What is a Triangle in dog showing and why a triangle?

The main pattern you get asked for when showing your dog is a 'triangle'. What is a triangle? In a standard show ring, think of the judges feet to be the bottom point of the triangle and the 2 top corners of the ring to be the other 2 points. 

The reason we use this shape is because a triangle has 3 straight sides and so the judge can see your dog in 3 different profiles. As a rule, you always start with your dog on your left hand side and head off to the right. This is so when you walk across the top of the triangle the judge can clearly see your dog. If your dog was on the right hand side at this point, you would be obstructing the judges view of your dog.   

As you walk away from the judge, they can see your dogs rear movement. As you walk across the top of the triangle, the judge can see the side movement (or profile) of your dog. When you walk back towards the judge, they can see your dogs front movement. With this in mind, try and keep your lines straight. If you are weaving all over the place the judge will not be able to asses your dogs movement properly. 

Before you set off, picture the triangle in your mind and aim for a certain point in the ring. Remember to look where you are going! Before coming back to the judge, look up and make sure you are heading directly back towards the judge. 

Depending on your ring layout and where the judge is standing you may perform your triangle slightly differently. These two pictures are acceptable triangles as well. Note on the image, where the judge is standing. You always start from where ever the judge is standing. Do not expect them to move. It is your job as a handler to make sure the judge can see your dogs movement, not the other way around. 

In a handling class, you may be asked to do a Reverse Triangle. All this means is that you start with your dog on your right hand side, and start walking off to the left. 

A reverse of any pattern, just means that you start with your dog on your right, remembering to never walk in between the dog and the judge. 

 This image is not a correct Triangle. 

The handler and dog do not start or finish at the judge so neither rear or front movement can be seen. The top of the triangle is curved, the dog is not moved in a straight line and so the side movement of the dog will not look correct. 

We see this a lot with handlers who have larger breeds who have to run faster but this is no excuse. To make the left hand turn at the top of the triangle, either 1. slow down before you get to the top, or 2. bring the dog around you, line up and then go straight across the top.  (Option 2 would not be acceptable in a handling class.)

Always go from the judges feet.