Had my Crufts schedule through last week and am just filling in the entry form when I had a thought. I will be showing my 2 young littermates and they will both be in the Graduate class. Last year judging was staggered (seperate judges for dogs & bitches) by 1/2 an hour. I was cutting it fine last year and had to rush straight from showing my girl, to the dog ring to show my boy (Was he pleased to see me!! Then trying to get hime to stand still and sort of look like he knew what he was doing!!)
Anyway, this year Iain has passed his Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme Bronze (Yeh!) and I wanted to enter him in that class too. What I am wondering is, if the classes clash again, can I not go into Graduate with him but just go into the GC class which will be after Open. Is there a rule that says I HAVE to be present in both classes?
Bearing in mind I will be 7 months pregnant at this stage too! Maybe I should just enter her in Grad and him in the GC class. What do you think?

Hi Setters4me :)

My own breed often has this problem (different varieties or sexes in different rings) :rolleyes:  However annoying it is, you can't miss one class and then exhibit in a later class I'm afraid.   If you showed him in an earlier class you could withdraw from the later one (although you should have a good reason, such as lameness) but then you would be withdrawn from competing in the challenge too had he won his earlier class (or if the winner of that class was awarded the CC and your dog 2nd to it he could not challenge for the RCC).

Hope that's clear - having a stuffed up head cold ain't helping me today :P

Regards Teri

Not quite right Teri - if you miss one class you can still go into the other BUT may have any awards taken away from you. You cannot withdraw if you win the first class and still go into the challenge. Might be worth just going into the GC class with yer boy to be sure of not clashing, especially given yr pregnancy - at least both of yr dogs can be concentrated on and give it yr best shot.

Hi bazb

Yes, technically speaking you can do almost anything you like - however if it results in an award being removed it's hardly the advice to give when someone is seeking clarification :)

I always think it's very unfortunate to read so many reports - particularly after Crufts - of awards being withdrawn.

Regards, Teri  

How about trying to find a stand by extra handler just in case?

As already said.  Can you find another handler? 

This year we have 4 dogs in two classes! However both myself and my Dad show, now just arguing who takes who! :D

I have a similar one for 2006 crufts one class after another and with a very groomerd breed it is a nightmare.

I think I will only take one.

Thanks for the replies. I think it would be sensible to just put him in the GC class rather than add to the confusion and given that I might be rather large by then!! I presume you don't have to enter another class besides this one.
They are quite mummys boy & girl too so don't know how they would show for someone else!

Yup you could do just GC :)  Might be the best idea.

Good luck

Ice queen - do you have IRWS?

I do indeed!  For all my sins!!! :D 

I know what you mean! I have ES but a friend of mine used to show someones Red & White. She was a little devil! (The dog, not the person!!) I really like them but they vary such a lot in the ring.

Ooooh who did she show for?  and which dog?  Mine are brillient in the ring, just not when they open doors, climb stairgates, lay on the back of sofa's and open fridges! :D  Pests i the house but true show off's and won't let me down in the ring.  Type doesn't vary that much anymore.  Well comparing it to the aussies anyway! :D

Ooh, I love all setters - I think the R&W's are so striking and handsome! I agree the best thing would be to get a extra handler - preferably someone they already know. And keep out of sight if your class finishes while your other dog is in the ring with it's handler! :-)

Carrying on from Lucy....or get someone to start the class and you then finish the class once your other class is over if it finishes before! :)

I'm not convinced about changing handlers as I think it would unsettle the dog - assuming that he had settled for the handler he started with. There's a couple of people in my breed who completely disrupt the ring by charging in and out of dog and bitch rings and swapping handlers left right and centre, and I find it quite annoying. Of course if the dog was refusing to do anything for it's substitute and the owner took over that would be only fair. Happened to me at my first show when both my puppies' breeds were first in, and I had to charge in and snatch my puppy off my friend. He didn't go any better for me mind you, but we still got 3rd! :-D

Changing handlers can confuse the judge too - so I'm told anyway!

Yes it does deped on the dog however it was stated these dogs are mummy's dogs so possibly swapping handlers might be the best, however yes it might also unsettle the dog however we don't know the dogs so don't know the best outcome.

I agree it can be annoying for other exhibits but also you want to give your dog the best chance possible, really a catch 22!

Edit to add: It may confuse the judge but they shouldn't be looking at the handler! :D  and if you stay in the same postition then it shoudl't be too difficult for the judge to work out! :D

I did have to get someone else to show a dog for me a while back as I was in another ring. I rushed to show him as the handler was looking panicky about showing him. He was the last dog to be seen and just as I got to the ring, it was time to stack him for the judge to go over. Well, standing still still was not the 1st thing on his mind, leaping about like a complete lunatic was!! Needless to say, we did not get placed!!
Ice queen - Margret used to show a bitch for John Sheppard, I can't remember her name though. This was several years ago but I remember she used to dread taking her in the ring as she was so naughty!

Years ago, a well known Irish Setter judge was judging ES. She went down the line of dogs, looking at the faces of the handlers rather than the dogs. She walked back to the stewards table looking confused (she is an elderly judge anyway) but said to the steward "Is that Mrs..... insert name..." She has changed her hair and I nearly didn't recognise her"!!!!!! How obvious can you get, yes she won the class and the CC too!!