Going to the dogs! - dog-show photography

PSA Journal, August, 1997 by DC Belanger

Ever dream of photographing beautiful models at the peak of their careers? Looking for a change from the conventional portrait photos? Well, with a little sense of humor, you can photograph some of the world's top models and take a break from the routine portrait photography. How? Go to a dog show.

If you are a first-time spectator at a dog show, take a few minutes to study the show's catalog or schedule. This will tell you in which ring and at what time each breed is being judged. If you are interested in a particular breed, plan to arrive early. Usually, once each breed has been judged, those dogs are allowed to leave. If you arrive late, you will miss seeing them. However, even if you miss the breed competition, you can still see the judging of the seven groups (I'll explain more about this later). The seven groups are judged before the "Best in Show" competition and will likely include one representative of your favorite breed.

At a recent local dog show, I was astounded by the many different breeds. Every color imaginable was represented. There were big dogs and small dogs. Dogs with long hair, and dogs with short hair. There were curly-haired dogs and straight-haired dogs. Big ears and small ears. Some ears were upright; others were floppy. Coats were soft; coats were coarse. Some dogs had beards, and some had mustaches. Big eyes and small eyes, blue eyes and brown eyes, and some eyes were so well hidden beneath hair you wondered how the dogs could see. Each breed was more charming than the last. Talk about a challenge! Which ones to choose and photograph?

Grooming areas were set aside so the owners could brush and prepare their dogs before presenting them to a judge. Combs were fluffing, and scissors were trimming. Hair was being tied together or hairsprayed into place. The luster of their coats reflected the dogs' health and the high quality of care they receive. Each dog was being groomed to perfection in hopes of winning the judge's favor, and each easily captured this photographer's eye.

Once the dogs are groomed, they are ready to be presented in the judging ring. Judges will examine and rank the dogs according to how closely they compare with the judges' mental image of the "perfect" dog, according to each breed's official standard. These standards include structure, temperament, and movement -- the characteristics that allow the breed to perform the function for which it was bred.

Dogs and their owners maneuver through various skills for the judges' evaluation. Many skills are performed with such ease, making it easy to forget the countless hours the dog and its handler spent mastering them. The dogs exhibit grace, skill, and great devotion toward their owners. In turn, the owners exhibit great pride and affection toward their dogs.

Judging is done with attention to detail. Judges scrutinize the dog's coat, eyes, composure, and general appearance -- going over each dog with their hands to decide if the teeth, muscles, bones and coat texture match the standard for that breed. Each dog is examined in profile for general balance, and is watched as it moves for grace. The judges' knowledge of the various breeds becomes obvious, as they tally the dogs' characteristics unique to each breed.

As I mentioned earlier there are seven groups of dogs in an all-breed show, and the male and female dogs compete separately according to age:

1) Sporting: These dogs were bred to hunt game birds both on land and in the water. The breeds in this group include Pointers, Retrievers, Setters, and Spaniels.

2) Hounds: These dogs were used for hunting other game by sight or scent. These breeds include Beagles, Bassets, Dachshunds, and Greyhounds.

3) Working: These dogs were used to pull carts, guard property and for search and rescue. Among the breeds in this group are the Akita, Boxer, Doberman Pinscher, and St. Bernard.

4) Terrier: This is the largest group, with breeds including the Airedale, Bull Terrier and Scottish Terrier. Terriers were bred to rid property of vermin such as rats.

5) Toy: These dogs were bred to be the prized companions of royalty. This group includes little dogs such as the Chihuahua, Maltese, Pomeranian, and Pug.

6) Non-Sporting: This diverse group includes the Chow Chow, Bulldog, Dalmatian, and Poodle.

7) Herding: These dogs were bred to help shepherds and ranchers herd their livestock. Among this group are the Briard, Collie, German Shepherd, and Old English Sheepdog.

The first-placed dogs in each group compete again for the title of "Best in Show" -- the highest award at the dog show.

There are also obedience trials, promoting better canine-human companionship by encouraging basic good behavior in dogs. The way a dog conforms to its breed standard has no bearing here. Instead, competitors are judged on their training -- the ability to heel on and off lead, to stand for examination, to come when called, and to sit and lie down on command. Dogs demonstrate their ability to obey commands and to jump and retrieve. They may also be tested on their ability to read hand signals and to recognize their handler's scent on various articles.