Well Lewy has started his show career, but he looks so out of place next to the other cav puppies! At his first show he was the youngest pup in minor puppy but looked like the oldest one there. Having had no other puppies to compare him with i hadn't realised how mature he was so i decided it would be his one and only minor puppy and he'd only be in puppy classes. He didn't look quite so out of place at the champ show when he was up against just the boys, but over christmas he really has come on and to me looks even more mature now than a month ago. He's only just coming up to 8 months old, but do you think it would be wise to try him in junior? I'm feeling kind of stuck, at the moment he seems to be being knocked for being so mature against the other pups, but he still acts like such a baby that i'm worried he'd be knocked in junior too. Help!!

Erin

why the rush? i enjoyed showing in mp and then p and thenjunior,it gave me and my girl time to learn the ropes,learn from our mistakes,in junior the dogs vary in age from 6 months to 18 months,if you think he will fit in give it a go,there is nothing to stop you,if you do feel still uncomfortable try puppy again,we have a lady that we go up against all the time  she has a bitch that is 10 and our bitch is 13 months so if there is no junior classes on we enter pg,and of course we get beat every time (except once) with the older dog getting first because once again maturaty,the main thing is you like and your dog likes what you are both doing,it is fun,and for some people like me a hobby.
Amy

I'm not in any rush with lewy, i think i'm starting to get a bit paranoid though as when people ask his age they always gasp at my reply! He really did look silly in the minor puppy class, kind of stuck out like a sore thumb which wasn't helped by the fact he was the only boy. I think i might give junior a go and hope he behaves himself, he's still my little baby just in a rather grown up body!

If he's looking mature enough to compete against the older dogs then move him up, I've moved a larger 9mth old bitch up a class as I have a very physically immature 6mth old who needs to be in the lower class, the older bitch has matured very much over the Xmas period and will be going up to junior for her next show, it's the way it goes with them sometimes. 

Have to agree if he looks like the dogs in Junior then that is where you should enter him, it is better to enter the dog in the class you think he stands the best chance. Does his behaviour suit his looks, or will he behave like a puppy, you could try entering in puppy and in Junior and see where you get the best results.

You know i honestly hadn't thought of entering him both! I guess its the only way i'm going to know really, his behaviour varies depending on his mood really. One day he behaves superbly, the next he'll act as if he's never been near a show ring! Thanks for that bit of advice, another question has just formed though, if he were (by some fluke!) to win puppy but not in junior would he still be eligible for best puppy?

Providing that he has not been beaten by another puppy.

Better explain a bit more if you win puppy and there are no puppies in Junior or you are placed higher than any that are you are an unbeaten puppy (by another puppy) so if there was a minor puppy class you would have to compete against the winner of that to be best puppy in breed. If there is not a minor puppy class then yes you are best puppy in breed Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello Erin
It took me until Ella was nine months old to pluck up courage to enter our first show (first for both of us).  We were advised to enter as many classes as possible to help the open show so we did.  Ella was quite immature (still is in the brain department!!) but came third out of three in puppy and first out of three in junior which was a complete shock :).  We learnt a lot, met some nice people and enjoyed ourselves hugely!!
Best wishes
Alex