My puppy got his first points at a show this weekend. He still needs 12 more points before I can put a Champion in front of his name, but he’s on his way. I’m so proud of my little doglet. 
Educate a non-dog show person - how does a dog get points? Talent? Poise? Swimsuit competition?
Seriously - what constitutes a champion? And congrats to you and your pup - that’s exciting!
Doggies! What breed? What’s his name? Is he a sweetie-weetie?
Certifiably dog nuts, Gazelle
I’ll try, but I’m new to all this myself. I got suckered into showing by my puppy’s breeder.
There are different classes you can enter, but the class you actually enter doesn’t get you any points. I entered him 6-9 month male puppy class which he won - but no points. So then he automatically goes up against all the males that won in their classes, i.e. 12-18 months, open dog, etc… and he beat all those. There weren’t that many males entered so I only got 1 point for that. This is called Winners Dog. (The number of points you get depends on the number of dogs entered.) Okay, so the same thing happens with all the female dogs, only there were more females so it was worth 2 points. Then he went up against the Winners Female (actually the “b-word” that I guess I can’t say since this isn’t The Pit.)
He beat her and took her points - so I ended up with 2 points instead of one. The next step up is the Best of Breed, but that usually goes to a dog that’s already a champion. Crazy huh? And they basically just need to stand there, look pretty, and put up with some crotchety, old judge with cold hands poking them in the doo-dads - yep, they count 'em.
Oh, and he’s a Shiba Inu.
Congratulations!!
Here’s a picture of him graduating from obedience class:
Puppy
I didn’t get my win picture at the show because it was pouring down rain, so I’m a bit bummed about that.
What’s his name? What’s his name? What’s his name?
You don’t have to give the full-blown one. Just his call name.
And hello, Is he a sweetie-weetie?
Yeesh.
You can say bitch here. Just can’t call someone one. Unless they are a bitch; I mean an acutal female dog. But I don’t know whether any post here.
He’s very cute, Kiger.
I like Shiba Inus. Inu means dog in Japanese, right?
Just look at his picture, Gazelle! Of course he is!
Yes, you are, aren’t you a sweetie-weetie!
-Velma, who is disgusting about baby-talking to dogs, and not ashamed of it.
You’re quite right, m’dear. His picture says it all.
Yay Velma! I baby-talk to dogs like you would not beleeb.
My dog has 3,000 nicknames and answers to them all.
When I walk into the house after work, I yell, “A SMALLIE!” And my doggie goes nuts. I love my short ‘n’ furry girl.
Heh, a small sized dog. (Inexact translation from the Japanese.) Wow, puppy-pup taking the point. Neat.
And you can say “Bitch” in this case Kiger. It’s what it is. (If anyone blows you grief, tell 'em I said it was OK.)(But only about the girl dogs. 'K?)
-Rue. (dog-boy)
His name is Kato aka Kato Potato or just Mr. Potato Head (I have no idea why.)
And yes, Inu just means dog in Japanese.
He’s adorable! I hope he keeps winning. 
I think Mr. Potato Head is an EXCELLENT dog name. Hmm. I wonder if either of OURS would answer to it…aw, heck, these dogs will answer to ANYTHING as long as food and/or attention are involved!
He’s adorable. Congratulations!
a cute puppy wuppy!!!
Oh, he is CUTE! A cutie-patootie! LOL Or is that a cutie-potato? I think I shall have to do a google on Shiba Inu’s. Thanks for sharing, Kiger.
tarragon
a doggy lover by proxy
Hey, congrats!
I’d like to get into the dog show circuit myself, but I have no idea if I can handle the politics.
Cute Shiba!
Thanks everyone.
Yes, the politics are bad, but I think the trick is to go in knowing there is bias, but to look for the bias that is to your benefit. I look for the judges that like my breeder’s dogs and show under them. I’m a novice so I have that going against me too, but I’ve beaten the pros a couple times now. It helps to be in a small breed like Shibas which are mostly owner handled anyway. If I owned a Poodle, I’d probably be laughed out of the ring. It’s almost expected that some breeds are shown by professional handlers. The Shibas don’t get to play with the big boys too often since they are a relatively new breed recognized by the AKC - nevermind that they go back 2000 years in Japan.
Shiba Inu – cool! I had an Akita years ago. I’ve often thought that a shiba would be a very good dog.
But I’ve got Australian Shepherds now, and they rock!
My SIL has a Clumber spaniel who was only a few points away from champion before she was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. Bummer. No more showing, no more breeding. Now she just lounges about eating doggie bon-bons and reading trashy dogie novels.
I know what you mean about dog show politics, however. I had a friend who showed Basenjis and invited us to go to a dog show with her, and the whole time she was whispering to me about who backstapped who and who did this nasty thing to who and on and on. It was a real eye-opener.
Congrats, Kiger!
Funny that this should come up this weekend, as my head has very much been in the dogs. I did a presentation on conformation dog standards last Thursday for one of my classes; I used Brittanys, the breed I used to show.
Adorable dog, btw. But as a dedicated owner–you alread knew that!