Chambray Labradors the International Shows Explained
The International Shows Explained
The International shows provide a great opportunity for training and developing puppies and young dogs for the future, especially for those dogs that will continue on to the AKC shows. Since matches have seemed to go the way of the typewriter and are now so far and few in between, these shows that come to Florida twice a year, once in May and then again in October and give all up-and-coming dogs ring practice in a similar show atmosphere with true judges from throughout the country. In fact one of the judges this weekend was Dr Donald Jones that was the Best In Show judge at Westminster this year.
Below was the lineup of judges for this past weekend.
- Dr. J. Donald Jones - USA (2008 Westminster Dog Show BIS Judge)
- Mr. Charles Olvis - USA
- Mr. Thomas Nesbitt - CAN
- Ms. Juliann Kowalsky - USA
- Mr. David Swartwood - CAN
- Mrs. Grace Black - USA
One of the biggest differences between these shows and those of the AKC is that each judge gives a written critique of each dog presented to them. They use the breed standard to rate the dog before them and do not compare dogs against each other for the critiques. Once they finish the one-on-one examination and critique, they then judge the dogs against each other for placement, giving out 1st through 3rd place awards.
Another difference from that of the AKC shows is that 3 to 6 month old puppies are also allowed in the competition. In fact, the designation for puppy goes all the way to 18 months of age. For a dog to receives its adult champion’s title, it must be 18 months or older. Puppies 3 to 6 months may earn their Baby Champion’s title, 6 to 18 month old puppies may earn their Jr. Champion’s title and adults receive an Adult Champion’s title.
Instead of Winners Dog or Winners Bitch points ala AKC fashion where only 1 dog and 1 bitch can win points towards their titles, with the International format as many dogs as the judges see fit may earn “points” toward their titles. They use a rating system where a dog must receive the highest rating for the breed in order to get a “point” for the championship. For puppies under 18 months of age, it takes 4 judges giving the puppy the highest rating for the breed in order to complete its title of Baby Ch or Jr. Ch.
These points are designated as SG1’s, so with 4 judges each awarding a puppy an SG1, the puppy comes away with its Baby or Jr. International Champion’s title. Since there are 4 shows in 1 weekend, it is very possible that a puppy or dog can earn a champion’s title in those 2 days. Dogs older than 18 months only need 3 of the highest ratings (V1’s) for their champion’s title.
If in the eyes of the judge a puppy or dog is lacking in conformation according to the breed standard, he/she may withhold the highest rating and give out lower ratings such as SG2, SG3 or even an M rating, which means a disqualification from further competition.
Below is the charts found at the www.IABC.com website for the points and awards progression.
ADULT (no puppy may receive an adult V rating)
- V-1 = VERY EXCELLENT (TOP RATING FOR ADULT CLASS)
- V-2 = EXCELLENT
- V-3 = EXCELLENT BUT NOT AS GOOD AS V-2
- V-4 = EXCELLENT BUT NOT AS GOOD AS V-3
- SG = VERY GOOD (no certificate)
- G = GOOD (no certificate)
- F = FAIR ( no certificate)
- P = POOR ( no certificate)
- M = MANGLEHAUFT: UNSATISFACTORY DISQUALIFYING CONFORMATION FAULT. IF THIS RATING IS AWARDED THE DOG IS TOTALLY DISQUALIFIED FROM FURTHER SHOWING.
- NOTE: There may be more than one V-1 rated dog in a class, therefore, a, b, c, may be placed after the V-1 denoting class placement for further competition, with the v-1 a dog being the first place winner who will be competing for best of breed.
- ALL DOGS RATED V-1 WILL RECEIVE THE HIGHEST CERTIFICATE POSSIBLE FOR THE CLASS. The a,b,c,d ranking may also be used for V-2.
PUPPY/YOUTH
- SG -1 = VERY GOOD (HIGHEST RATING A PUPPY CAN RECEIVE)
- SG - 2 = VERY GOOD, BUT NOT AS GOOD AS SG-1 (NO AWARD)
- G = GOOD (No award card given)
- F = FAIR (No award card given)
- P = POOR (No award card given)
- M = MANGLEHAUFT (SEE ABOVE)
- NOTE: There may be more than one SG-1 rated puppy in a class, therefore, a, b, c, may be placed after the SG-1 denoting class placement for further competition, with the SG-1 a puppy being the first place winner who will be competing for puppy best of breed.
Only those dogs receiving the full compliment of SG1’s for puppies or V1’s for adults will earn their champion’s title. In addition, only dogs receiving those scores may continue on for Best of Breed competition.
This past weekend there were 7 Labradors that did not earn a high rating from the judges and were not allowed back for Winners or Best Of Breed. Unfortunately, one of our own puppies was given an SG2 from 1 of the 4 judges due to misalignment of the bite and it did not receive its Baby Champion’s title. The other 6 Labradors that did not receive their titles came from other breeders and kennels. So, 11 of our 12 Labradors earned their International Baby, Junior or Adult champion’s title.
For Chambray and the Partners Program it is an awesome setting to teach all the new owners about dog shows as the atmosphere is much more relaxed and there isn’t that stressed out competitive animosity between the exhibitors and breeders that is so prevalent at the AKC shows. Since dogs don't have to beat each other for the titles at the International venues, the new owners to these shows come away with a better attitude for showing dogs while having fun and doing something constructive with their dogs.
While the ribbons, rosettes, awards and titles are always exciting especially to new owners, we all realize that they do not carry the weight that an AKC title carries, however it does serve to launch new show careers for many of our Labradors and initiate their owners in what to expect in the future at the AKC shows.
All the owners had a great time watching their puppies and dogs in the ring for the very first time, many meeting each other for the first time and hopefully building friendships that will last beyond just this weekend as most of these owners will be part of the Partners Program for the Betterment of the Breed for years to come.
