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This month, I’ve decided to discuss the merits and disadvantages
of juniors who compete in both Junior Showmanship and the
conformation rings. Though this seems like a topic that isn’t
much of an issue, it is surprisingly quite a cause for
discussion amongst competitive circles of juniors.
There are a good number of
juniors who start out doing just that, Junior Showmanship.
Similar to a 4-H program, or any other extracurricular school
sport or activity, it gives them something to do, and for most,
gives their parents peace of mind that they are busy doing a
hobby instead of getting themselves in trouble elsewhere. For
them it’s something fun to do that passes the time and let’s
them build a relationship with their dog.
Then there are the juniors that do it all. Perhaps they grew up
in the “dog show atmosphere”, showing many of the class dogs of
their family’s chosen breed, and sometimes even the occasional
special. Perhaps they got their family into dogs and now have
dogs to show in breed as well as Junior Showmanship. Or perhaps
they are working with a breeder or handler who gives them the
opportunity to have dogs to show, though the kids don’t actually
own those dogs. Regardless, these kids can be found busily
roaming the grounds throughout the entire day at a show, taking
dogs back and forth to rings and setups, grooming, and even
handling.
So, what are the advantages? What are the disadvantages? Is one
better than the other? I will do my best to shed some light on
these scenarios.
Obviously, there are a great many advantages to being able to
have a dog, or dogs, which can be shown in the conformation
rings. Not only is that more actual competition and ring time to
be spending with your canine friend(s), but it allows for more
ring practice. In addition, juniors who show in the conformation
rings have more exposure to grooming techniques, and get to know
breed judges and handling styles better, generally allowing them
to become better handlers due to the additional exposure.
With all of these advantages, what could possibly be negative?
Juniors who show their dog both in breed and juniors sometimes
find themselves with timing conflicts which will not allow them
to do both. Making a decision on whether you and the dog you are
handling get to compete in the juniors ring or the conformation
ring can be a tough call.
Often they don’t have a conflict, and sometimes it’s because the
judge that they had for the breed ring is the same judge that is
judging Junior Showmanship. This can go many directions.
Sometimes a judge that will put up a junior in the breed ring
won’t place them as highly in juniors because they already “got
their win” that day, and sometimes they will “throw them a bone”
in the juniors ring if they maybe placed them very low in the
breed classes. Sometimes they are so impressed with a junior
that is showing in breed that they are more inclined to give
them higher placements in juniors based on that fact alone, and
sometimes they will place that junior dead last in the breed
classes and in juniors. |
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Young juniors who show in the breed classes also have more
pressure on them to do well. Not only do they wish to do
well for their own recognition and glory in the junior’s
ring, but they sometimes have pressure from outside sources
to get wins for a dog. A losing streak can cut twice as deep
to the ego when you are losing in the juniors ring and the
breed ring.
With all of this being said, are juniors who do
not show in the breed rings at a disadvantage to those who
do?
Though the general answer is yes, this doesn’t
have to be the case. Obviously, in anything in life, those
with greater experience and knowledge will rise to the top.
However, with enough will and drive, nearly anything is
possible. Juniors who truly love this sport and really want
to do it will find a way.
If you really want to show dogs and become very
good at it, the best way I recommend is to get yourself a
dog to show in the conformation rings. That atmosphere is
often so different from the junior rings that they need to
be experienced. Even better is to become acquainted with
someone you admire as a groomer and handler, and someone who
has good rapport with the dogs in their care, as well as
other people to work with and to apprentice under. Learn the
tricks from the masters.
I understand that sometimes these things aren’t possible for
everyone. Other alternatives also exist. I had a friend who
wasn’t able to have dogs of her own for the breed rings. But
she became close with breeders who did, and therefore still
got the experience and the exposure, and became very good as
a result. And for many who didn’t have handlers to work for,
they intently watched the group rings, observing everything,
and taking from it what they wished. Even simply going up to
a handler who’s grooming style you admire and asking them to
tutor you will often produce results. I’ve done it myself,
and those experiences were invaluable.
In conclusion, it really doesn’t matter if you
participate in the breed rings, or if you just like
competing in juniors, but if you aspire to be a handler
someday, breed competition is a very good idea. Obviously,
if wins don’t matter to you, then you shouldn’t care about
the outcome, though recognition is always nice.
In the end, it is all about having fun and enjoying the
company of your companion(s), and being proud of the bond
you have between you and your canine friend. There is no
right or wrong way to go about enjoying dog shows and so
long as you and your dog are having fun, that’s all that
matters at the end of the day.
- Brigette |
