Best In Class-First Show!

[jamierene79]

I took Lexi to her first show today. She won 1st Place in her class (12-18mos)!!! I am soooo proud of her. I think I was more nervous in the ring than she was. This was the first time in the ring for me too. We've got a long way to go but, what a great start!!! Jarod, Lexi's future mate, took Best of Breed. He went first which was good. I was so nervous and I didn't want Lexi to pick up on that. Taking him first eased my anxiety. Our next show will be in December.

WAY TO GO LEXI!!!!!!!!!!

[Michael Romanos]

Good one Lexi! How many in the class. In New Zealand we term 12-18 months "junior." Did you feel it was a close thing in the lineup for Best Bitch of Breed? You obviously didn't win Best Junior of Breed and then go forward to Best Junior of Group (or the USA equivallent), but its a good start provided there was some competition - and especially so when you come up against experienced handlers and dogs who have been shown since they were four months old.

[jamierene79]

There were 3 in her class. All experienced handlers. She went up against some good competition considering she has blown her coat already. All the others were still in coat. I had no choice but to smooth her fly aways, there was no fluffing up. There was no Bitch Best of Breed. It was overall Best of Breed. Lexi went up against Jarod and the winner of the next class. Jarod took Best of Breed. This is learning for me and Lexi. I am still new to showing and all the terminology. My friend/breeder Carol has been a big help. She is letting me handle Jarod to get some experience with a fully trained dog. We have to work on Lexi's stack. I am having trouble getting her to keep all four feet in place at the same time. She keeps moving after I place her. I was unable to get her in confiramtion classes during the summer. All the training has been done by me (with Carol showing me what to do). Carol lives about an hour away so it's hard to get with her on a regular basis (with my job schedule). I have been doing her training at home and work (around distractions). I am checking on fall confirmation classes this week.

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

Good one Lexi! How many in the class. In New Zealand we term 12-18 months "junior."

AKC classes:

6-9 months
9-12 months
12-18 months

From there one has the option of entering
American Bred
or
Open Class

There is also the Bred-by-Exhibitor class. (The breeder must be an owner to exhibit in this class.)

The only age restrictions are for the designated puppy classes; if one so choses they can enter a puppy in any of the other classes. And on that note - a brag of my own. BJ, the blue puppy out of the litter I co-bred from last March has been doing super. At 6 months 2 days, he was Reserve Winners Dog to a 3 point major (that'd be similar to NZ's CC's). The next day he was Winners Dog for the major. In the past month he has collected 3 Best of Breeds, a Bred-by Herding Group 3 and just yesterday got his second major, a 4 pointer. BJ now has 11 points, including both his majors towards his championship. His blue sister, Vera was at her first show yesterday and went Reserve Winners Bitch (that's kinda like runner up in the Miss America pageant) to a 4 point major. Not bad for a couple of 7 month old puppies. Brother Bruin, my black & white boy will be making his ring debut this coming weekend in Knoxville, TN where there are 26 Cardigans entered. He'll be shown in the Bred-by class as well. I'm also looking forward to seeing some old Pembroke friends.

QUOTE=] Did you feel it was a close thing in the lineup for Best Bitch of Breed?[/quote]

The closest thing in AKC would be Winners Dog/Bitch and winning that is where a dog gets awarded points towards their championship. A judge can also choose to with hold points as well if they feel none of the specimens are worthy of championship points.

You obviously didn't win Best Junior of Breed and then go forward to Best Junior of Group (or the USA equivallent),

There really isn't an US equivalent. Some clubs do offer Best Puppy or like the Bred-by class competition. Our little Ginger won a Best Puppy In Show from the 9-12 month old class. No points are awarded in these competitions.

but its a gppd start provided there was some competition - and especially so when you come up against experienced handlers and dogs who have been shown since they were four months old.

It is an excellent start and congratulations to the both of you. Unless puppies have been in matches (like practice shows), they do not begin showing until they are 6 months old, so no seasoned dogs that began as four month old puppies. The 12-18 month old class is a tough time to begin showing one in many ways. Corgis are no longer completely puppies, but they're not adults either - you hit the long, lanky, tubular growth stage. That's where Berry and I are. No wins with her yet, but we're both having fun and when she matures out; she'll be ready mentally.

Good job and keep on practicing.

Debbie

[Michael Romanos]

Interesting. NZ has now reverted back to allowing puppies to be shown from three months instead of four months. At championship level in NZ the Best Bitch of Breed and the Best Dog of Breed both qualify for a point towards their champion status irrespective of who finishes up Best of Breed.

[jamierene79]

I am calling on classes tomorrow. I hope to get her enrolled soon. Carol is more than willing to help in the training but she lives an hour away and it's hard to coordinate schedules. There is a place not too far from my house that offers confirmation classes. Our next show is in December and it is bigger than the last one. I think at this point it is me needing the training over Lexi. I will keep you informed on how things are going. Thanks for all the encouragement!!!

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

At championship level in NZ the Best Bitch of Breed and the Best Dog of Breed both qualify for a point towards their champion status irrespective of who finishes up Best of Breed.

Winners Bitch and Winners Dog do get points towards their championships. The Winners class is where all the winners of the individual classes I listed go into the ring and compete for the points towards a championship. That would be similar to your Best Dog or Bitch of Breed I suppose. Winners Dog and Winners Bitch then go into the Best of Breed competition. This class is for dogs that have their championships and are called specials. WD & WB compete against the specials for Best of Breed. There one can win more points possibly. Best of Breed is awarded, Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed and Best of Winners. Best of Winners is chosen between Winners Dog and Winners Bitch. Best of Breed then goes on to compete in group, all the Best of Breed winners of the other breeds in that group. Whoever wins the Group, then goes on to Best In Show.


Debbie

[glencorgi]

Jamie,

It is great you have someone so close to help and mentor you. An hour isn't bad at all, definitely more convenient in the summer though. It is also wonderful Carol is letting you work with a trained dog, that can teach you more than a whole lot of classes sometimes. We did weekly conformation classes, did all our practicing and such, but true credit goes to our Misty for training us what to do in the ring. Misty was our first corgi, a Cardigan and a finished Champion when we got her, plus a very seasoned show girl. She taught us the ropes. And you do have the right perspective, the human end of the lead often needs more work and training than the four legged end. <LOL> Another hint I will give you is to throw all pride and dignity out the window when you go into the ring. Corgis, especially Pembrokes, sooner or later will pull some stunt to totally humiliate you just because. It always help to keep a sense of humour in your grooming supplies. Good work!

Debbie