whats a special

[stevinski]

In show terms, whats classed as a special?

[RD]

A specials dog is one that continues to be shown after completing its championship. Usually with the hopes of breed and group wins/placements.

You'll probably hear people talk about "specials quality" dogs, and that is something I have a hard time pinning down since any dog can be shown after it achieves its championship. Specials do have to be of exceptional quality to regularly rack up breed wins, group wins and best-in-shows.

For example, my dog may be able to finish in the breed ring, but he'd never special well. He's nice enough to finish (well, I think so. this is all hypothetical since he's not a show dog :p) but not nice enough to consistently beat the best in the breed. Make sense?

[showpug]

RD summed it up. Specials are just simply the dogs that are already champions in the show ring :)

[SummerRiot]

hehe yuppers.. RD summed it up quite nicely..

Riot got the opertunity to place Best of Opposites OVER two specials in the ring.. now THAT is brag worthy! The other Special too Best of Breed.

Usually when your dog beats out a special you can add that into his "show records" as well instead of JUST the ribbon/title from that day.

[planet molosser]

Yep.

I have one bitch and one male im specialing.
And I have Champions that retire as brood working bitches with the sheep cause they are breed standard but NOT special enough to win over up and coming dogs yet produce better ..

Whats great about specials is you dont go in to compete with all the winners dogs and winners bitches until one is picked from each .. Allot less work..
You are there to compete for Best of breed only and than of course group and god willing BIS.

I special for UKC top ten right now we are number one and i may lose that to my male if she comes in season for the last show . :(

[oc_spirit]

There''s also "Specialty Show" where the whole show with all of it's classes are for a particular breed. Ex. The Siberian Husky Specialty Show

[tempura tantrum]

Great explanations everyone!

A great Specials dog goes beyond simply being very nice representatives of the breed. Many dogs are nice enough to finish, but there are a select few that are TRULY specials quality, and what they have that others don't is more intangible than simply just a beautiful headpiece, or a nice gait. They have a degree of showmanship, an "it" factor that MAKES people stare at them.

These are dogs that command attention.

That's why (whether or not I like to admit it), there are often Shibas that *aren't* fantastic PHYSICAL specimens in the breed, populating the Top Ten Shibas. Judges that don't know the standard as well as they should can't help but put up a flashy show dog, one that says "LOOK AT ME!!" Even when there are better physical representatives (AND temperamental- the Japanese would consider flashy showmanship in a Shiba quite vulgar and unbecoming!) standing right next to them.

[planet molosser]

I agree Tempura, yet what i had as a special years ago would not cut it today. Today they want great movement and my 1st stud did not have that they want flash...And I only got 1 out of 10 that has it so far .

Yet staying in a position with a specials bitch is a pain.

I just hate when your special is a bitch and you need to bring forth the line and she is IN heat the month of a big show.

Lost a TOP TEN UKC invite last year.. I know it is ok to show in heat but I wont if they are standing.

Sucks to have your SPECIAL out of the game ..

[tempura tantrum]

ACK!!!

My girl isn't a special but I can definitely feel your pain- somehow it's like they KNOW when a big show is coming up...and suddenly....TWO WEEKS EARLY?

LOL.

And that UKC invite- urghhh... that would've just killed me.

At any rate...I can say with complete confidence that my next show prospect will be a dog.

[oc_spirit]

Isn''t it fun how they decide to go in heat or start blowing coat at the worst of times? :p

[SummerRiot]

Omg.. Riot blew his coat RIGHT before the Belgian Specialty! lol

Males aren't supposed to blow their coat more then twice a year for Belgian. Its also because he was blowing out his puppy coat and growing in the "adult" coat. He should be fabulous for show season next summer though! I can't wait! :)