Showing your Pomeranian
From Beginners to Winners
Please note that this is based on my own knowledge and is printed to help beginners understand our class system. Please check with your scheduals and the Kennel Club website for confirmation. Cheristar is not responsible for any clerical errors on this page.
The most popular form of canine competition in this country is the dog show - the formal ‘beauty contests' for pure-bred dogs, such as can be seen at Crufts. The Kennel Club has set a ‘Breed Standard' for every breed of dog, which represents the ideal conformation and characteristics for that breed. At shows, the Judge must compare each dog with the breed standard to find the dog nearest to that ideal picture of the breed.
Types of show
The number of categories and grades of dog shows can be bewildering for anyone new to dog showing. There is a lot of jargon used to describe shows which can all be pretty confusing to newcomers.
The first question you should ask yourself is whether you want to enter a single breed show, or a general multi-breed show.
Single breed shows, as the name suggests, have classes for just one breed of dog and are organised by a Breed Club. Such shows are likely to attract breed specialists who may have been involved in the breeding and showing of a particular breed for many years and, as such, can provide you with an opportunity to really learn about your breed from the experts. The club show may be the main event of the club's year so there could be a large entry of keen and experienced competitors with plenty of specialist classes scheduled.
Some people prefer to start out on their show career by entering general shows that schedule classes for several breeds of dog. These shows are run by general canine societies and are a good testing ground for new exhibitors and judges. As the show will not be run by a specialist breed club there will not be a huge selection of classes for each breed and some breeds may not even have their own classes, but will be all in together in a Variety Class. As there are many more general canine societies than there are breed clubs, there are always plenty of these shows held every year.
Classes
Once you have found your way to the right part of the Show Schedule you must select which class, or classes, you would like to enter. Open shows can schedule over 20 classes for each breed and, with detailed definitions for each class, it can all be rather confusing.
As a new exhibitor you will be interested in the beginners' classes which are either restricted to dogs of a certain age, or limited by the number of first prizes your dog may have won.
MINOR PUPPY - for dogs of 6 not exceeding 9 calendar months of age on the first day of the show
PUPPY - for dogs 6 and not exceeding 12 calendar months on the first day of the show
JUNIOR - for dogs 6 and not exceeding 18 calendar months on the first day of the show
POST GRADUATE - for dogs that have not won a Challenge Certificate or 5 or more first prizes at Championship Shows in Post graduate, Minor limit, mid limit, limit and open classes weither restricted or not.
LIMIT - for dogs which have not won 3 Challenge Certificates under three different judges or 7 or more first prizes in all at championship shows in limit and open classes, confined to the breed, weither restricted or not, at shows where challenge certificated where offered for the breed.
OPEN - for all dogs of the breed which the class is provided and eligible for entry at the show
VETERAN - for dogs of not less than 7 years on the first day of the show
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Show Schedules will carry a full definition of each class so there is no need to memorise all the complicated qualifications for each class!
All dogs can enter the Open class regardless of age or previous wins and many show societies might just put on a puppy class and an open class for each breed particularly if it is a small show.
It is also worth mentioning that you are not limited to just one class - you can enter as many classes as your dog is eligible for and that you wish to compete in.
These are many classes which can be scheduled which will be restricted by the awards your dogs has gained at previous shows or restricted to dogs of certain ages e.g puppies. Show schedules will carry a full definition of each class, this information is also included in The Kennel Club Year Book
The Groups
Dog Breeds are divided into 7 groups, I have listed the groups below and you will note that in the Toy group I have listed the other breeds, please note that other breeds may be added at anytime so please check with the kennel club web site to be fully aware of all dogs in the Toy Group
http://www.the-Kennel-club.org.uk
HOUND GROUP TERRIER GROUP WORKING GROUP
GUNDOG GROUP PASTORAL GROUP UTILITY GROUP
TOY GROUP
AFFENPINSCHER, AUSTRALIAN SILKY TERRIER, BICHON FRISE, BOLOGNESE, CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL, CHIHUAHUA, CHINESE CRESTED DOG, COTON DE TULEAR, ENGLISH TOY TERRIER (BLACK AND TAN), GRIFFON BRUXELLOIS, ITALIAN GREYHOUND, JAPANESE CHIN, KING CHARLES SPANIEL, LOWCHEN (LITTLE LION DOG), MALTESE, MINATURE PINSCHER, PAPILLION, PEKINGESE, POMERANIAN , PUG, and the YORKSHIRE TERRIER