Things We Can Do To Make Junior Showmanship Fun

Click here to read the complete article
146 – August, 2025

By William Given

The American Kennel Club has provided young people with their own unique competition and the AKC has designed the sport of Junior Showmanship such that it promotes the values of sportsmanship, respect for one’s opponents, judges, and the sport. It is hoped that young people find the sport fun and a positive outlet for their competitive spirit and use the sport to foster the development of friendships and build social bonds.

Young people have many different reasons for wanting to participate in the sport of Junior Showmanship. Maybe a child’s first exposure to the sport was by accompanying a parent or grandparent to a dog show. It could be that their first time in the ring was showing in conformation before they were old enough for Junior Showmanship. Regardless, the truth is that encouraging your child and other young people to participate in Junior Showmanship can benefit them in countless ways, both now and in the future.

Participating in Junior Showmanship plays a crucial role in the social, emotional, and even physical development of our young people. It is, however, important to remember that for children, the primary goal of their participation should be to have fun. It is important for us to remember that when young people enjoy what they are doing, they are far more likely to stay engaged, improve their skills, and develop a lifelong passion for dogs and our sport. Let us explore some strategies for making Junior Showmanship a fun and personally rewarding experience.

Focus on skill development over winning

Click here to read the complete article
146 – August, 2025

Short URL: https://caninechronicle.com/?p=334635

Posted by AnthonyA on Aug 10 2025. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.