By Heidi Clayton
Do you have a dog-obsessed kid? Take a look at the AKC Junior Showmanship program to channel their obsession into a fun and healthy hobby.
Since the creation of the American Kennel Club 140 years ago, they have been devoted to preserving the world of purebred dogs. The AKC has been welcoming children to participate in their events since the early 1920s. Originally called the “Children’s Handling Class,” this is now called AKC Junior Showmanship.
To participate in Junior Showmanship, your child must be between 9-18 years of age. You must register with the AKC to obtain your AKC Juniors number. Once you’ve got a number, you just need to get a dog! Many of the breeders I know would love to have a Junior to mentor in their breed and openly welcome placing a dog with a family that has a Junior interested in showing.
Just like other sports, AKC Junior Handling teaches a great deal about learning good sportsmanship. Learning how to groom and show a dog is a skill in and of itself. Unlike the regular classes of an AKC conformation show where the dog is being judged against a written standard, AKC Juniors are judged on the presentation of the dog by the Junior. Juniors show in classes that are separated by age groups: Juniors, ages 9-12 years; Intermediate, ages 12-15; and finally the Senior class, which is 15-18 years old. Regardless of the age at which one starts, beginners enter the Novice level of competition and stay there until they have won three first-in-class placements. From Novice, you advance to the Open and then to Masters.
The AKC has established the National Juniors Organization, which helps Juniors find events to participate in and has a scholarship program that awards scholarships to multiple Juniors throughout the year. Junior Sportsmanship has also grown to include performance sports such as agility, nose work, and obedience.
The AKC also has a class for children 5-9 years of age called “Pee-Wee.” It is an absolute delight to watch! Parents are required to be on hand. However, for the most part, the little ones get to take their dogs into the ring and show them by themselves.
I have watched many young boys and girls come through the Junior Showmanship program who all started as simply dog lovers who wanted to be around dogs all of the time. They then learned how to train and show them. Many go on to apprentice under professional dog handlers. They learn everything from the time management involved in showing multiple dogs, grooming skills, training a dog, and experience the thrill of winning and, of course, the agony of defeat. All of the Juniors I know support each other and encourage each other both in and out of the ring. Lifelong friendships are developed from AKC Juniors as well as many lifelong skills.
If your child loves dogs and you’d like to expose them to a family-friendly and safe hobby, check out the American Kennel Clubs website and give Junior Sportsmanship a try.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net.
