My pup is 6 months old and is entering an open show and he has not got his own group. But filling in the entry form there are 2 seperate classes available AV Working NSC (junior) or AV Working (puppy).
Which class would be best.

Thanks in advance.

Puppy class, he is only a baby at 6 months :) bless :)
Hope you do well

Hi,
Thanks but does it matter that the puppy class is not "not separately classified' ?

Cheers.

Hi Dianesdog

I have a breed that is often NSC.  When I was in your position I would always enter the lowest age NSC class as I preferred to be judged alongside others in my breed, if they were there. I've been in many NSC or rare breed classes where our breed made up more than 75% of the class number and it's good to be seen together.  You may also find your pup behaves a little better in the ring with some older dogs. 

Even though it's a Junior class the judge will declare a Best NSC Puppy from the puppy entries in that class.  This is the equivalent of Best Puppy in Breed.  It's always worth reminding the steward that you have a puppy when you enter the ring, although they should alert the judge anyway.

If you wish to enter two classes you can still enter the AV Puppy too, although mine rarely ever stayed awake that long.  It usually only costs a small amount to add another class.   However, do remember that if you win Best Puppy NSC to withdraw from the AV puppy class to remain unbeaten so that you can still go into Puppy Group.

Good luck 

I would enter both, extra class experience for you both!

I have a puppy who very rarley has breed classes.Only 3 shows in the country I believe!I have been entering her in AVNSC to her nearest age.This has been at times an open class.However as mentioned,best puppy has to be declared - so your pup can still win best puppy.You can also enter AV puppy,and if you won best puppy in AVNSC you can withdraw from this class as any unbeaten puppy can go onto best puppy in group.I am alittle wary,from experience,entering a young dog in too many classes.We recently went to a champ show and entered our pup in AVNSC Junior and rare breeds classes and it tired her out for the remaining weekend!Mind you the peace and quiet was lovely :-)

AV Working NSC (junior) or AV Working (puppy).

I have entered him into both classes, (even though he wil have just turned 6 months). Can somebody confirm that if he was to win the first class (whichever one it may be) and be awarded best puppy then i would have to withdraw from the second class regardless in order to maintain his unbeaten status?

Also if he is best puppy in the NSC (junior) class what happens to the winner of the AV Working class (puppy)?

Regards.

Aha, now it gets confusing!! Experts will be on soon, but I think that if he gets Best AVNSC puppy you can withdraw from AV, but I don't know if Best AV Puppy can go in the Group - I think it depends on something else??

AVNSC is classed as a breed class, therefore if you win in AVNCS you may withdraw from the AV class..

Also.. if you are placed in the AVNSC (other than 1st) Then win the AV class, you may still be an unbeaten puppy... (if the dogs placed above you in the Junior class were over 12months)

BUT, you need to check your schedule, many AV classes do not go through to the group... some AV classes are held after the Group judging...

If the AV classes for puppy or 'special' puppy are held before the breed classes, it usually means that only the winners from these classes are eligible to go forward to group judging, even if a puppy wins the breed class, where there is no BPIB edited to add... 'and' where there is no puppy class

I would do both, plus the overall Puppy stakes if there is one.

Depending on breed at Open shows the classes can be very small and you will often have only one or two in the class not giving your pup enough time to realise what it's all about.

You can always withdraw from the other classes if you wish on the day if you think it might be too much, or to stay unbeaten if he qualifies for the group etc (though if the group judge is the one doing the other classes I never withdraw)..