Winners of the Best
Male and Best Female classes will compete for "Best of Breed".
After each breed has been judged the Best of Breed winners complete
for the overall “Best of Show”.
Breed Classes
Males
and females compete separately within their respective breeds, in
five regular classes. Males and females that have not attained the
Champion title compete for points towards their championship.
The following classes are offered, and are divided by sex:
Puppy I
- For dogs between three and six months of age, that are not yet
champions.
Puppy II - For dogs between six months and one year of age,
that are not yet champions.
Junior
- For dogs between one to two years of age, that are not yet
champions.
Senior - For dogs between two to three years of age, that are
not yet champions.
Veteran
- For dogs three years of age and older, that are not yet champions.
Best Male
- The dog judged
as the best of the male class winners in each breed.
Best
Female -
The female judged as the best of the female class winners in each
breed.
Best of
Breed -
The dog judged as the best in its breed category.
Best of Show - The dog judged as the better of the Best of
Breed winners using each breed’s own standard.
Which Dogs May
Participate
In order to be eligible to compete, a dog must:
-
be individually
registered with the International Olde English Bulldogge
Association
·
be 3
months of age or older
-
be a breed for
which classes are offered at a show
-
meet any
eligibility requirements in the written standard for its breed
Dog shows
(conformation events) are intended to evaluate breeding stock. The
dog's conformation (overall appearance and structure) and
temperament, an indication of the dog's ability to produce quality
puppies, is judged.
Spayed or neutered
dogs are not eligible to compete in conformation classes at a dog
show, because the purpose of a dog show is to evaluate breeding
stock.
Which Dogs May
NOT Participate
The following dogs are not eligible to compete at an IOEBA
Sanctioned Event:
-
dogs that are
NOT
registered with the International Olde English Bulldogge
Association
-
dogs that are
spayed or neutered
·
females in heat
-
a breed for
which classes are NOT being offered at a show
-
dogs that do not meet
the
eligibility requirements in the written standard for its breed
or dogs that have a disqualifying fault as stated in the breeds
IOEBA written standard
-
dogs that are
human aggressive
-
dogs that are
overly dog aggressive
Dog shows
(conformation events) are intended to evaluate breeding stock. The
dog's conformation (overall appearance and structure) and
temperament, an indication of the dog's ability to produce quality
puppies, is judged.
Spayed or neutered
dogs are not eligible to compete in conformation classes at a dog
show, because the purpose of a dog show is to evaluate breeding
stock.
The
Role of the Judge
Judges examine the dogs, then give awards according to how closely
each dog compares to the judge's mental image of the "perfect" dog
described in the breed's official IOEBA breed standard.
The standard describes the characteristics that allow the breed to
perform the function for which it was bred. These standards include
specifications for structure, temperament and movement.
The official written standard for each breed is maintained by the
registry and published by the IOEBA on its official website.
The judges are experts on the breeds they are judging. They examine
("go over") each dog with their hands to see if the teeth, muscles,
bones and coat texture conform to the breed's standard. They view
each dog in profile for overall balance, and watch each dog gait
("move") to see how all of those features fit together in action.
How Does A Judge Select a Winner?
Judges will examine each dog in a class, and
evaluate it relative to the IOEBA Breed Standard. The IOEBA’s Breed
Standards strive to describe the ideal "Type" of dog for each breed.
"Type" is what makes an Olde English Bulldogge an Olde English
Bulldogge and an American Bulldog an American Bulldog.
The judge will be first looking for any
disqualifying faults that would preclude a dog from competition.
Examples of disqualifying faults for Olde English Bulldogges include
missing one or more of the large canines, scissor or overshot bite,
pink nose etc.
After determining that the exhibit does not
have any disqualifying faults, the judge will "go over" the dog,
checking eye color, mouth structure and dentition, head type,
physical structure and condition. The judge will then have the
handler move the dog, and examine its movement coming, going and
from the side.
Ideally, the judge
will select as the winner in each class, the dog that most closely
meets the description of the breed as given in the IOEBA Breed
Standard. Second through Third place will also be awarded.
Tips
for the First-Time Exhibitor
-
Make sure your
dog is registered with the IOEBA. Registration is offered at
most IOEBA events.
-
Be sure your dog
is current on all inoculations. Proof of Rabies vaccination is
required.
-
Learn the proper
techniques for grooming and for presenting your dog in the ring.
-
Join your
breed's IOEBA sanctioned club in your area and attend meetings
regularly.
-
Become familiar
with the IOEBA rules and regulations for dog shows.
-
Attend some dog
shows to observe your breed being judged and how others present
your breed.
-
Use the
knowledge of your breeder or another experienced breeder of your
breed.
-
Don't be afraid
to ask questions.
-
Attend handling
classes with your dog.
Tips for the First-Time Spectator
-
However
tempting, do not pet a dog without asking for permission first.
The dog may have just been groomed in preparation for being
judged.
-
At each dog
show, you will find vendors and information booths. Many club
booths offer helpful information to the general public.
-
Wear comfortable
shoes - you'll be doing a lot of walking. Unless you bring a
chair or arrive early, be prepared to stand most of the time, as
seating is usually limited.
-
If you are
considering getting a purebred dog, talk to the breeders and
exhibitors - they are knowledgeable in their breeds
-
If you bring a
baby stroller to a dog show, be careful that you do not run over
any dog's tail, and that your child does not grab or poke the
dogs it can reach. Avoid having them near ring entrances, which
are especially crowded.
Dog Show Terms
Angulation - Angles created by bones meeting at their joints.
Baiting - Using liver or some treat to get the dog's
attention and have him look alert.
Exhibitor - A person who brings a dog to a dog show and shows
it in the appropriate class.
Fancier - A person who is especially interested, and usually
active, in some phase of the sport of purebred dogs.
Gait - The way a dog moves, movement is a good indicator of
structure and condition.
Handler - A person who takes a dog into the show ring.
Heel - A command to a dog to keep close beside its handler.
Pedigree - The written record of a dog's family tree of three
or more generations.
Points - Credits earned toward a championship.
Soundness - Mental and physical well-being.
Stacking - Posing the dog's legs and body to create a
pleasing picture.