Showing Your Miniature Pinscher🐾
Contents
The world of dog showing can be considered a hobby but for people who have spent many years and invested lots of time (and money) doing it, it’s really a rather serious one. Some people who get into showing are generally very much motivated by the desire to own a winning dog and the prestige that comes with it and some people just want to experience the process, have fun with it and aren’t too focused on winning rosettes and trophies. As Ingrid at Heathside can attest, her experience of dog shows have been highly positive and are generally a wholesome day out. Dog shows today attract a mixture of people who exhibit their dogs as well as many show-loving spectators who come to watch their favourite breed perform. Some exhibitors are breeders, some are owners and with some of the larger dog shows such as Crufts you’ll find people from all walks of life who have one thing in common-a passion for the world of pedigree dogs. As a hobby showing your Min Pin can be full of ups and downs (when your dog does well and when he doesn’t). If you want to get into showing either your inexperienced adult dog or your new puppy, continue reading for all the essential need-to-know information. Ingrid and her current Min Pin Millie are no stranger to the show ring and she has here imparted her knowledge and experience of showing over the decades.
What Makes A Show Dog🐾
Dog shows are competitive events where members of different breeds are judged against an established ideal for their breed. Put simply whichever individual dog is the closest to or the best example of a breed standard will do the best in the show ring. This is the basis behind these shows which are called conformation events. A breed standard is essentially an established description of physical characteristics or phenotypes that also include permitted colours, size ranges, weights and a few traits regarding temperament that taken together, give a picture of what an ideal example of the breed should be. Breed standards also have a description of ‘faults’ whereby their existence on a dog will put them at a disadvantage at a conformation event. Originally created by breed clubs and owned by the Kennel Club, breed standards are rarely altered. Judges who must have experience in a particular breed or a number of breeds will in the show ring use breed standards to evaluate each dog and will deduct points based on how many faults a dog has according to their breed standard. Dogs also accumulate points by other dogs being eliminated across several shows. Conformation events were originally created to evaluate breeding stock and so traditionally people who used to attend these dog shows with their dogs were breeders. They would first see how well their dog does in a conformation show and on the basis of that will use that dog in their breeding program, presumably to pass on their winning genes (correct form, colours etc). If the dog did not do well in show they may not breed that dog. Breeders therefore used to breed according to the breed standard and try and get the closest to it and many breeders still do. Championship status is the highest title a dog can achieve at conformation events at championship level but before this there are several levels of events where your dog or puppy can compete.
Breeding For Beauty, Temperament And Health🐾
Dog showing began as a way for breeders to evaluate their breeding stock and breeders continued for many decades to strive to produce dogs that were of show quality and therefore breeding ‘quality’. Those dogs that didn’t make the cut were sold on to people not interested in showing and are sometimes known as ‘pet quality’ today in some countries. This kind of streamlining of puppies is more prominent in other countries such as the United States. Today many people (though not all) who breed dogs are not so focused on obsessively meeting the breed standard preferring to breed healthy dogs of good temperament. This is important as the world of conformation showing has had it’s fair share of controversy thrown it’s way because of the inbreeding that has occurred over the decades, where physical appearance has been put before health. It’s fortunate that the Min Pin has not suffered with the same conformation and genetic problems as some of the more popular breeds of today. While dams (female breeding dogs) do not necessarily need to have a career in the show ring, studs (male breeding dogs) typically do. A stud dog that has achieved championship status or has done well in the show ring will be desired far more than one that hasn’t. The Kennel Club advise that dogs have proven themselves in events so they have some qualities they could potentially pass onto their progeny before they become studs. The best breeders today are typically focused on producing the best of the breed while ensuring that they stay committed to putting the health of their dogs first and this is regardless of whether they breed for show or pet homes. Speaking of show potential, however, a desirable temperament is very important. Although upbringing and training has a massive impact, a puppy’s natural disposition should be confident and sociable with humans and other animals as well as being free of undesirable personality traits such as nervousness or aggression.
