The American Kennel Club's New Exhibitor Mentoring Program

Frequently Asked Questions

I’m new to the sport of dogs, how can I get started?

Even the top winning participants in dog showing were new once. To a novice it can be overwhelming to learn the ins and outs of dog showing from finding the right puppy, to entering your first show to actually competing. AKC has developed a program to match the experienced breeders and fanciers to newcomers. It is our hope that it will make the transition into this exciting sport welcoming and less intimidating. Please click here to sign up.

Why would I want a mentor?

Dog showing has a rich tradition of mentoring. Traditionally, experienced breeders and breed fanciers have served as mentors for individuals interested in the sport of showing dogs. In many cases, these mentors not only provided the dog, but also extensive one-on-one training, advice and assistance to interested new owners in everything from grooming, to health care, to showing, and even the eventual breeding of the dog. Many mentor-mentee relationships develop into lifelong friendships.

Learning the ropes in any sport can be difficult. A mentor provides invaluable one-on-one guidance through the sometimes complex rules and traditions of dog shows. A mentor can help you practice, assess your individual requirements, and prepare you for success in the show ring.

AKC mentors are experienced breeders and fanciers who care deeply about their breed and the show events in which their dogs participate. They are volunteers who give back to the dog-show community by sharing their extensive and valuable knowledge with newcomers.

I thought all good breeders mentored their puppy buyers. Why is the AKC getting involved in this?

Many good breeders do mentor their puppy buyers, especially when they sell a new exhibitor a show prospect. Traditionally, this is how many people learned the ropes in the sport of showing dogs.

However, today's breeders have many demands on their time. Many are also judges and may spend a lot of time travelling. Others have full-time jobs or other responsibilities, and others may live a long distance from the puppy buyer. We honor and strongly encourage a close relationship between breeder and owner, but we recognize that this isn't always possible. And this is where The American Kennel Club's New Exhibitor Mentoring Program can help.

Isn't it the responsibility of clubs to help mentor new exhibitors?

Many clubs do help mentor new exhibitors. As a club of clubs, the AKC encourages all dog clubs and their members to welcome and assist newcomers whether their interests are conformation (traditional dog showing), competitive obedience, traditional performance events, or simply training a dog to be a good companion and good citizen. All-breed clubs may not have members with the breed or competitive experience (or available time) to help new exhibitors in their endeavors. Wherever clubs do have such resources, we encourage them to foster such relationships within their club.

Also, many breed or parent clubs require that new members have several years of experience in their breed before they apply for membership. By the time new members are accepted into the club, they will have already had a need for mentoring. The American Kennel Club's New Exhibitor Mentoring Program does not require new exhibitors to have extensive breed knowledge or any previous dog show experience.

How do we match mentors and mentees?

We match new exhibitors who are interested in being mentored with individuals who have expressed an interest in helping out new exhibitors. Both parties are participating because they have expressed an interest in participating in this program. Mentors are expert volunteers.

We make matches based on expressed interests, breed and breed type interest, and geographic location. Unfortunately, mentors and mentees won't always live in the same communities or have the same breeds, but we will do our best to match breed interests and location as closely as possible. However, our mentors will have expertise and shared interests in their mentee's area of interest.

How can I become a mentor?

Mentors must be members in good standing of an AKC affiliated club. They must have extensive knowledge about showing and their breed(s). You can learn more or sign up for The American Kennel Club's New Exhibitor Mentoring Program online. You can also contact the AKC's public education department at 919-816-3712 or by e-mailing publiced@akc.org.

Why would I want to mentor?

Mentoring is part of a rich tradition unique to our sport. By participating in this program, you are not only helping new exhibitors in your community, but also helping to create an important legacy for the future of our sport and purebred dogs.

How can I learn more or sign up for a mentor?

You can learn more or sign up for The American Kennel Club's New Exhibitor Mentoring Program online. You can also contact the AKC's public education department at 919-816-3712 or by e-mailing publiced@akc.org

I'm interested in agility. Can you help me?

Yes, when you sign up online, you may select from the following areas of interest: conformation (traditional dog shows), obedience, agility, rally, or junior showmanship. Indicating a primary area of interest helps us to determine which mentor may be the best fit for your interests.

I've signed up for a mentor/to be a mentor. Now what do I do?

The AKC public education department puts your name and information about your individual interests/expertise into a database. When an appropriate match can be made, we contact the mentor to let them know that they have been matched with a mentee. The mentor, supported by materials from the AKC, will then contact the mentee.