New Exhibitors Beware: Don’t Let this
Happen To You!!!
On or about July 10, 2009, I got the shock
learned about my loss of this major, have
of my life when I received a letter from
been extremely supportive, making it
the AKC stating that my bitch’s win at the
a point to approach me at the shows
GTBTC Specialty had been canceled
with words of encouragement. I greatly
because I had entered her (Bulpen’s
appreciate it but I would have appreci-
Devil in the Details) in the wrong class.
ated it even more if I had some guidance
The letter went something like this…
PRIOR to making such a critical error.
Thank you for participating in AKC
Therefore, I’d like to help another new
events. After examining the records for
exhibitor learn from my mistake by re-
the above event, your dog was ineligible
viewing the AKC’s class descriptions:
to compete in the class for which it was
shown. Based on the AKC’s Rules Apply-
Puppy: For dogs between six and twelve
ing to Dog Shows, all awards were can-
months of age, that are not yet champi-
celed. Some irony; in the first sentence
ons (optional class).
they’re thanking me for entering the
dog show and in the second sentence
Twelve to Eighteen Months: For dogs
they’re taking away my award!
twelve to eighteen months of age, that
are not yet champions (optional class).
Up until the Golden Triangle Specialty, I
had been entering Sadie in age classes,
Novice: For dogs six months of age and
but after 6/7 she was no longer eligible
over which have not, prior to the date of
for the 12 to 18 mo. class. My entry in
closing of entries, won three first prizes
the Novice class was an honest mis-
in the Novice Class, a first prize in Bred-
take. Instead of thinking of my dog as a
by-Exhibitor, American-Bred, or Open
novice, I thought of myself as a novice. I
Classes, nor one or more points toward
remembered reading information about
their championship (optional class).
the new Amateur-Owner-Handler Class
and thought that was the class that I was
Amateur-Owner-Handler: For dogs that
entering. A Professional Handler that I
are at least six months of age that are not
told about this mishap commented that
champions. Dogs must be handled in the
I shouldn’t feel bad because this isn’t
class by the registered owner of the dog
the first time that this confusion between
and is limited to exhibitors who have
the novice and amateur classes has oc-
not, at any point in time, been a pro-
curred since the new amateur class in-
fessional dog handler, AKC approved
ception in January of this year. Somehow
conformation judge, or employed as an
this is not one bit comforting!
assistant to a professional handler (ef-
fective Jan 1, 09)(optional class).
I did appeal the decision to the AKC
but it was denied. Many of you that have
Bred By Exhibitor: For dogs that are
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