"More and more, we are taking our small dogs with us wherever we go, from around the corner to around the world!"  -Susan, author of HOW TO TAKE YOUR SMALL DOG EVERYWHERE

Traveling with our dogs has become an important part of our lives.  Here, from the best selling HOW TO TAKE YOUR SMALL DOG EVERYWHERE is Susan and Spencer:

"You see, Spencer just completed a new resource called How to Take Your Small Dog Everywhere - From Around The Corner to Around the World that gives a step-by-step formula for hassle-free human-small dog travel. It's different than anything else on pet travel you've seen. This resource has taken Susan and Spencer years of trial and error to develop."

Here are just a few of the breakthrough secrets inside HOW TO TAKE YOUR SMALL DOG EVERYWHERE:

• Insider tips to traveling in first-class style on a non first-class budget
• How to feed, water and potty your pooch in an airport
• 3 Simple steps to quickly get your dog comfortable inside the carrier
• 4 things you MUST know before you get on a plane with your dog
• The 2 BEST places to take your dog (they're not where you think!)
• Little known secrets to hassle free airport navigation
• The ONE thing you must NEVER do when taking your dog on any trip (this one is worth the price of the book alone!)
• Essential items you will need before you go
• How to take your dog to the local hotels and restaurants
• plus, lots more!

To learn more, Click on HOW TO TAKE YOUR SMALL DOG EVERYWHERE

"Check Out the Popular New Small Dog Carrier!"

"Besides taking our dogs to the Mall or on Vacation, more owners are considering taking them to Dog Shows!"

"How A Dog Show Works"

An Article compliments of  THE ULTIMATE SHOW DOG TRAINING TOOLKIT  

Each dog presented to a judge is exhibited ("handled") by its owner, breeder or a hired professional. The role of a handler is similar to that of a jockey who rides a horse around the track and, hopefully, into the winner's circle.

Most dogs in competition at conformation shows are competing for points toward their AKC championships. It takes fifteen points, including two majors (wins of three, four or five points) awarded by at least three different judges, to become an American Kennel Club "Champion of Record."

The number of championship points awarded at a show depends on the number of males ("dogs") and females ("bitches") of the breed actually in competition. The larger the entry, the greater the number of points a male or a female can win. The maximum number of points awarded to a dog at any show is 5 points.

Males and females compete separately within their respective breeds, in six regular classes. The following classes are offered, and are divided by sex:

Puppy - For dogs between six and twelve months of age, that are not yet champions.

Twelve-To-Eighteen Months - For dogs twelve to eighteen months of age, that are not yet champions.

Novice - For dogs six months of age and over, which have not, prior to the date of closing of entries, won three first prizes in the Novice Class, a first prize in Bred-by-Exhibitor, American-bred, or Open Classes, nor one or more points toward their championship.

Bred By Exhibitor - For dogs that are exhibited by their owner and breeder, that are not yet champions.

American-Bred - For dogs born in the United States from a mating which took place in the United States, that are not yet champions.

Open - For any dog of the breed, at least 6 months of age.

After these classes are judged, all the dogs that won first place in a class compete again to see who is the best of the winning dogs. Males and females are judged separately. Only the best male (Winners Dog) and the best female (Winners Bitch) receive championship points. The Winners Dog and Winners Bitch then compete with the champions for the Best of Breed award. At the end of the Best of Breed Competition, three awards are usually given:

Best of Breed - the dog judged as the best in its breed category.

Best of Winners - the dog judged as the better of the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch.

Best of Opposite Sex - the best dog that is the opposite sex to the Best of Breed winner

 There are three types of conformation dog shows:

All-breed shows offer competitions for over 150 breeds and varieties of dogs recognized by the AKC. All-breed shows are the type often shown on television

Specialty shows are restricted to dogs of a specific breed or to varieties of one breed. For example, the Bulldog Club of America Specialty is for Bulldogs only, but the Poodle Club of America's specialty show includes the three varieties of the Poodle - Standard, Miniature and Toy.

Group shows are limited to dogs belonging to one of the seven groups. For example, the Potomac Hound Group show features only breeds belonging to the Hound group.

Which Dogs May Participate

To be eligible to compete, a dog must:

• be individually registered with the American Kennel Club
   
• be 6 months of age or older
   
• be a breed for which classes are offered at a show
• meet any eligibility requirements in the written standard for its breed

Spayed or neutered dogs are not eligible to compete in conformation classes at a dog show, because the purpose of a dog show is to evaluate breeding stock.

Each dog that receives an award is given a ribbon by the judge. The color of the ribbon indicates the type of award the dog has won.

Blue - awarded for first place in any regular class. Also awarded to the winner of each group competition, usually in the form of a "rosette".

Red - awarded for second place in each class. Also awarded for second place in each group competition, usually in the form of a "rosette".

Yellow - awarded for third place in each class. Also awarded for third place in each group competition, usually in the form of a "rosette".

White - awarded for fourth place in each class. Also awarded for fourth place of each group competition, usually in the form of a "rosette".

Purple - awarded to the winners of the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch classes. Since these are the classes in which championship points are earned, these ribbons are highly coveted.

Purple and White - awarded to the Reserve Winners; that is, the runners-up to the winner of the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch classes.

Blue and White - awarded to the dog that wins Best of Winners; that is, the better of the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch winners.

Purple and Gold - awarded to the dog judged "Best of Breed" in each breed competition. This is highly coveted because it allows advancement to the Group competition.

Red and White - awarded to the Best of Opposite Sex. This means the best dog of the breed that is the opposite sex of the Best of Breed winner.

Red, White and Blue - only one of these is awarded, at the end of each show. It is given to the ultimate award winner, the Best In Show.

To Learn More, See  THE ULTIMATE SHOW DOG TRAINING TOOLKIT  

"The resources are there.  Now we can take our small dogs with us -- wherever we go!"