Hey there, folks! I'm going to be coming into possession of a Basset Fauve de Bretagne in a few weeks and have given thought about possibly training it to be a show dog if it meets all the physical criteria for the breed.

Now, here in the US that dog is not approved by the AKC, but can the dog still take part in shows when it's a bit older? And if they are allowed to be in shows, can they take prizes despite not being approved, or are they only allowed to be shown and not eligible for prizes?

Are there many kinds of shows, some of which would allow the BFdB to be considered for a prize?

If you can't tell, I'm a complete newbie with regards to showing dogs, although I diligently watch Crufts and Westminster whenever it's on tv.

All comments welcome...thanks!

Jaynee

Here in UK you can't show un-approved breeds at a general show. Over here BFdB are classed as rare breeds as they do not have CC status and before that they were on the import register. I hope this makes sense to you.

Freeway, thanks for the post - unfortunately almost everything you said is greek to me. *lol* But I got that BFdB can't be shown, so there's my answer, I suppose.

Yes they can be show but can not be awarded Chalenge Certificates which count toward a Champion Award. In the UK you can show a BFDB in classes for the breed in AV hound classes and Rare breed classes you just can't make a dog into a champion however good it is, but you can win Best in Hound Group or even Best in Show. Bet that is still as clear as mud. Jackie H

Okay, so just to make sure I'm clear - I can enter Cooper into shows, but he'll never be able to accumulate any kind of points to lead him towards Champion status. Correct?

Okay, so let's say I enter him into some Rare Breed Shows and he wins awards in that arena - if the breed is eventually approved by AKC/UKC, then can those past awards be grandfathered in as points towards Ch. status? Or would he basically have to start from scratch despite those past wins?

I'm really getting fascinating with the idea of trying to show the BFdB and get the practice in the Rare Breed area until the BFdB is let into the KC. Then not only will *I* know what I'm doing but the dog will too.

And finally, one last question - is there a general age when you stop showing a dog in competition? I hear about dogs "retiring" and was curious to know the general age when this takes place.

thanks again for your patience in answering my (somewhat simple) questions.

I'm not really sure if you're asking if the dog can be show in the United States or in the UK. If the UK, then people have already answered your question. If you're concerned about the United States, some of the 'rare breeds' (to the US) are permitted to be shown in 'Miscellaneous' classes at the American Kennel Club shows. These dogs do not accumulate championship points (though their individual breed clubs do keep track of wins and confer some type of titling system within the breed club organization) and cannot be recognized as AKC champions.

Basically, the show giving club must first offer a Miscellaneous class (and some will limit it to specific 'rare' breeds). All the dogs compete against each other in this class and all the bitches -- so you can have three or four different breeds competing against each other to be placed as first place, etc. The purpose of this class is to help generate interest within the breed and to show a genuine interest on the part of the breeders and exhibitors to have the breed fully approved for shows. The Chinese Crested was shown for quite some time in these classes before being fully recognized and admitted to the AKC registries.

As far as the UKC (United Kennel Club in the US is what I am assuming you mean, which is based in Kalamazoo, Michigan), you should contact them directly to see what their criteria is. The CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) recognizes breeds which the US does not, so your breed may also be recognized for showing there. Sorry, I didn't check it out.

There is also a Rare Breed Association in the US which conducts shows of rare breeds and has their own system of granting points, etc. I know years ago that a Portugese Pointer that a friend had imported was shown in that type of show and I attended one as an observer which was held on the same grounds as an AKC show, though in an area far removed from the AKC show.

Good luck with your new dog!

Thanks for the great info (from everyone!)...

I've found the ARBA site for American Rare Breeds, and hopefully I'll be able to speak with someone there about their shows.

And I'll definitely check into AKC "Miscellaneous" classes at their shows. It's a pity that even the Misc. dogs can't win points, but at least the dog will gain the experience until the dog IS AKC approved.

Thanks again everyone - your answers were all very helpful! I'm getting more and more excited about getting my puppy in a few weeks. =)

I took the time to go to the AKC site and see which breeds are permitted in the Miscellaneous classes (it changes all the time as new breeds are admitted based upon proof that actual, sustained interest exists nationwide for a particular breed and other breeds fulfill the requirements to move up to full recognition and acceptance into a particular group). Unfortunately, your breed is not one that is recognized even in the miscellaneous group at this time (the AKC only recognizes 150 breeds of dogs). Looking at the explanation and the breeds permitted in Miscellaneous may give you some additional information.

The breed is also recognized by the United Kennel Club (based in Kalamazoo, Michigan) in the Scenthound group. You may want to take a look at their website and write for additional information since they are relatively active in holding shows.

I have not been able to pull up a breed club in the US for you, perhaps your search will show otherwise. Good luck with your new dog.

