Junior Handling Competition

Junior Showmanship is a class in which the juniors' handling ability is evaluated. It was originally designed to "prepare" kids to enter the breed ring successfully and to teach good sportsmanship, how to lose or win gracefully. Juniors are eligible to show dogs from their tenth birthday until they turn eighteen years old. Competitors are evaluated on their grace, knowledge of procedures, and ability to present their barker to the best of their ability. The winner is awarded a Best Junior Handler trophy. Since its inception at Westminster's 1934 show, fortynine girls and twenty-two boys have won this prestigious title.

In AKC the juniors are divided into age groups: juniors (ten to fourteen) and seniors (fourteen to eighteen). Within each age group there is a division based on experience. Novice is for juniors just starting and Open is for the more experienced handlers. When first competing, you will begin in Novice Classes.

You must receive three first placements in the Novice Class (with competition) before you are eligible to move into the Open Class. If you receive two Novice wins as a junior and then reach your fourteenth birthday, you will need to win one more first placement to move into Open Class. Once you are eligible for Open Classes you do not need to go back to the Novice Class.

Under AKC rules, a puppy is eligible for Junior Showmanship if he is six months of age.

Any puppy shown in Junior Showmanship must be owned by either you or your father, mother, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, grandfather, or grandmother (this includes half and step relations and any member of the junior's household). The junior's dog must be in your control and may not be aggressive.

Your puppy does not need to be a Champion of Record to compete in Junior Showmanship, but a correctly groomed, well-trained dog is a big plus for juniors competition.

As long as you practice and have a good bond with your furry pal, you should make a great team. Remember that all breeds are shown a bit differently and that as long as you and your baby show correctly for your breed, you should do well.

It is a big help to go to shows and watch and talk to juniors outside the ring. Also, you might want to attend conformation handling lessons until you understand showing. Another good choice is to enter a fun match. It is less expensive and gives you experience. Local All-Breed Clubs can help you find a training class, and some 4-H Clubs offer training classes. You may also learn from handlers, parents, books, and videotapes.

You must first get a premium list for the show you are interested in entering, from the show-giving club or the show superintendent. The premium list will tell you the judge, date, and cost of the show.

Your dog can be substituted with another as long as you complete an AKC entry form for the new dog and turn it in to the superintendent of the show at least one half-hour before Junior judging. Your new puppy should meet all other requirements for Junior Showmanship competition.

Your doggie needs to be washed, brushed, and groomed to the standard for the breed.

Appearance and neatness do count. You'll be expected to be neat and clean and with your hair out of your face. A grooming smock will help keep you clean and free of loose dog hair prior to ring time.

Boys should wear a shirt and tie with a tie tack in place so it won't flop around, slacks, and comfortable, clean shoes. A sports jacket or a sweater is appropriate, and pockets for bait are a must. For girls, culottes, skirts, or dresses that are knee to mid-calf length (to accommodate your bending over) are all good choices. Make sure the length of the outfit does not interfere with your dog (a long flowing skirt flying in the face of a toy dog is not a good idea!). Find comfortable shoes that will not slip off or cause you to lose your footing. Try to find pockets in your show clothes, or use a bait bag. Do try to make your clothing complement your dog (do not wear a dark skirt with a dark dog. You want the dog to stand out.

In order for a junior to qualify for Westminster, he or she must have eight first places in the Open Class during the preceding year.

For AKC Junior Showmanship the age limit is eighteen. But if you qualify for Westminster before your eighteenth birthday you may compete at Westminster.

The judge is supposed to evaluate the juniors in four different areas: 1) proper breed presentation; 2) skill in presenting the individual dog; 3) knowledge of ring procedures; and 4) appearance and conduct. The judge looks for economy of motion (no over- or under-handling) and correct breed presentation, and she could be asking herself the following questions: Do the dog and handler work as a team? Is the dog posed and interested at all times? Is the dog under control? Is the dog moved correctly? Are the dog's main faults minimized? Are the dog and handler relaxed? Does the junior know proper ring procedure? Is the dog correctly groomed? Is the handler's appearance suitable?

Junior handlers should know all the patterns a judge might ask for: out-and-back (or "I"), a triangle, an "L", a "T" and perhaps a "reverse triangle." Juniors should have a good knowledge of their dog so they can present him correctly, minimizing faults and accentuating strengths. They should know how to stack their dog correctly, as well as bait him. They should know how to show a dog's bite and expression. They should be prepared to do a courtesy turn and also avoid coming between the judge and their dog.

Junior Showmanship classes proceed in this order: Novice Junior, Novice Senior, Open Junior, and then Open Senior.

Juniors are usually called in catalogue order. So wait outside the ring with your armband on. When the ring steward calls your number, enter the ring, go to the designated position, and stack your dog. You should always remember not to crowd the team in front of you, to pay attention to the judge, and to have FUN!

Once you've won your class, you get to do the whole thing all over again for Best Junior Handler, and there will be only the division winners in the ring. Do your best, and maybe you will win the coveted award.

Once you've reached the age of eighteen you are able to advance and apply for your license to judge Junior Showmanship.