Visit A Show

It is a good idea to visit an AKC Dog Show as a spectator before you start to train yourself and your pug. Watch what the exhibitors do in the ring. See the quality of the pugs that are currently being shown. Talk to exhibitors after they finish competing. ODPDC members are available to answer questions if you attend a local show. https://www.apps.akc.org/apps/event_calendar/ can help you find a local event.

Show Training

Show dogs (and their handlers) need to receive some basic training before they attend their first show. Before you start, you will need a show lead. Show leads come in many shapes and sizes depending on the breed. A basic Resco- style lead attached to a nylon choke is useful for pugs. Some owners progress to quality leather or even beaded leads at a later stage, but for a pug (and handler) in training, keep things simple. A show pug needs to be trained to do the following:

Accept the noise and bustle at a busy show.
Remain calm around other dogs of all shapes and sizes.
Accept being handled on a judging table by a stranger (ie – the judge)
Accept a judge examining his teeth.
Walk calmly on a loose lead, on your left- hand side.
Stand squarely when asked to, sometimes for quite long periods.
Stand squarely on a judging table.

Ideally, a local club will be running show training classes near you. Such classes are invaluable when show training a young pug, however, there may not be such a class in your area. If you have friends that are also at the training stage, you can get together. Failing that, you can train your dog at home, but do make sure that you invite lots of family and friends to ‘go over’ your pug on the table, and do make sure that you take him/her to lots of busy places to socialize him.

In The Ring

The typical routine in the ring at a show is as follows: When your class is called all the exhibitors enter the ring and line up, in numeric order, where directed by the steward. If you have been watching the previous classes, you will know where to stand. Most judges will ask the exhibits to move once around the ring together. The judge will then start to examine each pug individually.

Each pug is examined first ‘on the table’. As the pug ahead of you is being examined ‘on the floor’, get your pug into a show stance on the table. When the judge turns around to start examining your dog, he/she should be presented with a pug standing square and ready to be examined. The judge will ‘go over’ your pug, checking all aspects of its anatomy. Many judges will examine the teeth, but other experienced pug judges will merely check the chin line. Be warned, most pugs dislike having their teeth examined. Pugs are also notoriously naughty- preferring to act like clowns versus behaving like a proper show dog. Even people who have shown for years have been embarrassed by the antics of their pugs. Don’t be frustrated- it is part of the pug charm and judges are usually understanding.

The judge will then wish to examine the pug ‘on the floor’ to see its movement. Most judges ask for an ’up and back”, so that they can easily see the movement both coming and going. Hopefully you will have been practicing this move at home and at your classes. At the end of your up and back, stand your pug so that the judge gets another look at your pug at its best. At this point, most judges will thank you, and then you move to the end of the line, while the judge moves on to the next pug. At a Championship show, the steward will hand you a grading card at this point. When the judge has examined all the pugs, he/she will walk down the line to make the final decision. Make sure your pug is standing square. The judge will then place the pugs and direct 1-4th place in each class to receive a ribbon. Win or lose, always be gracious.

Conformation Shows

At conformation shows, Pugs compete to become Champions and to compete in Best of Breed. All dogs start in the classes, which are divided by age, sex and sometimes color. Dogs compete first, and then Bitches follow. Each class will have a winner and all those winners compete against each other to get either Winner’s Dog, or Bitch. The number of points won depends on the number of dogs in competition that day. The American Kennel Club requires a dog to obtain a total of 15 points with two major wins (a major win is worth three points or higher) to become a champion. The majors must be won under different judges and at least one other judge must award some of the remaining points — so you need to win under at least three different judges.

If your dog wins Best of Breed, it is eligible to compete in the Group- pugs are in the Toy Group. If it wins the Toy Group, it becomes eligible to compete in Best in Show- quite an accomplishment for a pug! The AKC has also created a class specifically for Owner-Handlers, creating more opportunities for the average owner to compete.

Immediate Preparation

Pugs require relatively little immediate preparation for a show. Your pug will need a good bath before the show. Many people like to bathe their pug two or three days before the show, to allow the natural oils to return and do make sure any loose hair is brushed out. Don’t forget to clean ears, nose wrinkle, and face, and trim long nails.

On the morning of the show, give your pug a quick brush and tidy up. Don’t forget to pack a show lead, some dog poop bags, your ring numbers, some tasty bait for the show ring, and drinking water for your pug. Many people also bring a show crate and cover to give their pug somewhere quiet to rest. Finally, dress smartly. Scruffy clothes show a lack of respect for the judge. Serious handlers dress to impress. Business casual attire with good, sensible shoes is a good start- don’t wear anything that would distract from the outline of your pug.

At The Show

On arrival, find your ring. If you have a show crate, find a place to put it, ideally where you can watch your ring. You may wish to buy a catalogue. Take some time to get your bearings and relax. Watch the breeds ahead of you. Watch how the judge orders his ring – where he stands the exhibits, how he goes over the dogs, and how he gets them to move. Chat to some of the other pug exhibitors. Make sure that you are ready to go into the ring when your class is called. Make sure that your pug has had a chance to relieve himself outside before the class. Make sure you have your ring number on. Give your pug a quick brush down. If need be, practice your handling, and make sure that your pug is in the mood for the ring – not too excited, and not too bored.

When your class is called, enter the ring and put all your training into practice. If all goes well, you may be placed 1st. But win or lose, always remember to be gracious. If you have been placed first in your class, you may have a chance to compete further for a points or Best of Breed. Check with the other exhibitors if you are in any doubt as to whether you will be called back to compete further