? on Show rules

[De Bravo Boxers]

Hi All,

I went to a local dog show to learn more about showing dogs and notice other spectator walking around with their non-showing dogs. So the next day I decided to show off Emmitt and Savanna. As we were walking thru the exibits, we went my the Superintendent's booth and was asked how old my pups were. I told the man that they were 15 weeks. He immedially told me to leave the grounds that no pup under 6mo old was allowed on the floor due to AKC RULES. My questions is, is that true and why?


Thanks
Gilbert :confused: :mad:

 

[Sabrina Jay]

Are you sure they were unentered dogs?
Many dogs that do obedience at the shows *mingle* in with the conformation dogs.

Yes, it is true, that unentered dogs are NOT allowed, but its common for people who have dogs entered to have others with them. (but they could be ask to remove the dogs that aren't entered). Dogs must be 6 months old to compete in AKC shows, but they can be younger than 6 months to compete in *match* events. (Match events are practice shows)

Your puppies were 15 weeks old and you could have possibly exposed them to parvo, kennel cough, etc. Your pups aren't old enough to have completed their vaccines. (Rabies is not given prior to 4 months, but alot vets will not give the rabies vaccine until 6 months of age). The combination shots (DHPP, DHPPC, or DHPPCL) are given in a series and depending upon what your vet recommends, they might not have finished these vaccines either.
Kennel cough vaccine (called bordetella) is given up the nose instead of an injection. I don't know if your puppies have been vaccinated against this, and you should check with your vet. It is a good idea to vaccinate for kennel cough if your dogs are boarded, go to a groomer, or will be attending obedience classes, or if they will be *mingling* with other dogs. Kennel cough is HIGHLY contagious, and small (young puppies), can get very sick.

You might have noticed small puppies at the show site, but generally the people showing do not allow small puppies to walk around show sites, and the puppies will be confined to crates or expens for their protection.

 

[De Bravo Boxers]

Thanks for the Reply,

I hope I didn't do any damage to my pups by taking them there. Savanna is accually 17 weeks old and Emmitt is 16 weeks and 2 days. They got their Rabbies shot 3 weeks ago and their last shots today before I took them to the show. And yes they were getting their (bordetella) too. I can understand why they do what they do, I was just kinda shock when they told me that. Then later I tried to find the rules on AKC.com and could not find them, so I had to ask.

I do appreciate your reply.

Thanks again,
Gilbert

 

[JulieM]

The AKC website (www.akc.org) is notoriously difficult to navigate unless you know exactly what you're looking for - and even then, finding it can sometimes be a challenge!

Here is the page with the information on unentered dogs at a show:

http://www.akc.org/dic/clubs/showrule.cfm?page=12

Rules Applying to Dog Shows
Amended to March 2001

Chapter 11 - Dog Show Entries, Conditions of Dogs Affecting Eligibility

Section 11. Only dogs that are eligible to be shown under The American Kennel Club rules shall be allowed within the show precincts, except that dogs engaged as a special attraction with American Kennel Club approval may also be present.

There shall be no benching, nor offering for sale or breeding, nor any displaying of unentered dogs. These dogs shall be subject to all rules relating to health and veterinarians. The owners or agents shall be responsible for the care and safety of such dogs.

If, because of space consideration or other reason, a club wishes to restrict the presence of unentered dogs from some part or all of the show precincts, such restriction shall be stated in the premium list.

In English this means that if your dog is *eligible to be shown* (whether it is actually entered or not) it is allowed on the show grounds - unless the show-giving club has stated on the premium list that unentered dogs are not allowed. Dogs must be a minimum 6 months of age to be shown, unless as Sabrina noted there is a match going on at that show. If the show is conformation-only, they must also be intact and without disqualifying faults.

I am of mixed feelings about unentered dogs at shows. On the one hand, it is great socialization for young dogs and helps to acclimate them to the show environment without the additional stress of showing. On the other hand, there are so many people who bring their unentered, untrained, out-of-control pet dogs to shows and have them on a loose lead (or, worse, a Flexi!) at ringside, and then pay no attention to the dog or what havoc he's wreaking, that I wish they would be banned outright. So, if anyone does bring unentered dogs to a show, please be sure that you keep them on a short leash, that you have control of the dog at all times, that you keep an eye on the dog at all times - and that you don't take the dog into the "staging" area where the dogs who are entered are waiting to go into the ring.

I wouldn't worry about having done any "damage" by taking your dogs to the show - I personally feel you've probably done more damage by vaccinating them, but that's a whole other *long* discussion

 

[De Bravo Boxers]

Thank you Julie for the page.
I went back to the show on Sunday and the Superintendent saw me and explained why he had to do what he did. He also gave me AKC Rule Boolklet for my information. He was acually very kind about it. I had lots of fun at the show. I think I'm going to enjoy showing my dogs. I met some local and out of state Boxer owners. They were very kind. I hope everyone I meet are as kind. Is there any easy way to find out about other shows close to home (Boise, Idaho Area)?

Thanks you all again,
Gilbert

 

[JulieM]

Did you happen to find out the name of the superintendent? (Not the actual person, but the organization?) Usually one superintendent handles the majority of shows in a specific area - I'm not sure who it is in Idaho but a wild guess would be Jim Rau or Onofrio. Once you get on the superintendent's mailing list you get the entry forms for all the shows coming up in your area.

Actually, I think MB-F has a listing of upcoming shows by state, regardless of superintendent. Their site is www.infodog.com - you'd click on Show Information, and then either there or under Show Calendar there is a Search by State function.

 

[PawPrintBoxers]

AKC prohibits any dog not eligible for competition from being on the grounds. The individual clubs can further that in the premium list and state no UNENTERED dogs are allowed. There are very good reasons for such a rule. Julie's was current as to young pups being exposed to all sorts of bad germs. But there are huge liability issues also. An entrant signs a contract not to hold the show liable for certain dog related problems. But a spectator has not signed this and opens the club up for a law suit if there is a dog fight.

On the norm, show folks are much more up to date on shots and and hopefully manners about their dogs. I have seen spectators come with their macho pet dog and laugh as it picks fights with show dogs. Or walk the macho dog around on a loose lead flexi and pay NO attention to where the dog is going.

When someone calls me for info on an upcoming show they want to watch, I always suggest they come and enjoy, but leave their personal dogs home. They will have a much better time