Conformation

Specialty Results

Dog shows promote the continued development of dogs that meet the Golden Retriever Standard. Dogs (males) and bitches (females) compete for the eye of a judge, who chooses the winners at each event. Dogs and bitches classes are judged separately; all dog classes are judged prior to all bitch classes. Both Winners Dog and Winners Bitch accrue points toward a championship To become a Champion requires at least 15 points, earned under at least 3 different judges, and two "majors," that is, shows where so many dogs/bitches were defeated that 3 or more points are awarded. The two majors must be under two different judges.

Typically, after all the dogs in the ring are marked present by the number on the handlers' arm bands, the judge looks at each dog "stacked" (stood in show position) by the handler to quickly appraise outline, head and type, and then sends all the dogs around the ring together at a trot to watch their collective movement and see what he/she has to work with. Then the judge evaluates each entry individually, checking for the correct scissors bite and complete dentition, proper head shape, correct dark eyes and nose pigment, ear set and size, a sturdy, medium long neck, shoulder angulation and layback, length of upper arm, depth of chest, width of chest and amount of forechest, correct rib spring, topline, rear angulation, correct tail-set, correct pasterns and feet, correct length of tail, proper coat, etc. After physically going over the dog, the judge watches the dog move in a designated pattern whereby he/she can determine the gait of the dog "coming and going" (front and rear leg action) and the side gait, where "reach and drive" can be determined. The temperament, structure, movement, and overall balance of the dog is clearly delineated in the standard, and each dog is judged against the breed standard, not against the other dogs in the ring. Overall appearance, balance, gait, and purpose are given more emphasis than any single component. Once all the entries have been examined and gaited, the judge selects the top four placements, based on which dogs most nearly approximate the Golden Retriever Standard in all aspects.

This procedure is followed in all of the different classes for dogs (males) and bitches (females). The winners of each of the dog/bitch classes then enter the ring to vie for "Winners Dog/Bitch," selected in the same manner as the winners of the classes were chosen. The "Winners Dog/Bitch" is awarded 1-5 points toward his/her championship, based upon the number of dogs/bitches defeated by that dog/bitch that day. Once both Winners Dog and Winners Bitch have been awarded, they both enter the ring with the "finished" Champions being shown and all compete for "Best of Breed." Again, this award is presented to the animal in the ring which comes closest to the judge's interpretation of the standard, only this time the sexes are judged together. Once Best of Breed has been determined by the judge, he/she selects the "Best of Opposite Sex," awarded to the animal not of the same sex as the Best of Breed which most closely meets the standard. Finally, the judge selects the "Best of Winners." This is either the Winners Dog or the Winners Bitch.

There may be special prizes for these three wins, but only the Best of Breed may go on to compete against other breeds for Group placements and Best in Show. Group placements accrue points toward achieving recognition in the Show Dog Hall of Fame.

Show dogs aren't just pretty faces; the standard dictates that they must be shown in hard working condition. They must meet the breed standard in all areas and have no disqualifying faults. A good show dog has received a lot of training in all of the varied show ring procedures. Dogs must learn to be examined by strangers, to pay no attention to the other dogs, and to move around the ring and stand still to show to their best advantage. The best also have a personality or presence which somehow makes them stand out as "showy."

Yankee host 2 Specialty Matches, a match is where dogs compete but are not award points towards their championships. Typically, matches are where breeders & owners begin showing puppies before that are old enough to compete in AKC sanctioned dog shows. In addition to our 2 matches each year on the last Friday in May we host our Independent Specialty Show & Obedience Trial. This event draws in exhibitors from across the country with an average entry of 250!

You can find out more information on dog shows, points, championships, etc. from the American Kennel Club.

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