i have been looking at companion dog shows to gain experience with my gs bitch, she will be 6 months old in april.
i know that at 6 months you can enter the puppy catagorie but please can someone tell me what best brace is?
i know my shepherd is a pastoral, but i found a catagorie for any variety open?
thanks. liz.

Hi Liz,
  Yes, you can enter the pedigree Puppy class - the Open class is I think for anybody that wants to enter, so usually seems to have quite a big entry - and as there are more mature dogs in this class, I don't think I'd enter a puppy in it.  Also if you get 1st place in the Puppy class, and then either don't get placed, or get less than a 1st in another pedigree class, you can't go in for Best in Show, as you've been 'beaten'.
  The best Brace is where you take two dogs most alike into a class.  Some shows also have an Irish Brace, where it's two dogs most unalike - at one of our local shows this was one by someone showing a St Bernard with a little Yorkie!
  Hilda

Hi,
To start with enter puppy only, if your dog is quite a mature puppy when it is around 10 months you could put it into Junior. Any open class is really for mature dogs, whether in the breed classification or any variety classification, and a puppy would not really stand any chance of winning unless it was exceptionally good. Any Variety classes are for any breed, not just your breed. Until you get started it might be better to stick to breed classes. If you decide to enter an Any Variety classes then again put your puppy in AV Puppy. Show schedules have a list of classifications in them somewhere which explain what each class is and who can enter. The brace class is for two dogs shown together, both owned by the same exhibitor.

If you go to a good ring craft class the trainer should be able to explain this to you and to help you with your entries. Is this your first dog for showing? If so ring craft classes are very helpful as they teach the dog what is required for the show ring. Other breeders/owners of your chosen breed might be attending as well and they would probably advise you, on things such as the right type of lead etc... Have you thought of contacting the breeder of your dog? If they show, they will be pleased to help and advise you.
Polly

Hi it's a great way to gain experience going to companion dog shows.
That's the way I started out and I'm still showing at all levels 15 years later :D

If I were in your position, I'd do AV puppy in the pedigree classes.
AV Open is for all pedigree dogs of any age it's a very hard class for a puppy especially a young one.
Then enter in the fun novelty classes.
Classes such as Prettiest Puppy or Prettiest Bitch or Best Condition. In the summer you have the fun
Best 6 legs (the dogs 4 and your 2) :D A class which I have won in my youth lol!!
This will give your puppy the experience of being gone over by a judge several
times. In the novelty classes they don't necessarily have to be in 'show pose'.
Just look cute or in Best condition be clean and in great condition..
You'll soon be hooked on going to shows!! :D