Hi
Question regarding moving up classes - If your dog is 7 would you automatically put them in Veteran or would you still progress them through from Limit to Open?  Or would you miss out Open altogether and go straight into Veteran?
Thanks

That would depend on how 'elderly' your dog currently looks - ie if he's going to stand a better chance moving to Veteran (in terms of winning) then that's where he should be.   If he's still fit, moving well, not showing too many signs of greying (muzzle) etc. then you could probably stay in Open.   Not sure about Limit to be honest because he'd certainly be against younger dogs in that class.  It would depend on your aims!!   Some judges will consider a Veteran winner for CC or RCC is he's good enough, but others might not.   Just as some judges won't look to the lower classes in terms of the RCC, automatically giving that to 2nd Open (if the CC goes to 1st Open), or back to 1st Open if the CC goes to a dog from a lower class.    You'd need to know your judges!!!

Depends on your dog and what success you have had I would say.

My 'veteran' I put straight in once he turned 7 although he had his last limit class at Crufts although he had just turned 7 and got a very credible 3rd.

His first year in veteran he won his first RCC and also went BVIS at one of our breed champ show and was Best Veteran Dog for both breed clubs for 2014.

So I think its your call with your dog - I knew Conns probably wouldn't hold out as well with the new up and coming youngsters but would hold his own and still will in Veteran even being joined by some Sh Ch in the class now :)  In fact he won BOB at an open show the other day and was shortlisted in a huge gundog group - we joke he's like a fine wine getting better and better with age!

Breed dependent. In some breeds veterans are never considered for the ticket, the judges seem to consider it a novelty class almost. In other breeds ,like my main breed, the main winners are frequently from veteran. And then you have some allrounders who never seem to consider ANY dog for the ticket unless it is in open!

I usually show my 10 year old girl in the breed Open class at open shows, as she is still so energetic that it calms her down before the AV Toy Veteran class. She has gained several good placings in Open and even RBOB a couple of times! If your dog still looks good, why not try both!

Thanks for your replies everyone.

Just one more questions - if they have not won their way out of Limit by the age of 7 would you keep them in in or move them to another class (or retire them)?

Thanks again.

> <br />Just one more questions - if they have not won their way out of Limit by the age of 7 would you keep them in in or move them to another class (or retire them)?<br />

To be honest, whether you keep at it would probably depend on WHY you show (if just for a day out, fine) and how deep your pocket is and whether you have a thick skin and don't mind continually (?) 'coming out with the rubbish'  .   I heard one exhibitor, who managed to put a title on one of his 2 hounds, saying it had cost him a four-figure sum to campaign him to his title.   On the other hand, my bitch, who came back to the UK with us from Canada, made her title in 3 straight shows!!   Bit rare that I have to say but she did.

Again whether you move your dog does depend on (finances apart) how he is physically when compared to others in Limit.  And whether most judges in your breed, look to the Open class, or to some flashy 'flier' puppy to give a major award to.    I think with judges in the UK mainly being breeders too, your dog may have reached the point that he's being over-looked because he doesn't win very often?   Harsh, but could be true.

Personally if one of mine hadn't made it by 7, or wasn't doing any significant winning (it can be hard putting a title on a dog in the UK, in a lot of numerous entry breeds) I'd retire them.

This also can be breed dependant & like my own bred are still looking extremely good at the age of 7 & can still be given CC's at this age & older(10 years old in some cases!!). 
Personally I wouldn't retire him if he is still looking good, just because he is 7 that's no reason. Some judges admit they don't even ask ages of dogs past junior or yearling...I always ask ages personally;).  Carry on showing & enjoy :)

Just one more questions - if they have not won their way out of Limit by the age of 7 would you keep them in in or move them to another class (or retire them)?

Again breed dependent and you need to know your judges AND the competition. What's your best chance of taking the ticket -from Limit, Veteran or up against existing Champions in Open?