Does anyone know if there is a minimum age for Spectator Dogs when this option is available at shows? I've been looking but can only see that there is a form to fill in (never done it so no idea what is required on the form) but cannot see if there are any other restrictions. Wondering if a puppy who has finished its vaccination course could go for a wander around?
Paula

Do you mean "not for competition"NFC? It is 6 months, I was invited along to a dachsie club show by the secretary and told to bring my pup along to get used to the hub bub, I never thought about age and off we went, I was accosted a few times and asked how old the pup was, I was honest and said 4 months, eventually a woman came over and had a real go at me about him being too young and the club getting into trouble with the KC, I told her I had been invited by the club secretary and to go and have a word with her about, it really spoilt the day out.

Since then I have seen pups at club shows which were only about 8 weeks old but would never say anything to upset them.

>Do you mean "not for competition"NFC? It is 6 months>

No Rhodach I mean when shows allow "Spectator Dogs" who are allowed to enter the showground by filling in a form on the day and paying a fee of usually £5, Bournemouth have just done it and I think East of England do it too.
Our clubs allow pups over 4 months to enter NFC at club shows, this is not what I mean either.
(I think Spectator Dogs do not have to be KC registered)
Paula

As far as I know there is not lower limit which is why I think the 6 month rule for NFC is so unfair, mind you that seems to be par for the course where exhibitors are concerned. Not even sure they have to be registered.

Not fair that we have to pay £15 for NFC too!

Not fair that we have to pay £15 for NFC too!

Agree, the whole set of un-entered dogs rules is one of my pet bugbears.

Would add that pups from the age of 4 months can be entered NFC at breed club shows, I guess, but am not sure that they have to be the breed that the club represents.

I can't get my head around it to be honest..... it costs £10 more to enter your KC reg dog NFC, the spectator dogs are allowed to roam around the showground all day when entered or NFC dogs are only supposed to be off their benches for 15 minutes pee break (when not in ring), a 12 week old puppy could be a Spectator Dog but if its NFC it has to be 6 months old.....its all a bit mad. :-(
Paula

I believe that the point of paying for a NFC dog at most shows is that you are paying a benching fee. A spectator dog doesn't have a bench. I don't leave my dogs on benches anyway so if I was taking an extra along NFC I would just pay the spectator fee.

if I was taking an extra along NFC I would just pay the spectator fee.

That is against the KC rules.

Naughty me :-)

Paula Dal, I've seen somewhere (in one of the show schedules, possibly) that there is a lower age limit (6 months), but I saw someone at Leeds go in with a puppy that was no way that age and their schedule didn't even specify whether they would permit spectator dogs

if I was taking an extra along NFC I would just pay the spectator fee

Last year I was let down the week before National Gundogs by my son, who had to work that weekend and couldn't look after my two dogs that would have had to stay home. I rang up the show secretary to explain my situation and he told me to bring them in as spectator dogs, for which I was eternally grateful--we would not have been able to attend otherwise.

>we would not have been able to attend otherwise.>

I do see how it helped you on that occasion but had there been an unentered dog tent then you may have used that? Same cost but you wouldn't be able to walk around the showground with your dogs.
Its the price difference, age difference and freedom difference that I can't see the logic in.
Paula

We have stop paying the NFC fee and now taking the other one as a spectator dog the only difference you do not get a bench but this weather who uses them.

If you take your dogs in as a spectator you will have to pay the spectator fee and for the dog surely. Of course if you go on your own you can't do this as you would be an exhibitor and not a spectator.

I agree it is a rubbish rule but it will still cause you trouble if you break it.

I don't see what trouble could be caused. I know of several people who have consulted with the secretary before bringing their dog along as a spectator dog for the day even though they have another to show. Whatever their reasons (missed entries for nfc, pup, avoiding bench fee etc) I haven't heard of anyone being turned away and nor would I want that just for the sake of rules. If someone isn't sure I'd say call the show secretary to check.

I don't see what trouble could be caused.

The rules are that if you are an exhibitor you can only bring a dog if it is registered with the KC, if over 6 months and you have entered it NFC

I you are a spectator you can bring any dog you like providing the show society permits.

You are either an exhibitor or a spectator in the eyes of the KC you can't be both so the only way that an exhibitor can bring a dog not entered as NFC is to bring a spectator along with them as well - the problems you may have is that you are breaking the rules you have agreed to abide by.

Paula, yes, we would always use the unentered dog tent if there is one (supporting charities is right up our street :-)) except for when shows charge a very reasonable £6 for NFC (like National Gundogs, WKC). In this instance I hadn't booked them in and had already missed the deadline to do so, being let down the week before. but some shows