Terms And Definitions

There is something we should discuss before we go any further. You must learn to speak the word "bitch" without hesitation and to hear it without flinching. There is no other correct word to take its place in the dog world. You would not think of saying you were going out to milk the female bull; you say milk the cow. You do not get eggs from a female rooster; you get them from a hen, although the rooster and the hen are both chickens. Probably the main reason for the confusion is that the word "dog" has more than one meaning. Following I will give you the dictionary definitions of two words, "dog" and "bitch," and since "dog" has two meanings I will place one meaning above the other and place the second usage where it belongs—next to its counterpart "bitch":

DOG: any of a great variety of domesticated quadrupeds
  DOG: a male of the dog.         BITCH: a female of the dog.

When speaking of the species you are correct in using the word "dog." When speaking of the sex of the species dog, you use either male and female or you use dog and bitch. Since the words male and female may pertain to anything—cats, cattle, birds, dogs, fish, or people, we take the two words which definitely mean male or female dogs and use them entirely when speaking of the sex of the animals.

At shows we refer to the Puppy Bitch Class, never the Puppy Female Class. Puppy female what? Puppy female fox? No! We are speaking of dogs, so the correct word is bitch (denoting sex), and we refer to the class as the Puppy Bitch Class. The class for males is called Puppy Dog Class. If it were called Puppy Male, we could ask the same question—puppy male what? Since dog means male of the dog (species), we refer to the class as Puppy Dog Class.

In breeding we refer to our females (female what?) as bitches. Correctly you say, "I will bring my bitch to be bred to your dog on Wednesday," or, "You own a very lovely bitch," or, "Yes, she is a wonderful brood bitch."

It is unfortunate that the word bitch has another meaning not so nice as its true definition—a female of the dog. However, do learn to speak the word bitch around dogs and dog people and know that when you do so you are correct.

A word commonly misused is "thoroughbred." Thoroughbred is the name of a breed of horse. You should not say, "I have a thoroughbred dog" any more than you should say, "I have a Great Dane cat." The correct term is purebred. While speaking of purebred, it goes without saying that all dogs who are exhibited at shows must be purebred.

The Great Dane, "Champion Autopilot of Kanedane" shown to his championship by his amateur owner Gerard Johnston of Wilton, Conn., pictured here receiving an award of First in Working Group from Judge Edwin Pickhardt.

Following are a few words or expressions you should know in order better to understand this book, but the meanings or definitions given here will apply only to their usage in the breeding or showing of purebred dogs. Words or expressions explained  elsewhere are not included here, nor  are  words which have but one definition. Following the definitions I have listed the classes. You will find the full rule regarding these classes in the appendix, but when given here I am attempting to point out the little things a novice may not gather when reading the technical wording of the official rule. All Breed Club. This club may be a member club of the American Kennel Club (represented by a delegate), or it may be licensed by the American Kennel Club. Either a member club or a licensed club may hold an all-breed show at which championship points are awarded. It may hold obedience trials and field trials at which championship points are awarded. Its main interest is in purebred dogs in general, all breeds. Most of the large shows you read about are run by all-breed clubs.

Specialty Club. A club formed for the improvement of any one breed of purebred dogs. It may hold specialty shows and trials at which championship points are awarded, sanctioned matches, social functions, et cetera.
Specialty Show. A show given by a Specialty Club at which championship points are awarded. This show would be for one breed only, as the Specialty Club is formed for the improvement of one breed. Such a show may be held in conjunction with an all-breed show (by designating the classes at that show as its Specialty Show) or it may be held entirely apart from any other show.

Sanctioned Match. A sanctioned match is an informal meeting at which purebred dogs may compete but not for championship points. A sanctioned match may be held by any club or association whether or not a member of the American Kennel Club by obtaining the sanction of the American Kennel Club.

Point Show. A term used to designate a show where championship points are awarded. Actually the correct term is all-breed show. Since a match is also for all breeds if you said, "My dog won at an all-breed show," you might be asked, "Point show or sanctioned match ?"

Puppy Match. The correct term should be sanctioned match, but since a sanctioned match (several different plans are acceptable) is not limited to puppies, a puppy match is usually more of a social event where puppies are exhibited. For instance: I have invited my friends in my breed to come to my home with a picnic lunch and their puppies and asked a friend in the breed to act as judge. This would be called a puppy match.

