UKC ~ Total Dog

UKC has supported the Total Dog philosophy through its events and programs for over a century. Essentially, the UKC world of dogs is a working world. That’s the way it was developed in 1898, and that’s the way it remains today. A Total Dog displays equal parts Function, Temperament, and Structure. Total Dog is a way to showcase dogs who look and perform equally well. The UKC Total Dog philosophy places an emphasis on dogs who shine in multiple venues, such as displaying the gait appropriate for their breed type while in the show ring, and then using that superb construction to effortlessly run full speed in a Lure Coursing race. A sound, well-bred, well-adjusted dog can easily transition from the show ring to a performance event. They have the looks to excel as a proper specimen of their breed, while also having the brains and ability to perform athletically in a variety of sporting events.

The two largest, annual Total Dog competitions are held at Premier and Gateway Nationals. To become a Total Dog Qualifier at these shows, a dog must place in a conformation event one day, and then place in a performance event the following day. Those qualifiers are then invited into the Total Dog ring to compete for Total Dog Best In Show. Premier and Gateway also offer Altered Total Dog Best in Show. ~UKC

This past weekend was the Dodge County Canine Club UKC dog show. During this show they offer the Total Dog program. When you fill out your conformation entry fee you mark if you are entering the Total Dog program, which is you will enter an performance event and qualify with a pass in that event and you will enter conformation and receive an Best of Breed in the show ring. When you accomplish these two tasks during the show weekend you will be awarded the Total Dog recognition.

In our group of friends that entered the dog show this past weekend Diggs the GSP along with Lynne, Josey along with Tom and Gambler along with I were entered into the Rally Obedience competition and the Conformation show. All three of us received our Total Dog recognition the first day of the show weekend.

This is Diggs first Total Dog, Josey’s seventh and Gamblers third.

A great weekend was had by all. We are glad that the UKC offers this program, it is a way to show how versatile our dogs are. They have the looks, brains and body too!