Right, we have entered our first Champ show with puppy. Terrifying, I felt sick just doing the entries!!!

Anway, there is an open show the week before, which will be our first show together, hopefully, but I am a bit confused about what class to enter, or if there is even really a class for us.

The 'youngest' breed class I could enter is Junior, but puppy is only going to be 7 1/2 months old, and isn't the maturist, so I am obviously reluctant to enter this.

There is a 'minor puppy stakes' class. (assuming all breeds,as no breed specified) but I have never heard of stakes classes. Can somene explain please and let me know if I can enter this?

Thankyou!

Oh its taken me 12 months to stop feeling sick and needing the toilet before I go in the ring,even the dogs got nervous and had to go to the toilet before they went in the ring!!!!
I would enter my Puppy in the Junior class at the open show.Best puppy has to be declared in each breed class so your pup would automatically judged with any other pups in your breed.Past experience has lead me to check the ages of other dogs entered in all classes in your breed and I have had to remind the steward on more than one occasion that best puppy must be declared.(you may get a rossette or not - depends on the generosity of the canine club).Best puppy in breed is then up for the best puppy in group as long as its not a beaten puppy.eg If you enter your pup in Any variety puppy and is beaten then you are not entitled to go forward to best pup in group.I always err on the side of caution and withdraw my pup fro this class.You can with draw from A.V classes but not breed classes.Any stake classes are fine,if you lose you can still enter in best pup in group.It will explain in the scheldule..Stakes classes tend to have lots of entrys,but good practice for yourself and your dog.Mine tend to get bored hanging around -so does my O.H!!!
Good luck,it does get easier and I even enjoy it now 15 months on!!!Jude

Jackson,

Go to the mirror and tell yourself ten times over "it's only a dog show". What is the worst that can happen?  Defecating in the ring, leaping about, barking, not doing what you want? Don't worry however bad it seems to you most people, including the judge, will have seen it all before.

First time out my latest pup leapt about, pulled back and reared up on the lead and generally made an exhibition of himself....oh and me! So what? We went to ringcraft and slowly he improved. The most important thing is that we both have a good time, otherwise, honestly, what is the point?

If you make a mistake it really doesn't matter, practice will help you to improve. We have all been beginners and we all make mistakes. This is a hobby and a beauty contest only, not life and death. You always get the odd person who loves to criticise and tut- ignore them, most people do.

Showing and the terminology is confusing and complex. Don't be shy, ring your breeder, your breed club, or the show secretary of the Champ Show and ask which class to enter. They should be more than pleased to help and advise. After all, without beginners like you, showing would eventually die out.

Do hope none of this sounds patronising. Please just try to ENJOY. Your dog will get on better if you are not anxious too.

Nearly lost my knickers once!!!!!!!

Do hope you weren't trying to curry favour with the judge?!

Seriously though, a most embarassing moment in the ring would make a great new thread.

jackson, I would enter the Junior class as it is a breed class. As it is an open show there shouldn't be too many entries, and there will be other youngsters of the same breed for you to compare against. The stakes classes tend to be a bit on the large side. You could be standing for a very long time. Not fair on a young dog that has never been in the ring before. At one show I go to we regularly have a special yearling class as our first class. That means we often have 6 month old puppies up against 24 month old puppies ;-) Use it as experience for the champ show.

One of my bitches did the zebedee act at her first show :-) I think we had a foot, or two, on the ground at the same time :-D She had to be staring me in the face the whole way round. It was a champ show too :-)

Thanks all, the junior class it is then. Eek!

To be honest, I am so nervous I have almost decided to give up before I start some of the time. We bought this puppy to show, which I feel adds to the pressure. I also have no-one to help me really. Puppies breeder lives some distance away and although they are well known, I feel it is a bit of a case of out of sight out of mind with our pup. I have emailed them a few updates and photos, but never get a reply. I am hoping if we get some good results the breeder will be interested then.

I have been to ringcraft, but no other Golden owners there, although some helpful people. So I have pretty much had to do everything by myself. I'm sure a lot of people are int he same boat, but I'd feel more reassurred if I had another person to help really.

