Armband: A number printed on paper which an exhibitor wears to indicate the entered dog's (or Junior's) reference number in the judge's book and catalog. This number is the only identification that the judge is allowed access to before and during the competition.

Bait: When used as a verb, as "to bait the dog" or "to freebait," this refers to using an item of food or toy to gain the dogs' attention; showing expression and animation to the judge. When used as a noun, it refers to items of food (usually cooked liver, cheese, or other treat) used to bait the dog to show expression and animation.

Brace: Two dogs of the same breed and exact same ownership being shown together as a pair in order to display the breeder's consistency in their breeding program. Dogs selected to be shown in a brace should display the same attributes, virtues, style and type. Brace competition is a non-regular competition and no points are awarded.

Choke: As a noun, a "choke" is a metal, nylon, or leather collar consisting of a straight piece of the material, usually joined by looping it through one of two rings on each end. This is the most common collar worn by dogs in the breed ring. Worn properly, with the pull loop coming off the top of the head, this does NOT actually choke the dog, but rather gives a quick correction to get the dog's attention. It immediately releases. Kind of a quick "Hello?!" or "Hey, knock it off!" signal from the handler to the dog.

Conformation: How well a specific dog's structure, type and temperament conform to it's breed's written standard of excellence.
Conformation competition is also commonly referred to as "breed competition."

Free Bait: To use food, toy, or some other enticement to get the dog to stack properly (without physical interaction from the handler) and show alert, animated expression while standing in the breed ring being judged. The term "free" comes from "hands-free."

Gait: The most efficient way of moving for a particular dog. Most breeds are gaited at a trot or jogging speed.

Handler: The person presenting the dog in competition. Often a term used to refer to a professional handler.

Judge: An adjudicating official tasked with evaluating and comparing how well, in his/her opinion, and in comparison to the other dogs entered in the class that day, a dog conforms to its breed's written standard of excellence. Other performance events also have official judges.

Lead: A thin leather, nylon, cotton, etc. piece of material usually with a metal snap or clip connector on one end to attach to the dog's collar, and a loop on the other end for the handler to hold on to, leading the dog around the show ring. This is not called a leash - which is a thick piece of material used to take your dogs for a walk or compete in obedience.

Ring Steward: A judge's assistant who is tasked with coordinating the logistics of getting the exhibitors and their dogs into and out of the rings efficiently. Stewards check in the exhibitors, answer questions about ring procedures, call in the classes, prepare the ribbons and trophies for distribution, and maintain their own marked catalogs as back-up documentation for official placements. Stewards are responsible for the smooth operation of their rings, and the comfort of the judges they are assigned to assist. Some Stewards are club volunteers while others are paid for their professional services.

Roadwork: To exercise and condition a dog usually by walking, jogging, or biking.

Set Up: The area on the show grounds in which you establish your home-base for grooming and holding your dogs while you are not in the ring. Pray for a space close to the rings with an electrical outlet!

Sidegait: The movement of a dog as it is seen from the dog's side. Look for how effectively it tracks, and how appropriately it reaches with its front legs, and drives off of its rear.

Stack: To cause your dog to stand in a manner that best displays its virtues. In most breeds, the dog's forelegs are stacked in alignment with their withers, and their rear pasterns are squarely aligned and presented at a 90 degree angle from the floor. There are exceptions by breed i.e. German Shepherd Dogs, etc. One may "Hand stack" their dog by manually placing each foot in it's best position, or else "Free stack" by using a hands free method of using bait, verbal commands, body language, or lead correction to get the dog to stack itself.

Tack: Equipment (collars, leads, grooming products, combs, brushes, shears, etc) used to prepare and show a dog. Hopefully found in a "Tack Box" when not in use.

Showmanship Patterns:

In Showmanship classes, handlers are judged on preparation and presentation of their dog - grooming - posing  - gaiting. An appropriate showmanship lead is required.

 

Juniors are important to the sport of dogs. Juniors who learn about good sportsmanship, dogs, handling and dog shows will be valuable to the sport in the future. Junior Showmanship classes are offered at most dog shows. These classes are held so that young people can:

·         Experience winning and losing among those who are similar in age.

·         Learn the correct way to handle the breed they own.

·         Practice handling skills in competition.

·         Improve the way they handle their own dog.

·         Prepare for handling dogs in the regular classes.