Registration With The Kennel Club🐾
In the UK dog shows whether for conformation or non-conformation (activity events-more below) are run by the Kennel Club. As far as conformation events go all dogs and puppies must be registered with the Kennel Club in order to attend these events. This means that dogs must have verifiable evidence of their purebred status and the only way this can happen is if they came from two registered parents and are therefore registered themselves. A 100% purebred dog with no registration (and no way of verifying his pedigree lineage) cannot compete in a conformation show. The Kennel Club has a database where the details of all breeding dogs are kept and breeders must register their litters so records can be saved immediately and this is the only way it’s done. So if you have a Kennel Club registered pet then you’re ready to start showing (if your pet is not registered and you still want to attend competitive events see below for more). If your Min Pin comes from abroad he first must be registered with a foreign kennel club or organisation that the UK Kennel Club recognises. An example is the FCI which is a international directory of kennel clubs for the rest of the world or the AKC for the USA. You should then apply to import your Min Pin’s pedigree before he can be allowed to attend events over here in the UK.
This is a beautiful example of a Miniature Pinscher about to go into the ring at Crufts 2018. Min Pins entering conformation events must be as true to the breed standard as possible which can have differing requirements to foreign breed standards. Over here in the UK Min Pins are bred to be as small as possible in stature with a hackney gait-see The Miniature Pinscher
Below the Kennel Club explains to the newbie on how to get started with dog showing
Getting Started With Showing🐾
As a complete beginner with no experience it’s a great idea to attend as many dog shows and events as you can. You can use the Kennel Club’s website to find shows in your part of the country or the Miniature Pinscher Club Of Great Britain. The purpose is to familiarise yourself with the atmosphere and how things work as well have an opportunity to speak to exhibitors, breeders and judges and ask for advice. Large championships shows such as Crufts are fantastic for this because of the sheer number of exhibitors. No matter how familiar you are with the Min Pin breed if you aren’t a breeder and you are new to dog showing, you should become well-versed with the breed standard. Understanding what makes a good good example of the breed and what doesn’t, what the Kennel Club permits and what they do not e.g. certain colours and what kind of temperament and personality characteristics an ideal show dog should possess (more below). Links to dog breeder forums can be found here which can be excellent resources to connect with people who can help you out.
Buying A Puppy With Show Potential🐾
If you want to get into showing with the Min Pin and you do not have a dog that can qualify for conformation events, you will first need to begin your quest to find a suitable puppy. It’s worth pointing out now that because Min Pins from foreign kennel clubs can appear very different in physicality than the ones over here, if your Min Pin is one them, he may not do well in conformation shows. This is because the slight differences in breed standards e.g. permitted weights. Some judges want to see certain characteristics and an example of this may be that they will be looking for small dogs however, yours is much larger (as European Min Pins often are). This doesn’t mean you cannot try. This is why it’s better to buy a puppy in the UK if you intend on showing here. The best place to start is the Kennel Club which will have a list of registered breeders or Champdogs. Contacting the Kennel Club can help advise you and get you started on your career in showing. It’s important that when looking for a potential show puppy that you source out breeders who not only have their dogs and puppies registered but also who’ve had experience of showing. Firstly because they will have important knowledge to impart and experience to properly guide you on your new dog showing venture and secondly, a breeder that shows their dogs breeds puppies with the breed standard in mind. This is exactly what you want. You should avoid going straight onto pet listing/classified sites first and attempting to buy a puppy. This doesn’t mean you cannot find breeders with quality show stock on pet listing sites but they shouldn’t be your first port of call. Many breeders on pet listings tend to be ‘hit and run’ are in it for the money and are not interested in breeding the best of the breed, let alone showing. They may sell you a puppy and have nothing to do with you after the sale or offer any support. Buying a puppy with a potential show career is a large undertaking and you want to give yourself the best chance by finding a good, responsible breeder who knows and works on their lineages. A good breeder of any breed breeds dogs to improve the breed which doesn’t solely mean dogs with good conformation. It also means dogs with outstanding temperaments and fantastic genetic health and this means attempting to breed as close to the breed standard as possible and maintain certain traits while staying away from too much inbreeding. Successful breeding programs can take many generations of litters to perfect.
While it isn’t a must that your breeder is experienced with showing it’ll help you greatly as a newbie if they are. The breeder you choose to get your puppy from will know how to select a puppy that is showing good conformation. The older the puppy is the easier it is to evaluate for this purpose. But sometimes an experienced breeder will be able to identify desirable structure as early as 3 weeks old. More generally the puppy that a breeder selects out of a litter as having show potential will sometimes have only a few differences between them and their less-conforming littermates. Many puppies that aren’t selected to be show potential and are bought to be loving pets go on to do well at shows but it’s that outstanding-looking puppy that you as a would-be show owner should be seeking as a starting point. Perhaps a particular puppy that is deemed to have show potential simply has less faults or flaws than the rest of the litter or may have the most amenable disposition? A breeder will be able to spot these important and sometimes small distinctions amongst their litter.
