Welcome to The Labrador Club

Showing

CONFORMATION SHOWING

Club Ribbons Parades

Judging Procedure

This is a good example of the bond that exists between a handler and dog in the show ring. The handler is dressed neatly and in a way that does not draw attention to herself, and in a way that is coordinated with the dogs and that allows her to move freely. She has her dog’s attention and is concentrating on him. He is standing balanced and four square, and nothing detracts from the judges view of the dog.

Club Ribbons Parades

Any pure-bred Labrador may be entered at a ribbon parade. You do not need to belong to a club or have the dog’s DNZ registration papers. Ribbon parades are generally for novices – novice handlers, novice dogs and novice judges. The steward and judge are more likely to be helpful to first timers especially at a Labrador Club Ribbon Parade.

The judging format for a ribbon parade is the same as at more formal shows.

Labradors are divided into classes for:

  • Baby Puppies 4-6 months CLASS 1 (dogs) CLASS 1a (bitches)
  • Puppies 6-12 months CLASS 3 (dogs) CLASS 3a (bitches)
  • Novice CLASS 4 (dogs) CLASS 4a (bitches) (any age, but cannot have won first place at Championship or Open Show unless they were baby puppies)
  • Juniors 12-24 months CLASS 5 (dogs) CLASS 5a (bitches)
  • Intermediates 2-3 years CLASS 6 (dogs) CLASS 6a (bitches)
  • Veterans Over 7 years CLASS 10 (dogs) CLASS 10a (bitches)
  • Opens 3 years & over CLASS 11 (dogs) CLASS 11a (bitches) (but can be any age)
  • (a) Sex – Male dogs are judged first and then the corresponding bitch classes.


The Club will advertise a start time, but it pays to be there at least 30 minutes earlier so that you can complete your entry form, pay for your classes (usually about $6 per class) and settle your dog. You will be given a number card which you need to attach to your clothes -a safety pin will do.

Once the parade begins, the steward will call the dogs needed for each class. Answer the steward when your number is called, so he knows you are present. Baby Dogs are first, so be ready if you have a male puppy.

Judging Procedure

The dogs entered in each class are lined up and enter the ring. Have your dog on your left-hand side. If you are first in the line, check with the steward about what the judge requires you to do. Usually this will be to go around the ring. Move at a slow run around the ring with the dog moving freely, always on your left. Make sure you don’t get too close to other competitors and keep talking to your dog to praise and encourage. The judge will indicate where you are to stop.

Next, the judge will look at each dog individually. He is going to assess all the dogs according to how, in his view, they meet the written Labrador standard. Deciding which dog is the best example of the breed means placing importance on certain aspects and all judges will do this in a different way. Some may consider movement to be paramount, others will consider correct head, coat and tail, of a Labrador to be of greater importance.

Ideally the dog should now be standing four square, looking at you and with a happy tail. However, for novice and young dogs you can hold the lead close to his head and help position his legs. Once the judge starts to “go over” the dog, feeling coat, shoulder placement etc, an inexperienced dog will get excited, so gently hold his head and body while he is examined.

The judge will then ask for either a triangle or “Out and Back”. He is now looking at how the dog moves. A triangle means to move directly away from the judge in a straight line to the corner, then left turn and move across the ring and another left turn, returning to where the judge is standing. Stop and hold the dog so the judge may see him standing freely. If he has stopped in an awkward position allow him to move slightly and get his legs straight. An “Out and Back” requires one straight line to the other side of the ring, then a U-turn and back to the judge. Again, stop just before you reach the judge and pose the dog. For both procedures it is important to move so that the dog has a steady trot and moves in a straight line. Many handlers have a small supply of tasty treats in their pocket to reward the dog and encourage him to look animated.

The judge will then tell you what to do, usually a circle around the ring and back to the end of the line. After looking at each dog in the class, he will look at the whole class. Have your dog stand freely, and looking at you, ideally with legs “four square” and tail wagging. He may ask you all to move around the ring again then he will make his choice and award the places, 1st to 3rd. Don’t be disheartened if you don’t win at first, many of your fellow competitors have been doing this for a long time and their dogs have had plenty of practice.

When all the male dog classes have been judged the winner of each class is called back into the ring so the judge can select the best dog. The second place of the same age as the dog selected will then be called back into the ring for before the reserve dog is chosen. Class winner, best and reserve will be required again when the bitch classes are judged.

The same process is now carried out with the bitch classes.

Once best and reserve bitch is chosen the class winners are needed for further judging.

The Best Dog and Best Bitch compete for Best of Breed, Best on Parade. If the dog is selected then the reserve dog comes back into the ring, and the judge selects Reserve Best of Breed/on Parade. These two dogs are automatically the winners of their age class i.e. if the Best of Breed is a Junior class dog he is Junior of Breed, If the reserve Best of Breed is an Intermediate bitch then she is automatically Best Intermediate of Breed.

Once this has been determined then the other class winners from the dog and bitch classes are called back so the judge can select Best Baby Puppy on Parade, Puppy, etc.


If you haven’t placed 1st or 2nd, you won’t be required to go back in the ring. Always check with the steward to see if you have finished or need to return to be judged again. There are plenty of experienced handlers around who will help you learn the ropes, just ask!

A dog entered at a ribbon parade does not have to be registered with Dogs NZ but must be for other types of dog shows e.g Open and Championship Shows. The owner of the dog at an Open or Championship show must also be a member of Dogs NZ, unless they have applied for a day membership. The Show Secretary will explain this to you if you are wanting to enter. When you enter other events like group or all breed events, the judging will begin the same way as a Labrador Parade but the Labrador winners will then compete against the other gundogs for group awards in the same format.


Come and join us and have fun with your Labrador – spend some time with others who feel their Lab is as wonderful as you think yours is!!