Level 1Beginner
The different age classes
The answer
Baby, Puppy, Junior… which category should you enter your dog in?
At a dog show, a class is an entry category. Among other things, it brings together dogs of comparable ages: a five-month-old puppy is not shown in the same class as a nine-year-old veteran.
But beware: some categories overlap, and the Working and Champion classes require more than a minimum age.
The table to help you find your way
Guidelines for French shows; always check the classes offered by the organiser.
| Class | Dog’s age | Worth remembering |
|---|---|---|
| Baby | From 4 months to under 6 months | Optional in France: it must be offered. |
| Puppy | From 6 months to under 9 months | The next category for puppies. |
| Junior | From 9 months to under 18 months | Available from nine completed months. |
| Intermediate | From 15 months to under 24 months | An option for young adults. |
| Open | From 15 months | No champion title or working certificate is required for this class. |
| Veteran | From 8 years | The category for older dogs. |
These age limits appear in the official information of SCC Expo (the website of the SCC, the French kennel club) and, for the corresponding classes, in the FCI regulations.
“Under nine months” means the dog leaves Puppy on the day it turns nine months. Limits are not rounded to the nearest month.
Which age should you use?
The dog's age on the day it is shown, not the age it was when you entered.
Was your puppy born on 10 January? On 10 October it reaches nine months: it then belongs in the Junior class, even if you filled in the form several weeks earlier.
At sixteen months, why are there several choices?
At that age, the conditions for the Junior, Intermediate and Open classes overlap.
You choose a single class for the individual entry at that show. The FCI regulations forbid entering in two classes.
So there is no compulsory staircase to climb, class after class. Intermediate does not mean “intermediate-level handler”, and Open is not reserved for experienced people. These names refer to the dog's category, not to your level.
Working and Champion: age is not enough
| Special class | Minimum age | Additional condition |
|---|---|---|
| Working | 15 months | Eligible breed and proof of working qualification required. At an FCI international show, the WCC certificate is required. |
| Champion | 15 months | Recognised champion title, validated before the closing date, with proof. |
A very obedient dog does not automatically qualify for Working. Likewise, having won a class or a show is not enough to justify entering Champion.
And abroad?
The FCI regulations use the term Minor Puppy for puppies under six months that are properly vaccinated. For this category, check the minimum age and the conditions used in the host country: do not automatically transpose the French rules for Baby.
Beginner: three tips for choosing
- Start from the official date of birth. Calculate the age on the day you are due to be shown.
- Read the limits exactly. “Under” excludes the day on which the stated age is reached.
- Don't confuse class with personal level. You can start out with an adult dog in Open.
Intermediate: three tips for preparing the entry
- Spot the overlaps. Between fifteen and eighteen months, compare the classes available before choosing.
- Check the class suggested by the form. An automatic selection deserves a double-check.
- Re-read before paying. Check the show date, the date of birth and the category chosen.
Advanced: three tips for organising a season
- Plan ahead for category changes. Note the dates of the nine, eighteen and twenty-four month marks.
- Prepare the proofs for the special classes. Check they are acceptable and available before the closing date.
- Check each international regulation. Local names and conditions must be checked for every event.