I am looking for a mentor to assist me with showing questions.?

Question

No smart *** answers. I am serious! I cant do it because of my disability but, my daughter is interested in becoming a junior handler. How can she get started?

She loved the dog show!

Yeah, I am still waiting for the info from the AKC, they are looking for someone in my area.(within 100 miles) I live in an area where very few participate. I am one of only two Registered Saint breeders in my state.

Answer 1

I would be willing to help you out with any questions, feel free to email me. My niece has been in juniors for years.

Where do you live? Is there a kennel club there? I agree with Gitem, AKC will be little help, and it doesn't have to be a Saint person.

Another thing you could do is join a yahoo group like
showdogs-plus, and I'm sure there must be some groups just for juniors as well.

There is a book about showing called Show-me! (and others as well) and there is also a yahoo group called Show me! based on the book.

Answer 2

4-H is the way to go. That and a handling class are good starters. You have to have a Kennel Club in your area, get involved. There are many breeders that can use a "helper" and are willing to show a good kid the ropes. Starting with a smaller breed is often a good idea. My kids never started with Newfs. They would get too discouraged and it was almost impossible for the younger ones to even stack a big male....let alone it being an accident waiting to happen.
Remember that juniors do not get judged on the DOG just on them, so if you are thinking that the junior can get points on the dog in Junior Show, that is NOT the case. You would still have to get a handler or another adult to show in regular classes.

Answer 3

Go to www.akc.org & find the closest local chapter of the breed in which she is interested. She can get involved with the club & find members who are willing to train & mentor her, and loan her a dog at the shows - many will welcome this if she is willing to pay them back in 'sweat equity' such as helping them load & prep/groom dogs on show days. AKC shows have a class called 'Junior Showmanship' where the handlers, not the dogs, are judged. Also, some obedience training clubs have classes for this, and so does 4H if you have that organization near. Dog shows are such a great event, I hope she really gets into this fun, purposeful & exciting sport!

Answer 4

Go to www.akc.org and check out the links on that site.

I loved junior showmanship until I was too old to. I learned a lot about showing, training, grooming, and a lot about many breeds.

This is a great hobby for kids to get into!

Answer 5

Get her to join an all-breed dog club and get involed in junior handling through them. She can also get involved in dog shows (by working at them in some capacity), then she'll be around a lot of show people and learn about dozens of breeds. (Clubs all teach junior handling so she can learn how to show many breeds and have a lot of fun, too!)

Answer 6

check with AKC for local breeders in your area and ask them if they are avail to mentor or if they can recommend someone to you. going to the source is the best way. also AKC may have a junior progam. good luck hope this helps

Answer 7

DON'T bother w/AKC!!!

Contact your *LOCAL*(county) kennel club!!
ALL of are listed at the AKC site.

DON'T look for "your" breed! ANYBODY that shows just about ANY breed will be fine to get a start.
Also,check w/your local "4-H" club.
Their "Junior" rules are different but again,a place to start.

I'd sdtay away from any UKC people-nice folks but....woefully AMATEUR.