i have a just coming 17months male slow maturing breed
the last show i attended there was only 1 other exhibit in his class who was female, he seemed to regonise this fact + decided he would rather try + get to the female than show - he wouldnt stand/move/show teeth or do anything that usually he is very good at doing
i thought maybe it was a one off - maybe the bitch was coming in/out of season but i had a repeat performance yesterday again same situation - would stand/look in any other direction other than that of the bitch - everytime i moved round the ring he moved with his head glued to the floor
has anybody been through this - i accept his hormones are prob playing up but will he grow out of it? is there anything i can do to stop this obsession with bitches in the ring? i just feel at the moment i am wasting not only mine but also the judges time
any help or advise would be appreciated :)

AHHHH the joys of the DOG owner :)

Bitches come into season twice a year (only once a year if your lucky/unlucky depending on how you look at it ;) )  but DOGS are in season every day of the year and as you've found, young dogs are even worse :(

You could try a little vapour rub under his nose ;) but be warned, a friend did this with her 'american' dog (I call him that 'cos he's over-sexed and 'over HERE' LOL) and he walked around with his nose as far in the air as possible, drooling, for most of an open show :-D 

Other than that, try to find a treat that he would sell his soul for ;)  and train him to 'watch' you in the ring ;)  this will help you in all sorts of situations as he gets older :)

Oh and the 'leave it!' command is good for when he's lungeing or head down sniffing too ;) I use it with my girls when treats are flying around in the next ring and into ours  ;)