No they CAN be shown here as they are a recognised breed by our KC! Its just that they do not have championship status yet which means you cannot make them up to a champion.

Are they not in rare breeds yet over there? I know Spanish Water Dogs are and they can enter rare breeds classes.

I know over here if they are registed but don't have a breed standard that you can't even enter a breed at an exemption show, which is a small fun show which you enter on the day because it's under KC rules and they haven't properly recognised the breed, although cross breeds are allowed to be shown!!

Unfortunately, I don't the rules over there.

I hope you enjoy your puppy though.

Regards.

take a look at the AKC website (www.akc.org) and you should be able to find a page/s about showing all the different breed and what classes they are elligable for, i think you will be able to find it uder the section of dog events but am not 100% sure.

Sorry I'm getting even more confused than normal with the over here and over there. BVDB's can be shown in the UK and do have a interim standard, but I don't know about the USA. Jackie H

I think your best bet would be to contact the AKC and have it out with them. If they are the same as the English KC, then if they are not recognised then they can't be shown at general all breed shows. They are shown here because they are recognised by our KC and have a standard, they just need more dogs to be shown so that they can achieve CC status.

Actually at excemption shows here in the UK ANY breed of dog can be shown whether it be registered or not as long as it is a pure breed (although must admit have been in the ring with some crosses in the pedigree classes but who cares its all a bit of fun).

I'm sorry but when I first had Spanish Water Dogs I entered two, one won best in show, but I found out a few years later that she should never have been shown at the exemption show at all. It is a KC reg. show and if it is a breed that has not been accepted it cannot be shown per KC regulations, so I was told anyway and it stopped a number of SWD's being shown at these shows for a number of years as it took 8 years for the KC to accept us.

It may be fun and it is, I love them but if they are under KC rules the above goes.

I've just read my KC rule book and any dog of any breed or crossbreed or mongrel whether registered or not can be entered in an exemption show based on my interpretation of their regulations! Of course that doesn't mean that that is the 'intention' of the KC but then they should make it clearer!

HI

Hope this doesn't confuse matters as i am the first to admit i know very littel about this, but we took Banya to an exemption show at the weekend, as far as I understood it she wasn't eligible for the puppy class because she was too young and it was under kC rules, (so she should have been 6 mnths) but she was able to go into the "fun" classes and we popped her in the Prettiest Bitch in the end, even though she was only 16 weeks and the show was under kC rules.

i checked this with the secretary and she said that the pup was fine to go in to the fun class as loong as she didn't look very young.

Officialy Lindsay it's a total 6 month limit. Some people will allow the really young in but by KC rules they shouldn't.

Best wishes, John

HIthere John

So just to clarify, under KC rules, even a fun class, the 6 month limit does apply?

Oooh that secretary was a bit sneaky then!!! :)

Good Morning, The KC rules is 6 months, but I think a lot of people will take a 5 month dog along to help train it, if it has it's teeth it would be a brave person who would challenge the age, if the owner says the dog is 6 months. Not strictly to the rules but I think it is often done and is harmless enough. JH

This is very true Jackie and as Exemption shows are supposed to be fun I'm not in favour of being to rigid about the rules. There are so many rules govening exemptions anyway, nothing under 6 months, no import register, no JW (this one is just pedigree classes). Apart from anything else it is starting to make the organisers life difficult!

No CC's no RCC and then you don't even give their kennel names so how the organisers are supposed to know, I've no idea. And yes they are fun and often have far more on offer than an open or championship show, in fact, the higher up the showing ladder you go the less you get. Exemption show you usualy get a pack of dog food just for walking in the ring and it costs about a £1 whereas at a Championship show you will pay about £20 and even if you win the CC all you get is a piece of card with green writing on it, if raining, a soggy bit of card. JH

Don't forget the car sticker :D

Sorry don't approve of car stickers. JH

Ellaborate jackie, is it the advertising of the sponsor, the exhibitors success, or the obstruction to visibility that you disaprove of? Just piqued my curiosity is all.

I don't drive so mine are in my Livingroom window!

Do you know Brainless I just don't know, I've one or two in my car which my husband stuck there, and every time I clean the car I want to take them off, but don't 'cause I cant explain why. Luckly I don't clean it often. ;) JH

I know that if I won one I probably wouldn't swap my car again!!!! However, I have been told by a friend that if you are careful you can remove it from one car and transfer to the next car.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

Hi Joan,
They look nice, and its a wonderful way to display your pride, but it also gives dog thieves a beacon (here they are boys, come and get em!)

I am changing my car shortly, and much as I am tempted, I wont be sticking any beacons on that one! LOL...hows that for confident we are going to get more?? ;)

Debs