Wednesday, August 15, 2012

AKC 4 to 6 Month Puppy Class


The AKC’s 4 to 6 month beginner puppy class seems like it would be a lot of fun, but I wouldn’t know.  Dave and I, or any other person that has ever been paid to show a dog, is excluded from this class.  (Except that at Havanese Nationals this year, there were no less than 3 people exhibiting in this class, that I know for a fact have received payment for showing dogs).   They even allow dogs in Foundation Stock Service (FSS) to participate in some of those competitions.  I recently bought a puppy, Dudley, that is registered with the AKC FSS.  I have had to take him to other clubs IABCA, etc, to get him in the show ring, or we have to show him in fun matches, after we have all had a long day at the show.  I don’t understand not being able to hire a handler to show in those classes, but really who wants to spend the money on that?  And what professional handler wants to be stuck with a 4 month old puppy in the ring, unless they are just doing it for the money?  That’s when you tell the owners to get out there by themselves and have fun with their puppy.

When I cannot even show my own puppies there is something wrong with the AKC regulations. 

Since the AKC is so concerned with money, do they realize how much money they and the clubs are missing out on by restricting these entries?  Hell, they even let in mixed breed, or ‘breed unknown’ dog, and we know that wasn’t for their love of dogs.

This also gives an unfair advantage to those dogs who are being regularly shown between the age of 4 and 6 months.  When I can’t bring my own dog in the ring until 6 months, they are going against dogs who have had ring experience, and also could have another title on their name Certificate of Merit.  Just because I have accepted compensation for showing a dog, my own personal pets are being discriminated against.   

This is just another way that AKC isn’t looking at the big picture.