Hi,

I have a 6 month old whippet pup. We are going to our first show in March and I wanted to seek some advice on what classes to enter... these are the classes...

AV Hound - minor puppy
AV Hound - Puppy

Whippet - puppy
Whippet - Junior
Whippet - Graduate
Whippet - limit
Whippet - Open

Is it ok to enter the 2 AV Hound classes (minor puppy and puppy) and the whippet breed puppy class?

Thanks!

You will get different answers from different people. :) So much depends on the pup. Personally I never enter more than one class for a pup's first show as I feel that is enough -but I have a very sensitive breed that's best not pushed. Others say the opposite, get as much in as possible. One thing you might need to consider is that the AV classes are done after all the breed judging so can end up late in the day -if you only enter breed classes you can go home early -unless you win best puppy and stay for the group that is. :)

Hi Marianne,

Thanks for your reply. I think she will manage a couple of classes - she's full of energy and loves the excitement / attention.

Obviously this show is just for experience (for both me and the puppy!) but for future, someone had mentioned just to enter one breed class in case you are placed in one but not the other. Does this prevent you from going forward? Is this the same case if you enter two AV classes or does it not matter with these?

When our Frenchies first come out, if it was an open show I would enter a breed class (if we were lucky enough to have one) and AV Utility Minor Puppy.  In your case it would be Whippet puppy and AV Hound Minor Puppy.  At a Championship show I would just enter one class appropriate to the age of the puppy.

Lorna

Please only enter a maximum of 2 classes. You have to enter your puppy in a breed class & you could try AV Hound Minor Puppy.
Depending on the show there will be quite a few entries in Whippets and you puppy could get bored quickly. If you should be lucky & win your breed class it means you will  be challenging the other class winners for Best of Breed...this means your pup will be asked to stand again(which I think is the equivalent to another class).
Personally I prefer to only enter the breed classes & very rarely enter an AV class but I understand others dont have the same opinion.

> In your case it would be Whippet puppy and AV Hound Minor Puppy.  At a Championship show I would just enter one class appropriate to the age of the puppy.
>

Good advise

I would enter Whippet Puppy and AV Hound Minor Puppy, particularly if they have different judges so you get 2 opinions. If she wins Best Puppy (why not!) you can withdraw from AV to remain unbeaten for the puppy group. And if she doesn't, going into AV is good practice for her - and you needn't go in if she is looking tired.

Wow, thanks for all of your feedback. I didnt expect to get so much response. I will take your advice and enter the Whippet puppy and AV Hound Minor Puppy. On the schedule it shows the AV classes before the breed classes - are they usually after the breed classes or do the classes not run in the order they're printed?

I'm really looking forward to her first show! It'll be a learning experience for us both. Does anyone have any advice for a newcomer? :)

My advice to you is to enjoy the day to the max whatever happens you take the best puppy home.  Try and get there with a little time to spare to settle yourself and your puppy, watch the judging and see what pattern he/she askes people to walk. 

only advice i have is to have fun.
puppy breed and a v minor puppy would be my choice too.

I have sold a puppy to a newcomer and she has just started showing him.

I have asked her only to show him in the breed and not variety classes although she couldnt see the sense to start with.
After his early rise, bath and travel - one class - he's shattered. The variety classes being usually later in the day would be too much for him.

Its working out well and pup is enjoying himself.

> I'm really looking forward to her first show! It'll be a learning experience for us both. Does anyone have any advice for a newcomer?

As a fellow breed exhibitor, I will help were I can.
The AV classes may be printed in the schedule first but there should be an order of judging, which should show breed classes judged before AV's (except AV NSC). You are allowed to withdraw from AV classes but not breed classes..but thats going a bit indepth....

I would stcik to just a breed class for your first couple of shows to get used to what is expected of you & your dog.

Which show is it you are entering?

Hi,

It's the Clydebank show on the 19 March. The schedule is here: http://printmatters.info/printmatters3/dogshow/schedules/CLYDM1/classes.pdf

It does depend on the breed, mine are fine if entered in 3 or 4 classes and actual settle down after the first couple - also depends on you if you are going to treat the show as part of the training you may want to enter more than the breed class and entering under a different judge is a good idea. One other thing to mention is you have to enter the breed class but can withdraw from some of the others if you think the pup is getting tired.

I know some have said enter lots of classes but PLEASE, at least for the time being, keep to one class. I have been in the same breed as you all my life & know how some of the breed can be(get bored quickly) if entered in too many classes.

Have fun and don't worry if your dog plays up - it's important that a puppy has fun in the ring, and slowly learns to walk nicely when it's needed. I'd rather see a naughty puppy full of energy than one that's being shouted into submission. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the show, and let the steward know you are new when you first go in the ring, they can then keep an eye on you to make sure you know what to do. You might also be able to find some friendly hound exhibitors to chat to.

Again, have fun at your first show and use it as a fun learning experience.With my woos I always enter the youngest class that my woos are eligible for and keep it to no more than 2.At least you can withdraw from an AV class,so if you win your puppy class than you will be elibible for puppy group.At a recent Champ show one poor pup was in no less than 5 classes,and looked very tired and stressed at the end.Good Luck.

Yes I would enter all three especially if ti is not a big show.  You can always withdraw from the variety classes if pup is over tired, over whelmed or you want to stay unbeaten for Best Puppy in Group if you win BPIB.

Providing pups are allowed to rest between classes I have found they are more than ready to have another go providing it is fun pups as a rule are happy to go meet new people and other pups and no one minds if they start to play in the ring.