Entering Into a Dog Show

Entering your Chihuahua into a dog show can be a fun and interesting experience.  Just make sure you and your Chihuahua are ready. The first step to entering your Chihuahua in a dog show is to have papers. Having papers for your Chihuahua means that your dog is registered with a kennel club.  The largest and most known club is the AKC.

If you have a male, that is a stud,   they require a DNA certification if the male had 4 litters within a year or 7 in total.  This shows them the bloodline of your Chihuahua. DNA for females is voluntary.  If you have your Chihuahua registered, the papers will show the mother and father of your Chihuahua as being registered, as well.  If you bought your Chihuahua from a breeder be sure to ask for registration papers.

Getting Your Chihuahua Ready for a Dog Show

Deciding to enter your Chihuahua in a dog show is a bit like entering your daughter into a beauty pageant.  You need devotion and it will be a bit of work; but it is well worth it.  Entering your dog into a Chihuahua dog show can be very rewarding.  It is a great opportunity for you to show off your Chihuahua and also to meet other Chihuahua owners.  And of course, it would feel great to bring home a ribbon from a Chihuahua dog show.

 

Most shows require that you enter your dog as early as 4 months before a show, so be sure to check out which shows are coming up and enter your Chihuahua in plenty of time.  Plan well in advance so that you have time to train and groom your dog.

Your Chihuahua must be trained before you enter into a dog show.  He or she should know the 3 basic commands of "heal", "sit" and "stay".  Even if your Chihuahua is normally obedient, you should test your dog to see how they behave in front of a lot of people;  some dogs may be very nervous in a crowd.  If he or she is shy, over time they should get over their shyness.

If You Do Not Have Your Chihuahua Papers

You can get papers for your Chihuahua even if you lost them or if you never had them.  If you have a Chihuahua and do not have any papers at all, there are some things you can do. 

You can go back to the breeder and ask for the papers of your Chihuahua's mother and father.  If you can not go back to the original breeder, you can contact the CKC, the Continental Kennel Club and ask for a dog application. 

They will ask that witnesses can verify the dog to be a Chihuahua and will ask you to give them pictures of your Chihuahua. However, the largest shows in the US do require AKC papers for your dog.

What a great way to bond with your Chihuahua !

4 Types of Chihuahua Dog Shows

You may choose from 4 different types of dog shows to enter your Chihuahua!

Conformation:  The dog is judged on how perfect he or she matches the physical characteristics of the Chihuahua dog breed. It is important that you dog is groomed nicely.  You certainly can pay to have your Chihuahua professionally groomed, or you may choose to groom your Chihuahua yourself.  As a conscientious dog owner, you should already be appropriately grooming your Chihuahua, so this should not be much different.   If your dog is used to wearing dog clothes, this is not allowed at shows.

Agility:  One of the funnest!   Your  Chihuahua will  compete against others to run through an obstacle course.  These will be  different at each event, but usually contain hoops to jump through, a  balance beam, teeter-totter and more!  You run alongside your dog, giving commands to help them navigate!

Obedience:  Here is where you can show off just how well you have your Chihuahua trained.  Chihuahua dog obedience shows will have you giving commands to your dog and be judged on how well you Chi listens to you!  The most difficult part? When you command your dog to sit...you walk away...and your dog must say where they are without following after you!

Free Style (Dancing with Dogs):  Show your creative side!  In this type of dog show event, you and your Chihuahua will dance together.  You choose the music...you choose the movements!  Regional shows are held all over the country...nationals are held once per year.

Preparing

Plan to leave early for the show and give yourself plenty of time for parking, etc.  You may wish to go to a dog show as a spectator first so that you can get a feel for what will happen.  When you go to show your Chihuahua, you should prepare for traveling in your car with your Chihuahua.   What do you wear to a dog show?  You will be expected to wear business casual clothes, this can be a pants and jacket suit with a nice sweater, or casual dress slacks and a button shirt.  Comfortable shoes are good, but sneakers are a no-no.  Contact the particular dog show that you will be going to for a complete set of their rules. 

Above all else, remember that a dog show should be enjoyable!   This should be a fun time of bonding for you and your Chihuahua.