First,
all the classes are divided by sex, all the male dogs go in first, then
the females.
There are 4 different classes according to age for pups from 3 months
up to 18 months old: 3-6 month, 6-9 month, 9-12 month, 12-18
months.
Then
you have the 4 adult classes:
Novice class is for dogs that have not won more than 3 first places in
Novice.
Bred by Exhibitor, means that this class is only for the breeder
showing their own dogs, (members of their immediate family may also
show the dog)
American Bred class is only for dogs that a were bred and born in the
USA,
Open class... this class is open to any dog of the same sex... one can
even place a pup in this class if they wish, but it's chances of
winning would not be very good.. The Open class is usually where you
find your best dogs,
Any dogs that wins a first place in it's class will have to go back in
the ring to compete with the other first place winners for "Winner's
Dog" or Winner's Bitch". Even if your dog has won a 2nd place
you should hang around, as once the Winner is picked, from all the
first place dogs, the dog that took second place to the dog that just
went winners has to go back in to compete for Reserve Winner. The only
exception to this is the 3 to 6 month old puppies, they can not compete
for Winners, but they can compete for Best puppy, and this is usually
held after the Best Of Breed class...
When it is time to start the shows, The ring steward will call your
dog's number to go in the ring, they usually go in the ring in the
order that they were entered. Once in the ring, the judge may choose to
change the dogs places in the line up.
At a UKC show, the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch are called Best Male
and Best Female.
It is the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch that get the points toward
their Championships. These two dogs have to return to the
ring to compete for Best Of Breed, along with any dogs entered who
already have their Championships. From this class the Judge
will pick a Best of Breed, and Best of Opposite Sex, (If the Best of
Breed is a male, then the best of Opposite Sex will be a
female) then they will pick the Best of Winners, (this is
only between the Winners dog and Winners Bitch).
The
first place puppies from each class will compete for Best Puppy and
Best of Opposite Sex puppy. There are also classes for
altered dogs where a spayed or neutered dog could earn points toward an
"altered" Championship.
The best thing a new person a can do is to attend a few conformation
handling classes if possible, but if you can't do this don't worry
about messing up in the ring we have all done it, and the people won't
be laughing "at you" as much as they are laughing "with you"
Besides
if you mess up in the ring. This will give you some nice stories to
share in a few years, right Jacki and Becky????
I hope this helps clear up a few things for you, and n does not confuse
you even further.
Joanne Chanyi
edited by Ronda Beaupre