Tracy Sengupta’s border collie Joe clears a hurdle during an agility competition. Amy Johnson/Submitted photo

All of my life, I’ve grown up with dogs. I don’t think my husband and I have gone for more than a year without having one of these furry family members. And while I’ve loved all of mine, I’ve never had a dog quite like the one we’ve just adopted. Her name’s Roxy, and she’s one of the most intelligent creatures I’ve ever had the good fortune to know.

As a matter of fact, she’s so incredibly smart and responsive, I’ve started thinking about training her to compete in dog shows. Realizing that all I really knew about them was the name of the Super Bowl of dog shows — the Westminster Kennel Club’s — I set out to learn what I could about these competitions.

It turns out that dog shows fall into three major categories: conformation, agility and obedience.

Conformation is what is most commonly seen on TV, and indeed, the Westminster is a good example. In these events, purebred dogs compete against one another to see which one best upholds its breed’s standards. Judges examine each dog for specific animal structure, temperament and movement, and award American Kennel Club (AKC ) points based on their findings.

Because our dog is a mixed breed, she would be ineligible for a conformation show. But I spoke with Linda Hayes, a member of the Janesville-Beloit Kennel Club, who shows Norwegian elkhounds, to get insights about what happens at these kinds of events.

“I think the thing that probably confuses people the most when they first go to dog shows,” says Hayes, a Janesville resident, “is they don’t understand why people are going in and out of the ring with the same dogs. It’s like a pyramid effect. You can start out with 2,000 dogs, for example, but then get down to one.

“You work to win points toward the championship,” she added. “You compete in your class, and if you win your class, you can go on to win best of breed. After that comes group, and then winners of the group compete for best in show. People don’t know that these dogs are competing in higher levels of competition until a champion is chosen, and that’s why you can see the same dogs over and over again in one show.”

Hayes loves the conformation shows because of the fantastic camaraderie she feels with her pets and the other pet owners.

“I love the dogs and love living with the dogs,” she said. “I like them as a species in general, and what they bring to a person. But I like the idea of traveling to the shows. You meet up with people you haven’t seen for a while, and I love it.”

Another member of the Janesville-Beloit Kennel Club, Inge Suchanek of Milton competes in the agility and obedience categories.

During an agility trial, as it’s called, dogs go through a type of obstacle course. Judges decide what order dogs must do certain tasks, such as weaving through posts, running up and down ramps, or going through hoops, and in what amount of time. They show the handlers the course in advance, and then the handlers must lead the dog through the course without a leash. Each trial is timed, and points are deducted for any faults, or if the dog takes too much time to go through the course.

Obedience trials test how well dogs take commands. Besides standing and sitting, other tasks include jumping and retrieving items.

Suchanek, who shows Labradors and shelties, said there’s a lot of work involved in her training regimen.

“Generally, two to three nights per week I’m taking classes, and the nights I’m not taking classes, I’m practicing with the dogs,” she said. “It’s usually an hour to two hours a day. On weekends, if I’m not working, I’m conditioning the dogs. I’m either taking them for nice long walks or taking them swimming for their cardiovascular as well.”

Not only does she make sure her dogs are in good shape, she has to take good care of herself. The handlers also have to be athletic to guide the animals through the course. To keep in shape, Inge said, “I do a lot of walking. I’ve been taking exercise classes, and I try to stay healthy and watch what I eat.”

“Showing dogs is a worthwhile way to spend your time,” Inge said. “You can learn a lot about yourself and your dog, and have fun doing it.”

Tracy Sengupta of Afton agrees with Suchanek. She shows her border collies and said that her favorite aspect is the bond that’s created through training.

“While I enjoy the shows,” Sengupta said, “for me, they’re more a marker of what I’ve accomplished up to that point. I really love training the dogs, and I love the relationship you build with that dog, because the more you’ve trained the dog, the more the dog understands you. You can read the dog better, and it very much opens up the lines of communication between the two of you. I just think that the bond you develop with that dog, the more and more you train it is just phenomenal.”

Luckily for Roxy and us, certain agility and obedience trials are open to mixed-breed dogs. And because our goal is to train with Roxy so we can be closer as a family, this is right up our alley.

I wondered how expensive it was to be involved in showing dogs, and discovered there’s a wide range of costs. Classes typically lasting between six and eight weeks can cost anywhere between $100 and $150. Dog show registration fees can run from $5 to $50, depending where you are and what competition you’re entering. And it’s necessary to consider traveling and grooming costs, which can add up depending on how competitive we’d want to be.

The costs for spectators, however, are incredibly reasonable. Some events are free, and others charge a per person fee with, typically, a lower rate for children. Most events in Rock and Walworth counties cost no more than $5 a person.

If you’re a first-time spectator, keep these tips in mind. First, if you’re going to a show to research dog breeds that you’re interested in, be mindful of the time and demands necessary for owners and handlers. Ask first if it would be all right to talk to them about their animals, and always see if they have time to answer questions before or after the show, because breeders and owners can get nervous before competitions or they may be pressed for time.

Remember to wear comfortable shoes if you plan on talking to breeders and looking at vendors’ booths. And consider bringing a chair; seating can be limited.

Dog shows sound like great fun for everyone involved. Whether we go to our first one to compete with our dog or just to enjoy the spectacle of the different breeds and competitions, I know we’ll be amazed at what these wonderful creatures can do.

• Gordon Setter Dog Show, July 24, park area, Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn. (262) 723-3228.
• Burlington Dog Show, July 27-28, Walworth County Fairgrounds, Elkhorn, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn. (262) 723-3228.

Tags: Activities