There are more fun things you and your yorkie dog can do together than there is time to do then –walking in the woods, camping, fishing, and even horseback riding.

There are also competitions that offer your yorkie a chance to show his stuff. From conformation to obedience to performance, the American Kennel Club sanctions shows all over the country.

Good conformation is evident from early puppyhood. If you think that your yorkie has “it”, then start training him with basic commands.

The AKC offers two types of conformation competitions: specialty or all-breed. The specialty show is limited to one specific breed. In all-breed show, any breed can enter a class for their breed, provided they are at least six months of age on the day of the show.

Neutered animals are not allowed to attend conformation competitions, nor are dogs that have disqualifying faults such as being oversized.

Conformation competition is to showcase a specific breed line’s assets – a dog earning a championship is a dog of a breedable quality.

If your yorkie is of superior quality, you can enter one of these shows; however, you need to know how to present your yorkie at his best.

If you do not know how, ask your yorkie’s breeder to exhibit the dog for you. Provided your yorkie is of show quality, your breeder will want to do this anyway, because winning points on the puppies offers their kennel publicity.

After impeccable grooming, a dog is paraded in front of a judge. The judge watched these dogs walk, trot, turn, and stand. He looks at teeth, eye color, bone structure, and coat. Only the best dogs in the class will place.

To obtain a championship, a dog must earn at least fifteen points. The amount of points he learns in each class depends on how many are in the class, and on how he places.

An exceptional dog will achieve his points within a short period of time, provided the judge prefers his “type”. Judges can be very different on their definitions of the perfect dog.

Something as simple as a square versus a narrow head can be disputed among judges, thus making a conformation competition very subjective.

There’s no telling what life has in store for your yorkie; he may be a champion, a therapy dog, a companion – but he will definitely be your best friend for keeps.