The conformation, or breed ring is where breeders and owners exhibit their dogs to obtain a judge's opinion on how the dogs conform to the accepted breed standard. In Canadian Kennel Club shows, Tollers are judged against the CKC Standard. Once dogs have gained the required points, they are awarded a Championship (CH) which indicates they have competed against other dogs and conform to their breed standard.

At the show, the dogs are first judged individually. Then, they go on to compete at the Group (CKC:Sporting) level against the breed winners of other breeds in their group to determine which dog is the best representative of that group on that day. The Group winner then moves up to compete for Best in Show. One dog from each group will be presented to the judge and only one dog can win the coveted Best in Show ribbon that day.

Winning a Specialty, as the dog pictured has won twice, is especially rewarding. The competition is quite different from a typical all-breed dog show where you may only see one to five or maybe ten of your breed. At a Toller specialty, there has been as many as 140 dogs. To win from that field of dogs is extra special, to say the least!