Conformation Shows and the Boykin
Spaniel
Conformation shows judge the dog's
physical structure and appearance by examination by a judge in a
ring. These shows can either be held outdoors or in and are
often held in conjunction with Junior Showmanship classes.
Conformation shows are sometimes mis-named
bench shows. Although bench shows were once the norm, now there
are just a handful left in the world and only 3 left in the
United States (Westminister, Golden Gate and Chicagoland). The
remaining conformation shows are un-benched.
Boykin Spaniels can currently
compete in several different organizations that host sanctioned
conformation shows. They can currently compete in AKC Sanctioned
B level matches. In the course of time AKC will move the breed
up to the Misc. Group and then eventually onto full registration
status which will include full eligibility in AKC conformation
shows.
There have been many Boykin Spaniel that have
completed their Championship and Grand Championships through the
UKC shows. Some have competed in American Rare Breed
Association (www.arba.org)
to earn an ABRA Championship.
The International All-Breed Canine
Association of America (www.iabca.com
) also allows Boykin Spaniels to compete in their shows. The
IABCA is often referred to as the Int'l Ch. (or Int. Ch.)prefix
in front of the dog's name. However,
an Int. Ch. can also refer to the
FCI Championship. Most dogs residing inside the US will have the
IABCA title since FCI shows are rarely held in North America and
have never been held in the US. IABCA
is modeled after European shows but choose to affiliate with UCI
(a secondary European registry) rather than FCI. (FCI recognizes
AKC as the official kennel club of the US even though it is not
a member club.)
FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale)
is the governing body that sponsors the World Dog Show and
oversees most of the international kennel clubs in Europe, Asia
and South America. It has over 80 member clubs (one per
country). It is a very old and prestigious organization. To
obtain an FCI CH title (also called an Int'l CH) a dog must "over
a minimum period of one year and one day, obtain four CACIB
(Winner's certificates) in three different countries, under
three different judges, no matter the number of dogs".
The only North
American member of FCI is the FCM (the Mexican Kennel Club).
Because of its distance from other member clubs, the FCI has
granted an exemption to the "in three different countries"
requirement when obtaining the FCI CH at Mexican shows. Instead,
the dog must obtain four CACIB under judges from three different
countries. The FCM brings in judges from Europe and South
America for its FCI sanctioned shows.
To differentiate
between IABCA and FCI it is best to indicate which organization
in involved as part of the prefix (FCI Int'l CH. or IABCA Int'l
Ch.). |
