There is some puppy shows arranged in Finland every year. To these shows you go to make your little puppy familiar to dog shows, people, noise and other dogs. The attitude of the owner should be like it too: go there to have a nice and instructive day with your puppy.
In puppy shows your puppy's vaccination has to be ok as in all other shows and happenings. So you have to have the vaccination testimony, registration papers and other needed things (brush, water for the puppy etc) with you.
The registration fee is a bit cheaper than to official shows, but there is not big changes. Still the prizes are often better in puppy shows. For example it is quite usual they give some little prizes to all puppies who have had HP (honorary prize) in that show. In official shows the prizes will be given only for best puppies (best of breed and best of sex). Also the food prizes from group competition are often better. The registration to the show you should do with the arranger's form or by using the official form of the Finnish Kennel Club. Well this official form does not include all the competition classes of puppy shows, so you should mark the class there by yourself.
The classes (they also compete in this order):
- dogs 5-7 months
- dogs 7-9 months
- bitches 5-7 months
- bitches 7-9 months
- breeder class
Furthermore they often arrange a pair competition, where two puppies of the same breed compete together. Also "child and dog" competition and junior handler are quite common. To the breeder class participates 4 dogs bred by one breeder and in puppy shows they all can be from the same litter.
First all of the puppies go to the ring (they stand next to each other). The judge possibly wants to see them all run together around the ring first. Then the first one goes to the judge for evaluation and other dogs step aside. The judge checks for puppy's teeth, structure and moves just like in official dog shows. Do as the judge wants and let him check the dog. When all of the dogs in the same class are evaluated by the judge, it is time for a competition class (all puppies from the same class will enter this competition). Dogs will be showed to the judge standing and in move. The judge put them in superior order and gives the ribbons:
- 1. red
- 2. blue
- 3. yellow
- 4. dark green
For the promising puppies the judge gives a honorary prize (HP), which means in practise a violet ribbon and one violet rosette. Only dogs won the class and had the HP are allowed to take part to the competition for the best dog/bitch of the breed. So the best dog/bitch will be chosen from the class winners who have had a HP. The best dog and bitch will compete of the best of breed puppy (BOB). Best of breed continues to breed group competition, best of sex puppy (BOS) can pack his/her things and go home (if they do not want to see the final competitions).
In breed group competition the BOB-puppies compete with other BOB-puppies from breeds in the same FCI breed group (for example group 8 retrievers, spaniels and water dogs). From the group's BOB-dogs will be placed only 4 and the best of them will continue to the BIS competition (Best in Show). Usually the prizes are good already in group competition (food, rosettes, cups) and of course even better in BIS-competition.
From almost every unofficial puppy shows your dog gets a written evaluation from the judge. Still you should remember this is only unofficial situation (as all the puppy classes even in official shows) and the judge might not have even the official judging rights for the breed (though usually they do have).
Quite often the show places are not the best for the first show places of the puppy. In particular in winter they often use dark, cramped, dirty and echoing parking halls. But after the first shock the puppy surely is back to normal also in these places. And it is even normal they are a bit shocked when they are in strange new situations. And it is quite usual some official shows are also arranged in parking halls, so it is good to make your puppy familiar with this kind of places. Normally there will be no bigger problems with the puppies. Just remember to observe your puppy during this show day.
Try to do from this show day as good experience as possible for your puppy. This is the way to ensure the shows will be positive happenings and nice hobby for your dog also in the future. The puppy shows are happy happenings, where you meet other puppy owners, breeders and dogs. I recommend these for every puppy and puppy owner!
In Finland you find more information about the puppy shows from "Our dogs" magazine, Finnish kennel Club's homepage www.kennelliitto.fi, and for example internet at www.koirat.com and www.showdognet.com.