Thanks once again.

As all the others have said do enter the Junior breed class.  it's not about the winning at this stage and any class is great practise.  However, that being said, do check the catalogue for the age of the dogs, you may be one of only a small number of puppies and def in with a chance of Best Puppy.  We did very well by sometimes being the only puppy and, whilst some competition would have been nice, I can't deny that it was such a huge confidence boost!!

I've only been showing since January and our breeder gave us a lot of great advice about classes and terminology but we also had a lot of help ringside too.  If you spend any time at all on this forum you will hear a lot of negatives about poor sportsmanship and bent judging etc BUT I've obviously been really lucky.  We have breed classes at most champ shows but we're usually in AVNSC at Open shows and many of the competitors and observers have been more than willing to help point me in the right direction.  Stewards too are great at spotting newbies and guiding you through the process.  Either that, or we looked so inept that everyone just felt obliged to help??!!

One advantage to entering 'older' classes is that it can help your puppy to manage his/her behaviour and, as you'll usually be in with people who have more experience, it's quite a good opportunity to watch and learn.  Some of the puppy stakes classes can be a bit over subscribed and over excited so make it more difficult to manage your own pups behaviour and your own nerves.  I found that big classes were very tiring too and my pup got bored waiting.

Good luck

Enter Junior anyway as you can still be Best Puppy if yours is the highest placed puppy in that class.

Just relax and have fun,try not to take it too seriously.My young daughter enjoys it as does my O.H.If you feel too tense the dog seems too sense it.I am glad too say that I haven't found too much back biting,it does happen sadly but I just ignore it.Remember that you always take the best dog home,and that is sooo true.Where are your 2 shows?Jude

If there is no puppy class you can entry the AV puppy classes as they do not have to be entered in breed classes, however if the show offer a Best Puppy in Breed then it is worth entering the Junior class

Hi Jackson, This is my first post (be gentle with me guys!) and also my first time showing.  I found all the answers to your question really helpful - I was also confused about the junior entry in open shows - so thanks for asking. So, just wanted to say good luck and have lots of fun at your shows, let me know how you get on.  I have a 6 and a half month old who will be at her (and my) first open show this weeked - I also had that sickly feeling when I posted the entry form, so am now a) firstly relieved that I've entered the right class and b)  concerned! Anyway, here's to some fun showing................................. D

This is more a note for the moderators, is there a facility for members to list their local ringcraft classes so the new exhibitors and those with problems can see if there is a class local to them. Obviously you would need to put a disclaimer that the site does not give particular recomendation to any listing. So many post are from scared or worried novice handlers, and without them giving details of their location it is difficult to help.

Good luck to you both at your first shows and if it is any consolation I too get nervous before a show and I have been at it for years. My dog constantly makes a fool of me in the ring but what the hell it gives everyone else a good laugh lol

You will be fine

Try to do a bit of calm imagination do prepare yourself.  Think of absolutely everything that could go wrong.  Then in your mind think off what you would do in each situation that way your mind is prepared for everything.  Works for a lot of people to calm down, read it in a showing success book.

Also another thing try to do everything at half speed as when you are nervous you speed up more this way if you think you are going slow you are actually at the right speed.  See the speedy thing all the time.

Lastly chew some chewing gum or have a mint before you go in the ring as dogs can not only sense nerves but smell them as well.  So if you have something minty it masks your nerves more so your dog should act normally.

I love taking newbies under my wing in my breed, hopefully your breeder or another person in your breed will do the same thing.  Good luck at it is only a dog show you are always taking the best dog home with you. :-D

Emma

Have fun, try not to panic, if you tell the steward you are new at this they ought to be gentle and help you along. Don't panic if your dog is naughty, I'd much rather see a cheerful naughty puppy having a fun time than a scolded and cowed puppy standing with his tail down. There'll be time for him to calm down as he grows up. I agree that if there is an AV class it would be good to enter that one too, I always like to enter 2 classes at a show specially with a young puppy as it gives him (and you) more ring experience. Have fun and let us know how it goes!