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www.canadianshowdogs.info
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| 0 points | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dogs Competing | 1 | 2 | 3 - 5 | 6 - 9 | 10 - 12 | 13 or more |
What makes our point system so radically different from the US one is that in the case of a dog going Best of Winners the number of dogs in competition in both sexes is considered. This is best illustrated by example. Let's look at an entry of 3-4-2-3 where the first number stands for class dogs, the second for class bitches, the third for male specials and the fourth for female specials. Winners alone is worth two points in both sexes. Suppose the winners dog is Best of Winners, which brings the total number of dogs competing to seven and that is worth three points. Let's say that the Winners bitch defeats the specials bitches for Best of Opposite Sex. Seven bitches competing, three points. But the male was Best of Winners and defeated the class bitches and indirectly also defeated the Specials bitches, so the number of dogs in competition for him was actually ten, which means he received four points. If you want to keep track of your dog's points it is not enough to know what you did, you have to watch and see where the competition placed as well.
If a specialty club chooses they may break down the open class into varieties but each variety winner will compete against the others for winners so that there is still only 1 set of points available in dogs and 1 set of points available in bitches.
There is also another way of earning additional points and that is by placing in Group. Points are awarded for all four Group placements to class dogs who have won Best of Breed. How many points can be earned depends entirely on the number of breeds competing and what the placement is. However, no dog can earn more than five points in any one show, regardless of what it wins. The point system is explained in detail in every premium list and catalog. Once you get the hang of it, it really isn't that difficult.
| Group First | Group Second | Group Third | Group Fourth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 or more breeds in Group | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| 10 to 12 breeds | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 6 to 9 breeds | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 5 breeds | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 4 breeds | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 breeds | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 breeds | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 breed | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A unique feature in Canadian shows is the Best Puppy award. The judging of Best Puppy in Breed is done after the breed judging and all puppies undefeated by other puppies compete. If Best of Winners was a puppy and there are no puppy specials, Best of Winners is also Best Puppy. As in calculating the points earned, it bears watching what is happening with your competition. Do not entirely rely on the ring steward to take care of things. The judge does not know who the puppies are, except for the obvious - those entered in the two puppy classes. But there could be puppies in all the other classes as well and it is up to the ring steward to keep track of those. But sometimes a puppy doesn't get marked as such. If yours doesn't get called back in and you know he wasn't defeated by another puppy, it's all right to point this out to the steward and get a correction made.
So your dog has just won Best of Breed. Wait, you're not done yet. You have to stay for Group judging. You have no choice, if you want to hang on to your winnings. CKC will merrily cancel those hard earned points if your dog is marked absent from Group competition. There is only one exception and that is if the dog has been excused by the show veterinarian. The requirement to stay also applies to the Puppy Group judging, which is done after the regular group. If your puppy won no points, there isn't much to cancel, of course, but you will probably be requested to return the ribbon. A good thought to plant in your mind about Canadian shows is that you are required to compete as long as you are eligible, and this ruling applies to all unofficial classes as well.
What time are we judged?
Pick up your armband at Show Secretary's table not at ringside. You will use same armband for all shows/days. Don't expect breed to be judged first thing in the morning, if that's where it is traditionally done in the US. It could be, but just as easily it could be on at noon or two in the afternoon or at four o' clock. In most shows breeds are judged alphabetically within the groups, so even if your group had an early start, when your breed is judged depends on where it falls in that alphabetical order. Groups are judged upon the completion of breed judging, so winning Best of Breed does not usually mean a long wait for Group. No two adult Groups are judged at the same time but you may experience a conflict when one adult Group goes in at the same time as another Group's puppy competition.
There will be a Best Puppy in Breed award after the BEST of BREED is presented. You must stay for the Puppy Group competition or forfeit any points you may have won at the breed level. Puppy Groups are immediately after the Adult Groups. If you win the Breed you must remain for the Groups or forfeit all wins at the Breed level.
Since your dog can be judged any time of the day, it is very important that you go to a show well prepared, especially in the summer months in outdoor shows. These do not quite often have natural shade, and you are not allowed to set your dogs up in the show tent which generally is located between the rings. That area is strictly for the dogs waiting to go in the ring. So be prepared. Bring your own shade, as well as lots of water and whatever other cooling devices you use. Better to overdo it than have a dog succumb to the heat. Some summer shows are very hot.
There are some shows where breeds are judged in haphazard order and Group and Best in Show judging becomes a show case in the late afternoon. These are usually shows that are held indoors at cooler times of the year.
Canadian, eh?
Here are some other Canadianisms, not necessarily related to dogs or showing.
In Canada speed limits and distances are posted in kilometres. So when you see a sign on the highway with a big black 80 on it, this is km/hour and loosely translates to 50 miles/hour. Temperature is measured in degrees Celsius and conversion into Fahrenheit gets so complicated that you probably don't want to do it. Just stick your nose outside and see how the temperature feels. If you start sweating, it's hot. If your breath freezes, it's pretty cold. Knowing the exact degree is not going to change the weather.
In stores, supermarkets especially, you will notice a lot of signs advertising goods at so much per pound. Most stores will, however, price the items at so much per kilogram. The consumers don't seem to have any problem with the double system. Versatile, that's us.
You will find that American dollars are readily accepted almost everywhere (except at Canadian government offices and this would include Canada Customs), but you will receive your change in Canadian currency. The rate of exchange you get in stores, though, can be considerably less than a bank would pay and is generally posted at the checkout til. We put our groceries in a "bag" not a "sack". We have colourful bills, and lots of coins. Our one dollar bill was replaced several years ago by a coin affectionately nicknamed a loonie. A two dollar coin made its debut a few years later. American visitors can apply for a GST (Goods and Services Tax) rebate on their return to the United States.
Since we are farther north than most of the United States we have more daylight in the summer months. How much more depends on how far north you are prepared to travel. The opposite side of this is, of course, that in the winter it gets dark earlier. A great consolation is the fact that during the very darkest time of the year, there are few dog shows.
If you want to find out everything about the Canadian show system, you can call CKC and order Dog Show Rules. The phone number is 416-675-5511 (ask to be connected to the order desk) or email CKC Information. The booklet costs $4 and CKC will accept credit cards.
