fairhavenmagick

There is an upcoming show in January and they are offering a Beginner Puppy. The information given to me by the point of contact makes it seem pretty informal. However, I just started a conformation handling class and they told me the class is ran like the real thing. The premium also makes it seem like a 'real' class.
Here's where I need help! I have no idea about the grooming for an AKC puppy. I was planning on showing UKC, because I am brand new at this and because I won't be able to maintain an AKC coat with my girl as she will be a working dog.
What do I need to do/get done for this Beginner Puppy class? Especially in terms of coat.There is also a 'B' match the day before the beginner puppy that has a 4-6 month class I was thinking about entering. Would there be any differences between this and the Beginner Puppy the next day?
If anyone has done/witnessed a Beginner Puppy let me know how it was ran. Also- how lenient/tolerant is the judging? We have only been to a few handling classes, she's improved but she's still a baby (will be less than 5 months at show time). Also, I of course am learning all of this as I go.

outwest

The beginner puppie classes in UKC are so cute! The puppies trot around, goof around and generally make everyone smile.

Relax! It should be fun. UKC they do everything the same as AKC except you don't need the fancy poodle haircuts, so you may want to do UKC in the future. You won't have the competition you do in AKC, but it is still fun.

I did AKC with a different breed and remember the puppy classes. They are not super serious. Just have her/him clean and brushed. Get a show collar and leash. Puppies are expected to be puppies and the owners are usually new and inexperienced, too. People love watching the puppy classes because they act like puppies. Last time I watched the puppy match a 4/5 month old great dane stopped in her tracks to take a pee in the middle of the ring. The judge started laughing. They are puppies, not machines.

You should enter both classes. As far as coat- my small standard has yet to have a good poodle haircut in UKC and still won her grand championship at 10 months old. Coat is important in UKC, but not so much the haircut. I truly wish I could see mine in a good poodle haircut, but alas there aren't any show groomers near me and I don't groom myself. I use a pet groomer whom I love. If I ever decide to try AKC with a poodle in the future, I will have to get a show groomer. For AKC puppy classes, a decent haircut on a poodle should suffice. By 6 months old people are able to get some sort of pattern on the puppy if they know what they're doing. I didn't know what I was doing and neither did my groomer, but I wasn't doing AKC, so I didn't worry so much.

cavon

I have entered in beginner puppy classes in the CKC and the UKC and they are so much fun. Generally the judges for these matches or "sanction" matches as well, are judges in training.

The point is really to start getting you and your puppy used to ring procedure and to see where you are with your training. Also, your first chance to win some ribbons!!!

If your pup is under 6 months, you probably wouldn't be able to achieve the full puppy clip anyhow. make sure her face, feet and tail base are shaved and she is fluffed up.

In one of the puppy classes that I entered there was the most beautiful French Buldog entered. All of the rest of the entrants had the same look on our faces - there is no way we will beat that beauty, no matter how well we perform!! WELL, the little FBD wouldn't walk on it's leash! LOL!! I am giggling just typing this!!

It was the sweetest fawn pup that I had ever seen, but there was no way it would take one step for the handler! She pulled it a bit and it slid on it's cute little bum and then she laughed and carried it around. Even the judge was laughing!

The pup I had, a standard poodle, but not my Finnegan, ended up taking it's group and third place over all! That was actually the first time I earned money for handling!! $7.35 to be exact!! They split 75% of the entry fees on a prorated placement basis between the first 4 placement dogs!

What a good time it was seeing all of the beautiful puppies! I say "Go for it!!"

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fairhavenmagick

Thanks! Oh, and if it wasn't clear to anyone- this show is an AKC venue. Sorry, my brain got ahead of my fingers. There aren't any UKC shows close any time soon and I want to get her the ring experience sooner rather than later.
Also, there is a chance I might actually know a couple of people at this AKC show (I don't know anyone locally who does UKC). So that might help for our first show experience too.
I do have a hex collar and show lead for her. Mostly I am worried about her grooming at an AKC show. I haven't done anything to her other than FFT and a bit of a trim of hair dangling over her feet and her eyes. I haven't ever used hairspray or anything. I will say that when I brush her out (no products) she starts losing that look in about 2 minutes.
I am also curious as to what they really look for in the puppy class. Will a display of puppy antics (i.e. wiggling out of her stack) when the judge examines her put her out of any placement over actual conformation?

Randi6567

There's only one cut a show poodle can be in under 1 year and that's a show puppy cut you're going to have to be very careful with preserving the neck hair that's the hardest and find a good groomer in your area whose had experience with it after 1 year the have to be in a continental or english saddle i think thats your only options in akc, akc is I think a lot more competitive and appearance counts I thought the under 6 mo puppy matches don't count for points I don't see y they charge in ukc it's normally free

Randi6567

You better get use to the hairspray!! I like the chris Christenson super hold cause it leave no residue and also their ice on ice spray cause it's an anti stat so that's good for regular brushing also go on YouTube there's some great videos on banding poodle hair that keeps the head and neck hair safe

dawns

whatch out with the hex chain collars as they will pull out neck hair, and you dont want to lose any of that.

outwest

I used a thin parachute nylon collar and leash, which is strong, but doesn't pull out the hair. I used a hex collar with short haired breeds. A hex collar is probably not the best choice for a poodle.

fairhavenmagick

Thanks for the advice! Esp for the collar advice (See! Brand new, I have no knowledge). I have only used the hex once for about an hour so hopefully no damage done yet.
Would you guys recommend a thin nylon slip? I also have a black waxed lead that reminds my a bit of a shoelace, it has a loop so it can be used as a lead or a slip collar/lead combo. Should I just use that? (If you understand what I'm talking about).
I'm worried about getting something in time for the show, I'd have to order something and between the holiday orders and my own traveling I don't know that I would get it in time.
Can someone point me to some threads or links that takes you through to grooming process to prep for a show? When do you guys do your big grooming (clipping/cuts) in relation to the show date?

Randi6567

I always do bathing and cutting the day b4 and touch ups the day of but in akc you're going to need a lot of prep time right b4 the show especially if you're doing wiggies and all that teasing and hairspray. The standard puppy cut is relatively easy you want most the hair to grow out but you want to show off the pups angles and tail set