Junior Showmanship classes are judged on the ability of the Junior to handle his or her dog. The quality of the dog is not judged. Juniors will be asked to demonstrate:

·         Moving the dog with the rest of the class.

·         Presenting the dog in the standing position proper to its breed (including the use of an examining table for those breeds normally judged on a table).

·         Moving the dog individually in a regular pattern.

Juniors are expected to know basic ring routines. They should be able to follow directions, use space wisely, and be familiar with gaiting patterns. Juniors should appear "ring wise," alert to what is going on in the ring, and should be prepared for changes in the routine of judging.

JUNIORS MUST BE ABLE TO CONTROL THEIR DOGS AT ALL TIMES. Any Junior who cannot control his or her dog will be excused by the judge.

Appearance and Conduct

Juniors should be clean, neat, and well-groomed. They should wear clothing that is comfortable to handle in and appropriate for dog shows. Clothing should not distract, limit or hinder the judge's view of the dog.

Dogs should be groomed and trimmed as they would be for the breed ring. Judges will not evaluate the quality of the grooming and trimming, but Juniors should make an effort to prepare their dogs properly. Unnecessary grooming of the dog in the ring to gain attention is not proper conduct.

Juniors should appear confident, prepared, business-like and attentive. They should be courteous to both the judge and other Juniors. Juniors are expected to handle their dogs without disturbing the dogs of the other Juniors. Juniors should not crowd and they should not distract others by continued use of toys and bait. Juniors should be alert to the needs of their dogs. They should use firm but thoughtful hands in controlling and handling their dogs. Juniors should not be impatient or heavy-handed.

Schedule Conflicts
Juniors may have a conflict between the Judging of their Junior Showmanship class and conformation judging or another event. In this instance the Junior will have to make a decision as to where they will compete. A Junior may enter the Junior Showmanship class up until the time every Junior in the class has been examined and gaited. If a Junior starts to compete in the Junior class and requests to be excused to go exhibit in conformation or another event, he or she is permanently excused.

Presentation Of The Dog
Juniors will be judged on their ability to present their dogs in the same way the dog is properly handled in the breed ring. Juniors will also be judged on their ability to make their individual dog look its best in both pose and motion. During all parts of the competition Juniors should handle their dogs in a quiet, smooth, efficient manner. Juniors should strive to make the DOG stand out as the most important part of the team effort.

Junior handlers should:

·         Keep their dog's attention without using dramatic or unnecessary movements.

·         Gait their dogs in a controlled trot without distracting or interfering with the judge's view of the dog. Be aware of what is going on in the ring.

·         Concentrate on their dog and not the judge.

·         Junior handlers who use exaggerated posture, motions or gestures in any part of the competition will be faulted.

There are many ways Juniors can find help in learning about Junior Showmanship and handling their own dogs. In addition to the help of parents, Juniors may seek the advice of experienced breeder-exhibitors, professional handlers, handling instructors, and former Juniors. They may also learn from the AKC breed videocassettes, books on handling, books on individual breeds, and by observing breed and group judging at dog shows.

Suggested Showmanship Attire

In dressing for showmanship, you should take extra care to present yourself to the best of your ability. Your appearance is important to the impression you make in the ring. Be neat, attractive, comfortable and pleasant to watch. Caps or hats are not allowed.

Rubber soled boots or shoes with closed toe and heel are best, high heels and open toed/heel shoes are discouraged (and may be counted against you). Make sure you can run quietly and easily in the shoes you choose. Tennis or other canvas/leather shoes if neat and clean are acceptable when not out of place with the rest of your attire. Since you are dressing for the show ring, being trendy is not necessary. Emphasis should be placed on being clean and neat, (no dog hair on your clothing!) Remember, judges have individual opinions that may vary, but staying close to the standards is recommended.

 

FOR GIRLS: Dresses, skirts, culottes/skorts of modest length and jackets with sleeves are recommended, attractive pant suits are acceptable. Business type suits are a good example to follow. Short skirts are discouraged as well as long flowing skirts that may detract from your dogs movement. Care should be taken to secure hair away from face, and excessive jewelry or accessories are not recommended.

 

FOR BOYS: Collared dress shirts and dress pants are appropriate, a tie and/or jacket are encouraged. Preferred dress is business like.