Sponsored Entry. Frequently a Specialty Club will wish to sponsor the entry of its breed at an all-breed show and will offer additional prize money and/or trophies. This is usually in addition to the one or two specialty shows it runs in a year.

Best of Variety. In any breed with more than one recognized variety, the winner of that variety is called Best of Variety instead of Best of Breed. The breeds divided by height, such as the Beagle, or color, such as the Cocker Spaniel, or by coat, such as the Dachshund or Collie, are the only ones concerned with this term. Each variety is treated as a breed when being judged, having all the regular classes and sending its Best of Variety into the group judging. The American Cocker Spaniel has three varieties—Black, Any Solid Color Other Than Black, and Particolored—and all three go into the group. The Dachshund has three varieties—Smooth, Wire-haired and Long-haired—and all three go into the group. It would be incorrect to say that the winner of any variety or division was the winner of the breed, we say he is the winner of Best of Variety.

Registration Certificate. All dogs shown at dog shows should be registered, and after these definitions I will go into more detail on registrations, but for the present I just want to tell you that the registration certificate is that piece of paper issued to the owner of a dog by the organization with which the dog has been registered when the dog has actually been registered. On the certificate is listed all the pertinent information regarding the dog, such as name, number, date whelped, sire, dam, breeder, owner.

Pedigree. A pedigree is that paper usually given to the owner of a dog by the breeder. It gives the names of the sire and dam, the grandparents, great-grandparents, and usually the great, great-grandparents. A four-generation pedigree is to be expected when purchasing a purebred dog; however, many breeders issue a five- or six-generation pedigree.

Owner. The owner of a dog is the one whose name, (or names) appears on the registration certificate as owner, not necessarily the one in possession of a dog. It is possible to have more than one owner, but the names of all owners should appear on the registration certificate.

Breeder. The breeder of a dog is the owner or lessee of the dam at the time when the dam is bred. Bear in mind that the person who owns the dam when she whelps is not necessarily the breeder and will only be the breeder if he also owned her when she was mated. You might hear the word breeder used in another way. "When purchasing a show dog it is advisable to go to a good breeder." This really means to go to someone who raises dogs as compared with a pet shop or puppy-selling establishment.

Whelped. Whelped means "gave birth to"; therefore, "the litter was whelped on July 4th." However, the word is frequently used in slightly different ways. "When is she due to whelp?" means when is she due to give birth to her puppies?

"She is in whelp" means she is carrying a litter. You could also say, "He is a good whelp," meaning he is a good puppy, but this expression is rather passé.

Get. Around dogs the word "get" means offspring, children, or progeny. Special non-regular classes are sometimes offered at specialty shows called Stud Dog Class or Brood Bitch Class. The stud dog (or brood bitch) is entered in the class "to be shown with two of his get, the get only to count." To explain this: three dogs are brought into the ring; one is the sire or stud dog, the other two are his get; or one is the dam or brood bitch and the other two are her get. Since the two get need not be under a year old the word puppies is not used. They need not be male, so the word dog is not used. Get is the correct word. Incidentally, in the judging of either the stud dog or brood bitch class only the two get are judged. The two get need not be out of the same bitch or the same litter for the stud dog class, nor will the two get have to be by the same sire or litter for the brood bitch class. The winner of the class is the stud dog (or brood bitch), even though he (or she) was not considered in the judging.

Type. You will hear references to the type of a dog. This is a rather difficult expression to explain to a novice because first the novice must know that there are different types within a breed. It is only after you know your breed thoroughly that you begin to realize that these different types exist. Also, to different people the word has different meaning. With some people, type means size or shape of body. They will say, "I do not like his type, he is too small and racy." Here they are referring to size, and when they say "racy" they mean shape of body. Usually a racy dog is one who is slight for the breed in question and also, in addition to being slight, the dog may have a top line which slopes rather more than usual for that breed. (See drawings on page 183.) Then, again, you will hear, "I do not like his type, he is too houndy in head." This will mean that the person is referring to type as expressed by the head. I believe most dog fanciers think of type as head. However, there is still another "type" referred to. You will hear someone say, "I like a terrier-type Beagle." Here he will be referring more to the bone structure in the shoulders and fore-section. You will also hear a judge say, "I really liked that dog I placed Winners today, he is so typey." The judge will mean that the dog, in his opinion, was typical of the breed. Please note I used the words, "in his opinion." We will take this expression apart in great detail later, as it doesn't rightly come under the heading of definition of the word "type."