Gemma with a beautiful red show stopper at the 2018 Crufts
In 2018, Gemma and Winton got to visit the world famous dog show Crufts. They had been to other dogs shows prior however Crufts was an amazing experience because they got to see the beautiful Min Pins strut their stuff in the ring! You can see just how much they enjoy it as if it’s just another fun game. We all know how much Min Pins relish an opportunity to perform. All these dogs are radiating confidence and excitement and they are absolutely loving their ‘job’. On a more serious note conformation shows should be a consistently positive experience for the dog with the handler’s attitude being happy and upbeat, providing plenty of reassurance and positive reinforcement no matter how many times the dog has been. A good day in the show ring is a result of the strong connection and bond between the dog and his handler. If a dog doesn’t enjoy being shown he probably shouldn’t be in the show ring and his unkeeness will might be apparent during show training
Is My Adult Min Pin Suitable To Be Shown?🐾
While it isn’t a must that your Min Pin or puppy comes from a show breeder or sold to you as potential show quality you may not get as far with him in the show ring as you would with a dog that was. Similarly, just because your breeder sold you a puppy or dog as having show potential doesn’t mean he will do well and achieve championship status. This brings about the next point: the task of objectivity. Ideally you should be able to look at your dog from as much as an objective standpoint as possible and judge how well he fits the breed standard. This is something that breeders struggle with so it’s certainly something that owners will struggle with too-even judges in the ring! Your Min Pin although perfect to you may be out-sized for his breed or have some other faults that the breed standard penalizes or maybe even disqualifies dogs for. As an owner who dotes on their dog you may be blind to his conformation faults and believe he’s the most beautiful Min Pin. However the world of dog showing can be ruthless. It’s important that you are being honest with yourself. As we’ve touched on you must first study the breed standard and thoroughly understand what all these terms that relate to conformation mean.
Training And Preparing Your Puppy Or Dog For Showing🐾
In order to have a successful day out at conformation event and possibly win some points your Min Pin must be happy to go along with everything that comes with it. These are prerequisites specific to showing that the dog must be okay with such as being handled and examined intimately by a stranger (judge) while staying still as well as performing in a busy environment with lots of people, other dogs and plenty of noise. Behaving while he’s on the judge’s table is a far more taxing task then doing so while he’s on the veterinary table; your Min Pin must be able to stack at the same time (more below). As he must be able to follow commands on the fly and cannot afford to get easily distracted by his busy environment with all manner of distractions while he’s performing, it is mandatory that he is trained in basic obedience. Your dog having an excellent understanding of basic obedience is a foundation for succeeding in all competitive shows and events. There must be excellent communication between the both of you as the entire time your Min Pin must be entirely focused on you and your commands and nothing else. Puppies are likely to succeed quicker at the basic training needed for the show ring than an adult who hasn’t been trained properly as well as the fact that puppies can be primed for a show environment in a way that inexperienced adults cannot. If your Min Pin puppy or adult has an excellent grasp on positive reinforcement training it should be used and strengthened. You should use it when you are visiting conformation classes, show events and for the preliminary training that your Min Pin must undergo before he is ready for show.
“As per the UK breed standard for Min Pins the permitted colours are black and tan, red (sometimes referred to as solid red), stag red, chocolate and tan and blue and tan. Permitted means that the colour is allowed in the show ring. These colours can come in many shades and intensities to the point where they appear like distinguished colours in their own right. The AKC has a list of possible colours that can be registered and has guidelines on which colours out of that list can be shown. In reality however genes have variation and puppies can turn out to be many possible colours than the ones that are permitted in the show ring. Fawn in all it’s shades and newer colour, harlequin, are not recognised colours in the UK. It’s important that the puppy you purchase for show is of a permitted colour.”
