JUNIOR APPRENTICE JUDGING PROGRAM: NOT A COMPETITION – IT’S EDUCATION! FOR OUR FUTURE BREEDERS, HANDLERS & JUDGES!

BY MARLENE GROVES

AKC JUNIOR TASK FORCE SECRETARY AND ROCKY MOUNTAIN JUNIOR FOUNDATION PRESIDENT

For a couple of years, I had tried to launch a Junior Judging Program, but not a competition, as an educational program. This year, Arapahoe Kennel Club agreed to host it, and many Breed Educators, Breeders, and Mentors from the American Whippet Club (AWC) were there to help make it happen!

HERE’S HOW WE PREPARED FOR IT

We selected a breed and then got the word out and commitments from breed mentors, educators, and dog owners. Dr. Lisa Costello, an AWC approved mentor, AKC Judge, and Veterinarian, agreed to be our Whippet Educator. Of course, we put information in our Premium List and promoted it with area Juniors.

We created an Educational Packet, which consisted of:

• A one-page Judging Basics Sheet (see next page)

• A one-page Canine Anatomy Sheet (see below)

• A one-page Legend to the Canine Anatomy Sheet (see below)

• The AKC Whippet Standard

• A Breed Evaluation Form (very similar to what judges use)

• A two-page, breed-specific Questionnaire (a piece created to facilitate more discussion on the breed and the exhibits the Juniors saw and evaluated)

• The Whippet Illustrated Standard (provided by the AWC)

• A Whippet Judges Reference Postcard (provided by the AWC)

• An article on Whippets (provided by the AWC)

• Plus, a composite notebook for note-taking

We had eight Juniors step up to this program and they did an outstanding job.

HERE’S HOW WE RAN THE PROGRAM

Emails were sent in advance with some of the materials, and it included a parental permission slip.

The Juniors were told to study, and they did as they arrived with notes and marked up Breed Standards.

Packets were distributed, with some introductions of the people of the day, then one of our Arapahoe Kennel Club members, AKC Judge Amy Sorbie, spoke to the Juniors on General Judging Basics, which included instructions to find attributes in dogs, not look for faults, and of course, to follow the Breed Standard.

Next, Dr. Lisa Costello went over specific Whippet breed information, including how to examine a Whippet, but also what she was doing during the examination.

We also had two additional Breed Mentors and Experts, Lori Wilson and Tracey Hite, who each supported four Juniors.

The Juniors had four exhibits, two dogs and two bitches, which were stacked, and the Juniors, with their notes and evaluation forms, started visually judging. Regrettably, there was a snafu with the superintendent’s ring timing and we lost 30 minutes in the day’s program, so we had to say, “No hands on the dogs today.” But they were Whippets, so the Juniors really could see what they needed to, though after the formal program, many of the Juniors went to the dog owners and did go over the dogs.

We then split up the eight Juniors and put four at the down and four at the back, and the dogs did their down and backs. The Juniors, again with forms and notebooks, we’re on it—judging!

The Juniors then moved to the center of the ring, with all three mentors, as the dogs were individually gaited around the ring twice and then went around as a group twice. This was to ensure all the Juniors could see the dogs’ movement well.

The Juniors then took a bit of control and asked each dog’s handler to go around and not touch their dog, but let it stand naturally.

To finish the program, the Juniors had to complete their Breed Evaluation Forms (shown above) on the exhibits (A-B-C-D) and the Breed Questionnaire. Options were to choose Breed, Opposite, Select Dog and Bitch, or to rank them 1-2-3-4; with notes and their reasons for the same. The Juniors did outstanding!

They were not given ribbons or scholarships, but instead, certificates like judges get for attending a breed seminar, and Junior Apprentice Judge nametags! Their feedback indicated they liked the program, but next time they absolutely want the hands-on (and we agree).

Afterward, we had comments from other Juniors, from parents, and from dog show participants who shared how interesting it was to watch the Juniors. And… we had about a half-dozen people, including breed clubs, say they wanted their breed to be used next.

We will absolutely do it again in the Rocky Mountain area.

I am happy to share information that can assist any other club with trying a program like this; and I would, without hesitation, suggest working with the American Whippet Club.