It is proving very hard to find open shows with any class for my breed, so I'm nearly always going to have to enter our puppy in the AVNSC classes, where again I'm quite unlikely to meet any other pups of the same breed as they are few and far between.  Even at Champ show, looking at past results there are often only 3 or 4 pups in the class. 

Would you say there's much to gain in entering Open shows even though we're always going to be up against different breeds, or would I be better concentrating on Champ shows and our various breed club open shows where there will nearly always be breed classes where we can compete against other pups of the same breed to see how we compare?  Obviously there is the coast issue of entering the Champ shows v Open.

We have been going to ringcraft since she was 14 weeks old and she behaves pretty well and enjoys showing (AKA showing off :-) )

I would go for the champ shows.  You cant get junior warrant points in AVNSC.  I know a lot of people dont like to jump in the deep end and think opens are okay for gaining confidence however if it were me I would take the plunge :)

I would do a mixture of what you can afford. 

Although nice to compare youself against your own breed, it is also nice to see how you fair against other breeds.  I much prefer doing open shows in the sence that it;s cheeper, more local and you meet alot of different people.  Though going in AVNSC, and also when I was entering rare breeds with the aussie shepherds a couple fo years ago, you get to meet so many more people outside of your breed which personally I love, it's nice to have doggy friends outside your breed, as you are never in direct competition for them it's normally nicer relationships!

Of course you want to do champ shows aswell to compare against your own breed but would you rather travel 300miles to a champ show with breed classes or 30 miles to an open show with AVNSC classes.  Presuming you have already qualified for crufts and are not botherd about chasing JW champ show points etc...

I actually prefer entering AVNSC and AV classes at Open shows as opposed to being on my own or being in with the same dogs over and over if classes are put on.

Also the AVNSC often has the more experienced group judge.

Other than that I principally enter Championship shows, but if I can enter more than one class, as it is no fun being second or third in a small class.  It may be that your dog is top flight against another equally good, or not so good at all.  By dipping my toes in the next class up hopefully there is older and more mature opposition, and if my dog holds it's own or beats a few of those too it is better.

Kate, if indeed that is your name, I would join a club for your breed that way you will get to know the open shows that do have classes for your breed.

AVNSC and AV classes at open shows are good fun but you do have to take pot luck with the judges you get, experienced they may be but not necessarily in your breed.