Dear Experts,

I am enrolling for my first ever champ show now in September. I was seeking clarification on what one of the above I should enter and was lopoking for a clear definition of limited competion classes. My dog has never won any thing bar a second BOB and third in puppy group at an open show. He is a junior dog now and I know that I will enter for that, I also know that there is a class for those who have never won and are technically beginners and I want to enter that. But alas the other ones - particularly limited and grad and post grad baffle me. Also does the open group not qualify for CC's?

Yours in anticipation

Nadia

Hi Nadia. If yours is a numerically small breed I would enter Junior and Post grad in the breed classes. This will give him more experience in the class.

In breeds with huge entries it is usual just to enter the one class, as you have plenty of competition anyway, but you can still enter a second class to test the water, especially if he is a mature Junior.

The class for begginners is Called Special Begginners Stakes, and is for dogs owners and handlers who have never won a CC.

These are often huge classes with some very experienced folk showing! Some people can be in the game for donkeys years and never win a CC! I won my first after 9 years in my breed, and 13 from the first time I showd a dog!

Each breed has a certain number of CCs allocated each year, so not all Champ shows will have them on offer. The CC winner is the best of each sex. After all the classes are judged for each sex the winners 'Challenge' for it, and the next best gets the RCC. A judge can withold either if the quality is insufficient. The dog and bitch winner then meet, and Best of Breed is chosen. the BOB goes forward to the Group. The winners of the Groups meet for Best in show!

Thanks Brainless,

I have a Dobermann and I would say that there are numerous other dogs of that breed entered. He is only a year past and the more experience he gets the better. However, I still have more questions and am a torture - I know!
What is the post grad class for as opposed to the graduate? I was also hoping that you would define the limit classification, as I still am puzzled by that one!

When the show is 'benched' does that mean that he has to be put in a cage before entering the show ring or does it mean that he has to be chained to a post or something. I think if that is the case he will freak out as he is quite a mummies boy!

I am sorry for the basic questions, but I am new to this game!

Regards

Nadia

You can find out what the classification of the classes you are asking about by looking in the back of show schedules as the definitions of each class are stated there.

As for benching, it means you dog will be allocated a bench that you chain the dog to. They are enclosed so each dog cannot reach another and it forms a sort of base where you can leave your things and come back to to sit with your dog at any time or eat dinner etc. Most dogs are fine with this and they enjoy going to their bench as it is a bit of time on their own to rest and most sleep all the time you are not in the ring. :) im sure your dobie will be fine.

Hi Nadia - whereabouts are you? The South East Dobermann club has their big open show on Sunday at Woking. If at all possbile, why not go along and see what goes on there. They are some fab breeders there who will have time to answer your questions and it is also a fun day out! I'll be going with the kids and meeting up with some of the breeders that I already know while I'm there. We are getting our new pup in a couple of weeks who we hope to show so we are trying to go to as many shows as poss so that we can get an idea of what is going on. :) If you want the details, mail me & I'll send all the info to you. Best of luck with the showing!

Thanks, I am living in Northern Ireland and am attending the Dobermann Club of Ireland Ch. Show (Breed Only) on Sunday at the National Show Centre in Dublin - I can't wait to see all the other dogs and talk to all the other dobie owners and see the standand in comparison to my cutie!

I really appreciate all your advice as there as not as many experts near where I live than there is in England. So talking within the Champ Dogs Board is providing me with excellent preparation.

Regards

Nadia

Vadia, You will find that the system is very different under the Irish Kennel Club, though perhaps some of the definiton of classes are the same. they don't have CCs, but Green Stars, and the point value of these is dependant on the number of dogs entered and shown.

I am sure if you type in Irish Kennel Club into a search engine like Google, you should find some useful info.

Mari on this board can also advise as she is In Eire!! :D

Nadia is in Northern Ireland and I think the KC regulations apply there as well.

Fiona
x x x

Yes but she is going to a show in Dublin, which is in the south, and under the Irish Kenel Clubs durisdiction!

Ooops - missed that bit :D

Fiona
x x x

Iwill get back to you on this later this evening Nadia have to go out now , Mari

Hi Nadia
Enjoy the day out and make the most of all the experience that will be there! :) We learnt alot from just talking to exhibitors at Cruft this year, and they are never too shy to start talking about their own breed LOL! :D I must admit to being as bad myself when it comes to all things Dobe :D :D
Have a great day & let us know how you get on!
Best of Luck
Sharon

If you look through the show schedule each class that is scheduled will have a definiton of what dogs qualify for which class. It is headed Definition of classes!

Benches are stalls on raised tressles, with metal partitions dividing the dogs. You have to chain the dog to a ring at the back of the bench. It is best to sit with him until he gets used to it!

You are only allowed to have your dog off its bench while it is shown, and for grooming and excersise (a euphemism for going to the toilet). In practise most people take their dogs off the bench to walk them around the show, and as long as you keep him on the bench mostly (I have yet to see an official with a stop watch checking how long you have been absent, LOL). Once they are used to them benches are very useful, giving somewhere as a base, and somewhere he can rest without worrying about him being trodden on.

Hi Nadia
Club shows will have the full amount of classes from puppy dog to open dog and Puppy bitch to open bitch
In most club shows there is a minor puppy but rarely at all breed champ shows
So those are the classes for both sexes
Minor puppy dog is confined to dogs of 6 mths and under 9mths
puppy class is confined to dogs of 6 mths and under 12 months
Junior is confned to 12mths and under 18 mths
special yearling is confined to dogs over 12 mths and under 24mths
novice class is for dogs not having been awarded a green star[cc]or challenge certificate
B. two first prizesin any class other than puppy.beginners or maiden.
any members or limited show under the KCrules
graduate class is for dogs that have not won a total of 5 first prizes viz open limit or graduate for the breed or shows where a green star is on offer for the breed or sex
Or has won 23 points in competition for green star and or challenge certificates.
limit is for dogsthat have won 38 points in competition for green stars or challenge certs
Open is for all dogs of the breed
Field trial classes is confined that have won at least a reserve in novive etc
Brace class is is for two exhibits of the same breed [not an irish brace lol:)]
veteran class is for dogs over 7 yrs of age
Green stars are the ticket for points towards making up a champion.
The points being forty point providing you have 4 majors
The value of the green star depends on the amount of dogs entered.
for example to get a green star worth 5 points that is called a major.
a boxer needs to have at least 19 entered where a bullmastiff being a minor breed needs 11 mixed.
It is much harder to make up a minor breed AS if you have say 80 points and no major or three majors you will not get the title untill all 4 majors are achieved.
I hope this helps Nadia
Mari

Thanks,

That is a lot of information to take in! Anyway we went and we conquered! Duke came 2nd in his junior dog class in the Dobermann Club of Ireland Show. We went expecting nothing as it is his second show and his first ever champ show. We expected not to be placed and to go to get a good look at the breed standard. It was an unexpected pleasure. We still can't believe it and are ever so proud of old Duke! At least now we know that he is up to scratch and are going to go showing now with a vengence! Thanks everyone for your support! I'm hooked!

Nadia

Well done Nadia! How many were in the class? Dobes are a highly competitive breed, so I am sure there were a good number!

Go get em girl, with more experience, I am sure you'll win another time!

Thanks!
There was seven in the class. It was the largest class that Duke has competed in but I am sure that it is teensy compared to the large numers of competetors in England. Yes, lets hope that this has started something great for us!

If it was not for all your advice I don't think that I would have been as confident and assured which no doubt had an indirect affect on Duke's performance. Thanks Again!