What is Conformation?
“Conformation” is the official name for “dog shows.” While they may seem glamorous, the true purpose of conformation showing is to evaluate breeding stock. - American Kennel Club
Getting Started
- Start by attending some local conformation events and getting a feel for how they work.
- If you have a dog you would like to try in conformation, talk with your local club to see if they are a good candidate.
- See if there are dog training centers near you with conformation classes. These classes will help you know what to do before you get into the ring.
- Have your mentor guide you through the event and don't be afraid to ask questions, everyone has been new to this at some point!
Finding a Mentor
The best place to find a mentor is through your local Siberian Husky Club, or through the parent club at www.shca.org.
Titles
Two common titles earned in conformation are Champion (CH) and then Grand Champion (GCH).
Champion: To attain a Champion title, a dog or bitch must achieve 15 points, including 2 majors won under different judges and at least one point under a third different judge.
Grand Champion: To achieve the title of Grand Champion, a Siberian Husky is required to have: 25 Grand Championship points, three majors won under three different judges, at least on or more points won under a fourth judge, and have defeated at least one other AKC Champion of record at three shows.
Common Terms in Conformation:
Bitch: This is the proper term for a female dog.
Dog: This is the proper term for a male dog. In Conformation, Dogs are always shown first.
Extension and Reach: Extension and reach relate to how long a Siberian's stride is.
Expression: What a Siberian's face looks like - our standard calls for an expression that is keen, but friendly; interested and even mischievous.
Gait: Gait is essentially how a dog moves. In AKC Conformation, all dogs are asked to gait at a trot.
Handler: The person who exhibits the Siberian Husky in the ring.
Set (ear, tail): The set of the ears and tail means where they are placed on the dog. In Siberians, judges look for medium sized ears that are triangular in shape and set high on the head. The tail set of a Siberian Husky just below the level of the topline.
Single track: For efficiency in movement, a Siberian Husky should single track, which means as it gaits, the back paw should fall into the footprint of the front paw.
Stack (self/free, hand/hard): This is the stance that judges evaluate dogs in when they are not moving. The self or free stack is done by the dog moving into position on its own. The hand or hard stack means the handler physically moves the dog into the desired pose.
Topline: This is the 'back' of the dog from the neck to where the tail begins. While the dog is gaiting, the topline should remain level with very little bounce or rolling - some say you should be able to balance a teacup on a good moving dog.
Champion: To attain a Champion title, a dog or bitch must achieve 15 points, including 2 majors won under different judges and at least one point under a third different judge.
Grand Champion: To achieve the title of Grand Champion, a Siberian Husky is required to have: 25 Grand Championship points, three majors won under three different judges, at least on or more points won under a fourth judge, and have defeated at least one other AKC Champion of record at three shows.
Common Terms in Conformation:
Bitch: This is the proper term for a female dog.
Dog: This is the proper term for a male dog. In Conformation, Dogs are always shown first.
Extension and Reach: Extension and reach relate to how long a Siberian's stride is.
Expression: What a Siberian's face looks like - our standard calls for an expression that is keen, but friendly; interested and even mischievous.
Gait: Gait is essentially how a dog moves. In AKC Conformation, all dogs are asked to gait at a trot.
Handler: The person who exhibits the Siberian Husky in the ring.
Set (ear, tail): The set of the ears and tail means where they are placed on the dog. In Siberians, judges look for medium sized ears that are triangular in shape and set high on the head. The tail set of a Siberian Husky just below the level of the topline.
Single track: For efficiency in movement, a Siberian Husky should single track, which means as it gaits, the back paw should fall into the footprint of the front paw.
Stack (self/free, hand/hard): This is the stance that judges evaluate dogs in when they are not moving. The self or free stack is done by the dog moving into position on its own. The hand or hard stack means the handler physically moves the dog into the desired pose.
Topline: This is the 'back' of the dog from the neck to where the tail begins. While the dog is gaiting, the topline should remain level with very little bounce or rolling - some say you should be able to balance a teacup on a good moving dog.
