How is the identity of a dog shown checked? Are the MC's read before the dog is allowed in the ring?

Dogs' identities aren't checked at all.

Thank you for answering. Does that not leave the gate wide open for fraud?

Does that not leave the gate wide open for fraud?

In what way? The only way it would work that I can think of would be if you used different dogs to win CCS with, but then you're only cheating yourself, aren't you. After all, if you have more than one dog capable of winning tickets surely you'd want them all to do so, and not have 2 or 3 campaigned as one. The only animals I know of whose identity is checked at shows is rabbits.

>Does that not leave the gate wide open for fraud?

How?

It has been known for some dogs to look rather different in the past.  I know certain breeds can change colour and even have a dog that was really dark when she was young and is now almost white but that took quite some months and not a week or two!

Not sure if this is true, but apprantley a person in my breed took the wrong dog to a show and won the CC with it. To be fair it was very similar to the other one so can see the mistake when getting them out of the kennel. But as an owner you would know difference so very naughty! Not sure it was true though as I wasn't at the show!

what fraud? why?

Just a guess but somebody could be showing one good dog to make up champions of different dogs they own/have bred...
To make it look like you do have more than one good dog.
Or you have a dog that has won 2 cc's and then lets say matures not to be so nice/over done, somebody could get the last cc to make up a champ using a different dog?
Not sure what would be the point but some people do tend to run after awards and winning is all there is to it so I'm sure it happens!

Happens in horse racing.

I've heard of it happening in toy and minature poddles, but many many years ago.