17/06/2024
Feel free to copy for posting. I copied and tweaked just a bit.
I personally like showing in both AKC and UKC, sadly the UKC shows are fewer and fewer every year, and farther and farther away.
I have heard much criticism about showing UKC. Let me remind you about the fun parts of UKC.
1. No professional handlers on paid dogs. You must own your dog, or help others without a fee.
2. No artificial products. No hairspray, dye, chalk, aerosol spray. Only water and sometimes leave-in conditioner.
3. No throwing bait or toys.
4. No grooming tools allowed in the ring.
5. Sports on the same day are encouraged. They will wait for you! If you qualify in both, there is a special award called “Total Dog”.
6. You are allowed to talk to judges. It’s great to hear their input.
7. Altered dogs can have fun in the show ring. So can handlers. This is great for getting people into the sport.
8. Champion and Grand Champion classes are judged by themselves. Therefore, the young class dog doesn’t have to wait 30 minutes in the ring, while everyone else is judged. Plus Champions and Grands still have opportunities to get points from their classes, before Best of Breed.
9. Many of the sports are the same, but some are even more challenging to get a title in for UKC. Agility uses many more obstacles. Lure coursing takes 15 runs for a Senior Courser (AKC takes 4). Rally includes only 1 level on-lead, plus an honors program for stays.
10. The quality of dogs does NOT always lack. Many long-time breeders choose the friendly judges in UKC for training their very young dog. We hope to meet up, make good lasting friends and help each other with LESS politics, more about the dog, the dogs progress and teaching. UKC seem to be more relaxed and have a bit more fun.
