Hi all, I've just picked up a bunch of leaflets for upcoming Open Shows. I've read through them all & was wondering if someone could help me out with all the rules!

Neither of my dogs have competed before & they are both two years old, so what classification do they come under?

1. Maiden classification? It doesn't seem to have an age restriction & it's for those who haven't won more than 1 First prize.

2. If there are no Maiden classes then can they enter under a Novice or Undergraduate classification? For dogs who haven't won more than 3 First prizes.

3. And if there are no Maiden, Novice or Undergraduate classes, can they be entered into a Graduate class? Lots of open shows only hold classes for Graduates & above, but as my dogs & I are beginners, is it aiming a bit high when they're potentially competing with dogs who have won four 1st prizes?

Open Classes. Again I'm confused. I understand that any dog of the breed group who is eligible to enter a previous class may enter the Open class. But what is the Open class for? If you failed to get placed in an earlier class - do you stand to have a better chance in the open class?

What does AVNSC stand for? Any Variety Not Specifically Catered (for)? Any Variety (with) No Specified Class? Not one leaflet bothers to explain!

What does CC stand for? Challenge Certificate? Champion Class? Engine capacity of dog?! What is a Challenge certificate & how does it benefit your dog? Is it connected to how you obtain a 'Champion' title for your dog?

I'm sure this is all very tiresome to those who compete all the time but we all have to learn somewhere - and I don't know anyone who shows who can explain!

Ta muchly

A confused Lady G

Hi,
Yes, these forms do seem complicated atfirst! Basically, all dogs in a particular breed can be entered in 'Open', and the other classes are gradually more restricted, depending on how many first places a dog (sometimes owner, too) has won. So at 2 years old and no wins your dog wouldn't be able to enter any of the age restricted classes, but could be entered in any of the others.

AVNSC stands for Any Variety Not Separately Classified: you can enter that if there are no classes specifically for your breed.

CC stands for ChallengeCertificate, which are awarded only at Championship Shows. Thre, awarded by different judges, are needed for adog to be called "Champion".

Hope this helps.
:)

Thanks Jean, that clears a few things up!

I'm still confused about Open classes though - are they they a more difficult class than the others? I would assume that as there are less entry restrictions, the classes will be much bigger?

We were at the Bath Championship show yesterday, and we were constantly amazed at how everyone knew exactly what they had to do, nobody asked any questions, every one knew they had to run twice around the ring in a set pattern to show off their dogs paces, everyone knew when to relax & when to start preening their dogs ready for the judges walk round inspection. Everyone knew when it was their class, even though no one announced it, but what was truly amazing were the winners! They looked like they couldn't care less and I didn't see one person thank the judge!

Unless I get some practice in, I shall either be asleep in my deck chair or wandering around eating ice creams when I should be in the ring!

Hi,
Classes at Open Shows tend to be much smaller than at Championship Shows - usually half a dozen is a big class, unless the judge is particularly popular! At Championship Shows the Open Classes are about the only ones Champions can enter, so yes, the quality is high. But the age-restricted classes can have some excellent animals in, too, because the number of wins doesn't come into the equation.

As for people looking as if they know what they're doing - they could well have been doing the same thing most weekends for the past 30 years!! There is a general 'ring procedure' which has evolved over the years, but judges always tell the first person in the class what he/she wants done (once or twice round the ring, a triangle-then-straight-up-and-down, or whatever) and everyone else watches to see what they do - and the judge will tell each person individually as well, when each dog is 'gone over'. It's up to the exhibitor to keep an eye out so as not to miss their class, and you can bet the winners thanked the judge, but quietly - it's not 'done' to make a song-and-dance about it - unless you've just got the CC or BoB!

Good luck for when you start - it's addictive!
:)

Oh dear - I shall have to develop some self restraint in that case. Every time Bertie won a rosette in his last Novelty show, you could hear my delighted shrieks in Cambodia!

I take it dancing around in tribal fashion & doing a lap of honour is out of the question too? :D

What a vision!! :D Jaws dropping, and dogs going ballistic!
:D

Hi Jeangenie - just wondered if you could help me with a quick question!

My pup is 4 months old and we've just started ringcraft - when we're standing waiting to "do our thing" should I make pup stand whilst we are waiting? By this I just mean have him standing (not show stance) - as apposed to sitting? If sure I heard someone say this to someone else. And if you are in a large showing class is it ok for your dog to sit down whilst waiting to "strut their stuff"!?

Thanx Dexy x

I tend to let my dogs relax inbetween being judged and leave it up to them as to whether they stand or sit :D
Bec

Basically if your dogs have not been shown you can enter any class except those who have an age or other qualification like Champion, bred by Exhibitor or qualified for Crufts type things. Enjoy

Hi Dexy,
Yes, when the judge is 'going over' the other dogs in the class, it is okay for yours to relax. You'll often see dogs sitting, lying down, playing with the dog next to them....but keep an eye on where the judge is, so that you can snap yours to attention when the time comes!

And make sure that your relaxing/playing dog is not in the way of the dog that is being gated.

I sort of agree with the other replies, except that there are some judges who will cast a glance around the ring whilst judging, so in the higher classes I do tend to have my dogs at least looking alert and not falling asleep. I usually talk to them and play with them to keep them happy.

Certainly in a puppy class I would allow them to relax more and possibly play with other puppies to a certain extent.

Hi LadyG,

I don't know if you've joined a ringcraft class yet, if not, I would say that is the first thing to do. Here you will find the answers to most, if not all, of your questions and you'll get lots of practice at ring etiquette and how to handle your dog. You will also get lots of practice at keeping an eye on the "judge" so that you know when to "stand" your dog and when it is safe to merely keep him amused. :D

As a general rule if you are not sure what you're doing, the safest thing to do is to enter the lowest class that you are allowed to enter. Stay in that class until you no longer qualify for that class because you have won too many first prizes etc or your dog looks too mature for that class compared to the rest of the entrants. As others have said, anyone can go in Open, but in reality the ring will be full of dogs that can no longer enter Limit and several of them will be Champions. So, if your dog is not winning anything yet, it is very unlikely that it will be placed in an Open class, if you see what I mean.

With regard to missing your class, you will usually find something like a "flip chart" board behind the judges table, which displays the current class name on it - usually near the crowd of people filling in their catalogues with the results!

Hope this doesn't add to your confusion! :D

Monty's Mum :)

Thanks all, I left messages with the local ring craft class organisers last week, but no one's bothered replying as yet. In the meantime, we've been practising 'show stances' & been taking Bert to lots of local events where there are crowds, dogs & horses to get him used to a 'show' atmostphere. Don't think I've got much to worry about really, keeping him awake seems to be the only challenge on these hot days!

Poor Hugo is still recovering from his exploratory op the other day, he's nearly back to normal but still limping a little on the offending toe that he's wrenched. Doesn't stop him careering around the garden like a greyhound though...:rolleyes:

Has anyone got any top tips for removing tear stains? I bought some lotion from the Bath show, especially desgined for this purpose, you mix it with hot water then using a cotton wall bud, stroke upwards on the offending areas. I've used it daily for a week, I've finished the pot & it's done naff all.

Lady G

Hi Lady G,
A solution of bicarbonate of soda is supposed to be very good at shifting stains like that. Cheap and cheerful, too. Take care not to get it actually in the eyes, though!
:)

Bicarb? How odd! Doesn't it fizz like mad if you mix it with water? How much water to how much bicarb?!

I've got to poshen him up for his first show in July - can't have mucky tear stains now, can we??!!

No, it doesn't fizz!! You're thinking of cream of tartar!

I think the proportion is about half a teaspoon to a quarter of a pint....
:)