I have a pup and she won a First at a Championship show Minor Puppy.
Can she be entered in the Maiden class at an upcoming show?
She still will qualify for MPB, but they haven't the class there just PB.

I'm just so confused as to what class to enter.  They seem to have a SpB class, as well as the normal L and O.
Argh, any guidance please?

Put her in puppy bitch.  Don't do limit and open as they will be a lot older.

Agree enter her in Puppy , she can enter Maiden as her first was in Minor Puppy so that is fine) - You may also eligible for Special Beginners but you need to read the definition of classes to check what they class as Special Beginners - but would think it's fine - but you may want to stick with Puppy or Maiden only.  Don't overdo the classes.

Rach

Can't remember what SB is but you are elligible for that class.  Myself usually with a youngster I just do one class and as I said earlier if it was me I'd just do puppy.

Forgot to say well done at your first champ. show with your pup :d

If the classes are likely to be small (under five dogs) then I would do up to 3 classes,a s often pups are in and out the ring so quickly that they don't get a chance to settle and get the hang of it, and the handlers too

the rules for each class are clear in all the schedules.

I wouldn't quite say clear for all of them Sam.  The people at the KC can't even give the same answer twice! :D

The schedule will have the definition of classes, things like SB can vary between shows, so go off the schedule definition as that is your 'contract'. Best not to do too many classes though, tiring for the pup, and depending on breed you will be givin a lot away in maturity to the other dogs.

I entered (first real show) online and they told me all the classes for which we were eligible. Then with the help of this forum, I selected the ones I was recommended.

I wouldn't recommend following on-line details.  I entered Leeds on-line and was given a number of classes that I'm sure that my dog can't enter i.e.  Veteran stakes and Champion stakes, yes he is a veteran and he is a champion in his country of origin but as he's a breed on the import register I 'm sure that he's not allowed in these classes.  I have sent an e-mail to the KC to verify this though:rolleyes:

perroduagua - you def. cannot enter in vet or ch stakes whilst still on the IR - shame SWDs are still there

Hopefully we won't be for long.  Request to be removed from the import register was sent at the beginning of the year and I don't kow whether it's been dealt with yet!  Though saying that I'm glad it's taken so long, I'm worried about what's going to happen to the breed when we come off, there will be lots of good things but I have a feeling not so good too!

I know what the guidelines, i.e. the ages, are for the classes. it's the ones in which to best put her in.
For example, I saw a puppy in PB (took a first) and in OB, and she took a second in OB out of 9 entries.

As for tiring or burning her out, I don't think so.  We get to the show, she goes in her crate all through most of the dog judging, comes out for grooming, into the ring and out of the ring before she is even warmed up.
Even at her first show when we did two classes on the trot she was still raring to go.  Heck if she can stand 2 consecutive hours of ring craft I'm sure she can stand more than one class.

Most people don't because mentally it is totally differently and usually, but of course not always, a judge would pick an older dog and not a puppy in the classes where they are for older dogs, so why waste your money?

My dogs also are raring to go long afterwards but I prefer to do one breed class and then usually enter one of the stakes classes or an AV puppy class.

Don't know about your breed but in mine a nice together puppy will more often than not beat a Junior at the stage where they are at the rangy stage having lost their puppy coat and appear to have lost all their bone.

My Jozi is always so OTT that she needs to go around the ring a few times to settle.  If the judge does not move the class as a whole I can forget it, as she will fidget and play up for her exam and when I do her triangle, and especially the up and down as she hates it.  She loves to go around a big ring best.

When she was a Puppy and Junior I always entered several classes.

At her first Club Championship show as a Junior she was in five classes.  The judge forgave her high spirits in Junior which she won, she was better again in each subsequent class, and won them all, and then her first CC, and RBIS.

I like to try the next class up when the dog is nearly out of their age class to test the water against the older competition.

Also in numerically small breeds it can help you get a better idea of the quality of your dog.

A dog I bred came fourth in the well filled puppy class at Crufts one year but won the Junior class of four or so.

Occasionally you might be in a small class and get a second and third and not know if that meant the judge didn't like your dog, or just preferred the other.  I have had a second in my first class of two  and then won the next one with more exhibits.

Of course I don't go to shows every weekend so the dogs never get a chance to get bored or overtired.

I had a dog who did 2 classes one year at bournmouth when it was really hot (one breed class and two handling classes) I wasn't sure about doing the second handling class but my bitch was still going well and out moving anything in her classes.  I was suffereing from the heat and the 3 classes but she wasn't showing any signs.

Afterwards I put her back on her bench and she just went to sleep and couldn't be woken.  I relised then that she had worked herself to her full ability for me and it had knackerd her :(  She got left on the bench for the rest of the day with a cold, wet towle drapped over her and it was a slow walk to the car.

Never again will I let the dog carry on because I relise my dogs are out to please me and will always give me 100%.  When I decide it's enough it will be enough.

Marri - I guess it's your call but IMO, in my breed I would not put a puppy in any other classes than the age related i.e. MP, P or Junior (once they are older! or in the case of an Open Show when only a Junior class is available.

And I don't think I would want to not only tire them but not bore them with the showing by overdoing it when so young.

If you win Puppy but then get beaten in Open then you can't go in for the challenge or BPIB either!

I agree Rox you don't always realise how exhausting it is for them mentally - on an evening after a show my boys just flop!

Just have fun Marri and enjoy it with your pup!

Rachel your wrong.  If a puppy is beaten in open it can compete for BPIB :)  Unless of course a puppy beats it in open! :)

Sorry your are correct - getting muddled of course!!!  Sorry hayfever affecting my brain!!!  It's the challenge you can't compete for - don't know what I was thinking there!!!  SORRY! :P

Of course...yes...hayfever effects the brain!!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D :P

I thought you might have ment the challenge! :D

each breed is different, some are mature far earlier than others.  I always think its best to go for a win and get seen in the challenge.

OK so yr pup enjoys the ring and is only there a short time, but there is all the stress of travelling, and to be honest to do too much too soon is asking to have a bored adult.

I know how exciting it is bringing out a new puppy, and how much you want to go everywhere and try to win everything 0 but I have seen so many 'top puppies' end up bored adults that never reach their potential -

very good points there bazb. 

And my bitch who done 3 classes no problem was not showen heavily as a puppy.  It still shows now she is 7 and she loves the ring.  Always walks in with a look at me attitude and struts her stuff....if only she had coat! :D 

I too have seen too many puppies dragged here there and everywhere in 2-3 (or more) classes a day!  Some are fine with it, other's arn't.

That's kind of what I was trying to get across to - you said it much better than me Baz!

Right, well I've decided she actually is going to do PB and JB, and we will call it a day.
More than likely she might get pulled from JB if she wins PB.

LOL, I do have to laugh at the '...stress from travelling...' bit.  She likes the travel, loves the car because every ride is an adventure to her.
She becomes a completely different dog when we pull into a show ground.  She starts to bark the moment she senses what the venue is about and is so alert and hyped.  Unbelievably she seems to thrive on the atmosphere.
There is a prance to her step - just walking from the car to ringside - a lift to her head.  She just sparks when she is in that venue.  That's not to say she isn't normally a very bright alert bouncy pup, but it's intensified there.
She very happily goes into her shaded and protected crate and takes a nap recharging her batteries.

I would never force her into another class should I feel she's had enough.  I can tell that easily, I see it when we are walking or playing.  First and foremost is the welfare of our pup - above all else!

When you say "get pulled" do you mean withdraw?  If so you can't do that in breed classes! :) If thats not what you ment then ignor me! :D