The next generation of the sport starts here
Junior showmanship teaches young people to present a dog in the ring, and it builds confidence that lasts far beyond it.
What is junior showmanship?
In junior showmanship, the judge evaluates the handler, not the dog. Juniors are judged on how well they present their dog, their knowledge of ring procedure and their sportsmanship.
Under AKC rules, juniors can compete from age 9 until their 18th birthday. The dog must be owned by the junior or a member of their family and must be eligible to compete.
- Mentoring from experienced club members
- Practice time at club events
- Scholarships as the club grows
Divisions by age and experience
Juniors start in Novice and move up to Open after winning three first places with competition.
| Division | Ages | Novice | Open |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | 9 to under 12 | Novice Junior | Open Junior |
| Intermediate | 12 to under 15 | Novice Intermediate | Open Intermediate |
| Senior | 15 to under 18 | Novice Senior | Open Senior |
How a junior gets into the ring
Get a junior number
Request a free Junior Handler number from the AKC.
Pick a dog
Use a dog owned by you or your family that's eligible to show.
Practice
Come to club events and learn stacking, gaiting and ring patterns.
Enter a show
Enter junior showmanship from the show's premium list.
Investing in young handlers
As the club grows, we plan to award scholarships to junior handlers from the Big Horn Basin. Sponsors can fund a junior scholarship directly.