Fashions, styles, types, change in dogs just as in anything else. Compare the picture of a champion Cocker Spaniel around the turn of the century with a modern day Cocker. They scarcely look like the same breed! The second picture is of the American Cocker Spaniel "Champion Highomar Hallelujah" with his amateur owner Lester Wallack of Norwalk, Conn., shown as he won a Sporting Group at an important show.

Pace. A pace is a gait or manner of moving, such as a trot or gallop, in which the legs on the same side move in the same direction simultaneously. A pace is a very undesirable gait in a dog.

Steward. The steward is actually a judge's assistant. He does not, however, have anything to do with the judging. He only helps in such things as notifying the judge when the dogs are all in the ring for the proper class, getting together the correct and necessary ribbons or trophies for the class, sending messages to officials upon the judge's orders, marking the blackboard in the ring, notifying the judge of a known absentee, et cetera.

Classes. There are many classes in which dogs may be entered at shows. Some are called regular classes, some are non-regular. These classes are more than just names. They have a definite meaning, and all dogs are not eligible to compete in all classes. I suggest you familiarize yourself with the complete definitions found in the Appendix; here are some explanations of those definitions.

Puppy Class. The Puppy Class shall be for dogs six months of age and over, but under twelve months. The age of a dog shall be calculated up to and inclusive of the first day of a show. .. . This class shall be open only to puppies whelped in the United States or Canada. If you import a puppy from Europe, do not enter him in this class just because he is under one year old. If you do, and he should win, the win would be canceled.
Novice Class. The Novice Class shall be for dogs six months of age and over never having won a first prize at a show in any regular official class, including winners class, wins in puppy class excepted. . . . Only dogs whelped in the United States or Canada shall be eligible. The two things about this class that confuse the novice exhibitor are: if you are alone in your class and you win it, the dog has won a first prize and he is not eligible for further competition in this class, wins in puppy class excepted. If he wins a puppy class and goes on to win Winners', he is no longer eligible to compete in this class.

Bred by Exhibitor Class. This class shall be for all dogs (except Champions) six months of age and over, which are owned by that identical person (or persons) who was the breeder of record. Dogs entered in this class may be shown in the ring in this class only by an owner or member of his immediate family. Read this rule carefully if you have any intentions of exhibiting in this class. A good friend of mine lost the points won by his dog for the wrong entry of his dog in this class. He was the breeder of record, Mr. John Smith, and later put the dog in joint ownership of Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, so that the breeder and the owner were no longer identical and the dog was not eligible to compete. It was a major win (three points), and since major wins are hard to find, it hurt to have the points taken away.

American Bred Class. This class shall be for all dogs (except Champions) six months of age and over, whelped in the United States, by reason of a mating which took place in the United States. If you import from Canada a bitch in whelp who whelps her puppies here, the puppies are not eligible to compete in this class, since they were not the result of a mating which took place in the United States.

Open Class. The Open Class shall be for any dog six months of age or over. Some people are under the impression that because their dog is a puppy he may not be entered in this class. This is not so. A puppy may be entered in any class for which he is eligible, and it is not true that a puppy must advance through the other classes before he may compete in the Open Class. In the Open Class, since nothing is said about the United States or Canada, is where you will find dogs from foreign countries competing and, since nothing is said about Champions you may, particularly in some breeds, find Champions competing in this class.

Winners Class. There is no entry fee in this class, and if your dog wins any one of the five regular classes he is automatically eligible to compete in this class.

Best of Winners Class. There is no entry fee in this class and the only dogs that may compete in this class are the dog who won Winners' Dog and the bitch who won Winners' Bitch.

The Pointer, "Champion Moscows William" shown to his championship by his amateur owner Dr. Stephan Stephanie of Waterbury, Conn.

