Showing Alaskan Malamutes in Conformation

Getting_Started_Showing_your_Alaskan_Malamute_in_Conformation | What_is_a_Conformation_Show? | Before_Entering_Your_First_AKC_Conformation_Show | Basic_Training_Tips | At_Your_First_Show | Other_Helpful_Resources

Getting Started Showing Your Alaskan Malamute in Conformation

What is a Conformation Show

Dog shows often consist of more than one part.  Dogs may be entered in obedience, agility, conformation, herding, tracking, weight pulls…the list goes on and on.  However, I am going to concentrate primarily on how to show your Alaskan Malamute at conformation shows.  These are often seen by the inexperienced eye as a “beauty contest” for dogs.  However, in actuality, AKC conformation shows are a chance for you to have your dog evaluated and compared to the AKC Breed Standard for Alaskan Malamutes.  Judges look at such characteristics as movement, size, bone, coat, and general structure in order to pick the best dogs of the day.  All judges have their own opinions…they are, after all, human!  However, judges do have quite a bit of experience and knowledge to bring to the ring, and this is why many breeders and exhibitors enter their dogs at many shows during the year.

There are two main philosophies behind showing your Alaskan Malamute at AKC conformation shows.  There are some people who put forth much of their energy into getting their dog into the “Top Twenty.”  These fine Malamutes have usually already finished their AKC championships, and are now concentrating on winning Breed and Group placements.  However, for our purposes, I am going to discuss a different philosophy—that of finishing a Malamute’s AKC championship.

A dog or bitch must earn 15 points to be considered an AKC Champion, including points from at least two major wins—that is, at least two shows where three or more points are awarded.  A dog may earn up to five points at any one given show.  The major wins must be under two different judges, and one or more of the remaining points must be earned under a third judge.  In Michigan, it takes 9 dogs and 10 bitches for a win to be considered a major. 

So how does a show run?  It is basically an elimination contest.  You first must enter your dog in one of the regular classes.  There are a number of classes one might enter:  Puppy (often the puppy classes are divided by age…6-9 months and 9-12 months), 12-18 months, American Bred, Bred by Exhibitor, and Open.  Dogs compete against dogs of the same breed and same sex in one of these classes.  After all of the dog (male) classes have been completed, the winners of those classes return to compete for Winners.  The winner of THIS class is awarded the points.  The judge will then call in the second-place winner of the class from which the Winners Dog came.  The dogs then compete for Reserve Winners Dog.  Although the dog who takes Reserve is not awarded any points, he would be awarded points later on IF, for some reason, it was determined that the Winners Dog was ineligible for the points at this show.  The same process is then completed for all of the bitch (female) classes.  Finally, all of the dogs and bitches entered in Best of Breed (these Malamutes have already completed the requirements for their AKC championship) come into the ring for the “Big Prize.”  The Winners Dog and Winners Bitch also are allowed to compete for this prize since they have not yet been defeated at this particular show.  The judge then awards Best of Breed, Best of Winners, and Best of Opposite Sex.  If a male takes Best of Breed, a female wins Best of Opposite Sex and vice versa.  Best of Winners is awarded to either the male or female Winners.  The Malamute that is awarded Best of Winners is given the highest number of points available in the Malamute breed at that show.  For example, if the bitch was awarded 3 points but the male was awarded only 2 points, and the male took Best of Winners, he would then win 3 points that day.  The Best of Breed dog then goes on to compete in the Working Group.  If the Malamute wins the Working Group, he or she is awarded the chance to compete for the highest honor—Best in Show.  Confused yet?  Don’t worry, you’ll catch on soon!

Before Entering Your First AKC Conformation Show

Before ever entering an AKC show, there are many things that you can do to prepare yourself for your debut.  I personally recommend talking to your breeder…a lot!!!  Malamute breeders are generally helpful and knowledgeable people…they can tell you such things as what judges like their lines, how quickly their dogs mature, training methods that they have found useful, etc.  You should also begin socializing your puppy at a young age if at all possible.  Malamutes are great dogs…but without proper socialization, they can become difficult to live with and control.  There are many local dog clubs and training facilities that offer things like puppy kindergarten classes.  These are great!!!  Take your puppy out and about…walk through the park, visit a place like Pet Supplies Plus, etc.  Get lots of people to pet your puppy and make sure that your puppy accepts this attention.  Malamutes are not known to be a “shy” breed, but new surroundings have the potential to scare any dog.  Make sure that your puppy is used to noises and action.  But wait!  What if you have an older dog, not a puppy??  It doesn’t matter…socialization is still the first step!!  Take your older dog to classes, to the park, to the store…you know the routineJ 

