What class would my Irish dog who has won two green stars (CC's) and a number of 1st places enter at Crufts? He has never shown in the UK and is 18 months and has qualified though we may not go.

It would have to be Limit or Open because of the green stars. Edited to say: unless you have a Yearling class?

Can you choose between limit and open? There would be no point travelling to put a 1 year old in open :)

Yes it can be Limit if you don't want to try him in Open - but his wins so far suggest he could hold his own in Open too. Limit might be safer or as already suggested Yearling if there is one. I need to decide what to put my youngster in actually - she only qualified because it was a very unusually very small class, she's not that sort of top quality. I could just stick her in GC, but am dithering about whether to do a more traditional class as well. Oh well, time to think for a bit yet. :-)

So what age will he be the beginning of March, as you say 18 months, then you say 1 year?? Dont forget Crufts is 4.5 months away from now. Also if he has greenstars he must have beaten dogs older than him already.
Just looked in last years classification for Greys & no there isnt a Yearling, so Limit (which looks like it might be best) or Open...you dont have any other option...other than not to not enter of course.

Also if he has greenstars he must have beaten dogs older than him already.

Unless he's been on his own. Seems to happen in some breeds. :)

There would be no point travelling to put a 1 year old in open :-)

Are Greyhounds slow to mature? I think sometimes, for many breeds, its nothing but an old wives tale that young dogs will not do well in open. Surely it depends on how they mature. I know of a Papillon who started winning in Limit whilst still a junior, and the BOB in Malinois at Crufts this year was 21 months old, so if your dog is 18 months old now similar age? This bitch had competition from everything from puppies to veterans and she still won. She had made Champion at LKA at 18 months, again against more mature older dogs. Her first CC won at just under 11 months of age.

Yes they are thought to look their best at 4 or so for the males, even 5. :) Mind you as pointed out he will be nearly 2 by the time Crufts comes so that's not so bad to be in limit. I still think of him as my baby puppy so find it hard to imagine him against piles of champs and int champs in open just yet :)

When comes the point that a dog HAS to be in open and is 'over qualified' for limit? Or does it depend on when you enter - i.e. what if i enter limit tomorrow and win another green star (wishful thinking!!) before March?

Limit is for dogs who arent champions or won 7 or more firsts in limit or open where CC's are on offer. All wins have to be included up until a week before entries close. So for Crufts it will be until 30th December.

thank you! do wins at puppy and junior level count?

Not for limit, its wins in limit &/or open

So if he has never been in a Limit or Open class at UK shows then he can go in Limit until he has won 7classes of limit or above.  Unless of course he wins 3CC's or his title.