I'm just about to start showing my pup and i'm already struggling at the first hurdle - entering the classes online!! 

I am going to ringcraft classes so I can ask next week however i'm trying to enter Southampton Open Show online so hoping to get the answer before next week. 

When you look at a show schedule - there are several rings all with different classes going on.  I am interested in the breed class which is in ring two - 5th in the list of 9 classes- all breed ones- and then in ring one there are 18 classes - a mixture of breed and special stakes and any variety classes, including about 3 puppy classes, of which i was thinking of entering one, possibly two.  As they dont have any times, is there any rule of thumb as to how long each class is likely to take?  Obviously its the breed one that i'm most interested in - however dont really want to throw money down the drain by entering classes i'm unlikly to be able to enter if they look like being at the same time as the the breed one.  Also, is it frowned upon to enter a class and then not show and is it not unavoidable if you are in the middle of another class.  finally, if you were in a stakes class and then the breed one started, could you abandon ship and sneak off to the breed class or again is that very bad form!!  Any advice or guidance, gratefully received.

Firstly make sure it's definitely a ring judging order you've got there, and not just that your breed is 5th in an alphabetical list! If you're saying you have a list of 9 breeds (or varieties etc) and you are 5th, that's fine. The rough rule of thumb is I think 3 minutes a dog, but of course with the schedule you can't tell how many are entered. Some schedules have 'not before 12.30' and so on written in. Your best bet is probably to arrive around the start of judging time, which will also give you plenty of time to settle your puppy and let him get used to all the new sights and sounds. Most times varieties and stakes are after most of the breed judging, though occasionally you get the Not Separately Classified classes before the breeds. I wouldn't enter a young puppy in more than perhaps 3 classes overall, but that's just my personal view. :-) If you can twist a friend's arm to come with you, they can keep an eye on the other ring and let the steward know if a clash is about to happen. You can also tell them yourself if you are nipping between rings and it looks like they might reach both your classes at once. They will usually wait for you or let you slip in on the end of the line, but if you do miss a class, you just have to shrug your shoulders - it's VERY bad form to throw a tantrum like I've seen some people do! :-D Have fun!

oh good for you having a go. Which day are you there? we are on sunday. I must say i agree with lucy re now many classes, i would most definatley limit it to either 2 or 3 classes, i found it really tires them out.
What breed do you have, boxer or ridgeback?

I'm there on Saturday - I have a ridgeback pup.  What about you - I'm guessing a shepherd going from your name?!  I'm sooo nervous!!  Daft isn't it!  I'm only doing it for fun but doesn't seem to help my nerves!

I'll be there on Saturday.............ring 7 I think it is might see you!

Wear a red carnation!!

I'd always always make sure that you are there no later than
when judging starts if you don't have a not before time in the schedule.
The reason for this is that even with a list of supposed entries absentee rate
can be high for several reasons.
A friend got caught out in this manner - I felt awful as just as they turned up
asking how long we'd got to go til we were in...I had to tell them you've missed
it been in etc..
This is why I'm always there before judging starts - just in case.

Best of luck!!

Hi Winston, shame your there on saturday we could of met up and been scared together. . I have only been showing since last october and still find it all abit much. Not been to a show for a good 9 weeks now due to ill health so think Southampton is one of the first we will be back at. I have a young Leonberger who has just come out of the puppy classes, and boy do you learn alot, ( like not to put a 8 month old puppy into open:rolleyes:). Best advise is to remember yours is by far the best puppy (judges sometimes shortsighted), and that everyone had to have their first show. Which ringcraft are you at?
julie

Have fun and don't worry if the puppy is naughty, they're supposed to be! Let us know how you both get on. :-)

Good luck with Winston - I hope you both enjoy it.

I go to one in Camberley - i live in Knaphill near Woking - what about you?  Glad to hear i'm not the only one with nerves!!  Even thinking about it gives me butterflies!!