My 14 month old gets very excited when we get to a show. I can't seem to get her to calm down, she is a very good breather (pug) and she is panting in the ring, which doesn't give the best impression of her.  Other than getting there in plenty of time and allowing her to calm down, can anyone recommend a herbal supplement or similar.

Dorwest have a good product to help with this - Skullcap and Valerian.   However, she is still quite young and perhaps it might be a good idea to enter her in smaller shows (not Champ shows) so she gets more used to the environment.   If she starts acting up, se may get overlooked in the future too - having build up a bad reputation.   And find some local Ringcraft classes which again should give you the chance of settling her down, in a non-competitive environment.

http://www.dorwest.com/Products/SV/scullcap-and-valerian-tablets-for-dogs-and-cats?gclid=CO2d85Hfn8oCFUn4wgodqsYM7A

Kalm Aid is another product that might help although I'm not sure this is really appropriate.  You want a dog to be able to give of it's best and not be zonked out in the ring.   Good judges should allow for some 'youthful exuberance'.   If the entry is not high quality, and your exhibit is.

"My 14 month old gets very excited when we get to a show. I can't seem to get her to calm down, she is a very good breather (pug) and she is panting in the ring, which doesn't give the best impression of her"

She's HAPPY to be there. She's a GOOD BREATHER. She is panting because she is EXCITED (All sounds good to me).

She's been to ringcraft since 12 weeks old and is lots of fun for her too. We are qualified for crufts and this was the first show where we were not even short listed. Not sure if it's a mixture of nervous excited ness. I just think with a breed that's often heavily scrutinised for bad breathing her panting in the ring when the others are not doesn't do her any favours, tongue out and all. We will enter some more opens to crack it and get her used to them a little more.

If you haven't already, I would try Bach's Rescue Remedy. It really does take the edge off, as you say having her panting with tongue hanging out, will not help her chances at all. A Pug with a beautiful head can look quite awful when they are doing this.

I'm so glad you're going down the training route rather than even a herbal Calmer.  I know that calmers have their place in unavoidable circumstances but to use it for showing, especially in such a young dog,  would just seem that the ribbons were all you' were interested in and is grist to the mill for the anti-kc brigade.

I get excellent calming affect in home use with Pet Remedy.

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Carol Chapman says: the bachs rescue remedy is very good, doesn't zonk them out just calms them down, used to use with one of my girls who got a bit anxious at shows. Put in drinking water for a few days before.

Stephanie Presdee Crisis rescue remedy by Doreen Paige or Bachs