When we were at a Companion Show recently, there was a chap there who seemed to know everything about KC rules - though why he then went in to show his 12-week old puppy I don't know!  Anyway, he said there is a new KC Regulation, that if a dog is the only one in it's class and gets awarded 1st, it cannot go on to compete for BIS, as it hasn't actually beaten any other dog.  He said it applies to Companion shows as well as Open Shows, etc.  Does anyone know if this is true?
  Hilda

New one on me....if the dog won it's class and was then awarded BOB it can then go on to compete for the Group or BIS, depending what type of show it is, eg: judged on the group system or not.
Karen.

At SKC there was a breed with a one and only one dog entry. Can't remember if it got placed in the group but it was certainly short listed.

I've not heard of that one either - it's still unbeaten, even it's the only one in its class.   But, why is he showing a 12 week old puppy - I didn't think the 6 month rule had changed?

No, the 6 month rule hasn't changed - presumably because the show was a Companion Show he figured he'd get away with it, and nobody in the ring said anything.  Don't think he got placed though - just as well! - I think that's so unfair on everybody else, especially those that do wait to show until their puppies are 6 months.
  Hilda

I was at a comp show where a couple had entered their litter puppies who were about 1 week off their 6 month birthday and I wouldn't dream of saying anything about them, but a 12 week old puppy is a little different - I'm glad he didn't win.

sarah

A lot of companion shows let you enter pups under 6 months for practice, they are "not for competition" and wont get placed.  I think the judge would have somehow guessed that the pup wasnt 6 months so I assume this is how this persons dog was entered ;)

The six month of age rule still does apply but I think there should be a class for younger pups (although not too young) particularly for 'pet people' who can take their pups out and have a bit of fun!! I attended a companion show in the summer and there was a gentleman there, who shows at Open and Champ Shows, with his dog who was complaining about the judging and the fact that the judge did not go over his dog thoroughly (he did not get placed!) and started spouting  that he was a member of the kennel club etc etc and I thought how sad. I have always thought that a companion show is a 'fun day' where you dont get the back biting that can go on at Open and Champ shows.  Incidentally if the person running the show at the time had noticed that he had actually entered the ring with this KC badge on she could have pulled him up about it since I understand that KC members are not allowed to wear their badge when in the ring! 

i would of throught a judge would have since that the puppy was 12 week go,and was not the right age for showing at 6 month,the judge only got to look in it mouth and see the baby teeth,plus the stucter and size of the puppy would have been a give away.

Yes, we could all see this was just a baby puppy, so I'm sure the judge could, but I think because of it being a Companion Show he probably didn't want to be mean and tell this man to leave the ring.  If he had placed it, then I expect some people would have been quite annoyed, but at least he didn't do that.  The other thing we have had all summer at our local Companion Shows, is a professional handler showing somebody's dog for her (and always winning BIS)- personally I don't agree with that, as you get a lot of pet and novice people, and I think if this dog is supposed to be that good, why has it not won at a higher level.
  Hilda

Not true - at many shows there are dogs who 'stand alone' in their class - they are perfectly entitled to compete for BOB and if they win go on to compete for the group and BIS.

As I've said previously I was taking entries at a Companionship Show.  Someone asked to enter their 12 week old pup, I said no, the organisers and the judge who is very well known said yes and it won !!  There were quite a few show people there, there were a number of puppies that I'd bred there who were a week under 6 months and I told their owners that they couldn't enter and I didn't let them.  I was not impressed !!