2019 Senior Showmanship Questions

Question 1

The irises of dogs’ eyes contract in what type of motion?

Answer 1

Circular

Question 2

In order from head to tail, name the types of vertebrae found in the dog, and the
number of each type.

Answer 2

Cervical = 7
Thoracic = 13
Lumbar = 7
Sacral = 3
Coccygeal = 20-22

Question 3

What AKC Dog Groups are the following dogs in: (1) Black Russian Terrier; (2) Basenji;
(3) Miniature Schnauzer; (4) Puli; (5) Havanese and (6) Spinoni Italiano

Answer 3

Black Russian Terrier = Working Group
Basenji = Hound Group
Miniature Schnauzer = Terrier Group
Puli = Herding Group
Havanese = Toy Group
Spinoni Italiano = Sporting Group

Question 4

What is the definition of a dog’s ear carriage?

Answer 4

The combined visual effects of ear placement and position on the skull.
(Note: The DRH says the above as well as “together with the use of the ear.” While this
is not true, if they say this, please accept their answer.)

Question 5

Describe an overshot bite

Answer 5

The incisors of the upper jaw extend beyond the incisors of the lower jaw

Question 6

Describe the ear flap structure of a Newfoundland, and explain why it is made that way.

Answer 6

The ear flaps are designed to fit over the ear canal in a way to keep most of the water
out, because they were bred as water rescue dogs.

Question 7

What does “eye shape” refer to?

Answer 7

The shape of the tissue that actually surrounds the eye

Question 8

What type of tail is carried out and up in a semicircle, but not touching the back, such as
seen in a Chihuahua?

Answer 8

Sickle tail

Question 9

Name and define 2 types of tail carriages

Answer 9

(1) Crank = a tail carried low and shaped like a crank
(2) Curled = a tail carried up and over the back (in a tight curl over the back only; a
single curl falling over the loin with the tip toward the thigh; or curled to one side)
(3) Double Curl = a tail that curls over the dog’s back in a whirlpool shape
(4) Gay = a tail carried higher than the horizontal level of the back
(5) Otter = a tail that is thick at the base, round and tapering, with the hair parted or
divided on the underside
(6) Plume = a tail with a long fringe of hair on the tail that covers either part of the tail or
the entire tail
(7) Ring = a tail carried up and around almost forming a circle
(8) Saber = a tail carried in a semicircle
(9) Screw = a tail that is naturally short, twisted in a spiral fashion
(10) Sickle = a tail carried out and up in a semicircle, but not touching the back
(11) Snap = a tail that lies directly on the dog’s back with the tip pointing toward the
dog’s head
(12) Squirrel = a tail carried up and curving more or less forward, not lying on the dog’s
back
(13) Whip = a tail carried straight, stiff, and pointed

Question 10

What 2 regions of the back make up a roach back?

Answer 10

(1) Thoracic and (2) Lumbar

Question 11

What are the 2 functions of a dog’s forequarters?

Answer 11

(1) To carry more than half the dog’s weight and (2) to help in forward motion and
movement

Question 12

Describe the leg structure of a dog that is cow hocked.

Answer 12

The hocks turn in toward one another and rear feet toe out

Question 13

What is the major disadvantage of a dog with a smooth coat?

Answer 13

Smooth coats do not offer much protection from the elements compared to other coat
types

Question 14

What are 2 reasons why curly coats are common in water dogs?

Answer 14

They are very effective at (1) repelling water and (2) insulating the dog

Question 15

What are 2 purposes of the undercoat rake?

Answer 15

To loosen up the coat and remove dead undercoat

Question 16

Why might you need to use styptic powder?

Answer 16

To quickly stop the bleeding because of cutting into the quick of the nail

Question 17

What type of scissors should you use to trim the hair between the pads?

Answer 17

Blunt-ended scissors (also called Ball-tipped scissors)

Question 18

When checking ears, what areas of the ear should you inspect, and why?

Answer 18

Behind the ears = for mats
Inside the ears = for anything abnormal – redness, odor or discharge, ear mites
(Also accept check for fleas and ticks behind the ears and inside the ears)

Question 19

What is the difference between a purebred and a crossbred dog?

Answer 19

(1) Purebred dog has its sire and dam belonging to the same breed, with the sire and
dam of unmixed descent since the recognition of that breed
(2) Crossbred dog has one parent of one breed and another parent of a different breed

Question 20

Why should you spend time watching the entire litter (or those puppies remaining) when
selecting a puppy?

Answer 20

To watch how the puppies play and interact so you learn about each puppy’s personality
and temperament

Question 21

If keeping a dog in a fenced in dog run, describe three (3) criteria for the type of fencing
used.

Answer 21

(1) It must be of a height that the dog cannot jump over
(2) It must be secured at the bottom to prevent escape underneath
(3) It must be tall enough to keep other dogs and animals from getting in

Question 22

What are 5 reasons for neutering male dogs?

Answer 22

(1) He cannot cause a female to become pregnant
(2) He is less likely to roam
(3) He is less likely to mark his territory
(4) He is less likely to fight with other dogs
(5) Neutering reduces the incidences of prostate cancer
(6) Neutering eliminates the chance of testicular cancer

Question 23

When socializing puppies, what 3 kinds of stimulation does socialization include?

Answer 23

(1) Physical, (2) Emotional, and (3) Mental stimulation

Question 24

During a puppy’s first 12-16 weeks of life, what has the most impact on shaping a dog’s
temperament and behavior?

Answer 24

Socialization or lack of socialization (if they just answer “socialization” ask them to
expound upon their answer to see if they really understand the lack of socialization also)

Question 25

When a dog vocalizes, what 3 behaviors are high pitched vocalizations typically used
for?

