Getting Started in Junior Showmanship

Junior Showmanship is open to children 9 to 18 years old. It is a sport for young people to show off their dog and handling skills.

BCSA offers fun classes for kids under 9 years old at the National Specialty. Learn more about these under the current year’s National Specialty page

Plush Puppy: 5 years and younger

Pee-Wees: 6-8 years old

Juniors can compete in any AKC dog sport, but Junior Showmanship is the only competition for Juniors only.

AKC has a Junior Recognition Program where Juniors acquire points throughout the year by participating and receiving scores in dog sports.