AJ stands for Andrew Jackson, our 7th president. His reputation for toughness earned him the nickname "Old Hickory." A hero of the War of 1812, Jackson has appeared on the $20 bill since 1928.

Matt bathes Wells the night before the show.

Behind the scenes

Success depends on careful preparation, and if you're an owner, your dog must be in top condition.

Owners must:

• Feed their dogs a balanced diet
• Exercise them daily
• Bathe and groom them regularly
• Properly train them for showing

All of this requires time. Owners must plan ahead; as most shows require that you enter a few weeks in advance.

Groom Your Dog

Dog grooming can either be easy or difficult depending on the type of coat your breed of dog has.

Grooming a Maltese, for example, requires a great deal of skill.

If you're not sure how to groom your dog, ask experienced owners of the breed for advice.

All breeds will need basic grooming such as toenail trimming and mouth care.

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Those of us who enter a show get a schedule about a week before the show. The schedule shows the times that each breed will be judged.

The basic terms in showing dogs. The Basic Terms in Showing Dogs

• Handler: The person showing (known as handling) the dog
• Breeder: Someone who breeds and sells purebred dogs
• Standard: Each breed's standard explains the appearance and temperament of the breed
• Gait: The dog's movement in the show ring

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I like to allow an hour and a half before the time so that I'm not rushed to find the ring in which I'll be showing (some shows have as many as 15 rings).

The extra time also lets me take my dog for a walk and one last brushing, which helps both of us to relax. Click here to find out what happened the first time I showed Wells!

The Very First Day

I was excited about taking a dog into the ring, and was a bit nervous too. I thought I had planned for everything, but there was one thing I hadn't expected.

I took Wells for a walk in the grass once we arrived at the show. It was early morning, and the grass was wet with dew. When he walked out of the grass his normally white feet were brown with mud.

I thought our day was all over! I knew I couldn't take him in the ring with a dirty coat, but a friend of mine knew just what to do. She showed me how to use no-rinse shampoo to get him clean fast.

He turned out looking fine and ended up showing very nicely that day. What a relief!

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In the ring, judges will examine all of the dogs carefully. They will feel over each dog, and will watch each one's gait (the dog's movement).

What do the Judges Feel?

The judges will use their hands to feel each dog's bone structure (particularly in the shoulders and hips), muscle tone, and quality of coat.

Close They will also compare the dogs standing in line and moving together. Though all judges will do these things, not all will do it the same way.

Learning the procedure of the show ring is a big part of training.

Getting started

Wells allows the judge to examine his head. What is the Judge Looking For?

I put Wells on the table (used for shorter dogs), and the judge is examining the correctness of his head and mouth (including the straightness of his teeth, known as his bite).

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First you get a dog.

If you already have a dog and it's registered with the American Kennel Club, then you can begin showing in Junior Showmanship.

Begin with Junior Showmanship

Junior Showmanship is dog show competition for young people 9-17 years old.

Unlike the conformation, dogs are not judged by their quality in Juniors, but by how well they are handled. It's a fun place to learn more about showing and to compete with those in your own age group.

Want to learn more? Visit these sites:

• Kids' Corner
• Tips and Hints

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If you don't have a dog, dog shows are one of the best places to learn more about them.

At shows you can talk with breeders and owners of different breeds to see which breeds you like best.

It's also the best place to learn about how dog shows work before competing in one. You can find a confirmation event near you by visiting the AKC's web site and clicking on the Events tab.

It's important to train dogs throughout the week, and if you're new to showing, it can be difficult to know how to train. Local conformation clubs often offer training classes with experienced teachers. You can also ask people at dog shows if they know of good classes.

Showing dogs is a rewarding hobby.

Keep cost in mind

Showing dogs can be expensive. In addition to the regular costs of buying and caring for a dog, keep the following costs in mind while budgeting:

• Training classes (about $5 per weekly class)
• Fees for entering shows ($20-30 for conformation, often half that for Junior Showmanship)
• Equipment and grooming supplies (varies depending on the breed of dog)
• Travel expenses for shows not held nearby

Though showing dogs requires a commitment of time and money, it's also an exciting, rewarding hobby.

No one can win all the time. In fact, learning to show dogs is often a lesson in losing graciously, but win or lose the time spent bonding with your dog is special.

I Love Dogs!

I currently own two dogs: a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Wells (featured in each photo), and Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Colby (not shown in the photos).

Wells was 16 months old in all of the shots and is now a month older. Colby is eleven years old.

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That's why I like to compete in dog shows, because I love dogs.

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