When your dog is at least 2 months old (many places require puppies to be 3 or 4 months old, though, so check ahead!), you should enroll in a conformation class or puppy kindergarten.  This class will teach both you and your Malamute some of the basics of conformation showing.  The trainers at these classes are generally handlers and/or breeders, but are not always familiar with Malamutes.  Therefore, it is important to find a “Malamute mentor” to whom you can turn with specific problems and concerns.  Many people might be intimidated by talking to an “old hand,” but just remember…everyone was a newcomer at one time or another! 

Before you enter your first AKC show, I recommend going to a few matches and observing at a few shows.  Matches are fun events; no points are awarded at them, but they follow the same procedures as do shows.  They are generally inexpensive and the judges are often breeders or handlers.  You can enter your Malamute at some matches at the age of 2 months, and many matches also have classes for adults.  The greatest benefit of matches is that people are willing to take the time to help you and your Malamute learn because they do not run on as set of a schedule as do shows.  Another benefit of matches is that the prizes are often great!J  I have won more interesting and fun prizes at matches than at any shows…a director’s chair, stuffed toys for the dogs, leashes, etc.  You should also try to attend some AKC shows…just to watch.  Observe the Alaskan Malamute ring, but watch the other breeds too.  Often, you will see the best handlers in the Group and Junior Handling rings.  Look at what these people do to get the most out of their dogs…there is always something to learn!

Basic Training Tips

All Malamutes are individuals…and therefore, the same thing does NOT work for every dog!  However, the following are some tips that I have found useful in working with my Alaskan Malamutes.  These are things that you can do at home, and can also use at a show:

• Alaskan Malamutes love food!!!  Many people are hesitant to bring food into the show ring, but I have always found that my dogs work so much better when rewarded for their efforts.  I train with food on a regular basis.  If you find that food does not work, you might want to try using a squeaker toy (these can be found at most dog shows and some pet supply companies) or a small stuffed toy.  You can then reward the dog by letting him or her play with the toy.  Squeakers are used to gain a dog’s attention in much the same way as food, but do NOT let your dog chew on the squeaker…it is dangerous.  Many people are now using “clicker training.”  I know that this is a very valuable training method, but have not yet used it myself.
• I always try to train my dogs to gait on a loose lead.  This shows judges that the dog can move by itself and often makes the dog happier!  I use choke collars on all of my Malamutes in the show ring.  I do not trust “slip” collars…Malamutes are strong dogs, and this type of collar offers less control than a choke.  With dogs that are “soft,” I tend to use a nylon choke collar.  For dogs that are a bit more resistant, I use a metal choke collar.  I have also used martingales on young dogs, as these offer a bit more guidance.  Dogs should always be gaited on your left side (with a few exceptions), which means that you hold the lead in your left hand.  Practice moving your dog in a straight line and in a circle.  Another pattern commonly used at dog shows is a triangle.  The pattern looks just like it sounds.  One of the few times that you may be asked to gait a dog on the right side is during the “L” figure.  I find it useful to “guide” the dog with my left hand by keeping this hand slightly in front of my body as I run.  Make sure that your dog does not crowd you as he gaits…if he does, try holding your arm out further from your body.  Some dogs do not like to start out in a straight line; I find it helpful to take a few backwards steps at the beginning of my figure to straighten them when this happens.  I always make a “courtesy turn” before gaiting my dogs.  This is a small circle before the judge.  This gives you a chance to get your dog’s attention and is considered polite. 
• I try to teach my dogs to stand on their own as much as possible.  Many people call this “baiting.”  I simply stand in front of the dog with my hand in my pocket or a piece of food in my palm and wait for the dog to position itself correctly.  I immediately feed the dog after he or she stands correctly, at first.  I gradually lengthen the time that I require the dog to hold the standing position, until eventually the dog will hold his stand for a minute or two without further encouragement.  I have found that many judges are attracted to dogs that will self-stack.  If standing in front of the dog does not work, or if the dog drops his tail, you may want to try standing towards the side of the dog, but keeping your hand positioned in front.  With young puppies, and some older dogs, kneeling works better than standing.
• I do stack the dogs for examination.  Stacking a dog means that you put all four feet exactly where they should be placed, and then the dog holds that position while you perhaps hold his tail or show off his head.  Training a Malamute to stand for examination can be a sometimes frustrating experience!  Do not take out your frustration on your dog, however!  You may find it helps to put a supporting hand under your dog’s belly while a judge examines the dog.  You must also practice both showing the judge your dog’s bite and allowing the judge to look at the bite on his or her own.  Malamutes are friendly, but many do not like having their mouths examined.  It is important to begin practicing this at an early age.

