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Types of Championships

What does it take to make a champion? Why should you care if your dog has champion blood?

On every dog breeder website you will see the words " we breed only to improve the breed" even the puppy mills. Breeds of dogs were developed for specific tasks. Certain physical, and mental traits were needed for each task, and breeders used those needs to develop a breeding program. Now days there are less working dogs so there is less emphasis on working champions and more on looking like working champions. Appearance, temperament, gait and other factors are the standard that determines what a champion is.

Lets take a look the types of championships that can be awarded.

Agility

Is the ultimate game for you and your dog. It also one of the most exciting canine sports for spectators. In agility, a dog demonstrates is agile nature and versatility by following cues from the handler through a timed obstacle course. The course has jumps, tunnels, weave poles, and other obstacles. Agility strengthens the bond between dogs and handlers, it is extremely fun, and it provides vigorous exercise for both!

Canine Good Citizen

Many dog owners choose Canine Good Citizen training as the first step in training their dogs. The Canine Good Citizen Program lays the foundation for other AKC activities such as obedience, agility, tracking, and performance events. As you work with your dog to teach the CGC skills, you'll discover the many benefits and joys of training your dog. Training will enhance the bond between you and your dog. Dogs who have a solid obedience education are a joy to live with-they respond well to household routines, have good manners in the presence of people and other dogs, and they fully enjoy the company of the owner who took the time to provide training, intellectual stimulation, and a high quality life. We sincerely hope that CGC will be only a beginning for you and your dog and that after passing the CGC test, you'll continue training in obedience, agility, tracking, or performance events.

Conformation

Dog shows, or "conformation" events, are the signature events of the AKC. They concentrate on the distinctive features of purebred dogs and help to preserve these characteristics by providing a forum at which to evaluate breeding stock. Exhibits are judged against individual breed standards, which have been established for the AKC-recognized breeds by their parent clubs. These written standards describe the ideal size, color, and temperament of each breed, as well as correct proportion, structure, and movement.The AKC offers a wide variety of resources to assist everyone from the first-time puppy buyer to the experienced dog fancier. Many publications are free, including the Rules Applying to Dog Shows. All exhibitors are required to be familiar with these rules prior to entering a dog show. To order the rule book free of charge, contact Customer Service at 919-233-9767 or via email at OrderDesk@akc.org.

Earthdog

Earthdog Den Trials are a simulated hunting situation usually held in a field in which the dachshund/terrier tracks the game by scent to the constructed game's earth (lair,burrow,tunnel), enters the animal's tunnel and then works (barking,engaging etc) the animal until the vermin either bolts (flees) from the earth or until the owner digs down to the den in a real hunting situation. The simulated earths are trenches dug and liners inserted of which are usually constructed of wood. The trench or path is scented with i.e. rat scent. A caged rat serves as the simulated quarry at the end of the trench where the dog can see and smell but not physically touch or harm the rat. Believe me, these feeder/pet rats seem bored with the proceedings and merrily sniff the dog and then go about the cage while the dog, external to the cage, is working.

Field Trials

In Dachshund field trials braces of dogs are put on the scent line of a rabbit or hare and judged on the quality of their work on the scent line. The Dachshunds should never appear to be running haphazard but rather should display sensible and efficient actions with an intense enthusiasm for hunting. The dogs should be credited with work in relation to how it leads to accomplishment, rather than 'style' of work.

Tracking

By nature, is a vigorous, noncompetitive outdoor sport. Tracking tests demonstrate the willingness and enjoyment of the dog in its work, and should always represent the best in sportsmanship and camaraderie by the people involved.

Obedience Trials

Test a dog's ability to perform a prescribed set of exercises on which it is scored. In each exercise, you must score more than 50 percent of the possible points and get a total score of at least 170 out of a possible 200. Each time your dog gets at least a 170 qualifying score, he's earned a "leg" toward his title. Earn three legs and your dog has just earned an obedience title! There are 3 levels at which your dog can earn a title and each is more difficult than the one before it. The classes are divided into "A" and "B" at an obedience trial; "A" classes are for beginners whose dogs have never received a title and "B" classes are for more experienced handlers.

Rally This is a sport in which the dog and handler complete a course that has been designed by the rally judge. The judge tells the handler to begin, and the dog and handler proceed at their own pace through a course of designated stations (10 - 20, depending on the level). Each of these stations has a sign providing instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed. Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional obedience.

Agility, Conformation, Canine Good Citizen, Earthdog, Field Trials, Obedience Trials, Obedience Trials, Rally