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	Sharon Seltzer Go to Sharon's Home Page Pet Rescue Examiner
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Sharon has always had a passion for all types of animals, and is deeply involved in the world of pets and their needs. She has written for national magazines such as Animal Wellness Magazine and Ladies’ Home Journal and currently serves as the editor for a non-profit animal rescue newsletter.

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The National Dog Show - how the judges select the champion

November 25, 9:08 PM

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Natasha, an English springer spaniel wears a stylish jacket and snood to keep her coiffure clean before judging in The National Dog Show.

The Purina National Dog Show will air on television Thanksgiving Day after the Macy’s parade. During the event, judges will scrutinize the dogs closely in order to make their selection of the champion dog who will be awarded the prestigious title of Best in Show.

Have you ever wondered how these judges are chosen and what they hope to see in a winner? Here are some of the criteria used in the competition:

The judges are licensed and have spent years learning about the different dog breeds and understanding canine anatomy.
Their goal is to pick the ideal dog within its specific breed. This is taken from a written description about the standard features of each type of dog.
The judges look for general appearance, disposition, and gait.
They look for physical traits such as height, weight, coat and color.
And they observe special features of the feet, tail, eye and ears for the specific breed.

Some of the characteristics are quite general so there is a certain amount of individual interpretation allowed by each judge. This is why a particular dog will score higher for one judge than he will for another.

After adding all of these criteria together, one dog will rise to the top of the competition and be crowned, Best in Show. Now that your know what to look for, see if you can choose the next champion of The National Dog Show.

For more information: Read The National Dog Show a new holiday tradition.

Picture courtesy of Marian Hochberg

Author: Sharon Seltzer