Dog Shows and Trials, events in which purebred dogs compete for prizes and titles on the basis of their show qualities or training. Such events usually take one of three forms. Dog shows are exhibitions in which dogs are judged according to the standard of perfection for their particular breeds; obedience trials compare the ability of trained dogs to respond to verbal commands or hand signals; and field trials test the hunting ability of certain breeds of dogs. The main purpose of the events is to exhibit outstanding animals to the public and to professional dog breeders and handlers. Dog shows and trials are popular in a number of countries, notably the United Kingdom and the United States.
Some major dog shows in the United States draw several thousand entries each year. Most dog shows and trials are associated with the American Kennel Club (AKC), the largest registry of purebred dogs. The United Kennel Club (UKC) is another major registry that holds dog shows and trials in the United States.
Poodle Clipping: A poodle submits to having its fur trimmed. The clipping of poodles originated as a method of reducing drag while the dog was swimming. Trimming is often a requirement for dogs that are entered in shows.
Among the U.S. shows with entries of more than 2000 dogs are those of the Westminster Kennel Club in New York, the International Kennel Club of Chicago, the Kennel Club of Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, and the Kennel Club of Philadelphia. Crufts, held in London, is the largest show in Britain.
