AKC Junior Handler Numbers are required for entry in Junior Showmanship Competition. Number may be obtained from the American Kennel Club - PHONE: (919) 854-0195.

NOVICE JUNIOR CLASS: For Boys and Girls who are at least 10 years old and under 14 years old on the day of the show and who, at the time entries close, have not won three First Places in a Novice Class at a licensed or member show.

NOVICE SENIOR CLASS: For Boys and Girls who are at least 14 years old and under 18 years old on the day of the show and who, at the time entries close, have not won three First Places in a Novice Class at a licensed or member show.

OPEN JUNIOR CLASS: For Boys and Girls who are at least 10 years old and under 14 years old on the day of the show and who, at the time entries close, have won three First Places in a Novice Junior Showmanship Class at a licensed or member show.

OPEN SENIOR CLASS: For Boys and Girls who are least 14 years old and under 18 years old on the day of the show and who, at the time entries close, have won three First Places in a Novice Junior Showmanship Class at a licensed or member show.

Each dog handled in a regular Junior Showmanship Class must be entered and shown in one of the Breed or Obedience Classes at the show, or must be entered for Junior Showmanship only. Each dog must be owned by the Junior Handler or by the Junior Handler's father, mother, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, grandfather or grandmother, including the corresponding step and half relations, or by a member of the Junior Handler's household. Every dog entered for Junior Showmanship must be eligible to compete in Dog Shows or in Obedience Trials. A dog that has been excused or disqualified by a Breed Judge or by a Bench Show Committee may still be handled in Junior Showmanship if eligible to compete in Obedience Trials. A dog that has been rejected, dismissed, or excused by the Veterinarian for the protection of the other dogs at the show or for the protection of the dog excused may not be handled in Junior Showmanship.

The winner of a third First Place in each Novice Class shall automatically become eligible to enter in the corresponding Open Class at this show, provided that there are one or more Junior Handlers competing in that Open Class.

Winning of First Place in an open Junior Showmanship Class at the show may qualify or count toward qualification for entry in certain future limited Junior Showmanship Classes. For information on eligibility requirements for limited Junior Showmanship Classes which have been approved to date by AKC, write to the American Kennel Club, Show Plans, 5580 Centerview Drive, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27606.