sorry to be a moaning mini but ... if organisers go to the trouble of getting a licence for a companion dog show, why do they then allow a puppy who must have been little over 14-16 weeks to enter.  Albeit, only in the novelty class but then went on to get 3rd in one class (best condition - solely because it had clean teeth!) and then won another class.   Why not just hold a fun dog show if they don't know the rules?   Moan over lol (before I start on about the amount of JRT's in pedigree classes)

Oh it's all for chairty! 

Sorry it's only a companion show where most people at them love there purely pet dog.  So what if a puppies gaining experiance in the ring?

And you wouldn't believe the amount of people who think JR can go in pedigree classes, afterall most of them have a pedigree of pure JR :)

I do have some sympathy for both views.  But honestly the pup ought to be a bit more mature - at a companion show I think it is OK at about 5 months.  But again it is for charity although yes, perhaps they should just stick to a fun show.  I must say my companion show friends get very angry.

It may be for charity but if it's KC rules then they should be followed, we can't do it at other shows sowhy should it be different at a companionship one?

I must admit that I love going to companionship shows more than any other.

Perrodeagua, although yes it should follow KC rules the way of entering etc is so relaxed.  I could lake a 4-5 month old puppy, tell everyone on the day she is 6 months and a springer spaniel and they'll believe me although she's a red and white setter!

Welsh Springer of course

Well anything from welsh, english or even an Irish pointer!!!!!!!!

It's just a fun day out, I don't think we should moan about who wins what. I think part of the fun of companion shows is getting your puppy out a little earlier than you should and seeing all the pet dogs in the classes too. I have to confess to taking a 5 month old borzoi pup to one. He won best puppy in show too :D The reason they are licensed is because if they weren't you wouldn't be able to find judges for them, woe betide the judge who judges at an unlicensed event :rolleyes:

I know, my local club are useless at knowing the rules - they were about to let a crossbreed terrier in the pedigree classes when I stepped in, and gave me a filthy look when I said sorry but he could only go in the novelty! I assume there would be some sort of penalty for breaking the rules if caught, even if only a light one? Must admit I also took my puppy at 5 1/2 months to one (got chucked out! :-) ). Someone was disappointed at ours because their puppy was about 5 1/2 months and couldn't enter and I said though it was against the rules lots of people did do it! Our club also doesn't have a clue which breeds are sporting or non-sporting - they've now got a big sheet from somewhere and when someone asks they just say 'look at the sheet' - mind you, it doesn't have Staffies on it so they were stuck again! But as you say, it's only a fun show! :-D

And we should all remember before we start complaining about ages or types of dogs that the only way for these things not to happen is for people to produce registration certificates or enter in advance - and then of course it's not a fun, turn up on the day, companion show :)

interesting that some people dont mind some rules being broken but not others. I thought the whole point was that they were fun days out, raised money for a good cause and had as few rules as possible. You never know some poeple might enjoy it so much that they decide to show and breed 'properly' and may end up making a great ocntribution to our hobby.

That is how a great many people get going when they take their nice pet to a show.  I know quite a few that have done it this way.

I can't wait to have a new puppy so that I can go to them again as I have all 3 of mine overqualified, and it just isn't quite the same entering them in the novelties alone, especially as in these they always get kicked out for being real show dogs

Thats very true Bazb and I know people who went to a companion show, then after afew more became more interested in showing so found a ringcraft, then brought a show quality puppy.....the rest they say is history!

We were at a companion show on the weekend, and there were quite a few young puppies under 6 months, who weren't 'allowed' to enter, so what they did was, put on an extra class at the start of the show for Puppies under 6 months, which I thought was lovely.  And they got rosettes, but the winner wasn't allowed to go on to compete for BPIS, so I didn't see a problem with that.

That I agree with Sunbeams, actually it's a brilliant idea!

do they actually have to be registered at kc to compete (ie owners in possession of kc documents) or just "pedigree" ie anyone can enter anything & say its "pedigree"

No, unregistered labradors can compete in the pedigree classes because they're still labradors.

As JG has said as long as they are  pedigree breed (good or bad type) they can be entered in the pedigree classes.  You'll be amazed at how many bad types win at companionship shows :d 

Makes me smile actually.  Especially when one twice the size ormore than they should be wins the dog in best condition!

Yes but that class isn't judged on breed type.

Yes, certain results do make me smile.  Saw a pointer on sunday who was huge (must have been way over the desirable max ht) - get 2nd in it's class.    I think you do have to remember they are fun shows otherwise you could go home tearing your hair out at some decisions.

and remember the judges are often fairly new to judging - why would you expect them to know the breed standards of 160 odd breeds?

some odder than others lol.   And these people have been good enough to give up their time to judge - and you can never please everyone.