Hi, I'd like to show my puppy in a couple of local agricultural shows which have companion dog shows attached.  How strict are rules about having to be 6 months of age - my pup is 5 and a half months and the shows are coming to an end - we live in Aberdeenshire so there don't seem to be much here - any advice welcome plus dates of any local shows also very welcome.  Ta

The rules say strictly 6 months of age. However I do know people sneak in puppies a week or two under the age limit - after all the KC can hardly check up every person at every companion show who claims their puppy is 6 months old. It is against the rules though!

I kinda thought that might be the case - we can always go and watch though? 

You could always enter but tell the organiser or the judge that your pup is underage but could you still go in the ring for the practice. Its worth a shot, the worst they can say is no but you'll still have a good socialisation day for your little one, I find agricultural shows are great for young dogs....I've already took my 8 month old to lots of different shows/game fairs etc and its great for there confidence...just be sure to give her lots of breaks especially if the weather is warm but most of all have FUN!
HTH
Emily :)

I think you will find Emily that the rule is strictly no dogs under 6 months but I am sure moonmaiden and her big red book will verify this ;)

As you enter companion shows with the dogs pet name, and you don not include the date of birth no-one would know one way or another, except you and this board? 

If yur pup is well grown and needs the expereince and there are not going to be shows for a long time yet then I would take them if there is only a week or so in it.  Lets face it you get well grown mature looking pups that look older than 6 months and others who are not ready at 6 months either physically or metally.

After all a local Companion show will not be too mcuh for the pup if the owners pace themselves and leave before it gets briong or too much.  Puppy is the firts class anyway.

The 6 months starting age takes into account al shows.  You certainly wouldn't want a pup under 6 months old at a far flugn championship show, though inother countries they show pups as young as 3 and four months, but their shows are smaller and less hectic than ours.

the rule is 6 months old for showing, but i know of a couple of people where i used to live that if they have new pups to bring out and there is a companion show and the pup is a couple of weeks off 6 months they enter the show and they just put the dogs pet name down,they say it gives the dog its first real show experence under no pressure,
there are not many companion shows where i live now, i wish there was more as i like doing them but many seem to be further down south than i wish to travel to.
carol

Thanks for all your advice folks, I think we'll just go along and enjoy the show from the ringside.  It's just a bit frustrating that the shows end at the end of August and the pup will be 6 months in the middle of August.  Does anyone know of any during the months of September onwards within travelling distance of Aberdeen?  Thanks for all the advice.

you can show puppies under 6 months at fun dog shows.

Yes, that's what I mean by people sneaking them in - it isn't allowed, but does no harm and is almost impossible to be caught doing it!! :-)

Hi

The correct age is 6 months but I told a little white lie yesterday and did a companion show and said my pup was 6 months he is infact 6 days short of six months but went a long for the experience and to get him used to the show ring as we have our first open show in 3 weeks it was a good day out especially when he got second in the puppy class.I know several other people use them as experience too, but even after he is old enough I will carry on doing them as I find them great days out and more often then not its all for charity as well.

John

Ooooh you norty boy :D

Susie, would Cortachy, just outside Kirriemuir, be too far for you? There's a companion show there on Sunday 14th August. I was a Turriff Agricultural Association open show today and there is a companion show there tomorrow. They also had notice of another one somewhere local in the next couple of weeks, but I'm afraid I didn't pay too much attention as to where and when. It's a bit far to travel for me when I'm working.

Hi LindyLou, I was at Turriff today too!  What were you showing?  Took the pup for look and she was pretty unfazed by all the goings on which was a good sign.  I knew about Cortachy, would have to work out how long it took to get there.  Turriff had entry forms for Angus and Kincardineshire Open show in Arbroath on the 25th September and details on Perth show on the 24th plus apparently Bon Accord is on next weekend in the Exhibition Centre - thats all I know about.

Tee hee I did that with my puppy, took her at 5 1/2 months - she's huge for her age so nobody could have guessed! She had great fun, was unplaced but tried to throw herself off the table into the judge's arms!!

Lucy you are just AWFUL!!!!

I've entered mine from 5months if they have their big teeth at the front, no-ones ever mentioned a thing. They cant say prove it as there is no proof the dogs even KC reg which would show the age. Just enter they probably wont notice and it will be a good experience for both of you.

About the going when too young or the puppy throwing herself at the judge? She always does that at shows - in Cavaliers it's much better to be too friendly than shy!!! :-)

LOLOL one of my has to be restrained otherwise he still launches himself into the judges arms ;) & he's 5 in September

mine is nearly 4 and a rottie and he loves to lean on the judges for a big fuss,it can be so embarrising at times but he just loves people
carol

Susie, I was showing my 2 Large Munsterlanders. Chance won AVNSC Gundog. Seska decided that she would rather be back in the tent and tried to pull me out of the ring all the time we were in ;)

Hi LindyLou, I must have missed that class as I'm sure I'd have noticed your Munsterlanders - you're not the lady from Laurencekirk area are you?  There is a show at Clatt Village Hall on Saturday 6th at 6pm which is supposed to be quite a good one.

No, but Seska was bred by her! Tina is a good friend. The gundogs AV classes were judged after Working and Pastoral groups, by the same judge I would have expected either of the gundog judges, or the Best in Show judge to do them. ;)