Planning Your Next Dog Show Weekend? 5 Things to Check Before You Enter
There's a lot more to planning a dog show weekend than choosing a show, filling out an entry form and packing the car.
Between entry fees, hotels, gas, grooming arrangements and travel, a weekend at the shows can be a significant investment of time and money. And whether you're chasing championship points, competing in the National Owner-Handled Series or simply gaining experience with a young dog, choosing the right shows matters.
That's where a little research can make a difference. Tools like ShowPoints can help you discover upcoming shows, review judges and historical entries, and organize your show calendar before committing to your next weekend.
Here are five things worth considering as you plan.
1. Start With Your Goals
What are you hoping to accomplish this weekend?
Maybe your dog needs a major to finish a championship. Perhaps you're working toward a Grand Championship, competing in the National Owner-Handled Series or preparing a young puppy for its first few shows.
Your goals can help determine which events make the most sense.
A puppy gaining confidence might benefit from a smaller, less hectic show, while an exhibitor hoping to finish a championship might prioritize weekends that have historically attracted larger breed entries.
And sometimes the goal is simply to get back in the ring, spend time with friends and enjoy a weekend with your dog.
Not every show needs to be about winning.
2. Do Your Homework Before Entering
Once you've identified your goals, it's time to research your options.
Who's judging your breed? Have you shown to those judges before? Are there specialties or supported entries that might attract additional competition?
Historical entry counts can also provide valuable context, particularly if you're looking for championship points or majors.
Of course, last year's entries aren't a guarantee of this year's turnout. But knowing which shows have traditionally attracted competition in your breed can help you make more informed decisions.
If you're still figuring out how points and majors work, our guide to AKC championship points, Grand Championship points and rankings explains the differences.
You can also use ShowPoints to research upcoming shows, review judging assignments and look at historical entries without searching through multiple websites.
And if you're traveling several hours or spending hundreds of dollars on a weekend, that information can be especially useful.
3. Read the Premium List
It's tempting to focus on the judging panel and overlook the rest of the details. But the premium list is one of the most important resources available to exhibitors.
Published before entries close, the premium list contains the information you need to decide whether to enter. It includes details such as judges, entry fees, closing dates, classes offered, show location and any special requirements.
Pay attention to grooming arrangements, too.
Does the show offer reserved grooming? Is electricity available? Are there designated free grooming areas? Can you coordinate with friends or other exhibitors to share a space?
Some shows have limited reserved grooming, and arrangements can vary considerably from one venue to another. Be sure to check reservation deadlines and any rules about sharing space.
Parking, RV accommodations and unloading procedures are also worth reviewing.
And remember that some events have entry limits and may fill before their published closing dates.
The premium list is your guide before entering. The judging program comes later, after entries have closed and the schedule has been finalized.
A few minutes reading the premium list can save a lot of frustration when you arrive.
4. Get Organized When the Judging Program Arrives
Once entries have closed, the next phase of planning begins.
The judging program, typically released during the week before the show, provides the actual schedule of judging, including breed ring times, ring assignments and entry counts.
Unlike historical entries, which help you research a show before entering, the judging program tells you how many dogs are entered in your breed for that particular event.
Now's the time to review your schedule. Are you showing multiple dogs? Do you have potential ring conflicts? Will you have enough time for grooming and preparation?
Owner-handlers may also need to plan around possible group judging later in the day.
ShowPoints can help here, too. Save your upcoming shows, keep your dogs organized and use Ring Time Alerts to receive reminders before scheduled judging once the program is available.
Before leaving home, confirm your hotel arrangements, check directions to the show site and make sure you've packed everything your dog needs.
The more you can organize ahead of time, the less you'll have to think about when show day arrives.
5. Keep Track of Your Progress
Whether you come home with a major, a new title, an Owner-Handled Group placement or simply a little more experience, every weekend is part of your dog's journey.
Keeping a record of your results helps you understand where you stand and what you still need to accomplish.
How many points remain toward your championship? Have you earned the required majors? Which judges have awarded your dog wins? How is your progress toward other titles coming along?
For exhibitors pursuing higher-level titles, understanding the time and investment involved can be helpful. We've also explored how many shows and how much it can cost to earn an AKC Grand Championship.
ShowPoints lets you enter your dog's results and follow progress toward supported titles, making it easier to see what you've accomplished and what's still ahead. Tracking information is user-entered and should be verified against official records.
Because sometimes the most meaningful milestones aren't the biggest ribbons.
Spend Less Time Searching. More Time Showing.
Planning a dog show weekend involves a lot of moving pieces. That's one of the reasons we created ShowPoints.
Built by exhibitors who understand the sport, ShowPoints helps bring much of the information you need together in one convenient app.
Discover upcoming shows, research judges and historical entries, keep track of closing dates and organize your show calendar. When judging programs become available, Ring Time Alerts can help you stay on schedule.
And with title tracking, you can record results, follow your dog's progress and keep important milestones organized along the way.
You'll still need to read the premium lists, make your travel arrangements and pack the grooming equipment. But finding and organizing your show information doesn't have to be another chore.
Find shows. Track progress. Stay organized.
Ready to plan your next dog show weekend?
