BRC GLOBAL JUNIOR HANDLERS

Junior's Rules and Code of conduct:

The purpose of the BRC Global CP Junior Program is to encourage juniors to become involved with their dog. Because the future of the breed and the future of BRC Global CP rest in the hands of these juniors, the program exists to allow them to learn about, and become familiar with, all aspects of the breed and the areas of competition available through BRC Global CP. The BRC Global CP Junior program seeks to instill in these, tomorrow's breeders, competitors and judges, the following concepts:
• Pride in the ownership and training responsibilities that go with Bully Breeds ; Appropriate and humane methods of training and handling dogs;
• Patience and perseverance when working with dogs;
• A good work ethic, or in other words, that "hard work pays off";
• Discipline in working to achieve goals, especially those related to accomplishments in the BRC Global CP Junior Program;
• Good sportsmanship, and the sense of accomplishment that goes with winning on a level playing field;
• Pride in competing with a dog whose training has been largely impacted by the junior; These are opportunities to forge life-long friendships with your competitors. 

Sportsmanship Defined Juniors should always demonstrate good sportsmanship when exhibiting in all BRC Global CP events. Win or lose, good sportsmanship is always expected. 

Good Sportsmanship includes:
• Congratulating the winner
• Responsibility for your dog(s). (this includes grooming, training, feeding, and clean-up)
• Showing respect for fellow competitors and their dogs
• Respecting the judge’s decision 

Bad Sportsmanship shall be considered as, but not limited to:
• Any negative remarks heard at ringside or anywhere on the show grounds including your set-up, the parking lot about the judge or other competitors.
• Mistreatment of a dog may be defined by (but not limited to) treating a dog harshly or with a heavy hand, or an over harsh correction. Being cruel to the dog because you lost.
• Throwing ribbons or gifts on the table as they leave the ring, NOT to be mistaken as gently donating back the ribbon to the registry.
• Improper handling/ring procedures such as “up staging”, crowding the handler in front of you, stepping on a dog or handler behind you or baiting dogs other than your own. This is not to be held against someone if age or skill is in question. 

Reason for Junior Handling Juniors are important to the sport of dogs. Juniors who learn about good sportsmanship, dogs, handling and dog shows will be valuable to the sport in the future. Junior Showmanship classes are offered at all BRC Global CP-sanctioned shows. These classes are held so that young people can:
• Experience winning and losing among those who are similar in age.
• Learn the correct way to handle the breed in regular classes.
• Practice handling skills in competition.
• Improve the way they handle their own dog

Handling Skills Junior Showmanship classes are judged on the ability of the junior to handle his or her own dog. The quality of the dog is not judged. Juniors will be asked to demonstrate:
• Moving their dog with the rest of the class.
• Presenting their dog in the standing position.
• Moving the dog individually in a pattern.
• Demonstrate knowledge of anatomy and structure of the dog they are handling

Ring Knowledge Juniors are expected to know basic ring routines. They should be able to follow directions, use space wisely and be familiar with gaiting patterns. Juniors should appear “ring wise,” alert to what is going on in the ring and prepared for changes in the judging routine. JUNIORS MUST BE ABLE TO CONTROL THEIR DOGS AT ALL TIMES. Any junior who cannot control his/her dog will be excused from the ring by the judge.

Appearance and Conduct Juniors should be clean, neat and well-groomed. They should wear clothing that is comfortable to handle in and appropriate for dog shows. Clothing should not distract nor limit or hinder the judge’s view of the dog. Dogs should be groomed and clean as they would be for the breed ring. Unnecessary grooming of the dog in the ring to gain attention is not proper conduct. Juniors should appear confident, prepared, and attentive. They should be courteous to both the judge and other juniors. Juniors are expected to handle their dogs without disturbing the dogs of the other juniors. Juniors should not crowd, and they should not disturb others by continued use of toys and bait. Juniors should be alert to the needs of their dog. They should use firm but thoughtful hands in controlling and handling their dogs. Juniors should not be impatient or heavy-handed. 

Emphasis on the Dog Juniors will be judged on their ability to present their dogs in the same way the dog is properly handled in the breed ring. Juniors will also be judged on their ability to make their individual dog look its best both in pose and motion. During all parts of the competition juniors should handle their dogs in a quiet, smooth and efficient manner. Juniors should strive to make the DOG stand out as the most important part of the team effort. 

Positioning Going between the dog and the judge, juniors are well advised not to come between the judge and the dog. The extent of this depends on the junior and the judge’s preference, however, a junior should take care not to exercise this aspect to the point of doing laps around the dog as this takes away from the presentation of the dog. It is advised that each junior use his/her own judgment in this area. 

