Patch-O-Pits

Yes, collar placement is helpful. The judges should be looking at the dogs not you so don't worry so much. Relax, have fun and don't over analyze

here are a few of the differences in the show ring:

ADBA
judge doesn't touch the dog only looks when doing the exam
dogs are encouraged to pull and really gaited the same way
overall movement doesn't seem to be that big IMO since the way most are moving around the ring pulling
overall attitude is a bigger deal
Conditioning or at minimum a very in shape dog is a must if you want to do well
4ft leads and flat buckle collars are used

UKC
Judge is hands on for the eval
Dogs are examined one at a time and then have to gait not pull
They are expected to behave in the ring
show collars and leads are used
conditioning is not usually stressed by most judges

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Sampsons Dad

Is putting powder on a dog illegal?
I think its cheating.
I have never and will never color my dogs to win a show.

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Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
Proverbs 26:20

Patch-O-Pits

Not sure what you are talking about. (?)

In APBTs all coat and nose colors are allowed except Merle which is not a purebred APBT color. I've never seen or heard of anyone trying to change the color of their APBT for showing purposes.

Maybe you are thinking of AKC. AKC doesn't recognize APBTs

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Sampsons Dad

Often times people that show breeds that are supposed to be solid colors will "powder" a dog to hide faults like specks of color on a white coat.

This is a response from a clubs show commitee.
"I believe that with some associations like UKC it is illegal (Or so they say) but people do it anyways.

The powder doesn't miraculously turn a dalmatian into a dogo. It will just "inhance" the color. Make your dog look better/cleaner in the ring.

It must be used very lightly and one shouldn't be able to tell that the dog has powder/chalk on him. A judge might deduct points or frown upon it. All depends on the judge.

I use chalk when needed... lightly. I trim whiskers and whatever is needed for my dogs to look clean/sharp. It's all about presenting your dog at it's best!"

That to me is cheating and it upsets me. I won't try to improve my placement by cheating. It handicaps me and my dog. The people that are in the same club as I am will see this post and they will cheat as well. I wonder if its even worth showing if I have to cheat to place.

__________________
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
Proverbs 26:20

bluefamily

I know you should represent your dog at its best but some folks take it too far for sure. I haven't seen powdering but I have seen the human cut in line or "rearrange contestants" or "entries" to suit their needs. They managed that by volunteering to work the registration table. Yeah people cheat. It is a shame. My thought is if you will work so hard at winning at whatever cost, then are you having fun anymore? Are you living up to what your dogs think you are?

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To know me is to love my dogs!

chance77

This is a lil off the subject...Last time I went to a show it was for AADR...i placed 2nd in conformation....I asked the judge what was the down fall...they told me that his skin was too thick...I know what he meant, now my ? Is how would I go about fixing that problem next time around?...work him harder? Longer?....less water to dehydrate the skin??..I figure I ask since it seems some of you have more experiences with getting your dogs in to conformation shape....thanks...any tips would be helpful...