First of all this may sound confusing but i'll explain as easily as i can!

I go to lots of companion dog shows with my dogs but there's one coming up soon that my friend wants to go to with his Newfoundland puppy. She's under 6 months old (I think she's about 4-5 months) but I was wondering whether she's ellegible for entry in any classes (particularly the pedigree classes).

If she is elllegible then obviously she would be able to enter A.V. Puppy but is she also able to enter A.V. Sporting and A.V. Open at her age?

Please tell me soon as I have to get it sorted by today!

Thanks,
Keira and the huskies!

No I'm afraid she still has to be a full 6 months according to KC rules so can't enter any classes.

I'm pretty sure that most licensed companion shows still have the 6 month rule - sometimes they have baby puppy classes (can't think of the correct name) for under 6 months but unlikely in the pedigree classes.  It has been a while mind you since I have been to one!  Some of the companion don't always do the pedigree classes either.

Best to check out the shows rules - but I doubt if an under 6 month will be elligble to enter - sorry know that wasn't what you would have liked to hear!

If they could I wouldn't enter anything other than the puppy class either - some of the classes can have 20 plus entries!

If it is a COMPANION show (and not something called a dog rally or fun show or similar) then it has to be KC licensed and then the 6 months rule has to stand for all classes according to the rule book.

Got ya!!  It's the fun shows that can be unlicensed then and then they can have an under 6 months class?  That's when they don't have the pedigree classes I guess?

As I said been a while!  Just remember one show (must have been a fun show) where they had under 6 months!  And certainly thought that generally no puppies under 6 months could enter.  So now I understand the rules!

Yes that's how others get away with having unlicensed shows, they have to call them other things and can they do pretty much what they like. :)

yes it is a COMPANION dog show so thanks for all of the info. Such a shame that she can't enter the classes. I was asking as I've never had experience with a puppy at a COMPANION dog show.

I know they're also governed by the KC but I was just wondering if the same applies to the novelty classes. Does she still have to be six months old for them?

There's nothing to stop your friend showing the puppy "not for competition" :)  Most reasonable judges would be happy to go over and move the puppy the same as others in it's class but it would only be for practice and the puppy not eligible to be placed.

I've done it before and know lots of others who have too - it's a better training round than say ringcraft because it is more like a "normal" show - and provided you ask permission beforehand (and it's granted of course) it shouldn't be a problem.

HTH, Teri :)

Yes the 6 months applies to all the classes I'm afraid.  Some shows do turn a blind eye to younger pups but really they shouldn't. If it was me I'd bring the pup along anyway for the exprience and socialisation. :)

Ok, thanks for that - but just out of interest - if the puppy was older than 6 months then would they also be able to enter AV Non-Sporting/Sporting and AV Open?

Should be 6 months but I can assure you that even top show judges ignore this rule and allow pups of 14 weeks of age to enter!!  This happened to me where I was taking the entries for an exemption show as they were called then. 

I told the person that she could not enter the pup as it was way too young, I had a number of my puppy owners with 5 month old pups sat watching who I did not allow to enter!  The judge, very well, known, writes in a certain dog paper said oh ignore it and come in.  He then went on to giving this dog BPIS!  I was furious.

This is one of the reasons why I would not be able to be a show judge because I just wouldn't be able to turn away little puppies :D :D

This happens very commonly - Companion shows are after an all ideal training gound for pups destined for the showring and most judges do turn a blind eye if the pup is not quite 6 months.

Yvonne

Yes, the puppy would be eligible to go into the AV non-sporting or AV open class - but TBH with such a young puppy (even at the eligible age) it would IMO be too much.  They tire and get bored easily - better to let them go in with other pups and hopefully get some play time in between dogs being gone over.  Some CDSs are HUGE and could easily be a class of 30+ and more still in the older classes.

Best to make it and keep it fun for them :)

regards Teri

I was just wondering in general because, as you said, I would have thought that the puppies would tire easily.

I very much doubt that the CDS will be huge - it hasn't been the past four times I've been there. I would describe it more as a "busy" show than a "huge" show if that makes sense :D

My two dogs are going to be entered in the AV Sporting and AV Open and i know that even they will get bored :D