I have my first judging appointment this coming Saturday and Walsall Open Show. Have to say I'm a little nervous. I've been sent the entry figures and I have 11 entries over the 2 classes (J, PG & Open). Is that pretty good for a first timer?

Good luck and enjoy, don't forget to take good notes.

> I've been sent the entry figures and I have 11 entries over the 2 classes (J, PG & Open). Is that pretty good for a first timer?

Would be for my breed at an all breeds open show.

As you are an 'unknown quantity' people will enter for your opinion ...I call everyone Sir or Madam , as I usher them in place to stand, I say thank you to all of them  and after I have placed  my winners I say thank you to the others in the ring.Then the ones who have not been placed can say you were pleasant ,polite and gave everyone a fair going over.If they have paid for an entry they all deserve that .If anything doesn't like being gone over I give them another chance at the end of the up and down/ triangle. If a dog walks one way , not the other , in puppy (which you don't have )I will go to the end of the ring  it's happiest going to, to assess movement .Keep good clear notes, turn your book over so it can't be seen .Do not let your steward leave a catalogue open near you, and do not talk to exhibitors before the Judging..be seen to be fair.If you happen to know the BOB winner , as they have entered as they know you like their type , do not be over chatty to them at the end or go to lunch with them (which I saw recently at an open show ) It just leaves you open to criticism .Your first in each class will stand out usually , its the reserve or VHC you might have problems placing...
Think of your shoes , dress, clanking jewellery , big chunky rings, no strong perfume or aftershave ...

I do not judge now, I used to until an exhibitor that should have known better put me right off.
When I started I was given some advice from a lady that was a very well known respected judge. she said If anyone asks you why you didnt like their dog, just say it was not that you did not like their dog, you just liked the other one more!

Go ahead and enjoy yourself, treat everyone the same they have all paid to have your opinion, and as prev poster said Sir, Madam, be polite.

Take a deep breath, relax, this is your hobby!

Stevensonsigns advice is good advice.

focus on the dogs, be consistent at how you judge every dog.  I have a set routine (starting at the tip of the nose & working backwards seems fairly logical, but you'd be surprised how many judges to & fro from one end of a dog to another!)  At the end of the day, be honest with yourself, you have to believe in your interpretation of the standard.  Yes, you might upset one person, but you will gain the respect of the other exhibitors if you are honest.

Good luck & enjoy it.

Thank you everyone for your advice. I will take notice of it.

Would anyone get a small gift for their ring steward(s) to say thank you for assisting them? As a first time judge I guess I would have a bit more help from them then normal.

I have never given nor received a gift as a steward. Be friendly to your steward, and thank them but other wise a packet of sweets to share with everyone is IMO enough.

Good luck,some good advise that I found interesting to read.

Husband stewards regularly and has never been given a gift but always comments after to me if the judge was appreciative, it's nice to thank them at the beginning of the critique (if the paper doesn't edit it out!) as a good steward can make a great deal of difference.

Enjoy your experience, from a spectator point of view it is nice to see a judge be decisive and clear when placing the dogs.
Good Luck.

Look like youre enjoying it, people like that!

Thanks everyone. I'll certainly take them on board.