|
|
|
|
|
|
BENCH SHOWS
Coonhound bench shows are dog shows in which the coonhound and its handler compete with other dogs and their handlers for AKC championship points. Dogs are separated by breeds first. Next, the males and females within the breed are separated and finally, they are separated by age.
Each Bench Show has a judge that determines the winners. The show ring consists of an area to gait the dogs and the benches themselves. The dogs are brought into the ring, gaited around the ring so the judge can see how they move on the ground and then they are placed on the bench. The bench permits the judge to do a “hands-on” evaluation of the dog before making his or her decision.
There are six separate breeds of coonhounds. The dogs within each breed are judged in three age groups, puppy, junior, and senior. Dogs must be six months old in order to enter the Bench Show. The Puppy class consists of dogs that are at least six months old but are not yet one year of age. The Junior class consists of dogs that are one year of age but not yet two years old. The Senior class is for dogs that are older than two years of age.
Here is an example of how a Bench Show works:
In order to show your dog in the Bench Show, you must arrive at the show site by the advertised entry deadline. You must have your dog’s number and the name and address of the owner and handler to give to the entry takers. In our example, your coonhound is a Bluetick male and is 15 months old. The entry taker will place your dog in the Junior class for Bluetick males.
When the show starts, you must have your dog ready to go into the ring when your dog’s name is called. The breeds are judged alphabetically, beginning with the Black and Tan Coonhounds. Your breed, Bluetick, will be judged next.
A person called the “ring steward” will tell you when to enter the ring. You must listen to the announcer’s instructions so you will know how to “gait” your dog around the ring. Usually you will be asked to lead your dog to the judge to receive further instructions. The judge may ask you to lead the dog around the ring or you may be asked to lead your dog away and then return to the judge. When the judge is satisfied that he or she has judged your dog enough on the ground, he or she will ask you to place your dog on the bench. This is where your training will pay off and you and your dog will work as a team.
Your dog should be trained to jump onto the bench without your help but you won’t be penalized if you have to help you dog up onto the bench. The judge will want to inspect your dog’s “bite” before you begin to “stack” your dog on the bench. Your dog will be expected to stand still so the judge can see him or her at their best.
If you are selected best of all Junior Bluetick males you will be asked to come back to show against the best Puppy male and best Senior male. If you win, your dog will be declared Best of Breed. Later in the show, you will come back to show against the Best of Breed winning males from each of the other five breeds.
If you win, your dog will be declared Best of Show. You must have at least one Best of Show win with competition from other dogs in order to win your Bench Show Champion title.
You may want to have your friends or family assist you by acting as the judge at a dog show. Have your friend or family member do a “hands-on” inspection of your dog to be sure that it will permit the judge to do so when you take the dog to the Bench Show. Good luck!
Bench Show Terms
Bite – Bite is a term used to describe the way a dog’s teeth are arranged. A dog should have a “scissors” bite meaning that the dogs upper and lower teeth should touch with its upper teeth extending slightly over its lower teeth.
Championship Points - 100 championship points are required for the dog to become a Champion. Points are earned at the Class, Breed, and Show levels. A Class win earns 5 points, a Breed win earns 10 points, and a Best of Show win earns 25 points. A dog must earn points under two different judges in order to earn the Champion title.
Fun – What you and your coonhound will have when you go to an AKC coonhound Bench Show.
Gait – To “gait” your dog means to lead him at a trot around the show ring. The dog’s “gait” is simply a description of the way the dog walks or trots on the ground.
Hands-on evaluation - The judge will place his or her hands on your dog to determine if the bones and muscles are in the right places. Your dog will be expected to allow the judge to touch him or her anyplace and to stand still for the judge to do a “hands-on” inspection.
Ring Steward – The Ring Steward is responsible for organizing the classes at a Bench Show and to tell the handlers when it is their turn to enter the show ring.
Stack – To “stack” your dog is to position him squarely on the bench or on the ground so that the judge may see him at his best.
|
|
|
|
|
