conformation classes

[dawnadkins]

I don't think I quite found the answer to my question in the archives, unless I missed some. I need a good idea of the exact criteria used to determine which class a particular dog/bitch should be entered. The puppy classes I get since they are based on age. But what about the Novice, Am Bred and Open? I know Novice is for beginners, but at what point do you go from this class to another? Am Bred is any dog/bitch born in America over a certain age, and Open can be a dog/bitch of other origin, right? Is there any real advantage to Am Bred over Open (or vice versa)? When do you decide to enter one instead of the other, or does it matter?

Sorry if this is confusing.

Thanks in advance!!

Dawn
****************
Brady Von Stocker 3 yrs
Brandy 3 1/2 yrs
Buddy 6 at the rainbow bridge
CJ 8 1/2 at the rainbow bridge

[AdonisRotts]

Well you can only enter Novice until you get one first place win and then you are no longer eligible for that class. The open classes are generally larger so often it is easier to win Am bred (but not always) to get your shot in Winner's. Hope this helps.
Where is Williamstown KY? My husband and I live in Lexington. The big cluster in Louisville is next week, thur-sun.... just a little fyi!

[marianne]

The classes you mentioned are basically obedience. Conformation classes are geared for the conformation ring . Handling methods,grooming,presention,etc. Your trainer can advise you which classes will fill your dogs needs.
Good luck!!!!

[dawnadkins]

AdonisRotts, I am in the Northern part, near Dry Ridge. Grant County to be exact. We are about 45 mins-1 hour from Lexington. Yes, I have my boy entered for the Sunday show in Louisville.

Thanks for the info!!

[TrinaJ]

Originally Posted by AdonisRotts

Well you can only enter Novice until you get one first place win and then you are no longer eligible for that class. The open classes are generally larger so often it is easier to win Am bred (but not always) to get your shot in Winner's. Hope this helps.
Where is Williamstown KY? My husband and I live in Lexington. The big cluster in Louisville is next week, thur-sun.... just a little fyi!

My family and I will hopefully be coming to the US next year, KY in particular (i was there 7 years ago, fell in love with the place) as i want to take him to the Jim Beam and Makers Mark Distillary and a few other places i saw. Before we go i will get in contact with you and find out if there are any shows in the area, would love to see an American show. We are planning on driving from Florida (doing Disney Cruise) and then maybe up to Naigara Falls and onto Maine. We will be in the US for about 4 week in April (hopefully).

OP... sorry that part of the post had nothing to do with your question. The only thing i know is the age groups (puppy) and once you've been in a novice event and won you can no longer go in that class. Also AM breeds are for dogs bred in America and open is for american and int bred dogs (i think).

[targonrotts]

in a typical akc conformation show you have the following classes:
6-9 puppies
9-12 puppies
12-18 dogs
novice
bred by
am bred
open
some clubs/shows do not offer novice class...eventually it might be phased off and possibly replaced with an amateur handler class. for more info on that see American Kennel Club - akc.org and see rules and regulations applying to dog shows.
puppy classes are considered 6-9 and 9-12. 12-18 is considered an adult class(when calculating fees)only 6-9 and 9-12 is eligible for a best puppy award if offered.
novice, when offered, (and rarely used),is for dogs never won a first place in another class or no more than 3 firsts from novice.(if rules have not changed from when i read them last).
bred by-you must be owner/breeder/handler, over 6 months of age, and not yet a champion.
am bred-born in the usa, over 6 months of age
open-born anywhere, over 6 months of age.

of course, typically you do not see a puppy in am bred or open.

different handlers/owners have different opinion/reason why they would enter open vs am bred.

[marianne]

Now I wake up !!! Sorry for my previous post..must be brain fade on my part.
When we first started,after the puppy class,I tried the AM Bred class. The reason being I was not ready to compete with the professional handlers.
A few shows later, I had the confidence to enter the open class.
Good luck.

[dawnadkins]

Thanks for all the info! I have entered my boy in Am Bred for a few shows, and I did notice the class seemed smaller. From what I could gather, most of these dogs are the less mature or experienced than the ones that generally get entered in Open. I'm sure that may also be a case by case basis. Prior to this dog I had never had the opportunity to show in AKC shows, only one fun match and that is it!
I got my boy at two, and he had absolutely no real formal training or idea about showing!! He has been doing well and we train with the local 4-H club. This is nice for the experience for him with group settings, and since I know what to do, I can help teach the kids. He has been wonderful!!!
TrinaJ, I think you'll enjoy KY. I've been here all my life and there is no place quite like it. My only other choice of states might bve Tennessee, but that is a personal opinion. Where are you at now? Forgive me, I can't reamber.

Dawn

[AdonisRotts]

Dawn,
Well maybe we will see you in Louisville. We are entered all four days in the BBE bitch class. The entries in Louisville are pretty big this year. Best of luck

TrinaJ,
Maybe when you come in we can show you around. I am a Kentucky girl born and bred, lol... I love the area, people are all really friendly and the scenery is beautiful.

[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...