chapter also highlights some top winners as well as America's most famous group specialty show, the Montgomery County Kennel Club's terrier classic.Separate chapters are dedicated to the judges, breeders, and handlers who have made their mark on the sport of purebred dogs. International in scope, each chapter highlights the most accomplished individuals in the sport, summarizing their accomplishments and their special areas of expertise. The chapters also explain what's required to become a professional in the sport. The historical photographs in these chapters do a splendid job of spotlighting the careers of some of the pillars of the sport, including Anne Rogers Clark, Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge, Anna H. Whitney, Alva Rosenberg, Louis Murr, Anna Katherine Nicholas, Percy Roberts, Robert and Jane Forsyth as well as many contemporary greats such as Peter Green, Maxine Beam, Corky Vroom, Patricia Craige-Trotter, Jimmy Moses, David Fitzpatrick, Sylvia Hammarström, Roger Rechler, Julia Gasow, and dozens of others.The author devotes individual chapters to the greatest dogs from Britain, the United States of America, and the international scene. It is in these insightful, detailed chapters that the interplay of breeders, handlers, and dogs takes focus and the complex picture of the purebred dog scene is exposed. From studying thousands of show records and breed books and from his five decades' experience in the sport, Bengtson is able to put the sport of dog showing into perspective. He highlights important kennels, breeders, and leading dogs in each country and manages to weave all of these individual threads into an elaborate quilt that depicts the history of the sport. Each chapter chronologically presents the dogs and breeds that had the greatest impact on the show world. In the chapter "The Best of Britain," the author traces the nation's history beginning with early Best in Show winners, the emergence of the Collie and Fox Terrier as leading breeds, how other terrier breeds came to the fore in the 1920s, as well as Cocker Spaniels, Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, and Irish Setters. In post-war Britain, the focus shifts to Chow Chows and Poodles and then to Toy breeds, like the Pekingese, Pomeranian, and Yorkshire Terrier. The depth and breadth of each chapter, accomplished through insightful, detailed information and exhilarating photography, must be experienced to be truly appreciated.The chapter "Tops in America" is a detailed 150-page chapter;a book in itself;retells the stories of America's most beloved and accomplished show dogs. Readers will feel bolstered by the amount of information and great photography on offer here, as they meet such iconic greats as the Boxer Ch. Bang Away of Sirrah Crest, arguably the most famous show dog in history and the first to win 100 Best in Show awards; Ch. Warren Remedy, the Wire Fox Terrier whose claim to fame is three consecutive Best in Show victories at the Westminster Kennel Club; the Afghan Hound Ch. Tryst of Grandeur; the German Shepherds Ch. Covy-Tucker Hill's Manhattan and Ch. Altana's Mystique, two top-winning dogs that each won over 200 Bests in Show; the famous English Setter Ch. Rock Fall's Colonel, Bang Away's rival and also the winner of 100 Best in Shows; plus the many great winners of the Westminster Kennel Club and other important shows.The author walks the reader through the decades in America, highlighting the breeds that made the greatest impact in the show rings, from the German Shepherds and Sealyham Terriers of the 1920s, the Wire and Smooth Fox Terriers of 1920s and 1930s, the English Setters and Cocker Spaniels of the 1940s and 1950s, to the Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, Pointers, and Poodles that later dominated the scene. Afghan Hound, English Springer Spaniel, and German Shepherd greats of the modern age are also featured in photography and great detail.The international chapter "On Top Around the World" offers a perspective on the greatest show dogs of Canada, Europe, Scandinavia, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Russia and Asia. An archivist and journalist for the international dog scene, Bengtson, himself a Swedish import to the United States, has remained extremely well informed for decades, and he remains uniquely qualified to present the kind of global overview on offer in this chapter.

Develop your "eye" for sound movement and structure whether you are serious about purebred dogs or are an enthusiast. Learn how color, marking, size and leash position affect the look of the dog. Over 100 judging scenarios that test your eye.

Train your dog to love showing! Most people learn how train their show dog by trial and error emphasis on error. Much of the information about show dog training is learned by ringside observation or word-of-mouth from experienced exhibitor to novice.

Journalist Josh Dean tells the story of a loveable Australian Shepherd, Jack, on his novice tour through the exciting world of professional dog showing, following Jack from his first competitions in local school gymnasiums all the way to the great granddaddy of them all, the Westminster Dog Show. A veteran journalist, Dean shines a warm, steady light on the trials that Jack and his plucky, dedicated owners come to face, and uses their story to explore the larger histories of dog shows themselves; the fascinating and sometimes bizarre history of purebred dogs; and our complex, heartfelt relationships to the pets we grow to love. For dog lovers, readers of Marley & Me, Merle’s Door, and Oogy, and fans of Best in Show, Dean’s Show Dog is an irresistible instant classic.

Insights into the world of dog shows and showing dogs from a complete beginner who now proudly calls herself a "Dog Show Junkie." Revealing, humorous and realistic, this may turn you into a junkie too!

The Kennel Club's Breed Standards form the basis for judging dogs at all licensed breed shows. This fully revised edition of the authoritative guide outlines the descriptive 'standards' for each of the 201 pure breeds of dog now recognised by the Kennel Club. The book has been completely updated by a panel of experts to incorporate the latest standards for all breeds in each of the principal categories - Hound, Gundog, Terrier, Utility, Working, Pastoral and Toy. As well as providing a beautiful colour photograph of each dog, each entry contains a history of the breed, including its origins and function, as well as a full description outlining its essential features. There is also useful advice on the nature of each breed and practical information to help guide anyone who is buying a dog, as well as a glossary of canine terms. This book is essential reading for anyone who owns, or hopes to own, a pedigree dog and is indispensable for breeders, judges and those professionally involved with dogs.

The Australian Shepherd Judging Compendium, An Illustrated Workbook for judges and non-judges alike by the award-winning author, of All About Aussies: The Australian Shepherd From A to Z. "The Australian Shepherd, Judging Compendium" by Jeanne Joy Hartnagle-Taylor is an illustrated workbook that reviews not only the breed standard and how it is interpreted but illustrates the breed standard with text and carefully selected pictures that help the reader see the importance of each trait as it is discussed. The Compendium begins with a review of breed history as a herding breed to modern day usage. This workbook also provides the reader with good insight and understanding of why structure and gait are important to its function. Each chapter explains a section of the breed standard followed by a quiz that is used to make the reader think.The text is easy to read and carefully written with a good analysis of unique traits that are described in the breed standard. The illustrations of each trait give the reader good insight into why the breed standard requires certain body proportions and what is considered correct breed type, movement and character. The Compendium makes clear that herding sheep, cattle and other animals requires strong herding and guardian instincts coupled with versatile skills which are required of a dog that must be easy to train. All of these traits are carefully described.I would recommend this judging compendium to anyone who is seriously interested in a better understanding of the Australian Shepherd breed. - Dr. Carmen L. Battaglia, a highly respected AKC Judge, author, lecturer and world-renowned canine expert.