Show etiquette

blstarke

New member
I am so very confused. I showed German Shepherds for years in both conformation and obedience.
I knew that once you received an obedience title, you could never enter in A class agian.
I knew that once you obtained your minor points for your championship, it was proper etiquette to pull your dog in the ring unless it was a major.
Now, champions are being entered back in the regular ring in the open class. I believe this is legal but is it fair?
 

911Newfs

New member
Yes, for themselves but unfair to the others
If the dog is already a CH, then there is no benefit to entering in an open class. It will not earn any points toward a CH title, as it already has the title. And, it cannot earn points towards the GHC title, since BOB entries are the only ones that earn those points.

I know of a few times when people have asked someone to enter their dog in an open class to build a major. It was done with the complete understanding that there were absolutely no guarantees that any of the other open class entries would win. It is a risk everyone must take.

Because I am not knowledgeable to any specifics you may know of (not interested in knowing), I can only answer the questions as to "why" someone might enter a CH into an Open class. My only thoughts are, 1. To help others build a major, 2. They entered the wrong class on the entry, 3. To build a major for one of their other dogs who is in an Open class.

Is it fair? All depends on how one looks at it. If someone needed one major to finish their dog and asked another person to enter their CH in an open class to build the major, and their dog won the major and finished..I am sure that person would feel it was pretty darn fair. On the other hand, other exhibitors may not feel the same.


_
 

Sound Bay Newfs

Active member
They can enter a CH until they get their certificate. The dog might be entered in a future show and get the CH in the show before, so they may be showing to hold a major. If someone builds a major and you win, that is good for you.
 

janices

New member
They can enter a CH until get certificate. The dog may be entered in class and got CH before and may be showing to hold a major. No guarantees, but if you win good for you. Unfortunately, I've seen this backfire too many times and really don't like doing it.
 
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blstarke

New member
AKC just answered me
Hello,

The current regulations allow a champion to be entered in the Open Class - refer to Chapter 3, Section 10 of The Rules Applying To Dog Shows:

“The Open Class shall be for any dog six months of age or over.”

Any changes to AKC regulations are handled through the AKC Delegate Body. If you belong to a Member Club, you can speak to your delegate with your question and changing this regulation.
 

janices

New member
Yes, it is worded that way. It's meant for champions from a foreign country vying for an american championship. I guess if you really want to tick off the dog show people showing with you in general can keep putting a finished champion in there.
 

Lisa@Caeles Hills

New member
I did this a few years ago to help build a Major. AKC told me was ok for 60 days ? or something after he received his title points. I did not win as I handled him myself and did not groom him up very well. :) The people involved were fully prepared to lose to me, but fortunately it did not happen. Is it fair?? Well, that depends on who is involved and the dog they have. I've been looking for Majors for 2 years now in my show circuit, and the only one we got this year is the one we built with my breeder. I have to make it to a Specialty now to finish my new dog.
 
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