[RottsNScotts]

Generally speaking, you will see a younger dog in American bred and the older or more mature dogs in Open. Bred-by used to be a totally overlooked class but now that AKC is inviting those dogs that complete their championship from that class (allowing some puppy class points) to an automatic invitation to the AKC Eukanuba championship show, you are seeing more entries there! Which is a very good thing! It also has judges taking a better look at that class winner for winners!

Professional handlers generally have the dog whose owner contracted them first in Open, all other things being equal (maturity, ring experience, etc), and their "second" dog in Open.

And you can stay in Novice until you have 3 wins at the time of the show entries closing...