THE DAY OF THE SHOW ARRIVES - YOU ARE VERY NERVOUS AND ARE REALLY NOT SURE OF WHAT TO DO!
Firstly relax, it is not as hard as it looks, we all have to start somewhere.

If you get to the show and you are really at your wits end as to what to do, then seek assistance, ask someone for help.  Most people at shows are sympathetic to those new to dog exhibiting, having once been there themselves.  Stay close to someone knowledgeable throughout the course of judging, and observe what is going on around you and especially in the ring.  Remember keep on asking for help.

On the day your dog is known as a number, the one you received back in the mail.  He doesn't have a name in the ring, he is just a number.  At each ring there are usually 2 Stewards, a Ring Steward and an Assembly Steward (this many vary from State to State).  The Assembly Steward is responsible for lining all the dogs in the classes up, ready to go into the ring for judging.  The Ring Steward takes control in the ring, and announces the winners etc.  It is always advisable to quickly mention to the Assembly Steward that you are a new exhibitor, they will then help you out that little bit more.  The Assembly Steward will call out for your breed to come to the assembly area, which is immediately outside the ring.  They will then call up each class by number, you will only be given 3 calls, if you miss these calls and do not respond, you will be marked absent, and will be denied the opportunity to show you dog.  DO NOT MISS YOUR CALL.  Your number should be clearly visible to the Steward and Judge, pinned to your upper clothing is the most popular place.  A safety pin will do, although there are special Card Clips available for a nominal cost which you can use.  These are normally available for sale at a dog accessory stand at the Show.  Arm bands are also available for sale.

Now the next step - you are in the ring.  The judge normally instructs you what to do.  If you don't hear the instruction clearly then ask again.  Normally you will be asked to do a triangle or go straight up and back (a diagram is contained on this page describing such).   The judge will also go over your dog, he will check over his body, tail etc and his mouth.  If your dog goes to sit down, then stand him back up again.  Do not expect the judge to stand your dog back up, you are the exhibitor it is your responsibility.  Also practice looking at your dogs mouth (parting the lips so the teeth are clearly visible) as judges detest nothing more than a dog that will not allow its mouth to be looked at.  If your dog does resist the judge looking at his mouth, then hold the dog firmly to stop him from pulling away. After the judge has finished with your dog you then take you place back in the line up while the judge goes on to the next dog.  The judge will then place dogs respectively 1st, 2nd and 3rd, and the Ring Steward will record this results, you may then leave the ring.  If you came either 1st or 2nd do not leave the assembly area, stay around.  Why?  keep on reading.

Each age class is judged, class by class, the males are judged first.  Then the females are judged separately, their classes have an (a) behind the number showing this is a bitch class.

Once all age classes are judged the winner of each class is called back into the ring.  All classes accept for Class 1 - this class is for Baby puppies only 3 - 6 months old, which are not eligible for Australian Champion points.  We are now judging the best male or in the case of (a) classes the best bitch of the breed.  It is called Challenge and this is where you gain your Australian Champion points.  You receive 6 points for your own dog, plus 1 point for every dog you have beaten.  So if there were 15 male dogs entered (which has excluded Class 1) you would receive 20 points towards your Australian Champion title, your dog must have 100 points before it can become an Australian Champion.  If you reach the 100 point mark then the TCA office should be contacted for further advice on how to obtain your Aust. Champion certificate.  Grand Champions need to acquire 1000 points.

When the Challenge winner is announced the dog that came 2nd to that dog comes back in the ring, to compete for Reserve Challenge (no points awarded).

It is at this point that if you came 2nd  in your class and were not called back in the ring for Reserve Challenge you may now leave the assembly area, you are no longer required.  If you did get called back into the ring for Res Challenge but were unsuccessful you may also now leave the assembly area, you are no longer required.

This same procedure is repeated for bitches.

Once Challenge dog and  Challenge bitch are judged, they come back into the ring to compete for Best of Breed (BOB).  The judge is now looking for the best dog of the breed overall, dogs and bitches together.  Once the BOB winner is announced the Reserve Challenge winner to that dog comes back into the ring to compete for R/Up Best of Breed. 

The Best of Breed (BOB) winner and the R/Up winner are automatically Best in their age group and will now go through to "Best Exhibit in Group" judging and its respective Class in Group judging. 

Now we determine the winners of the other age groups within the breed.  So the Class 1 and 1a 1st place winners come back into the ring - the winner the becomes the age winner for that breed and goes on to be the breed representative in the Baby Puppy class in Group Specials judging.  We do this for each Class except for the class already determined by the BOB and R/UP BOB winner.

If you did not win the age elimination you may now leave the Assembly area.  If you did win an elimination class you  must remain for Group 2 Specials judging.