A dog show is an event where dogs are judged on how well they measure up to the breed standard and to the other dogs in the ring on that day. It's much more than a beauty pageant, though. The conformation show brings together breeders and their dogs in a hunt for those Labs that are most suited for breeding. Each Lab's structure (conformation), movement, and attitude is judged against the breed standard. The dogs that most closely meet the standard earn championships and are considered good breeding prospects.

Dogs earn points toward championships at all-breed dog shows. Each win brings one to five points, depending on the number of dogs defeated. A three-, four-, or five-point win is called a major. Dogs must receive fifteen points under three different judges to earn a championship. Two of the wins must be majors, each won under a different judge.

Besides proper conformation, a good show dog has character, expression, attitude, and showmanship. He's well muscled and not overly fat. He moves effortlessly, looking as if he could go all day in the field — as indeed he should be able to do. His eyes should have a kind, soft, intelligent expression since lack of expression is considered a weakness.

The best show dogs have a style and quality that draws all eyes to them. Some Labs just seem to “ask” for the win, and they often get it, even if they might not be the best in the ring that day.

Grooming for Conformation

Lots of breeds must be endlessly curled, combed, and styled before they enter the show ring — not the Lab. This is a wash-and-go dog. Nonetheless, a few grooming tips can help your Lab look his best on the big day:

Bathe him two or three days before the show, not the day before. His coat should have a hard but not harsh texture to it rather than being soft and fluffy.

If you like, you can trim the whiskers for a neater, cleaner look. Your Lab won't lose any points with or without whiskers, however.

With some training from an experienced Lab exhibitor, you can use thinning shears to clean up the dog's lines and subtly shape and round the tail.

Specialty Shows

Specialty shows are limited to dogs of a single breed — in this case, Labradors. They are usually judged by breeders who are experts in all aspects of the Lab, and it's at a specialty where you'll see many of the finest Labs in the country.

Specialty shows can be local, regional, or national. The annual national specialty celebrates the Lab's versatility, and draws more than 1,500 entries. Besides conformation, it includes agility, hunt tests, obedience, and tracking events.

Some of the classes at specialties that aren't normally found at the average dog show are the veteran, brood bitch, and stud dog classes. The veteran classes showcase dogs that are still sound, even at ten or more years of age. They represent the lines that smart breeders want to breed into. Brood bitch and stud dog classes showcase the offspring of the dogs entered.

Another class unique to a specialty show is the sweepstakes. The puppy sweepstakes put on display the up-and-coming generation of Labs. These young dogs will carry on the versatile heritage of their breed. The climax of a national specialty is the best of breed competition, where the best Labrador in the country is chosen.

Conformation Training and Handling Tips

You can start teaching your Lab to stand as early as eight weeks of age. Keep things fun, and don't ask him to hold his position for more than a couple of seconds. When he's about twelve weeks old, start moving him on a lead and let him stand on his own. Again, keep practice sessions short — only a minute or two each time. Remember to keep things fun.

For more formal preparation for the show ring, consider attending a handling class at your local dog club. You can sign up for this when your Lab is about three months old. (He can't enter a show until he's six months old.) It's a great way to pick up tips, especially if you plan to show your Lab yourself. You'll learn how to display your dog's outline in the show ring (called stacking), gait (move) him properly, and groom him appropriately.

At home, practice in front of a mirror. Stack your dog in different ways to see what looks best. This can help you enhance your Lab's appearance and bring out his best points. Some Labs set themselves up squarely with no assistance from their handler, called free-stacking. If your Lab looks good standing on his own, go with it, but consider who the judge is as well. Sometimes, breeder judges prefer the natural free stack, while some all-breed judges like to have dogs presented to them in a stacked position.

As far as gait goes, show your Lab on a loose lead, moving at a slow trot or brisk walk. One of the most common complaints judges have is that dogs are moved too quickly around the ring. If your Lab is put together properly, he'll move correctly at a brisk walk, and you won't have to gait him quickly to hide movement faults.

Make showing fun for your Lab. He should be happy in the ring, not on edge — because he feels your tension traveling down the lead — or bored because he'd rather be doing something else. Use liver or a favorite toy as bait to keep his attention and put a sparkle in his eyes. Your own style is important, too. Dress appropriately and professionally, and look like you want to win. In the words of the late Lina Basquette, a grande dame of the show ring, “Always dress like you're going to win something big.” Don't be afraid to ask for help. Watch and talk to and learn from other handlers, both amateur and professional.

Professional Handlers

A good Lab should be able to finish with his owner showing him. Handling your Lab to his championship is a great achievement that you can always cherish. Nonetheless, some people choose to hire a professional handler, for perfectly valid reasons. They may not enjoy being in the spotlight, even though the dog is the one being judged; they may be poor handlers — not everyone has the skill and coordination to handle a dog well; or they may simply not have enough time.

Professional handlers show ten to twenty dogs a show at 120 shows a year. Not surprisingly, they understand the physical and mental conditioning show dogs need. Not just any handler will do, however. You want someone who knows the breed: how to care for it, how to condition it, and how to motivate it. Some handlers specialize in sporting breeds and have a deep understanding of the particular issues involved in showing a Lab.

The health and welfare of your Lab is the most important thing. If your Lab will be living with the handler in another city or state, find out how he will be cared for, where he'll be housed, whether the kennel has heat and air-conditioning, what he'll be fed, how he'll travel to shows, and so on. Tour the handler's facility yourself to make sure you're satisfied with how and where your Lab will be living.

Next, understand where your Lab falls on the handler's list of priorities. If you simply want your Lab to earn a championship, he may be handled by an assistant if the handler has a more important dog to show. Many top handlers end up with as many as four or five dogs in one string in the best-in-show ring, and they can't handle all of them at once. Be clear on how the system works and accept that your Lab isn't always going to be top dog.