You may have your dog jump, twirl, ride on your leg as you slowly spin and so much more. In the United States, regional shows are held all over the country and then the nationals are held once per year in Pennsylvania.
Each show has different rules... some will allow for clothing or costumes...others will not.
Before you enter into an official event, you may wish to practice. This can be done at "Matches". Matches are events in which the outcome will not become part of your dog's official dog show record.
The environment will be very similar to what is experienced at official events. This is a perfect opportunity for both you and your Yorkie to become used to the show ring. It is also a great way to network with other owners, who are just starting out as you are.
There are 5 types of show matches:
B & OB:
These are relaxed events that will not be as strict as sanctioned AKC dog shows and are the true starting point for anyone who wants to practice with their Yorkie and dip their toes in the water.
These are held in various types of places, including schools, dog clubs and other venues that are not usually sanctioned by the AKC to hold events; this is a fun event purely for practice .
Many are indoors, however some are held outside if the weather is nice.
Since there is no pressure to place, you'll find the vibe is very relaxed and the majority of people (and their dogs) are just as new to this as you are.
You'll find that some are AKC sanctioned Dog Matches which often means that the judges may AKC handlers; but again this is just for practice and will not count against you if your dog does not win in any categories.
OC:
These are very similar to the above B and OB and are the next step up.
These events are held by established clubs that are
already qualified to hold a show. Since these shows are a scaled back version of the 'real thing' there may not be many dogs of any certain breed, so your Yorkshire Terrier will not generally have a lot of competition.
It's a great way to learn if the show world is something that may interest you. As with B and OB shows, the judges may have a connection to the AKC as handlers or other.