Hi can any one please advise?
My two daughters have been attending ring craft for several weeks now and have just entered there first show which is to be in August they are doing 2 classes each with our dog who will be nearly 7 months when he enters they have entered minor puppy, puppy dog,beginners stakes,purina pup of the year stakes classes,my daughters are 8 and 12 some body has advised me that this wont be suitable and they should stick to junior handling classes ,have I wasted my money by entering these classes ?as I say this will be our first show as we are new to showing hope some one can give me advice?

Hi John,

No, you have not wasted your money. It is perfectly fine for your daughters to show in the classes you have entered. Junior handling is something additional that they might like to try once they have had a bit of practice at handling but it is definately good for them to be showing in breed too.

It sounds like a championship show you have entered? If it is, your daughteres might like to have a go at a local open show or two first as they are more relaxed and will give tham a bit of practice before trying the 'serious stuff'.

Good luck!
Jen

Thanks Jen
Makes me feel a lot better (and my wallet better too!!) yer going to try a couple of open shows first our first show is the welsh kennel club where going to be there on the 20th showing our westie.It was somebody at work today who gave me the advice I went back to work today all excited about my daughters first show and felt a bit disheartend afterwards thanks again for your advice much appreciated.

My daughter is 11 years old and regularly shows 2 of my 3 dogs at championship level in breed classes.As long as they are capable and confident enough to cope with the excitement and 'pressure' there is no reason why they shouldn't be fine.My daughter prefers handling in breed classes rather than junior handling.
My onl concern is that 4 classes at champ level is an awful lot for a 7 month pup to cope with...esp since it is his first champ show.Depending on the breeed a class can last a long time and the stakes class can take ages which will mean your pup will be in the ring possibly for 1-2 hours...IMO too long
Archer

Thanks for that
think they will may do minor pup and maybe 1 other class on the day after all I will only be losing about £8.00 and I feel better after your advice that I haven't wasted all my money .thanks for advice much appreciated.

Your welcome...wish you lots of luck and hope you,your girls and your pup have a good day.
Archer

You can opt out of the mixed classes if you wish but must compete in both the breed classes otherwise any awards would be disqualified. 

I would see how you do in the breed classes (once sen in the first class you wil just be required to wait at the end of the line until all the others in the next class have been seen, and then just stand him up again with the others for the final look) and then try the puppy stakes class, but would leave the special begginers classs alone as it will have dogs of all ages and expereince.

There's no problems, Hannah sounds as if she is looking forward to it so much, I have had a 7 year old handle one of my bitches once (brother broke his leg and so I handled his)  If it wasn't the done thing I'm sure one of us would have said something to Hannah! :)

My 11 and 13 year old daughters handle and they love it. In fact my 13 year old farms herself out at our open shows, and she shows Labs, GSD's, Weims, and she loves doing brace as well. My 11 year old sticks to the labs.

Our shows are lovely as people will talk them through their breed and let them have a go, so they get to handle many different dogs.

Just let them enjoy it, being relaxed is such a key factor with showing and the young ones seem to have it naturally.

A couple of open shows before the main show would be a good idea.

I don't think that you have wasted you money at all! I am 15 and I handle 5 different dogs a championship level. There are some people who think that young people cant handle as well as adults by thankfully that I a minority. Like other people have said if your daughter are confident and are capable at handling then they should do a good job. Like lots of people have said get them entered into an open show first. Also a good tip is to record them on a video camera and then they can look back and see what mistakes they make. I found that very useful when I did my first junior handling class as I found I was looking too much at the dog and my lead was a little too long. Wish you daughter good luck and please tell us how they get on. :)

Sarah xxxx

I wish to and your daughers the very best of luck.  I used to show in the Junior Handling classes (many years ago and am an old codger now) and i think that the standard today is much better then it used to be, in fact i think that a lot of the Junior's handle better then a lot of adults they certainly dress a lot smarter.  I notice that even at companion shows the junior handlers are really well turned out.

I also showed my mum's irish setters in the breed as well, one in particular as my mum always said if i could handle him i could handl any dog and we used to do really well.  So no way have you wasted your money.  Good advice to try a couple of local open shows or even a companion show (i know some people think they are a waste of time but it is amazing how many breeders try out their young stock at them.

Once again good luck. 

Just want to say a big thankyou to your all for your advice.my daughters have read all your comments and they are really looking forward to their first show now. all your helpfull comments and advice have been much appreciated.I will post a message after our first show and let all you kind people know how we got on .Thanks again

Hi Ice queen
I have just read your reply again and it suddenly dawned on me how do you know my daughters name after talking to Hannah she told me who you are ,she is most grateful for all the advice you have been giving to her and has made several new friends through your msn group.
Thanks again for your advice

John.

Oh is your daughter hannah? I know who she is now as i am also a member of roxanne's and fiona's group :D My name is wheaten_mad on there. If your daughter needs any more help just post it on the website and we will all give her as much help as we can :D

sarah xxxxx

Thanks Sarah

Sorry for any confusion! :D