Answer 25

(1) Greetings; (2) During play; (3) When acting submissive

Question 26

Name 5 of the 7 body postures when a dog communicates visually.

Answer 26

(1) Relaxed (baseline)
(2) Alert
(3) Play Bow
(4) Active Submission
(5) Passive Submission
(6) Offensive Threat
(7) Defensive Threat

Question 27

What are 3 reasons dogs use calming signals, also called displacement behaviors?

Answer 27

(1) To maintain a healthy social hierarchy
(2) To decrease a threat
(3) To encourage an approach
(4) To prevent stress from leading to distress

Question 28

When a dog disciplines a pack member, what two (2) ways do they communicate?

Answer 28

(1) Body language

(2) Tone of voice

Question 29

What are 5 of the 10 AKC Canine Good Citizen test items?

Answer 29

(1) Accepting a Friendly Stranger
(2) Sitting Politely for Petting
(3) Appearance and Grooming
(4) Out for a Walk (Walking on a Loose Leash)
(5) Walking Through a Crowd
(6) Sit and Down on Command/Staying in Place
(7) Coming When Called
(8) Reaction to Another Dog
(9) Reaction to Distractions
(10) Supervised Separation

Question 30

Name 2 reasons it is important to crate train your dog

Answer 30

(1) Your dog is a den animal and it is a place to feel safe and secure
(2) It is a way to keep your dog out of trouble when you are gone (or can’t actively
supervise

Question 31

Name the 3 most common types of crates, and of those three, which is the least
secure?

Answer 31

(1) Plastic; (2) Wire; (3) Fabric

The Fabric Crate is least secure

Question 32

When housebreaking your puppy, why should you never scold him if you did not catch
him doing it?

Answer 32

He does not remember what he did a few seconds after doing it, and will not know why
he is being scolded, and only knows you are angry with him

Question 33

What is the purpose of 4-H showmanship?

Answer 33

(1) To demonstrate teamwork between the hander and dog, showcasing the handler’s
skills and;
(2) To test your knowledge about dogs and responsible dog ownership

Question 34

What is one way to get control of your dog’s head when stacking?

Answer 34

. (1) Make sure the show lead is snug just behind the dog’s ears, holding it taut and
close to the neck
(2) Hold the dog’s lower jaw and cheek on the side closest to you without wrapping your
fingers around the muzzle

Question 35

What is ringworm and how is it transmitted?

Answer 35

A highly contagious fungus that is transmitted either by direct contact with an
infected animal or contact with an object that is contaminated with the spores

Question 36

Why is it undesirable to take short, choppy steps when gaiting your dog?

Answer 36

That causes your dog to do the same thing, and your movement is not as smooth

Question 37

Why might the judge ask you to show your dog’s teeth?

Answer 37

Some breed standards require the judge to check for missing teeth

Question 38

How might brucellosis be spread from one dog to another?

Answer 38

(1) During breeding; or (2) Oral contact with vaginal discharges, aborted fetuses and
placentas, semen, or urine (They need to mention both ways – breeding and oral contact)

Question 39

What is Ixodes? [ĭk-sō′dēz′

Answer 39

The genus of ticks that transmit Lyme Disease

Question 40

What is the intention for use of noncore vaccines?

Answer 40

For dogs with individual needs because their lifestyle represents a reasonable risk of
infection

Question 41

What is the term called when one or both testicles fail to descend into the scrotum?
Why should these dogs be neutered?

Answer 41

(1) Cryptorchidism; and (2) They are more prone to testicular cancer

Question 42

What type of bacterium causes the most common dog bite-associated bacterial
infection?

Answer 42

Pasteurella bacterium

Question 43

What is Giardia intestinalis, where is it found internally in the dog, and how do dogs
typically get this?

Answer 43

(1) A protozoan; (2) Found in the upper small intestines of dogs; (3) Usually picked
up from drinking contaminated water

Question 44

What 2 types of external parasites found on dogs belong to the arachnid family?

Answer 44

(1) Ticks and (2) Mites

Question 45

What are 3 reasons why dogs diagnosed with brucellosis should be euthanized?

Answer 45

(1) To keep the disease from spreading to other dogs
(2) To keep the disease from possibly spreading humans
(3) There is no vaccine for the prevention of brucellosis
(4) There is no effective treatment for dogs with brucellosis.

Question 46

What are 3 disadvantages of feeding semi-moist dog foods?

Answer 46

(1) They often contain high amounts of sugar, which is unhealthy for your dog
(2) They cost more than dry foods
(3) They do not clean tartar from the teeth
(4) They may contain unnecessary or harmful food dyes and other nonessential
ingredients

Question 47

The Guaranteed Analysis on a food label lists the minimum levels and maximum levels
of what nutrients?

Answer 47

(1) Minimum levels of crude protein and crude fat

(2) Maximum levels of crude fiber and moisture

Question 48

What are the 4 stages in a bitch’s estrous cycle in the correct order of occurrence?

Answer 48

(1) Anestrus; (2) Proestrus; (3) Estrus; and (4) Diestrus

Question 49

Why is it important that puppies drink the dam’s colostrum during the first 24 hours of
birth, and how is the colostrum beneficial to the puppies’ health?

Answer 49

(1) So they absorb the antibodies provided in the colostrum; (2) Colostrum provides
passive immunity to the puppies for the diseases for which the bitch has immunity.

Question 50

Name the 5 stages of body condition scoring, along with the accompanying number,
according to the Body Condition Scoring chart in the Dog Resource Handbook.

Answer 50

. 1 = Emaciated
2 = Thin
3 = Moderate
4 = Stout
5 = Obese