 

What The Judge Looks For

 

Judge's Examination and Evaluation The judge should examine and evaluate the class of Juniors in four basic areas: proper breed presentation, skill in the individual dog's presentation, knowledge of ring procedures, and appearance and conduct. The general rule in evaluating a handler's capabilities is ECONOMY OF MOTION. Handlers who use exaggerated motions and gestures in any phase of their presentation of the dog should be faulted. In essence, the judge should hardly be aware of the capable handler's presence while completing the dog's examination. In many respects a Junior Showmanship judge's principal consideration should be to find those Juniors who possess a "hand for dogs." Those handlers having this attribute neither over- nor under-handle their dogs. They present their dogs in a quiet, efficient manner. They are able to keep their dog's attention without dramatic or unnatural movements. They are able to gait their dogs in a collected trot, never distracting or interfering with the judge's vision of the dog.

Breed Presentation While the judge must consider all areas important in evaluating the overall capabilities of Juniors, it is doubly important both that the Junior present his dog in the proper manner for the breed being handled and that the judge be cognizant of the proper presentation for that breed. It is imperative, therefore, that the judge have prior knowledge of the breeds which are to be presented and familiarity with the proper ways of handling those breeds. If the Show Superintendent or Show Secretary does not furnish a list of those breeds in the Judging Program, then the judge should request the list well in advance of the show date. In the individual presentation of the dog the Junior should demonstrate the ability to handle the dog as it is handled in the breed ring, showing the dog to its best advantage in pose and in motion. During all phases of handling the Junior's concentration should be on the dog and not on the judge, but not to the extent that the Junior is unaware of what is taking place in the ring. Remember, you are judging the handler, but time should be spent looking at the dog to gain insight as to how well it is being handled.

1.        Is the dog responsive to the handler? Do dog and handler work as a team?

2.        Does the dog appear posed or interested at all times?

3.        Is the dog under control?

4.        Is the dog moved correctly to the best of its ability?

5.        Are the dog's main faults being minimized?

6.        Do both the dog and handler appear relaxed?

7.        Is the dog presented with an apparent minimum of effort?

Knowledge of Ring Procedure The judge shall evaluate the ability of the Junior to follow directions, use space wisely, and execute the requested gaiting patterns. Juniors should appear "ring wise,'' be alert to the judging progression and be prepared for changes in the judging routine.

Appearance and Conduct The judge should be aware of the appearance of both the handler and the dog. The Junior should be suitably dressed for the occasion, wearing clothing that will not hinder or detract from the presentation of the dog. The dog should be groomed and trimmed in the manner associated with the breed for conformation. However, the judge should not evaluate either the dress of the handler or the grooming of the dog, but rather that an effort has been made. Excessive grooming of the dog in the ring to gain the judge's attention is inappropriate and should be faulted accordingly.

The judge shall evaluate the general conduct of Juniors in the ring. Juniors should appear prepared, confident, businesslike and attentive. They should be courteous to both the judge and their fellow exhibitors. Juniors are expected to handle their dogs without distracting the dogs of other competitors, and a Junior who crowds or disturbs other dogs should be faulted. A principle of Junior Showmanship is to afford the opportunity to learn the spirit of competition. Winning is important but is secondary to development of sportsmanship in competition. Judges who reward unsportsmanlike conduct or actions, regardless of a handler's other capabilities, compromise the very premise of Junior Showmanship.

Juniors should be alert to the needs of their dogs, realizing that the welfare of their dogs is important. Juniors are responsible for the control of their dogs at all times. However, Juniors who exhibit impatience or heavy-handedness with their dogs should be penalized.

 

AKC & 4-H Age Groups & Class Divisions

 

AKC Junior, Intermediate and Senior Classes Each of the regular classes may be divided by age into Junior, Intermediate and Senior Classes, provided the division is specified in the premium list. A Junior Class shall be for boys and girls who are at least 9 years old and under 12 years old on the day of the show. The Intermediate class shall be for boys and girls who are at least 12 years old and under 15 years old on the day of the show. The Senior Class shall be for the boys and girls who are at least 15 years old and under 18 years old on the day of the show.

 

4-H Junior, Intermediate and Senior Classes For the 4-H age divisions, the age of the handler as of September 1^st (at the beginning of the 4-H year) is the age group the handler will compete in for the entire 4-H year (regardless of actual birthdays during that time period). The 4-H age divisions are Junior- 8-10, Intermediate 11-13, and Senior 14-18.

 

Best Junior Handler The Junior Handlers that place first in each of the regular Junior Showmanship Classes at a show will often be asked to compete for the prize and honor of being named the Best Junior Handler of that show.