Page 41 - Chow LIfe - Spring 2021
P. 41
Junior Showmanship
with a Chow Chow
By Heather Milam
My name is Heather Milam. I am the newly We also look at the Chow's overall temperament
appointed CCCI Junior Showmanship chair. I or disposition. A Chow with a higher energy
am the mother of 5 children, ages 16-6 years level, eagerness to please, and ability to bond
old. All of my children actively participate with the child make certain Chows more
in dog shows, 4 are AKC junior handlers and suitable for junior handlers. Many Chow
my youngest is a peewee handler. My family Chows get bored or distracted with the same
has been actively participating in junior activity over and over again. Junior handlers
showmanship and conformation with chow are routinely asked to gait their dogs around the
chows for the past 6 years. ring multiple times in each class plus preform
Junior showmanship is separate competition different complicated formations including
triangles and L formations. Many Chows, no
usually held in conjunction with an all-breed or matter how bonded to their handlers, would
specialty show. It is open to children ages 9-17 not be willing to what is required in the junior
years old. The children are divided into classes showmanship ring. Chow Chows with the
based on age and skill level. Children age 9-11 right personality and a junior handler that can
years old are in the junior class, ages 12-14 years understand their dog's cues and behaviors can
old are intermediate class, and ages 15-17 are really impress a junior showmanship judge.
in the senior class. All junior handlers start
in the novice classes. For example, if a junior Another thing to consider is the overall
handler starts his or her career at age 12, he or “flashiness” of the Chow. Does the Chow look
she started in the novice intermediate class. All happy going around the ring? Is the Chows
novice junior handlers must place first in their coat an eye-catching color? Does the Chow free
class 3 times with competition to move up into stack beautifully? A Chow that doesn’t have
the open class. They remain in the open class enough bone for your breeding program or isn’t
for the rest of their juniors' career unless they quite sqaure enough but enjoys the attention
earn 10 best junior handler awards in 1 show and stimulation of being in the show ring is still
year, which places them in the master's class. a viable Junior showmanship dog.
they remain the master's class for the remainder
of the year and return to the open at the start of The AKC junior showmanship program can
the new show year. be beneficial to everyone who chooses to
participate in it. For the Chow Chow breeders
Junior handlers may choose the breed they and handlers, it allows you to educate the next
exhibit. They must be an owner or co-owner generation about the amazing versatility of a
on the dog and they are not allowed to present breed you love and welcome new young people
a bitch in season. A Chow Chow is not a and their families into the sport and the breed.
common breed choice for a junior handler but For the junior handler, a Chow being such a
that doesn’t mean a junior handler can’t be complex and challenging breed it can take their
successful with the right Chow Chow. When handling and training abilities to the next level.
we evaluate a Chow Chow for a junior handler, Of course, the Chow Chow benefits from the
we look for slightly different things than with opportunity to train and develop a bond with
a straight confirmation dog. Typically, a dog an eager young person. I strongly encourage
rather than a bitch is preferred since a bitch everyone associated with the Chow Chows to
in season cannot be presented. Personally, we find a way to encourage junior handlers. Simple
have had to swap a dog in when one of our girls things like clapping for the Chow Chow juniors
has had an early heat cycle many times. which during the shows and offering kind words of
is why I just recommend a male dog from the encouragement go a long way. Acknowledging
start. them as the future of our sport and our breed
ensures that our future stays bright.
This page sponsored by Mary L. Wuest, Plainacre Kennels, Reg.
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