Janet's Junior Showmanship Web Site
This site is for Juniors who are either starting out or who are currently active in Juniors. It is short and sweet, but informative, as well. ENJOY!!!
I would also like to receive e-mails from other Juniors. E-Mail me At PpGBL0ss0m83@aol.com.
I would also like to receive e-mails from other Juniors. E-Mail me At PpGBL0ss0m83@aol.com.
I have been showing in Juniors for one year now with my Chinese Crested Powederpuff, Lejo-N-Januine's Uh Oh Dynamo, or Dyna for short. We started off in Novice Senior and eventually made it to Open in a few short months. I have placed in Open a few times already in good competition, and I am having lots of fun doing it!!!
Before you start, you need to get premium lists to enter shows. You can get these at shows or from those you know who show dogs. You will also need to but show equipment and grooming supplies for your dog. Although your dog doesn't need to be top quality to compete in Juniors successfully, a well-groomed dog shows the judge that the dog is well-kept and they WILL frown on unprepared dogs in their ring!!!
Before you start, you need to get premium lists to enter shows. You can get these at shows or from those you know who show dogs. You will also need to but show equipment and grooming supplies for your dog. Although your dog doesn't need to be top quality to compete in Juniors successfully, a well-groomed dog shows the judge that the dog is well-kept and they WILL frown on unprepared dogs in their ring!!!
For Juniors, dogs you show must be AKC registered or have an ILP Number that allows you to show a dog that isn't eligible for conformation. The dog MUST be purebred, but you can show a dog that has been spayed or neutered in Juniors. The dog you show must be owned or co-owned by you or a member of your immediate family (mother, father, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, etc.) or a household member.
There are four classes:
Novice Junior: for children ages 10 to 14 who haven't won 3 firsts in Novice competition with competition present.
Novice Senior: for teens ages 14 to 18 who haven't won 3 first places in Novice with competition present.
Open Junior: for children ages 10 to 14 who have won 3 first places in Novice with competition present.
Open Senior: for teens ages 14 to 18 who have won 3 first places in Novice with competition present.
Then there is Best Junior Competition, where all four class winners compete for the ultimate prize. Some shows don't offer this class, so always check beforehand.
Some clubs offer very nice prizes other than ribbons. The ribbons are pink for first, brown for second, green for third, and gray for fourth.
Best Junior is pink and green.
In Juniors, you have to learn to deal with good and bad days. Believe me, its the first leason you learn, and it can be a hard one if you make it difficult on yourself. Loosen up and have fun!!! Make it a sport that you and your dog can enjoy instead of a nightmare in which ribbons and trophies are all that matter. Make friends and learn from other Juniors!!!
Judge's opinions WILL vary. For instance, one day you may get first out of 17, and the next you will be 3 out of 4 under a different judge. Taking this as a fact of Juniors CAN be hard, since I have been there many times before, my friends!! But don't let one opinion get you down and look forward to the next show, instead.
Also, a bit about breeds. All breeds are handled differently. Some require a rag for you to bring in the ring to wipe the drool off their faces. Most require bait, with a few exceptions such as the Afghan Hound. In order to get tips and learn how to best handle your breed, go to those in the know, like breeders, owners, or handlers. You also need to develop your own handling style that will make the judge's eye wander to you in the ring. By this I do NOT mean overexcessive movements. Subtle handling is the BEST handling!!! Make your handling style unique. Judges HATE to walk into a class of hanling clones where all of the Juniors are doing the same thing. Art is extremely important in handling, and by the time you reach the Open Senior Class it will be DEMANDED of you in order to win or place in a good-sized class or on any given day.
Dress is important in Juniors. Wear clothes that go nicely with your dog, but DON'T wear something the same color as your dog or your dog will blend right in with your outfit. Remember that when showing, you should make THE DOG look to be the more important member of the team!!!
There are four classes:
Novice Junior: for children ages 10 to 14 who haven't won 3 firsts in Novice competition with competition present.
Novice Senior: for teens ages 14 to 18 who haven't won 3 first places in Novice with competition present.
Open Junior: for children ages 10 to 14 who have won 3 first places in Novice with competition present.
Open Senior: for teens ages 14 to 18 who have won 3 first places in Novice with competition present.
Then there is Best Junior Competition, where all four class winners compete for the ultimate prize. Some shows don't offer this class, so always check beforehand.
Some clubs offer very nice prizes other than ribbons. The ribbons are pink for first, brown for second, green for third, and gray for fourth.
Best Junior is pink and green.
In Juniors, you have to learn to deal with good and bad days. Believe me, its the first leason you learn, and it can be a hard one if you make it difficult on yourself. Loosen up and have fun!!! Make it a sport that you and your dog can enjoy instead of a nightmare in which ribbons and trophies are all that matter. Make friends and learn from other Juniors!!!
Judge's opinions WILL vary. For instance, one day you may get first out of 17, and the next you will be 3 out of 4 under a different judge. Taking this as a fact of Juniors CAN be hard, since I have been there many times before, my friends!! But don't let one opinion get you down and look forward to the next show, instead.
Also, a bit about breeds. All breeds are handled differently. Some require a rag for you to bring in the ring to wipe the drool off their faces. Most require bait, with a few exceptions such as the Afghan Hound. In order to get tips and learn how to best handle your breed, go to those in the know, like breeders, owners, or handlers. You also need to develop your own handling style that will make the judge's eye wander to you in the ring. By this I do NOT mean overexcessive movements. Subtle handling is the BEST handling!!! Make your handling style unique. Judges HATE to walk into a class of hanling clones where all of the Juniors are doing the same thing. Art is extremely important in handling, and by the time you reach the Open Senior Class it will be DEMANDED of you in order to win or place in a good-sized class or on any given day.
Dress is important in Juniors. Wear clothes that go nicely with your dog, but DON'T wear something the same color as your dog or your dog will blend right in with your outfit. Remember that when showing, you should make THE DOG look to be the more important member of the team!!!
I first got interested...I was about twelve and in LOVE with dogs! I remember that that was the year I first saw Westminster for the first time on TV, and I was IN LOVE AT ONCE!! I knew that this was my life's passion, so I purchased my first dog, a Border Collie named Misty, from a reputable breeder. She is only a pet, though, and I will never show her. I got involoved in grooming and showing Cavaliers and English Toy Spaniels and did that for a few years before moving into Cresteds and starting my Juniors career in November 99. I have had a lot of ups and downs, as well as a fair share of triumphs and defeats, but through it all I have made it my life's passion none-the-less.
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