Portsmouth & Southsea Kennel Association
Ringcraft Classes Every Wednesday Evening
Where Can You Show Your Dog?
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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 & 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 &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 & 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.
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