Hi

Thanks for the ringcraft answers, very helpful.

My next question; Minor puppy 6 months and no older than 9 months. How old would you enter 6 months? 7 months? 8 months?........Please help!

I assume the next class up puppy, between 6-12 months you wouldn't enter until 9 months, or am I wrong.

I assume puppy classes are for fun as much as mistakes and learning. Making your puppy's start in showing enjoyable.

Hi Traveller
thanks for asking the questions as i too would like to know .
does anyone enter at 6 months and how many pups are actually up to it at that age ( and if they are anything like Gus , calm enough at that age ?)
Lel

Hi,
The Puppy classes are 6 to 9 months Minor puppy, 6 to 12 months Puppy, and 6 to 18 months Junior. You can enter any of the 3 but it is better to wait till your puppy is in each band. Not always possible, as some shows only have peticular bands. For instance, there may be a show which only has Junior there, so even if your puppy is 6 months, you can still enter that class. Hope this helps. :D

Jane :)

Hi,
It doesn't matter which class you enter. As long as your pup is between the ages eligible for a class you can enter. When my dog started, I used to enter both puppy and junior classes (my breed don't have minor puppy as a rule). This enabled him to get more experience in the ring and as a rule, I found that he had settled more for the second class and often got placed better as he's got over his wriggling and playing. As for showing at 6 months, my new pup is 6 months on the 21st of this month and has his first show on the 22nd. I don't expect anything from him as he's a maniac, but it's good to get the experience.
Joan :)

Good luck Joan, knock em dead !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Jane :)

Ha! Watch out, "Bouncer" might just do that :D

Hi Traveller,
No hard and fast answer to this. It depends on so many factors, not least being the time of year! If your pup is 6 months old in, say, November, there aren't many shows on! So you might go just for the experience. It also depends on your puppy....and the judge. Some are happy with immature babies, and others like them over-mature. It's quite usual for pups to be in both Minor Puppy and Puppy classes - I always try to do both!

Hmm - wonder how we are going to get on - the 2 puppies we have kept from our litter will be 6 months old the week before Birmingham Champ Show!! As we are only just going to start ringcraft in a week or so - it will be a case of do we enter them or not - mind you Mum went to Brum last year wearing nothing but vest & knickers - she left her coat behind :-)!

At least we've got a month to decide whether Beau -aka Puddin on da Style or Venus (Venus in Blu Jeans) likes the idea of prancing around in the ring or not!

Margot

I'd say go for it! Birmingham is usually fun (is it NEC or Perry Park?) - anyway I've always found it one of the better organised shows!

Hi Margot!
If they're anything like Cody, they'll love prancing around the ring!! - as well as wiggling their bodies as soon as the judge looks at them, trying to kiss the judge - great fun!! (and hard work for their handler!).
Hilda

Hi Traveller,
I've entered Taiko into the minor puppy class at Manchester. He's just turned 7 months and it's his first proper show. I doubt he'll stand patiently in line, and he'll certainly do the malamute flop for the judge when he has his turn, but then he should walk well and finish with a lovely stand. I'm hoping the judge will be more tolerant with the minor puppies and not expect perfect show standards. I didn't want to enter the puppy class because no doubt the older pups will have more experience/maturity. I think the judges look more at the dogs bones/structure/build in the minor puppy, but I'd say for the malamutes as they get older 'dignity in maturity' is expected. HTH :)
Julie...very nervous for Friday!:D

Its sometimes a good idea to enter an older puppy say 10 months in
junior, as win or lose you get to challenge for best pup in breed.
It also helps make decisions if you are aware of what other pups are
out. Keep a note of other entries and ages.
You need to take into account how mature your pup is for its age.

Good Luck Julie :) "dignity in maturity"? Interesting idea! From someone who's just started the Post Grad grumbles it seems a long way off :)
Joan :)

good luck for tommorrow julie,dont forget to put a post on champs:)

Good luck Julie, and do tell how you get on :D

Jane :)

Good Luck Julie,
I'm sure you'll do great.

Let us know.

Thanks everyone, really helpful. Ta