Which class to enter?

[fbkeays]

My local USRC club is holding their conformation show in a few months. I thought I would enter both Duncan and Fizbin. Duncan will have to be in veterans since he is neutered and seven years old. Fizbin has the choice of being in open or champion (since he has an AKC championship). The judge is Alfredo Estrada (FCI-MEX). I want the best possible rating for Fizbin. I know there can be a biased against AKC champion dogs.
So what class should Fizbin be entered in? Does anyone want to speculate on whether Duncan will receive a lower rating because he is neutered?

[diddybopper04]

I would be really torn on what to do there. I'd probably go with entering the dog in the CH class anyway. That takes a lot of work to earn, whether it generates any respect at that particular show or not. So that is probably what I'd do.


As far as your neutered guy, that should not make a bit of diff in a vets class, but who knows. I'm betting he does not lose any pts for being minus a couple attachments.

[work-n-show]

It's really up to you , but I would enter the CH class. I've not yet seen a judge look down on the CH class, in fact, that's where I've seen most of the selects come from. In the shows I've been to, the entire CH class was V Rated or had just 1 SG dog.

It kinda depends on what your dog is like too though. The dogs in the CH class are usually pretty big. If your dog is on the small side, it really is highlighted next to some of those big boys.

Plus, depending on where you are, the CH class usually has much fewer entires than the open class making it easier to get in to compete for the top title, whether it be select or Sieger. (Yes, I've competed for the Sieger title from the CH class)

[mferg]

I'm away from my club book right now, so I can't actually check the rules, but from what I remember, you must enter the CH class. Once the dog is eligible for either the Ch or Working class, they cannot go into the open class. Open is for dogs over 24 months with no working (SchH/IPO) title and no Champion title. I think the only time you would have a choice is when the dog is both a Ch and a SchH titled dog (like Chris's dog). I would say you need to go into champion class.

Besides, I don't think it will make any difference to the judge. Your dog will be critiqued on his conformation as it relates to the standard. You will (almost certainly) have less competition in the Ch class than in Open, for sure. But, if he wins the Champion class, he will go against the winner of the Open class (and working, veteran and sieger classes) for Select Adult Male.

Enter the Champion class. It really is the best choice (especially if you have no other choice ).

[TrinityRun]

Marlene is correct.

As per our rule book: "Once a dog is eligible for the Champion, Working or Seiger/Siegerin class, the dog may not enter the Open Class. When a dog is eligible for more than one class, the dog's owner determines the entry. If the dog is eligible for the Sieger/Siegerin Class the dog may not be entered in any other class except Veteran."

[TrinityRun]

To be eligible for the Sieger/Siegerin title, your dog must have his breed test.

If you have a dog who is obviously larger or smaller than the other dogs, you may certainly elect to distance him from the group within reason. Regardless, a good judge will see what's there. The 90lb small male can be just as correct as the 120lb male next to him.