Hello and welcome to my brief instruction on how to show. I am quite experienced in this matter as I have won a group. Therefore, I feel that I have sufficient knowledge to provide an introduction to all of you my gentle readers. Below you will find pictures of me illustrating some of my best moves. Please ignore the grumpy-faced human, she is just upset over a hurt knee (more on this later). Now...on with the show!

Step One: The Stack When you first enter the ring, you should stack yourself. You will do a perfectly good job, the goal here is to stand in a comfortable pose since you will be standing that way for awhile. Expect the human to reposition your legs, head and anything else that catches their fancy. Tip: When the judge comes up to examine you, feel free to move your front feet, your human will appreciate this!

The Stack

	Step Two: Show Off The judge will be looking at you. This is a great time to demonstrate your best feature. Note in the picture at the left that I am showing off my superior front. How can you resist that? A saluki with a good front! Tip: If you do not have a good front, you might consider it something to look for in a potential boyfriend or girlfriend.
"Look at this front"

Step Three: The Down and Back The purpose of this exercise is to run so the judge can determine if you are sound and moving correctly. Your front legs should not cross over, if they do, you should not win. It is okay for a saluki's front feet to lift up off the ground a bit, how else are we supposed to get our paws out of the sand? Tip: If you are in the mood for fun, try a turn in the middle of the down and back or if you are a puppy try jumping on the judge when you come back to him/her.

I'm behaving myself

Step Four: Once Around This move is actually done twice if you are in a class of more than one. Typically, the judge will have the whole class go around together one time before he/she begins the individual examinations. Then, you will have to go around once by yourself during the individual examination, typically after the down and back. This is the time for the judge to evaluate your side gait. Are you moving well from the side? This is star time, head up, tail flying, show off.

Coming at you, note the loose lead. Not too tight or...ack ack

Tip: Evaluating movement is important. Please no pounding or over reaching, you would not be able to run for five miles like that. Also, no crossing over in the front, we toe out, not in.
	Going away from you

	Step Six: Final Look This is your last chance! The judge will often have everyone stack up again and take a final look at all the dogs. Be sure you look your best. Your human will not help matters by constantly rearranging you. They should leave you alone. The judge can not see you with human arms in the way! Tip: Make sure you give the judge your prettiest expression.
"Give the pretty dog a pretty ribbon"

Be careful when you are showing. Communication is important. Sometimes the human will make you try to do things you do not want to do. Make sure they are aware that you are not going to do it. Try giving them a stern look. My human and I had a little communication problem at the show pictured above. I was not ready to come back on the down and back, she tugged, I resisted, then went when I was ready. She tripped over me and fell face down on the ground, so I went trotting off to see Grandma. Then everyone made a big fuss. Hey, people fall in the ring all the time, she wasn't even bleeding. At least I still got my pretty ribbon.

Everyone has their own ideas about showing, but my best advice is keep it fun or stop doing it. Don't be afraid to do something in the ring that will make the human look a little goofy. They need their life spiced up every now and then! Plus, its a great way to remind them who is really boss.