Hypothetical question really, but I've been reading past posts and seeing that dog's competing for the first time should NOT enter the open class at an open show as champions will enter it. I agree with many past users that novices wouldn't realise this! Anyway, for instance, with the following schedule and list of available classes, what class would a never-shown-before 2 year old bitch enter?

http://www.dogshowentry.ie/OnlineEntries/Doc/Schedules/MDC_Sch11.pdf

From what I can see of this schedule, there are no "intermediate classes" (ie. Maiden, Novice, Graduate, Post Graduate, Mid Limit, Limt)  due to the age of the bitch (2) she would only be eligible for Open as the other classes are age specific.

I think all previous threads have been aimed at people who are putting a young dog/bitch in Puppy, Junior, PG & Open or similar scenarios , Open not being the most suitable class for a puppy.

Very interested to read that JH classes only start from 10 years by the way.

You're talking about an FCI show as it is IKC, and FCI shows have different classes to the KC, there you have to enter the one and only class that the dog can go in. Open in FCI is for dogs that are NOT Champions, unlike in the KC.

Looking at the schedule, the only class i can see for a 2yr old is the open class. I have entered my dogs in open classes in their first shows and have come across champions in them and i was lucky enough to have been placed higher than them (this was a one off). I think if it's the dogs first show then all that matters is that they get the experience of being in the ring and anything else is an added bonus :)

With the Irish Shows, if your dog is over 2 years old they have to go into Open, there is no other choice im afraid. There is a scheduled Champions class so the champs usually go into that.

Just to add, at most Open Shows in Ireland, Champions are not allowed in the breed classes, only Champion Stakes.

Ah, ok, I understand now - I thought it was the same as in the KC.

Can anyone tell me what the 'stakes' classes are?

Also, if entering a veteran, can you enter the veteran class only?

Thanks for the advice, as ever!

The stakes are like variety classes, they usually have Champion (have to be a champion to enter this), Puppy - so only puppies can enter, brace (2 dogs), team etc etc.

Basically you are in against all different breeds, not just your own breed like it is in the breed class.

With the stakes, you usually have to have them entered in the breed as well, but im nearly sure with veteran, you dont have to enter them in the breed too, you can just do the stakes if you like.

If you enter Veteran in your breed, ie Rottweiler for me, they can only do one breed class, but thats for all dogs of any age, you can only enter one breed class.

The stakes are extra. So sometimes people do puppy stakes or champ stakes as well as the breed with their dogs as there is usually a big event the following year to qualify from these stakes. ie Every Puppy stakes winner at each show, goes forward to pup of the year next April.

Thanks for the advice!

I actually think I may have met you at the Dublin pet expo last weekend - you with rotties, me with a large fawn greyhound?

I'm thinking of entering the veteran class with my eight year old greyhound. He is extremely unlikely to ever win anything BUT he is my confidence dog and I think I'd be a better and less nervous handler if I got some practice in with him before trying with my two year old. Might add him in to the stakes too, depending on when/where we enter and what classes are available. I'm thinking of entering something in the new year anyway so we can get ringcraft and practice in beforehand.

Hey Inka, yes, thats me!! Nice to meet you and your lovely dog, i remember you both :-)

You should maybe try a few open shows too to build your confidence as they arent as daunting as the Champ ones.

Also, there are more open shows later in the year as the champ ones fade out until around March.

Thanks for the advice, will look into that!

Oh I should have said - I've no intentions of entering a Champ show, Open all the way! Just got to get myself a bit organised and get a crate to bring so the dogs can be happy and sleep for the day as I believe show days (when you're entered) can be very long and no self respecting greyhound can go more than 5 hours without a nap....

Have a look at donedeal and adverts.ie for crates, you can get them much cheaper than new ones, and always bid an offer lower than whats advertised!! I always get them cheaper that way :-)

Thanks, I will! I had been hoping to see some at the pet expo and try the dogs in them to see what exact size to get so they can be really comfortable but there was actually not that much for sale this year, I found!