Showing in conformation may look like a beauty pageant - but it's not!  If a conformation handler is doing their job, you shouldn’t even notice them, all you should see is the dog. 

 

Beginning January 14, 2025, Conformation Handling Classes will be offered every Tuesday evening from 6-7:00 pm.  We offer a drop-in conformation handling class for training both the dogs and the handlers for conformation competition.  The drop-in class is all year long and does not operate on a seasonal session. It is a pay-as-you go class ($10 per week), so you pay the nights you are there.  The class is open to both puppies and adult dogs.  There are no prerequisite classes necessary. 

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This class is taught by Linda Sansom.  Linda has been training and showing dogs since 1980.  She began in obedience  but moved to conformation  in 1986 when her daughter became active in conformation.  Her daughter won the Best Junior Handler award at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Show showing a Doberman.  Linda has been showing her own dogs in conformation for over 30 years and teaching handling classes for over 6 years.

 

Linda  currently lives with 4 Standard Manchester Terriers – 2 are Grand Champions with DCAT fast cat titles and 2 with Championships and 1 BCAT fast cat title.  She has also shown and earned Championship titles on other Manchester Terriers (both Standards and Toys) and wirehaired dachshunds.  She is a member of the Harrisburg Kennel Club, the American Manchester Terrier Club, the Delaware Valley Manchester Terrier Club and  Dauphin Dog Training Club.

 

In a class at a conformation show, the judge is comparing the dog in front of them to the AKC breed standard and looking for the dog or dogs that best meet(s)/represent(s) the breed standard.  There is a lot of training that goes into those 2 minutes of fame that each dog claims every time that he or she enters the ring.  The dog has to learn to stack or stand either on a table, a ramp or the ground based on the dog’s breed for a thorough examination.  While they are being examined, the judge examines their structure, looks at their bite and may count their teeth based on their breed standard.  The dog should stand there and not move during the examination or show signs of fear or aggression toward the judge or handler. 

 

After the dog is examined the judge observes their movement around the ring.  The judge will ask the handler to do one or a combination of different movement patterns.  The most common patterns are a triangle or a down and back.  The handler and dog must work together as a team and the handler must know the best speed to move the dog to show off their movement.  All of these behaviors/skills will be learned in the class.