At Your First Show

You’ve entered your first AKC show.  One decision you might make is to have a professional handler show your dog for you.  If you are interested in having a professional show your dog, you should do your research ahead of time.  The handler will need some time to work with your dog, of course, and you will also want to evaluate how the handler treats his or her clients.  If you are interested in having a professional handler show your dog, there are some handler’s associations that you might contact.  The Professional Handler’s Association is one such organization.  The AKC now recognizes and licenses professional handlers, and you may look at registered handlers on the AKC website:  www.akc.org  

However, chances are that you may want to show your dog yourself.  One nice thing about showing an Alaskan Malamute in Michigan is that we have a lot of breeder/owner/handlers in our state.  Although we do occasionally get a professional handler in the ring, the majority of people in Michigan seem to show their own dogs…or get someone else who owns Malamutes to show them! 

You will want to get to the show in plenty of time.  I recommend arriving two hours before the Malamutes are scheduled to be judged.  At the beginning of your show career especially, it is important to arrive in plenty of time so that neither you nor your dog are hurried or rushed.  Most people give their dogs a thorough bath the night before a show, and trim their nails and whiskers that night.  You should also make sure that their teeth and ears are clean.  That way, you can concentrate on the “final” grooming at the show.

Alaskan Malamutes should win because of their conformation to the breed standard; however, no Malamute will win if it looks dirty or unkempt.  Therefore, it is important to groom your Malamute to win!  The following are some “tools” that I bring to every show:

• A slicker brush
• A greyhound comb
• Grooming towels
• Dry shampoo
• Grooming powder or chalk (for medium coated breeds)
• A pin brush
• A soft brush
• Scissors
• A “powder” brush (I use those little kitchen scrubber brushes!)
• A “finishing” spray (Supercoat is one that works well)
• If there is electrical at the show…a forced-air dryer (this is not a necessity…I just like to use them!)
• Bait
• A show lead
• A show collar
• The regular lead and collar
• Toys
• Food and water bowls
• Food and water
• A spray bottle
• A grooming table
• A crate
• The “emergency kit”:  Coated Aspirin, Hydrogen Peroxide (in case a dog gets a cut or scrape that must be cleaned), and Syrup of Ipecac (this makes dogs throw up if they swallow something you don’t want them to swallow!)

Once you are at the show, take some time to familiarize yourself and your dog to the showgrounds and area.  If it is an indoor show, you may usually groom either inside our outside the building.  People from the show committee will be available to tell you where to park, groom, and unload.  I recommend walking young and inexperienced dogs around for at least a half hour at their first few shows.  Show the dogs the tent, the vendors, and the people.  If you can get people to pet your dog, do it!  You might also train your dog a bit.  You are not allowed to go into the rings with the dog in the USA, but you CAN practice standing, baiting, and gaiting outside of the rings at a conformation show.  You need to use this time to see how your dog reacts to the show.  Is your Malamute confident?  Is the tail up and wagging?  If yes, great!!!  If not, do your best to reassure your dog that everything is fine by continuing to walk around and look at the sights.  Do not “coddle” your dog if he misbehaves; this will only teach the Malamute that being afraid of things is “ok.”  Instead, use gentle encouragement, a happy tone of voice, and perhaps even some treats to work your dog out of any fears.  While you are familiarizing yourself with the show, be sure to exercise your dog and let your Malamute relieve themselves!  This is especially important after long car trips…the longer a dog is cramped up in a crate, the more he will need to stretch and relax.

