Junior Handling in Denmark                                       
© Katrine Grønfeldt Kryh 2007

In Denmark the Junior Handling competitions are held at DKK’s international (CACIB) dog shows. Competitions are also held at national dog shows, but they do not count to the competition Danish Top Junior Handler of The Year.

Junior handling at the CACIB show in Ballerup 2006

The competition
The Junior Handler has to be between 10-17 years old, ranging from the day of his or her 10^th birthday, to the day of his or her 18^th birthday. There is only one age class. Junior Handling is arranged at every international show during the year, these are about 5, and all juniors are allowed to participate both days. When entering for a Junior Handling show in Denmark, the name of the handler, date of birth, home address, the dogs name, the dog’s registration number and the owner of the dog is to be stated.  You can exchange the choice of dog, by going to the DKK office in the start of the day when you are showing. However, the dog handled must be registered in DKK or a by FCI recognised national kennel club, and not younger than 9 months old. The dog has to be entered to the dog show itself; else it can not participate in the Junior Handler Competition.

At an ordinary international dog show, about 15-20 handlers participate, and at the national dog shows, about 10-15 competitors. The judge always places the handlers 1-4. 

What the Danish Junior Handler judge looks for are: Good contact with the dog, ability to make letters & numbers, use of ring, comprehensive view, ability to tackle eventually problems with the dog, ability to handle another breed, showing the dog’s teeth, good tempo for movement, attention, and attention of the position of the judge, so that he/she always has a full view of the dog.

Points for the junior handling judge to consider:

Junior handling at a Danish CACIB show

Danish Top Junior Handler

Danish Top Junior Handler of the Year is a competition ranging from the first international dog show of the year, to the last international dog show of the year. It is a competition similar to Dog of the Year, where the handlers throughout the year gather points according to their placement at international dog shows. The handler is only allowed to count his or her best results from the week-end of every dog show, i.e. if the handler participates both Saturday and Sunday only the points for the best result is registered. This means that if there are 5 shows during one year, you can only have 5 results. The top four of the Top Junior Handler get to represent Denmark in the Nordic Championships. The Top Junior Handler is announced at the last international dog show of the year, typically in “Herning”, where the winner of the Top Junior Handler competition are honoured in the big ring, with all the other winners i.e. Dog of the year, breeder of the year etc. The winner of the Danish Top Junior Handler competition gets to represent Denmark at Crufts the following year, and also at the following World Dog Show.

Points for Danish Top Junior Handler:

Top JH results are frequently updated at the official homepage of DKK.              
Also JH pictures are frequently updated after every Dog Show at Wiegaarden.
 

Show of Winners                                                                                                                 
Each year in Denmark we have a show called Show of Winners. At the Show of Winners all the Junior Handling winners during the year can participate. These are up to 8 Junior Handlers that have accomplished either:

•      More than 5 point at DKK’s int Dog Show

•      Best Junior Handler in a Speical Club

•      Number 1, 2 or 3 at last years Show Of Winners

Show of Winners is a very prestigious show, everybody dress up for the evening and cheer on their favorite. There is a great atmosphere and all have a wonderful time the whole day/evening.

In the Junior Handling there are three heats. Two heats with an unknown dog, in each of these heats all handlers are given dogs of the same breed, and the breeds differ for the two heats. The last and third heat is with the dog the Junior Handler has registered for the show. There are three judges who range the handlers 1 to 8, who each receive points from 8 to 1. For each heat there is different judges, so when the winner of the Junior Handling Competition at The Show of Winners are announced, it is the Junior that has the best placement overall during the evening.

The Junior Handler Winners through the years at the Show Of Winners:

The Junior Handling in Denmark is steadily advancing; the young people get better and better. Denmark is getting a Danish Kennel Club Youth that will help all dog loving young people to get better and keep their interests.