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CCLRC has many members who participate in conformation showing with their dogs. Some travel around the country and even the world to see how their labradors stack up against the breed standard.

“Conformation” is the official name for “dog shows.” While they may seem glamorous, the true purpose of conformation showing is to evaluate breeding stock. The dog’s conformation—his overall appearance and structure—is an indication of the dog’s ability to produce quality purebred puppies, and that is what is being judged in the ring. That’s why mixed-breeds and spayed or neutered purebreds are not eligible to compete. Many times a new exhibitor will get started in dog shows by finding a mentor, usually the breeder they acquired their puppy from. Many AKC clubs also offer handling classes to teach owners how to present their purebred dog to a judge at a dog show.
For more information about Conformation Dog Shows, click here to visit the AKC Website.

Hello CCLRC and SJVLRC members,
This communication is to encourage you to COME ON OUT to our WC weekend. Even if your dog has not been exposed to birds, this is your opportunity to learn and “test the waters” with your dog. Your dog may be a natural 🙂

WHAT IS IT?

The Working Certificate program provides a way for Labrador owners to experience and develop an appreciation for the natural working abilities of their dogs.

The WC is A TEST OF NATURAL RETRIEVING INSTINCT. It is not a marking test. It is not to indicate the extent of training the dog has received.
To be eligible for a Working Certificate a Labrador Retriever must be six months of age and demonstrate the following:
∙ The dog is not gun shy.
∙ The dog will retrieve a shot bird at 50 yards on land in light cover.
∙ The dog will retrieve two ducks from swimming water (if available) in immediate succession, to prove willingness to re-enter the water.
∙ Steadiness is not required, so a dog may be held on the line.

HOW DOES THE WEEKEND WORK?

Saturday is a training day. Our judges will be available to help you introduce your dog to birds, to give you instruction and to encourage both you and your dog. Sunday is test day. You and your dog will repeat what you learned on Saturday.

Breakfast and Lunch are provided by the club on Saturday and Sunday. There is a group dinner on site on both Friday and Saturday for all participants.
There is space to park a trailer or RV, and some sleeping bag space in the house for overnighters. Some folks choose to stay at local hotels.

Questions? We’re here for you!

Pat Collom, WC Chair pat@windroselabradors.com
Patty Gallagher, WC Co-Chair joe.patty.g@gmail.com

AKC OBEDIENCE 101 

Obedience trials demonstrate the dog’s ability to follow specified routines in the obedience ring and emphasize the usefulness of the dog as a companion to humankind. The objective of obedience trials is to recognize dogs that have been trained to behave in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs in a manner that will reflect credit on the sport of obedience at all times and under all conditions.

The first AKC licensed obedience trial was held in 1936. In this first year there were 18 trials with approximately 200 entries.

In 2018, there were 118,316 entries in AKC obedience trials.

Dog and handler teams are judged on how closely they match the judge’s mental picture of a theoretically perfect performance as they execute a series of specified exercises.

Accuracy and precision is vital, but the natural movement of the handler and the willingness and enjoyment of the dog are essential for a winning performance.

Each level of obedience competition – Novice, Open, and Utility – requires mastering a specific skill set, which increase in difficulty, before advancing to the next level.

The Novice class demonstrates good canine companion skills such as heeling, both with and without a leash, coming when called, standing for a simple physical examination, and staying in both a sit and a down position with a group of dogs.

In the Novice class, dogs earn a Companion Dog (CD) title after receiving three qualifying scores under two different judges.

To compete, your dog must be: 

At least 6 months of age. 
Physically sound. 

Have an AKC number via one of the following: 

1. AKC Registration as one of the 200 recognized breeds. 
2. AKC Canine Partners, which is for mixed-breed dogs and dogs ineligible for AKC registration. 
3. Purebred Alternative Listing (PAL) program, which is for purebred dogs that cannot be fully registered with the AKC to participate in AKC events. 
4. Foundation Stock Service®(FSS), which is for recorded breeds on the road to full AKC recognition.

Spayed females and neutered males are eligible to participate but females in season are not. 

Dogs that are blind are not eligible to participate. 

No dog can compete if it is taped or bandaged or in any way has anything attached to it for medical purposes. 

BEGINNER NOVICE 

Beginner Novice A: 

• Handler must be the owner or member of owner’s household or immediate family 
• Dog has no Obedience titles 
• Heel on Leash—demonstrates whether the dog will watch handler and adjust its pace to stay with handler 
• Figure 8—same as Heel on Leash but done in Figure Eight pattern 
• Sit for Exam demonstrates dog will stay seated when approached and lightly touched by judge, without displaying resentment 
• Sit Stay—demonstrates dog will stay seated when handler walks away within sight of dog 
• Recall—demonstrates dog will come to handler on command 

Beginner Novice B: 

• Any person may handle 
• Dog can have a BN, CD (Novice A or B) or PCD title; no other Obedience Title 
• Same exercises as Beginner Novice A 

NOVICE 

Novice A: 

• Handler must be the owner or member of owner’s household or immediate family 
• Handler has NOT handled a dog that has earned a Preferred Novice or higher-level title. 
• Heel on Leash and Figure Eight—same as Beginner Novice 
• Stand for Exam—for this off leash exercise, dog must stay in standing position as handler walks about 6 feet away. Judge will approach and lightly touch dog on the head, body and hindquarters. Dog must not display any resentment. 
• Heel Free—dogs will heel off leash doing same as on-leash but will not do Figure Eight. 
• Recall—demonstrates dog will come to handler on command. 
• Sit-Stay, Get Your Leash—demonstrates dog will remain in sit position while handler walks away to get dog’s leash. 
• Group Exercise, Sit and Down Stay demonstrates dog’s ability to remain in the sit and down position with other dogs in the ring and is performed on-leash.

Novice B: 

• Any person may handle 
• Same exercises as Novice A 

The Judie Lynch Memorial Trophy was created and donated by Trudy Rose (Talimar Labradors), Faye Ghielmetti, artist Jane Partin and The Friends of Judie Lynch to memorialize Judie for her many contributions to the world of Labrador Retrievers. The trophy was presented by Judie’s now late husband, Steve, at a SJVLRC specialty show. The trophy was to be awarded to the SJVLRC Specialty Winners Dog, with the stipulation that the dog also have an AKC performance title (e.g. obedience, agility, rally, trick, field), as exemplified many times by Judie with her Raintree Labradors (and English Cocker Spaniels).

No SJVLRC Winners Dog met these criteria in the following years, the trophy was never awarded, and was returned to Trudy. Trudy agreed to modify the criteria; the trophy shall now be awarded annually to a Labrador and its owner/co owners who have achieved 2 different AKC titles (in conformation and/or performance) anytime in their life. The award may be posthumous (dog or person). The Central California Labrador Retriever Club now manages the trophy.

Nominations for the trophy shall be made and voted upon by the CCLRC membership in January/February of each year. Any Labrador fancier may nominate a dog that meets the criteria (above) for this honor. CCLRC members will vote on the award nominations annually. The trophy can reside with each year’s winner, at their discretion. The trophy is awarded to the recipient each year at CCLRC’s annual WC/WCX event (in March). A plaque reflects the award recipients.

Judie Lynch Memorial Trophy Winners