Groom your dogs in plenty of time.  The following is what I generally do:  I put them up on the grooming table and give them a quick “shower” with dry shampoo.  I then rub out the shampoo with a towel, or use a forced-air dryer if available.  I also put Kolestrol and grooming chalk on all the white areas of the dog; Kolestrol helps the chalk to stay on and not rub off on judges’ hands in case any remains after you think you have brushed it all out.  I run through the dog’s coat with either a comb or the slicker.  You will find what works best for your dog.  (I generally find that slickers are good during the shedding time.)  Make sure to get the coat thoroughly brushed…you do not want any tufts of hair poking out!  I backcomb the tail, and use a slicker on the whites of the legs to make the hair stand up and out and get rid of the chalk.  I then use my finishing spray and run the smooth brush over the dog again.  I try to have all these preparations done at least a half hour before Malamutes are scheduled to go in the ring.  Before entering the ring, you will again want to comb up the dog’s hair and make any finishing touches.

You should watch your ring to see the judge’s procedure.  Most judges have all of their exhibitors gait in the same pattern and follow the same basic procedure for each breed.  You will also need to pick up your armband number; this number is assigned to you and can be found with your entries that you will receive approximately one week prior to the show.  It can also be found in the show catalog or at the steward’s table for your ring. 

Now, you need to get yourself ready for the show!!!  I like to come to shows in my “non-show” clothes; this makes getting the dogs ready a bit easier as I don’t have to worry about messing up my own clothing.  Some people like to come dressed and ready to go though.  Many shows are held outdoors and do not have restrooms…only Portapotties.  This can make changing clothes a bit difficult!  Regardless of WHEN you put on your show clothes, it is important to look nice and professional.  Men should wear nice dress slacks, a collared shirt, a tie, and a sport coat.  The sport coat may be optional in the heat of summer.  Women have a few options as to what to wear, but remember to look professional at all times.  If wearing a dress or skirt, please make sure that it is not too short; when you bend over to stack your dog, nothing should show!  In addition, long, flowing skirts can sometimes be distracting as they might hit a dog in the face when running.  Make sure that your skirt or dress is loose enough, however, that you can move comfortably…Malamutes should show a powerful gait, and it is impossible to show off a dog if you can’t move yourself!  Nice suits are appropriate for women, but if wearing a skirt and shirt, make sure that it is a dress shirt and is tucked in if possible.  It always helps to wear something with pockets, but you may purchase a bait pocket to hold food or a squeaker if necessary.  Pantsuits are acceptable as well.  I do not personally care for entering the ring without nylons on, as I believe it looks unprofessional.  Shoes for both sexes should be of a style in which you can move!  Men can wear dress shoes that tie, or loafers.  Women often find that the type of little white tennis shoe that you might find at Kmart works well.  Shoes that tie on are best as these stay on the feet better.  Old tennis shoes or working boots do not look as professional.  Another tip for both sexes is to wear something that best shows off your dog.  In other words…if you show a black and white Alaskan Malamute, a red suit or sport coat might work well.  One thing to remember is that you are showing the DOG…not yourself.  You want to look nice and professional, but in the end, you want the judge to remember your Alaskan Malamute…not your cute suitJ  Again, look around at some shows before you enter to see what people wear.  One more hint…always bring a back-up outfit.  It never fails that when you forget to bring a change of clothes, you will spill something, get jumped on by a muddy dog, or be in the way of a child with a large and dripping ice cream cone!

Once you are ready, it is almost that time.  Try to get to the ring at least five to ten minutes before you are scheduled to start showing.  This will give you a bit of time to see what the judge is doing, acclimate your dog once again, and hopefully calm your own nerves!  Remember to stay calm…you are ready for this!  Dogs can pick up on nervous energy.  A helpful hint is to carry some peppermints with you.  The peppermints mask the “smell of nerves” on your breath so that your dog will not as easily pick up on your discomfort.  When the class before yours goes in, make sure that you are by ringside.  The steward will call in the dogs in your class.  Oftentimes, the judge will ask the dogs to come in the ring in catalog order. This means that the dogs will line up in the order they are listed in the catalog.  Generally, the judge will ask everyone to set up their dog and will take a quick look at the whole class.  Then, the class will move around as a group before the individual examinations begin.  While you wait for your individual examination, it is important to always keep an eye on what the judge is doing.  He or she may be looking at your dog without you realizing it!  Go through the class, and always remember…be both a gracious winner and loser.  Congratulate the winner of the class, and if you win, make sure to accept your congratulations!

Other Helpful Resources

The following is a list of resources that you may find helpful in learning how to show your Alaskan Malamute in AKC conformation shows:

• American Kennel Club
• Info Dog
• Alaskan Malamute Club of America
• The AKC Gazette

Good luck to you!!  Have fun and see you at the shows!!!  

Last modified: March 2007
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