Kyrie - MBDCA of CA September 2006
Best Mixed Breed, Best of Points, Points Bitch
CONFORMATION Conformation events are what most people think of when they hear dog show. The dogs are judged against the breed standard to determine which one of the dogs most resembles the standard. Each breed standard is developed by the Parent Club of the breed (for AKC shows it would be the American Belgian Malinois Club). I never thought I would enjoy conformation. I started out with Sasha, doing mixed breed conformation for fun. I had no idea what I was doing or what the purpose was. When I decided to get a purebred dog, I wanted to do conformation because it was something new I hadn't really done. I have learned a lot about in the last 2 years about structure and function. I have also learned quite a bit that goes into the process of breeding. Any one can put 2 dogs together and have puppies, but a breeder is making an effort to improve and preserve the breed. Starting at the breed level, the dogs are divided into different classes. First are the “class dogs,” these are dogs which have not yet earned a championship. The class dogs are then divided: 6-9months, 9-12 months, 12-18 months, American Bred, Bred by Exhibitor, and Open. The same is done with the class bitches. The winners of each division then are judged again for Winners Dog, only winners dog receives points towards its championship. The same is repeated for the class bitches. Then For Best of Breed, all Champions entered and winners dog and winners bitch. The judge then chooses a dog for Best of Breed, Best of Opposite Sex (the best dog that is the opposite sex of the dog that won Best of Breed) and Best of Winners (the better of the two class dogs)