Can IDPed dogs be used for Junior Showmanship?

Question

I was reading through the junior showmanship information brochure from AKC and the way it makes it sound is that dogs with ILP registration can be used since they are judging the youth on how they show, not the actual dog.

Can anyone clarify that for me?

My daughter wants to get involved in Jr. Showmanship next year, and I'm hoping she could use my ILPed lab do so.

Sorry its late.

The question should read:

Can ILPed dogs be used for Junior Showmanship?

Oops, stupid typos.

Answer 1

Yes, they can.

Though whenever you see competitors at the prestigious competitions (WKC, Eukanuba, etc.) they always have championed dogs. I don't know a huge amount about Juniors, but I've always thought this indicates that those with good conformation dogs have a slight advantage.

But an ILP dog is a good start. When I was a kid, my friend told me I should sign up for my junior number because you get a free newsletter. I never actually competed in JS, though I did obedience and other stuff when I was in that age group. Anyway, if your daughter likes to read, sign her up right away and she'll get a free newsletter.

Answer 2

Yes, a dog with an ILP number can be used in Jr. showmanship. The junior needs to register to compete and just note what dog he/she will be handling.
And you are correct, they are judging the Jr. NOT the dog.

I heard in some other kennel club that they can use any dog they want, even a mutt, but maybe that is only 4-H.

Because they are not judging the dog, and thus not judging for breeding stock, it does not matter whether the dog is papered or not, and most Jr. showmanship dogs are spayed or neutered already so that the dog is easier to handle.
Most Junior kids cannot handle an intact male, and who really wants to deal with an intact female anyways?

Answer 3

Yes, ILP'ed dogs can compete in Jr. Showmanship.

Just another idea, for the future....sometimes people who show in Conformation will allow a promising Junior to handle one of their dogs in the Junior ring AND the Breed ring for actual conformation points. If for some reason your Lab doesn't take to the ring well (some dogs just don't like it) or otherwise makes it "harder" for her to do well in Juniors, you may want to see if this is an option.

Answer 4

My young friend shows her spayed, ILP Reg. Sheltie, and is top Jr. in the state.

Answer 5

Yes, absolutely they can.

Just realize that despite the fact that they are supposed to judge the handler and not the dog, a judge still SEES the dog and that can be a detriment or an asset.