Judge’s Examination and Evaluation While the judge must consider all areas important in evaluating the overall capabilities of juniors, it is doubly important that the junior present his dog in the proper manner for the breed being handled. In the individual presentation of the dog the junior should demonstrate the ability to handle the dog as it is handled in the breed ring, showing the dog to its best advantage in pose and in motion. During all phases of handling the junior’s concentration should be on the dog and not on the judge but not to the extent that he/she is unaware of what is taking place in the ring. Remember you are judging the handler, but time should be spent looking at the dog to gain insight as to how well it is being handled.
1. Is the dog responsive to the handler? Do they work as a team?
2. Does the dog appear posed or interested at all times?
3. Is the dog under control?
4. Has the handler moved the dog to the best of its ability?
5. Are the dog’s main faults being minimized?
6. Do both the dog and handler appear relaxed?
7. Is the dog presented with apparent minimum effort? For the safety of the exhibitors, juniors will not be asked to exchange dogs with each other during judging. 

Knowledge of Ring Procedure The judge shall evaluate the ability of the junior to follow directions, use space wisely and execute the requested gaiting patterns. Juniors should appear “ring wise”, alert to the judging progression and be prepared for changes in the judging routine. 

Appearance and Conduct The judge should be aware of the appearance of both the junior and the dog. The junior should be suitably dressed for the occasion, wearing clothing that will not hinder or detract from presentation of the dog. The dog would be groomed and clean in the manner associated with the breed. However, the judge should not evaluate either the attire of the handler nor the grooming of the dog, but rather that an effort has been made. Excessive grooming of the dog in the ring to gain the judge’s attention is inappropriate and should be faulted accordingly. The judge shall evaluate the general conduct of juniors in the ring. Juniors should appear prepared, confident, business-like and attentive. They are expected to handle their dogs without distracting the dogs of other competitors. A junior who crowds or disturbs other dogs and handlers should be faulted. A principle of Junior Showmanship is to afford the opportunity to learn the importance of sportsmanship in competition. Judges who reward unsportsmanlike conduct or actions, regardless of a handler’s capabilities, compromise the very premise of Junior Showmanship. Juniors should be alert to the needs of their dogs realizing the welfare of their dogs is important. They are responsible for the control of their dogs at all times. However, juniors who exhibit impatience or heavy handedness with their dogs should be penalized. 

Here are some examples of questions jugdes may ask,
• At what age can a dog enter regular classes in Conformation? Answer: 6 months
• How many majors and how many points does it take to attain an BRC Global CP Championship title? Answer: 4 majors and 200 points
A. To be judged on – Does the dog and handler appear to work as a team?
1) Presentation of breed being shown
a. Does the dog and handler appear to work as a team?
b. Is the dog under the handler’s control?
c. Is the dog moving correctly and safely around the ring?
d. Is the dog being presented with minimal effort?
e. Is the dog presented in such a way that its faults are minimized?
2) Skill in individual dog presentation
a. Is the dog presented in a way where its faults are minimized?
b. Is the dog interested in the handler and does it appears at ease?
c. Is the dog responsive and attentive to handler?
d. Is the dog presented with minimal effort?
3) Knowledge of Ring Procedure
a. Does the handler keep a distance between dogs to avoid crowding?
b. Does the handler follow directions?
c. Can the handler execute a pattern if asked?
d. Is the handler knowledgeable and competent in basic care, anatomy, breed standards and handling of dogs: – Things they should know and parents should teach at home
e. Can the junior name the anatomy parts of the dog such as,
Hock, Elbow, Stifle, Croup, Muzzle, flew, Withers, Tail, Shoulder, Forearm, Hip, Back, Occiput (poll), Top skull, Crest (of neck), Underjaw, Forechest, Stop, Point of Shoulder, Upper arm, Pastern, Brisket, Wrist, Point of rump, Loin, Topline, Backline, and Tuck.
1) Can the handler answer basic questions about dog care?
a. How does your dog cool himself off? (panting)
b. What type of food does your dog eat?
c. What type of insect can give a dog heartworms? (mosquitoes)
d. How can your veterinarian check your dog for worms? (Check his fecal matter)
e. What types of foods are bad for dogs? (Some milk products, cooked meat, raisins, grapes)
f. How old is your dog?
2) Does handler know the Breed Standard? – Questions like:
a. What is angulation?
b. What are faults in an American Bully? – Kinked tail Twisted tail Knotted tail Long tail Curled tail Overly Short tail Pink or Albino eyes Undershot mouth Overshot mouth Severe turn fronts Severe turn to rears cryptorchidism-undesended testicle
C. Appearance and conduct of dog and handler
1. Grooming and trimming; has effort been made to make the dog look clean and presentable?
2. Is the handler clean and properly dressed? Clothing should be neat and comfortable; no tank tops, shirts with writing, baggy pants or inappropriate footwear.
3. Is the handler prepared and confident?
4. Is the handler educated?
D. Good sportsmanship in and out of the ring should be emphasized at all times. Handlers to be penalized for:
1. Excessive crowding of dogs
2. Dropping/tossing bait in the ring
3. Talking to other handlers in the ring (talking to dog or judge is acceptable)
4. Not being congratulatory to winners in each class