Junior Handling

As a breed we are extremely lucky to have great foundations for the future of our breed in the Junior Handlers we have flying the flag for Dalmatians in the various YKC and JHA competitions. There are things that we could all learn from watching the Junior Handlers in how they work with the dogs and it isn’t often that we see the various stakes results come through and find that there was no Dalmatian placed.

As a Club we are lucky to have had two UK Junior Handler of the Year winners as members, Justin Graham-Weall and Charlotte-Louise Page.  As a Club we offer a Junior Membership available to children up to the age of 16 years old whose parents/guardians are members of the Club. The cost of this is £1 – Rules relating to Junior Members can be found in our Club Rules.

In Junior Handling it is the skill of the handler that is being judged not the dog as in breed classes. The whole point is to make the dog look as good as it can by the way it is being handled. You are judged on how you handle your dog, how you work in harmony with your dog and how smart you both are. You may also be asked about the “Points of the Dog” – information on both in the links to the right.

If you have any questions about Junior Handling then feel free to email Charlotte Page.

Want to know more?

There are two handling books written one is by an ex-junior handler, Marina Scott (nee White) (Scottish, British and World Champion). Marina Scott is a former junior handler and member of the JHA and YKC. In 1998, she won the Scottish Junior Handler of the Year title, UK Junior Handler of the Year title and World Junior Handler Winner title at the World Dog Show. As a result of her success in junior handling in 2001 she wrote and published a book called Junior Handling The White Way. This factual and colourful book contains everything a junior handler needs to know from training through to competing at the highest level. In 2011, she worked with DOG WORLD to produce a DVD version of her book, called Marina Scott’s Complete Guide to Junior Handling. This contains information on updates on junior handling guidelines as well as demonstrations on pattern work from top junior handlers across all breeds. Marina has a world of experience and has judged more than 900 handlers in the past 17 years from open shows through to championship level and the UK Junior Handler of the Year competition in 2010 where she judged Charlotte Page and awarded her the top spot with her Dalmatian. Link to Marina Scotts website.

Charlotte Page has now written the second book available to Junior Handlers “Handling Success”: A Guide to YKC Handling is a limited edition book written about the YKC. It is aimed at YKC members, Judges, Trainers and anyone with a keen interest in YKC Handling and Stakes. This 95 page book covers all the benefits/processes to compete in the YKC Handling and Stakes classes. Everything included within the book covers all you need to know about the YKC from a showing point of view. Link to KC Site to Purchase Charlottes Book.

Familiarise yourself with the points of the dog, download Here

F.A.Q

This section will contain the most frequent question asked by our junior handlers, if you don’t see an answer to a question you want answered then please feel free to contact us.

 Q: Should you show a 6 month old Dalmatian Puppy?

A: This is a difficult question to answer, due to it depending on how developed the handler is. Myself (17) used a 6 month old puppy to win the title of UK Junior Handler of the Year. However I had spent 4 years working and practicing with other Dalmatians I owned. So when I used a puppy I knew how to show it and control it. If it was somebody new to the breed and very young I would suggest using a veteran or older dog which is well schooled so you can learn the basics. After this I would then learn to teach the dog (possibly a puppy) how to do the patterns and show their teeth.

Q: Should you show in the breed?

A: I would say YES! From personally starting off in the breed, it taught me the basics of being in a breed ring and showing my dogs virtues to a judge. You will notice the difference when standing in a breed ring and a Junior Handling ring how showing changes. The breed is judged solely on your dog where as the handling is judged on your ability to show the dog off and get the best out of it.

Q: Where do I start when showing a Dalmatian?

A: The best thing to do is sit ring side and watch some of the top people. Do some research into the top breeders and top handlers of the breed. Then talk to them about how to show and ask them for advice. I have never known anyone say no to giving advice so don’t feel scared. Remember everyone is there for a hobby we all love.