Seven shows in one weekend! What a grand way for your Sheltie to win points.
That happens during the Sacramento Valley Shetland Sheepdog Club (SVSSC) and Shetland Sheepdog Club of Northern California's (NorCal) Fall Specialties Weekend - Oct. 24, 25, 26, 2025 at Dixon May Fair in Dixon (I-80).
Here's what's planned:
Friday, Oct. 24 - SVSSC and NorCal unite with SVSSC hosting a Specialty (Concurrent) with Norcal hosting a show (Concurrent). - Two shows!
Friday, Oct. 24 - Northern CA Herding Group Assn. will have Sheltie classes at its Group Specialty.
Saturday, Oct. 25 - NorCal holds a second Specialty (Concurrent).
Saturday, Oct. 25 - Sacramento Valley Dog Fanciers will have Sheltie classes on the first day of their All-Breed Show.
Sunday, Oct. 26 - SVSSC will hold a third Specialty (Concurrent).
Sunday, Oct. 26 - Sacramento Valley Dog Fanciers will have Sheltie classes on the second day of their All-Breed Show.
The official term for dog shows is "conformation" — as in, the act of conforming or producing conformity. While a dog show may look like a beauty pageant, it’s not. Dogs are not being compared to each other; they’re being measured by how closely they conform to the standard of their particular breed. Why? Because the closer a dog’s appearance is to the breed’s standard, the better that dog’s ability will be to produce puppies that meet the standard.
When you see the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on TV, you're watching "conformation." That big show is fed by small shows like the Fall Specialty shows held by the Sacramento Valley Shetland Sheepdog Club, in which Shetland Sheepdogs earn points toward the title "Champion."
Dogs are judged as to which Sheltie best conforms with the breed standard. Handlers aren't just walking their dog, they're presenting it or showing it to emphasize their dog's best features, and the best dogs present themselves strongly through stride, animation, posture and character.
SacSheltieClub members know how to win. They do so regularly. By joining this club, you join a community of Sheltie lovers who are in a quest for excellence in their dogs and in themselves.