[rottcrazed]

I think it depends how you want to look at it.

If the best example of the breed standard that is in the ring, then sure, the puppy should take the points. It should not be the bigger dog or the older dog, it should be the best example. There are plenty of judges out there who like bigger or who will not put up a puppy for the points.

My own personal dogs seem to do better as they mature. Jewel finished at 2 (the same day she finished her CD title), her son finished at almost 2. Her first champion offspring finished at 11 months old, but admittedly Moka did mature quicker than Jewel herself.

Seeker, who is also Jewel's daughter from her second litter, is now 20 months and looking more mature than ever. She is now going to start being shown again as she looked like a long tube for the longest time.

I think it depends on differing lines as well (some mature sooner than others), and what condition you keep your dogs in in some cases. I am not someone who packs on weight on my dogs to show them because I am constantly working them and they need to be lean to do so.

I have seen plenty of puppies finish up here and then never get shown again for one reason or another (and of course, you always wonder if it is because they fall apart as they mature or something else). I personally prefer a dog either finishes as a puppy but comes out again to be shown as a special later on once they mature or a dog that finishes once they are mature .... but that is me.

One is certainly not better than another, but everyone has their own opinions here. I like to see a championship, but working titles are the icing on the cake for me!!!

Kristi