Activities to Enjoy and Compete in With Your French Bulldog
Competetive Obedience - Beyond Sit and Stay
 Dorian McKee At Puppy Class Graduation |
Most people are familiar with the concept of "Obedience Training". Obedience lessons are the very best way to ensure your dog will live a long life as a happy member of your family. Obedience trained dogs are less likely to be given up for adoption, more likely to adopted if they do end up in rescue or a shelter, and welcomed in more social situations.
The sport of competitive obedience, however, is very different from the basic manners "obedience lessons" teach your dog. (Please note that the following descriptions apply mainly to competitive obedience in Canada and the USA. For the rules and regulations in your country, please contact your National Kennel Club).
Competitive obedience started in the United States in the 1930's. One of the first people to promote it was a Standard Poodle breeder named Blanche Saunders, who toured the country in a travel trailer with her dogs giving obedience exhibitions.
In competitive obedience today, there are three levels at which your dog can win a title. Each is more difficult than the one before it, and your dog must complete three "Legs", or qualifying scores, in each level before moving on to the next. The basics of each level are as follows:
Novice: Completing three "Legs" in novice results in your dog earning a Companion Dog (CD) title. The title accurately describes what is expected of your dog: demonstrating the skills required of a good canine companion. He will have to heel both on and off leash at different speeds, come when called, stay (still and quietly!) with a group of other dogs when told and stand for a simple physical exam.
Open: Achieving three qualifying scores in open results in your dog earning a Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title. He must do many of the same exercises as in Novice, but off-leash and for longer periods. Additionally, there are jumping and retrieving tasks.
Utility: The final level results in a Utility Dog (UD) title, the title that everyone who competes in obedience hopes to someday achieve. In addition to more difficult exercises, the dog also must perform scent discrimination tasks. Only a hand full of French Bulldogs have achieved this title.
The very best way to get started in obedience is to train with an obedience club. Make no mistake - you are NOT looking for a school or group who offers basic pet obedience training, but rather a group or school who are specifically interested in training with the goal of competing in obedience. This will give you a group of friends who are working towards the same goals as you, and a great training ground to learn the basics before you head out into the ring. Most people start by showing in something called "Obedience Matches", or "Proof Matches" - these are not true competitions, but rather chances to see how your dog will do in the ring. The judge will be giving you pointers, and usually corrections and verbal cues which are not allowed in official matches are allowed.
Competitive Obedience with French Bulldogs may not be as simple as it is with more 'traditional' obedience breeds, but there are few breeds which spectators enjoy watching more. Their unique style of sit, there show off approach to "come" - to handle a Frenchie in obedience requires a handler with a sense of humor, and the ability to appreciate their dogs' unique wit. But this is, after all, why you got one in the first place!
LINKS
Dog Patch's
Dog Obedience Resources
A truly outstanding collection of resources on all aspects of competetive
and pet obedience training.
AKC
Obedience & Tracking page
Obedience rules, regulations, exercises and more from the American Kennel
Club.