Specials Only Class. A class in which only Champions of Record may be entered. Dogs entered in this class pay an entry fee and with the addition of the winner of Best of Winners compete for Best of Breed. Before entering a dog in this class, even though you know he has accumulated the necessary number of points to attain his championship, you must wait for official confirmation of the title from the American Kennel Club.

Exhibition Only. A dog may be entered for exhibition only but without the privilege of competing in any class. At benched shows a dog so entered will have a bench provided for him, since the benching rule states that all dogs present at a show must be benched. There are occasions when you might have a dog present at a show but not entered in one of the regular classes. For example: Suppose you own a stud dog someone wants to see. The dog is out of condition and you do not want him to compete because you feel he is not ready. You are going to be at the show anyway, showing another dog, so you advise the interested party that he can see the dog at the show. The dog is present at the show and must be benched—entering for exhibition only provides that bench for your dog.
Miscellaneous Class. This class is open to such breeds of dogs as may be designated by the American Kennel Club for which a show-giving club may choose not to offer a regular classification. This class may be judged on a divided sex or a combined sex basis, and the dogs are not eligible for further judging. Usually the breeds shown in this class are foreign breeds who are not yet in this country in sufficient numbers to have a regular classification offered to them. When the Weimaraner first came to this country he was shown in this class.
There are a great many terms used in dogs which may not be found in any dictionary. Mostly they are words used to describe faults or desirable qualities of one sort or another (remember that what constitutes a fault in one breed may be a desirable quality in another) and the word will be so descriptive that everyone in the breed will know what you are talking about. Such words are: flashy, shelly, good-going, substance, slab-sided, snipey, course, apple-headed, et cetera. There are many words to describe the type ear that a particular breed should have: rose ear, prick ear, et cetera. There are many words used to describe the type coat a breed should have: smooth, rough, wire-hair, feather, apron, fringe, et cetera. You can see that if I defined each one of these words we would never get on to the main section of this book, so I leave it up to you to find the definitions of the words pertaining to your particular breed. Before we talk about how to show your dog, a few words on the various organizations that hold shows, register dogs, or run field trials.

The American Kennel Club, 221 Fourth Avenue, New York 3, New York, is the principal organization that establishes and administers the rules for the registration and showing of purebred dogs. It is made up of a group of member clubs, each of which sends a delegate to New York to the American Kennel Club meetings. The American Kennel Club has established records for 111 breeds of dogs for registration and dog-show purposes. It issues rules and regulations, licences judges and handlers, and approves dates for clubs to hold events under its rules, such as dog shows, sanctioned matches, trials, et cetera. It is necessary that the 335 member clubs and the almost 200 licensed clubs clear their show dates through some main clearing house, otherwise too many might choose the same date.

The American Kennel Club keeps a complete record of every dog's show career and can tell where and how many times a particular dog was placed first, second, third, or fourth, and just how many points he has. There were 688 shows held in 1954 with 3,049 dogs gaining their championships on the bench, 284 completing their field championships, and 2,848 titles issued in obedience trials. More than 227,000 dogs are shown annually and more than 346,000 were registered last year, so it is no surprise that the Show Department and the Registration Department are two of the busiest at the American Kennel Club offices.

The American Kennel Club publishes a monthly magazine, Pure Bred DOGS—American Kennel Gazette, which lists its officers, the delegates from the member clubs, show dates, the show records, information pertaining to trials, registrations, and a list of new Champions. Also appearing is a monthly column for each breed. New rules are written in full, applications for judge's licenses are made known, and licenses granted are listed.
The men who hold office in the American Kennel Club are all persons who have been associated with dogs for most of their lives, and they try to keep the rules not only up to date but applicable to the entire country. Field trials are also run under their supervision as well as obedience trials. It is the ambition, as well as the duty, of the American Kennel Club to keep the dog registrations and pedigrees in order, to keep the dog shows and trials running smoothly and, most of all, to keep the sport clean and decent.

As you read through these pages you will find many references to the American Kennel Club. Bear in mind that it is doing a mammoth job exceptionally well and for your benefit. Refer frequently to the rules and become familiar with them. Each one has a reason for its being there and, while it is not the wish of the American Kennel Club to impose fines on people for infraction of these rules, it is the only way it can see to it that each of us obeys them.

