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.
