We are pretty new to the sport, but I've wanted to be a Junior handler for a very long time, so I've had lots of fun in the ring with my dog. Below I have provided you with the shows I have attended and how Chris and I did at that show.
I hope that you'll enjoy learning about my adventures as a Junior handler and maybe I can even inspire you to enter the sport if you're a child, or maybe even if you're an adult. After I tell you about the shows I have attended, I will provide you with some information about the sport of conformation, how to enter you and your dog into the sport, and what it takes to be a Junior handler.
Atlanta Kennel Club Fall Dog Show
October 15th & 17th
About the show: The Atlanta Kennel Club Fall Dog Show is the first show I attended as a Junior handler. I was a little nervous at first, but very excited to be entering the ring for the very first time.
How we did: I entered the ring for the very first time with nothing but Christmas' lead in my hand, and I left with the Reserve Winners ribbon along with a very happy dog! We were in for Chris' breed, which is smooth Dachshund, and when I say he was the Reserve Winner I mean that he was the second best smooth Dachshund in the whole show that day, and there were quite a few smooths in the ring! I'm very proud of Christmas for his win, and it was a great way to start off my hobby as a Junior handler. That very first day I caught the dog show bug. We didn't win anything in Juniors that day, but a couple days later, we did win first in one Junior class!
Montgomery Kennel Club Dog Show
November 21st
About the show: Because I had already attended the show in Atlanta a month earlier, I was pretty much getting the hang of it. I couldn't wait to return to the ring with my beloved pup by my side!
How we did: We didn't win anything in breed, but we did win in the Junior class, but that was because my competition didn't show up! I then competed for Best Junior, which I did not win, but I still had so much fun!
Clemson Kennel Club Dog Show
January 8th & January 9th
About the show: I had read up on some things about the previous year's Clemson show, and it sounded like it would be lots of fun! I had never been to Clemson, let alone South Carolina, so I couldn't wait to get there!
How we did: We attended the matches the night before the show, and I won my class because I was the only Novice Intermediate Junior that attended, and though I did not win Best Junior, it was still a great way to prepare for the next day. On the actual day of the show, I won in Novice Intermediate with competition, and I didn't win Best Junior. Christmas and I had a great time!
Here is a bit about the history of the sport and what the judges are looking for in a dog.
- Conformation is a sport where a handler presents his or her dog to a judge, who goes over the dog and looks for the ideal traits of that breed in the dog, and chooses the dog who best conforms (hence the title "conformation") to the written standards of the breed.
- Not any dog can be entered into the sport. The dog not only has to be purebred, but it must be registered with the American Kennel Club and also have AKC papers.
- Dog shows have been around for hundreds of years.
If you're interested in becoming a Junior handler with the American Kennel Club, here are some things for you to know.
- Junior handlers are divided into three ranks: Junior (9-11), Intermediate (12-14), and Senior (15-18).
- There are two different classes for each rank: Novice and Open. You automatically begin in Novice classes, and after you are the Best Junior in show 3 times, you will move on to Open classes.
- For a Junior handler to show a specific dog, he or she must be one of the owners of the dog. However, exceptions can be made if the dog belongs to a relative.
- Because of what I told you above, you have to own a pedigreed dog to be a handler. You can find breeders in your area if you do not have a dog already.
- To be a Junior handler, you must have a Junior number with the American Kennel Club. To do that, you can contact the American Kennel Club through their website, which can easily be located on the internet.
- Anyone can be a Junior handler! The sport doesn't have to run in your family or anything like that. As long as you are in the proper age range and have a pedigreed dog, you're set!
- You can co-own a dog (which is required for the ring) and it isn't required that the dog actually lives with you. If you don't have the time, energy, and money for a dog, this is a great way to still own a dog and have fun with it.
- Perhaps your dog is spayed or neutered...fixed dogs aren't allowed in the ring, right? Well, that's for breed rings. Not for Juniors! If your dog is fixed, you will still be able to compete in Juniors, but not in your dog's breed.
- New dog handlers usually learn how to exhibit a dog from their dog's breeder or from a friend or relative involved in the sport. You can also participate in handling classes near you.
- The best to learn more about the sport is by attending a local dog show and asking questions. Breeders and handlers are used to being asked questions, so are usually willing to speak to young people about the sport.
Why is being a Junior handler fun and important?
- It's a great way to bond with your best friend...your dog!
- You can learn more about your dog's behavior and how you can help him be the best dog he can be.
- It educates you about the history of dogs, along with their behavior, their different breeds, and their breed standards.
- It helps you learn to be responsible, how to care for a dog, and how to be a good dog owner.
- You get to travel to different states and towns often.
I hope this page has helped you learn more about the sport of conformation and why being a handler matters, and you probably enjoyed reading about my adventures as a Junior handler!
Thanks so much for reading this! If you have any questions or comments about the sport and Junior Showmanship, feel free to contact me!
Thanks so much for reading this! If you have any questions or comments about the sport and Junior Showmanship, feel free to contact me!
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