Here is a typical rule pertaining to dog shows: Chapter 18 of Rules Applying to Registrations and Dog Shows states that dogs must be on their benches during the advertised hours of the show. The reason for this rule is that if the dogs were not benched, the spectator who pays admission to the show would not be able to see the dog he is most interested in. If each exhibitor copied the other and absented his dog from the bench, soon there would be no dogs on the benches at all. This rule works the biggest hardship on handlers because of the great number of dogs they take to shows, but they, too, must obey this rule else it would not be fair to the one-dog exhibitor. His dog might be more tired from being benched than the handler's when the two dogs met in the show ring.

Warnings, of course, are given offenders, but occasionally you run into a person who will not heed a warning. If the offense is repeated, the individual is fined and the notice of such fine is printed in the Gazette. The fine is usually $25 for each offense (of the benching rule), with subsequent infractions dealt with in more severe manner. In fairness to all, the rule must be obeyed.
Here is another example of a rule: Chapter 19, Section 9-B states that a dog's color or marking may not be changed by the use of any substance. Would you as a beginner consider it fair if one of your competitors, with the knowledge and ability, changed the markings on his dog from poor to good by the use of applied color and won over your dog whose markings were excellent without the artificial change? A busy judge in a poor light may not notice the artificial change, and his placement would not be fair. In the past this rule was difficult to enforce, but there have been changes and now under this rule the judge shares the responsibility of altered color and since the penalties are high you will find practically no artificial changes being made today. Years ago it was not uncommon to see a dog's marking completely altered by the use of stove blackening or mascara. The experienced "painter" had an unfair advantage over the novice in those days, but by the application of proper rules, this practice has been eliminated.
The American Kennel Club library is an unusually fine one containing more than 7,000 books on dogs. The walls of the offices are hung with famous paintings of dogs, mostly donated by past owners. The staff are courteous and helpful to all who need their advice.

The United Kennel Club, Incorporated, with offices at 321 West Cedar Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan, also registers dogs and issues rules and regulations pertaining to dog shows and field trials. They publish a magazine, Bloodlines Journal, every two months. Such breeds, to name a few, as the Toy Fox Terrier, The American Bull Terrier, English Shepherd Dog, six breeds of Coonhounds and Miniature Boxers are registered with them. They license clubs to hold bench shows as well as field trials, and recognize champions in both events. Championships (bench show) are obtained by the winning of points but the manner in which they are obtained and the number necessary to receive the title are different from the American Kennel Club rules. So as not to confuse you, the American Kennel Club rules pertaining to registrations and dog shows, being lengthier, are given in full in the Appendix but the United Kennel Club rules, much shorter, follow in their entirety.

United Kennel Club Licensed Bench Show Rules

1. A U.K.C. Licensed Bench Show is a distinctive gathering of dogs and their owners of certain recognized breeds for the purpose of identifying the winners and making a nationally known record of such winnings. When a dog has won (100) points at such Licensed Bench Show it shall receive the degree of National Bench Show Champion.
   
   
2. An application for a U.K.C. Licensed Bench Show may be made in writing, giving the name of the organization and its officers and the date or dates desired. The application must be accompanied with the fee of $5.00. This fee will be returned if the  application   is   not  granted.   Application   must  be   made thirty days ahead of date of Bench Show. No license will be granted if dates interfere with a License already granted. Holidays, distances apart, etc., will be taken into consideration.
   
   
3. A U.K.C. Licensed Bench Show must be advertised as such in Bloodlines Journal, the official publication of the U.K.C. and other publications desired.
   
   
4. The name, sex, color and U.K.C. registration number must be given on the entry blank, also the complete name and address of the owner. If the dog is entered by another person than the owner, then his name and address must also be given.
   
   
5. The Management must refuse entry to such dogs and owners that have been disqualified for cause, in present or past Bench Shows.
   
   
6. Official U.K.C. pedigrees must be shown on the owner or handler upon making himself known to the Secretary of the organization for proof of age of dog and pure breeding, from this pedigree  and from the small registration certificate the Secretary shall copy all information pertinent to the information necessary for each and every dog entered. The registration certificate shall show the same name as that of the owner; if names are different then the Secretary will know that the dog has not been properly transferred to the new owner and shall not accept this dog for entry, if entry fee is paid, it is to be returned to the person making payment of the fee.
   