Ingrid, Min Pin enthusiast
Credit: Kira Rudakova
Credit: Kira Rudakova
Breeders who show their dogs begin teaching their young puppies to stack very young. Puppies of all ages will learn faster because they’re more easily handled. Puppies and dogs must become used to having their limbs, feet and other body parts touched in order to for them to be taught how to stack. The best ways of starting this is to begin with hand-stacking. You can use food rewards to train your Min Pin for example the puppy (pictured) is being hand-fed in order so his breeder can ensure his head is in the correct position. During a stack a dog should be standing with his head held up, body leaning slightly forward, limbs straight and ears and tail held in an uplifted but natural position
Moves Of A Show Dog🐾
Stacking
Stacking is a central behaviour when it comes to being examined by the judge in the show ring. In simple terms it is the natural way the dog stands as is written in the breed standard and it’s where the dog’s form is clearly visible without any obstruction. When a dog stacks one can evaluate his structure in it’s entirety. Breeders who show begin teaching their puppies to stack from the age of 3 weeks old to do these evaluations. It is a process where it can take many months to achieve results and one that is easier with young puppies than it is with adults. Stacking comes in a two forms; free and hand. Free-stacking is where the dog naturally stands in a desired position by himself. Every now and then you’ll see your Min Pin standing on the spot as something catches his attention and usually these instances are the best examples of free-stacking. However it is a behaviour than can be performed on command by reinforcing it through training with the dog eventually adopting that way of standing as second nature more frequently. Hand-stacking involves you manipulating your dog’s body by moving it into the desired standing position. At a show you’ll see Min Pins either stacking at their handler’s (owner) command or the judge kind of manipulating them by moving their limbs into a particular position.
Gaiting
Gaiting is essentially how a dog walks and moves. According to the American Kennel Club the Min Pin has a uniqueness only found in the breed “..the hackney-like action is a high-stepping, reaching, free and easy gait in which the font leg moves straight forward and in front of the body and the foot bends at the wrist..”. Every breed has a different gait and in the show ring an excellent gait is executed by the dog when he walks by his owner’s side without pulling on the lead or lagging behind. Essentially it’s about getting your Min Pin to walk at your speed ideally. He should also be walking with confidence meaning that his head should be in a forward position, looking as if he’s alert and his tail should be in a natural, neutral position i.e. it will be pointing straight up and if it’s undocked (a tail that hasn’t been cut) it should be curling over his back. This shows that a dog is truly feeling confident and relaxed too. While he’s gaiting around the show ring your Min Pin’s only concern should be with executing this desired behaviour when you ask him to do so and not with getting distracted by looking left or right or stopping to sniff the floor. As already touched on you can start training your Min Pin puppy or dog to gait by revisiting basic obedience such as the sit and stay commands. Focus and lead training however are primary requirements for your Min Pin learning how to gait effortlessly. If he isn’t trained in basic obedience he won’t be able to begin gait training. Start walking and call him getting him to focus on you and reward and praise him when he does. You should try this in indoor and outdoor environments until you are comfortable he will be able to focus on you while walk alongside you whenever you ask him to. If he begins to lose focus and take his eyes off you, just like when training him not to pull on the lead, you stop and when he looks at you again reward and praise. This ability to focus on you when you need him to will become essential when in the ring. If your Min Pin is already trained in basic obedience then you can begin getting him to walk along with you and focus on you without a lead attached. The reason for this is he needs to be motivated to walk along with you and being able to do so without a lead can help.
Preparation Classes
Once your Min Pin is well-trained in basic obedience and he is able to focus well and walk on well alongside you on and off the lead, you both are ready to attend preparation classes. Ringcraft are classes held in a place that emulates a show environment where your Min Pin will learn essential training discussed above for shows which includes your dog getting experience with how a judge would examine him as well as an explanation on how to present yourself and your dog in the ring. Your ringcraft trainer will also be able to best advise you on how best to practice at home as well as zero in on what your Min Pin needs to work on most. You will also meet other dog owners in the same boat as you and there are also competitions held with some ringcraft classes that act as practice sessions and to see how your dog is progressing.
Beginning Your Min Pin’s Show Career🐾
After practicing the required dog training and presentation skills at your ringcraft classes the next step for you and your dog are companion shows. These shows aren’t a 100% must-do but they can be very advantageous for your Min Pin to further practice his training however this time in a more realistic setting. These shows are usually charity and fundraising, very relaxed and mainly for fun. When you think your Min Pin is ready to attend his first real show, you can start your search for a suitable event. There are 4 levels of shows.
- Open show and premier open show. Premier shows being the larger of the two, they both are entry level and you can gain experience here as well as an advantage of your dog being able to qualify for a championship show, such as Crufts
- Limited show. Is an entry level show but smaller. They are restricted either geographically, by breed or club.
