Portsmouth & Southsea Kennel Association

Ringcraft Classes Every Wednesday Evening

You Have Started Ringcraft Classes Where Can You Show Your Dog?

By Kind Permission Mulcair Whippets

There are three main types of shows, Limit, Open, and Championship.

Limit shows

are smaller, less competitive shows, which are good to attend to gain           experience and knowledge before competing in the larger shows.

Open shows

are usually inexpensive and local, probably the next best place to go after              gaining confidence at the smaller Limit shows.

Championship shows

are large, expensive and usually situated in large cities; can be a bit daunting       for the beginner to dog showing.                               

Each breed of dog falls into a certain category

Working, utility, terrier, gundog, hound, toy, pastoral, rare breeds and imported register.

To enter a show an entry form has to be completed

giving details of the dog being entered and for which class, the forms can be obtained from your local ringcraft classes, dog shows or directly from the show secretary. The forms have to be filled in and sent off with the entry fee  some time before the actual show date. The form will have a closing date     on it and entries received after the closing date will not be accepted. Once the secretary has received the entries, a catalogue of all the dogs entered is compiled. This is made available to everyone on the show day.

 Puppies must be Kennel Club registered

and be at least six months of age before they can be entered into their first    show, so when you get your new puppy remember to send off the registration  forms given to you by the breeder transferring the puppy over to you. In the       run up to your first show a lot of preparation must take place in the form of   general socialisation and ringcraft classes, so the earlier you start the better.

 

The shows are based on classes

and the winner of each class goes through to a final to become "best in show".  The usual classes offered are minor puppy, puppy, junior, maiden, novice, undergraduate, graduate, post graduate, limit, open and veteran.

The dog has to meet certain conditions before it can be entered into a class.   More than one class can be entered at one show. The number of placing's per  class is decided by the show committee and will therefore vary from show to          show.

Showing a dog is a very enjoyable hobby

Most shows take place on a weekend, however some championship shows start    on a Thursday or Friday and continue over the weekend. The open shows are a   lot less expensive to enter than the other types of shows, and probably nearer     to home too. At the end of the day it is just a fun day out so enjoy it whether       you win or lose!

There is a long process of hard work before entering a dog show.

You and the puppy must both be well prepared. Ringcraft classes are the ideal place to start. Most classes will let you attend once the puppy has been vaccinated, usually about 12 weeks of age.

Experienced breeders will have started their training long before this time. The ringcraft classes will allow your puppy to socialise with a wide range of other breeds, and you can both practice the showing stances. These classes     are  only a small part of the preparation you must continue to train your puppy at home every day. You must get your puppy used to having his teeth examined and set up in the show stance.

 

 

 

 

  

YOUNG PUPPIES BEING STACKED

By Kind Permission Mulcair Whippets

 

At the classes, and at home, your puppy will be approached by strangers, this      all helps in getting the puppy prepared for the show ring when the judges   approach to assess your puppy.

Most shows are usually split into dogs and bitches, with the dogs being shown     first, however in the less popular breeds dogs and bitches will be shown         together.

Before you enter your first show it is always best to attend a few shows          without your puppy, you will be able to see what will be expected of you and         your puppy when you do attend your first show. You can watch and pick up      lots of hints and as most people love to talk especially about their own dogs           you can gain a lot of information as well. The Kennel Club your breeder or your ringcraft classes will be able to give you details or point you in the right          direction of how to find out about any forthcoming shows that are relevant and local to you.

 

 

Limit Shows, Open shows and Championships shows

are all held under Kennel Club rules and regulations that are always printed on     the entry schedule, or can be obtained directly from the Kennel Club.

 

This table explains the classes you may enter: 

Minor Puppy

For dogs of six and not exceeding nine calendar months of age on the first day of the show.

Puppy

For dogs of six and not exceeding twelve calendar months of age on the first day of the show.

Junior

For dogs of six and not exceeding eighteen        calendar months of age on the first day of the         show.

Special Yearling

For dogs of six and not exceeding twenty four         months of age on the first day of the show.

Maiden

For dogs which have not won a Challenge        Certificate  or a first prize at an Open or            Championship Show (Minor puppy, Special Minor Puppy, Puppy and    Special Puppy classes       excepted, whether restricted  or not).

Novice

For dogs which have not won a Challenge        Certificate  or three or more first prizes at Open        and    Championship Shows (Minor puppy, Special Minor Puppy, Puppy  and Special Puppy classes             excepted, whether restricted or not).

Undergraduate

For dogs which have not won a Challenge          Certificate or three or more first prizes at Championship Shows (Minor puppy, Special Minor Puppy, Puppy and     Special Puppy classes           excepted, whether restricted or not).

Graduate

For dogs which have not won a Challenge        Certificate or four or more first prizes at       Championship Shows in Graduate, Post               Graduate, Minor Limit, Mid Limit, Limit and                Open Classes, whether restricted or not.

Post Graduate

For dogs which have not won a Challenge         Certificate  or five or more first prizes at      Championship Shows  in Post Graduate, Minor             Limit, Mid Limit, Limit and Open Classes,              whether restricted or not.

Mid Limit

For dogs which have not won three Challenge Certificates or five or more first prizes in all at Championship Shows in Mid Limit, Limit and                 open classes, confined to the breed, whether restricted  or not, at shows where Challenge Certificates were offered for the breed.

Limit

For dogs which have not won three Challenge Certificates under three different judges or               seven or more first prizes in all, at Championship Shows in Limit and Open classes, confined to the breed, whether restricted or not, at shows where Challenge Certificates were offered for the breed.

Open

For all dogs of the breed for which the class is  provided and eligible for entry at the show.

Veteran

For dogs of seven years of age and over on the         first day of the show.

Any Variety Not Separately Classified (AVNSC)

For breeds of dogs for which no separate classes       are scheduled

Imported Register

Where an Interim Breed Standard has been         approved by the Kennel Club, breeds whose registration is confined to the Imported Register      may be exhibited in this class only and are ineligible  for any other competition whatsoever.

As can be seen there is a variety of shows and classes on offer. The range     of classes on offer varies from show to show; some may even have more        than I have been listed here.

 

One other show to mention is 

the Companion Dog Show.

   

these shows are mainly run as charity events, local fundraisers or alongside agricultural shows. Run under Kennel Club Rules the  Companion Show is open to all registered and unregistered dogs, including show dogs and crossbreeds. It's worth noting that many            of today's exhibiters and champion dogs started their career at                these shows!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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