   
7. No dog shall be accepted for entry where the owner or handler cannot show proof of registration, age and of pure breeding (excepting) U.K.C. registered puppies. Usually the owner does not have a pedigree on the puppy and the registration certificate is sufficient proof of U.K.C. registration.
   
   
8. There shall be at least one U.K.C. Licensed Judge and he shall be known as (Chairman of Judges), he will look after the interests of the U.K.C. and shall be responsible for the rules and regulations covering the show, the signing of the application blanks for points, he shall have the authority to disqualify any dog or owner for misconduct or a fighting dog, any misrepresentation of dog or owner or for any cause that he deems proper.   He   shall   report   the   name   and   address   of   owner, handler; and the U.K.C. registration number of said dog or dogs and their complete registered name to the offices of United Kennel Club Inc.
   
   
9. The Secretary of the organization sponsoring the U.K.C. Licensed Bench Show shall keep two copies of the entries and the winnings, furnishing the U.K.C. Licensed Judge with one copy; signed by both himself and the U.K.C. Judge which the Judge will mail to the offices of the United Kennel Club Inc. along with the application blanks of the winners for points. (The applications must be signed by the Secretary of the Organization and the U.K.C. Licensed Judge). These application blanks must be mailed with the complete show report, winnings, number of dogs entered; to the U.K.C. for recording, (ten days) will be allowed following the date of Show for them to reach the U.K.C.
   
   
10. The Management will forward a check to the U.K.C. for the full amount (based on the number of dogs entered in the entire Bench Show), charging 25 cents per dog; this amount is sent to the U.K.C. to pay for the recording and Bench Show Champion, after 100 points have been won.

This will allow the U.K.C. to immediately record the points and notify the owners to the effect. When a dog has received 100 points his owner will be notified immediately to send in the small registration certificate on his dog, he will be issued a new registration certificate and pedigree showing the number of points, also the "Degree of National Bench Show Champion."

Points to be allowed for U.K.C. Licensed   bench shows: beginning April 1950.

Classes: Male under 1 year old; 1 year and under 2 years; 2 years and over.

FIRST IN CLASS (Male) 10 points.

Female under 1 year old; 1 year and under two years; 2 years and over.

FIRST IN CLASS (Female) 10 points.

BEST MALE OF BREED 15 points.

BEST FEMALE OF BREED 15 points.

BEST MALE OF SHOW 10 points.

BEST FEMALE OF SHOW 10 points.

Classes with no points allowed:

U.K.C. Champions may compete against each other in this (special) class and no point be allowed. Males and females compete against each other for title: GRAND CHAMPION OF SHOW.

The organization holding the Licensed Bench Show may place whatever prize or prizes they see fit for the winner.

DEFINITION OF CLASSES—Males and females shown separately   (except) in   Special   Class   where   Champions   are shown and no points are allowed.

PUPPY CLASS—shall be dogs under one year of age. The winner of this class will be awarded 10 points.

JUNIOR CLASS—shall be for dogs one year of age and under two. The winner of this class will be awarded 10 points.

ALL AGE CLASS—shall be for dogs two years of age and over. The winner of this class will be awarded 10 points.

BEST OF BREED—shall be composed of the winners of the Puppy, Junior and All Age Classes. The winner of this will be known as BEST OF BREED and shall be awarded 15 points.

BEST OF SHOW—shall   be composed   of the   BEST OF BREED winners and the winner shall be known as BEST OF SHOW and awarded 10 points.

The American Field, with offices at 222 West Adams Street, Chicago 6, Illinois, also registers dogs and supervises the running of field trials. Dogs registered with this organization's Field Dog Stud Book are mostly hunting breeds, such as Pointers and Setters, or combinations of hunting breeds. American Field issues rules and regulations pertaining to field trials, recognizes Field Trial Champions, and prints a weekly newspaper The American Field. This newspaper gives the results of trials and lists the names and numbers of dogs who have won the title of Champion. Any dog registered with the American Kennel Club is eligible for registration with this organization, and most of the purebred dogs registered with American Field are eligible for registration with the American Kennel Club

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