- Championship show. This is the highest level of show where dogs must have earned qualifications from lower or entry level shows. Crufts is the greatest example of a championship show but there are championship shows that are held exclusively for the Min Pin breed by The Miniature Pinscher Club Of Great Britain
Within these levels of show, there will be types of show which are:
- Single breed open show. This is can be a championship show except the show will present one breed only
- Group championship show. Each breed falls into one group i.e. the Min Pin belongs in the toy group. These shows will present all breeds belonging to that one group
- General show. Open shows and premier open shows fall into this type and present all breeds from all groups
Attending Your Very First Show
When you are ready to attend your first show with your Min Pin you must apply to enter the correct class within that particular show. These classes are defined by how old your Min Pin is and what he has won previously at shows. There are several steps you have to take and you can see here for that information. See the Kennel Club website for more information.
For the newbie its important to remember that practice makes perfect which will get you onto the winning path. It’s normal and natural to be disappointed when you don’t win in a competition, however, don’t be discouraged or put off. It’s not common for newbies to win at competitions immediately. Try again and again and enjoy the whole exciting process of planning, training with your Min Pin, travelling to the events and experiencing them. Perhaps you’ll make friends along the way as well. Remember that dog showing should be a fun, recreational event instead of getting stressed out chasing that rosette. Ensuring that you are familiar with ‘etiquette’ at Kennel Club events is important before you attend any shows.
A Min Pin running on a plank (above). It is well-known in Min Pin circles that the breed makes a good agility dog. Your Min Pin could love agility too. Min Pins appear to be suited to it personality-wise e.g. their extrovert, activity-loving natures, as well as having the energy levels for it
Activity Shows🐾
Whereas Conformation shows have their place in showing off the best of a breed the Kennel Club also hosts other types of shows. These competitive events are quite different and they hold competitions in a variety of activities. Activity shows are open to any breed as well as mixed breeds (great if you have a Min Pin mix). This means that if your Min Pin is a purebred dog with no registration papers it won’t matter. Entering your Min Pin into an activity show is great option if you are either not keen on conformation showing or for a number of reasons your Min Pin cannot qualify. It’s also great if you want to be involved in the sheer excitement in the world dog competitive events-which are perhaps even more enjoyable than conformation showing. They definitely offer something very different. Just like with conformation showing it’s a great idea to attend Kennel Club agility events and speak to the competitors all about their experiences, ask any questions you may have and listen to advice they may have for you.
Agility🐾
Agility is listed under the Kennel Club competitive activities and what’s so wonderful about it is that Min Pins can have a natural flair for it. The reason is that being a high energy breed they are suited to agility. Quick-witted, fast, high-spirited breeds such as most terriers and similar small and toy breeds love agility because it can challenge their quick, intelligent little minds as well as be great activity to channel their energy into.
Getting Started With Agility
Just like with conformation showing your Min Pin needs to be trained in basic obedience in order to begin training for agility. Your Min Pin will be competing while he’s off-lead so the importance of excellent focus and recall is paramount. Your Min Pin should have a certain level of fitness or at least work up slowly to becoming fitter before he can start his agility training. You can begin gently training your puppy however the Kennel Club does not recommend training with agility equipment until they are at least a year old. See Play, Activities And Sports With The Miniature Pinscher for information on how to begin training your Min Pin agility at home.
Competitive Agility
The Kennel Club has a rescource so you can look for a club that hold agility training classes. Alternatively there are many training schools and establishments that offer agility training across the web so you can begin your search there. Just like with conformation shows there are 4 levels of agility shows. Within these classes there will be a variety of agility obsticles. Agility classes are graded from 1 to 7; 1 being suitable for beginners to enter. Dogs progress through progression on points or wins.
Attending Your Very First Agility Show
When you think your Min Pin is ready to attend their first competition you must first ensure he is registered on the activity register. Your Min Pin will then have to undergo an official measurement so he can be placed in the correct class. With regards to competitive agility the Kennel Club does not allow dogs to enter until they are at least 18 months old. The most important thing to remember is that you must practice with your min pin thoroughly and regularly at home and take him to training classes before you attend any entry level show.
“In agility a dog’s physical ability and his connection with his handler is tested to the max in a fast paced, highly exciting environment. For an owner introducing their Min Pin to a sport such as agility where they are good enough to eventually compete can not only improve the dog’s quality of life but greatly increase the bond they have with their owners. It’s worth mentioning that having winning titles after the dog’s name can also increase the value of stud dogs as well.”
Lee, Min Pin enthusiast
Upcoming Shows And Events🐾
As a newbie to the show world or a spectator, you can keep an eye out for events by checking back with the links below.
For Competitors
Miniature Pinscher Club Of Great Britain
Miniature Pinscher Club Of Great Britain Facebook Group
For Spectators