| If you are planning to show your Shih Tzu, your first | | | | will have to find out which day the Shih Tzu will be |
| experiences with conformation should be as a | | | | shown. |
| spectator. You need to do some studying and | | | | Whatever variety of show you attend, it is called |
| practicing before actually going into a show with your | | | | conformation because all judging is meant to be |
| Shih Tzu. Leave the Shih Tzu behind. | | | | based on how well each dog conforms to its written |
| The first thing you will want to purchase at the show | | | | breed standard. |
| is a show catalog. Don't miss out. Clubs often run out | | | | Take a chair with you and find a place near ringside |
| of these early in the day. The show catalog is like a | | | | for the purposes of being a spectator. Remember, |
| scorecard. They are usually for sale on the | | | | you are going to this show without your Shih Tzu. |
| superintendent's table. | | | | You want only to watch, observe closely how other |
| At a specialty show all the dogs are the same breed. | | | | people show their dogs. You can learn a lot being a |
| Many clubs hold local specialties and generally the | | | | spectator. |
| national breed club will hold a national specialty once a | | | | A term you may hear and may not understand at |
| year. | | | | first is "a dog has been put down for the ring." This |
| If you see many breeds on the show grounds, then | | | | does not mean the dog has been put to sleep for |
| you are probably at a multibreed show. Each breed | | | | health reasons. In the dog fancy, "put down for the |
| will be taking a part in a separate show. There is no | | | | ring," means groomed appropriately for the breed |
| competition beyond Best of Breed. | | | | (which in your case is the Shih Tzu) and ready to |
| Group shows are all the breeds in an AKC group. | | | | show. |
| Group shows are most often done with the Terriers | | | | Other terms you will want to become acquainted |
| and the Toys. Thus, the Shih Tzu is included here. | | | | with are: |
| An all-breed show is of dogs of every imaginable | | | | - A handler: This is the person in the ring with the |
| size, shape, coat and color. Every breed registered | | | | dog or Shih Tzu, doing the showing. A handler can be |
| by the kennel club can be shown. Examples of | | | | the Shih Tzu owner, the breeder or a professional |
| all-breed shows are: | | | | handler. |
| - Westminster | | | | - An Agent: Is usually a professional handler in charge |
| - Golden Gate | | | | of the Shih Tzu on the owner's behalf. |
| - Crufts | | | | - A breeder: Is the person who owns the Shih Tzu |
| - The World Show | | | | bitch who whelped the Shih Tzu dog in question. |
| Some of the larger shows take place over two days. | | | | After you feel you have learned enough as a |
| About half the breeds are shown the first day and | | | | spectator, it is time to get into the ring with your |
| the other half the second day. If there is a specific | | | | Shih Tzu. |
| breed you want to see, such as the Shih Tzu, you | | | | This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. |