This year we are celebrating the 76th year of AKC Junior Showmanship. Formerly called Children’s Handling, the event was founded by Len Brumby Sr. at the Westbury Kennel Association as a class for youngsters to compete in during their day at the dog show. I’m sure Mr. Brumby would be pleased to see how his idea has transformed into an important facet of our sport.
Today AKC Junior Showmanship offers many advantages to the thousands who compete each year. Participants develop their knowledge of purebred dogs and their handling skills, learn about good sportsmanship, earn Scholarships for college and make friendships that can last a lifetime.
Over the years, the AKC has continued to expand and improve upon our programs and services for juniors. Early changes in the program included requiring juniors to preenter a show, and having an official judging time, which was published in the show’s Judging Schedule. Further revisions since the inception of the program resulted in the adoption of the Conformation Junior Showmanship Regulations and official written Guidelines for Judging Juniors in Conformation as well as the Juniors in Performance Events Regulations.
In January 1997, the AKC Board of Directors approved the AKC National Junior Organization with the goal to foster the future of the sport of purebred dogs by encouraging increased participation in AKC and its events. Since its inception, we have seen our numbers grow from 9,000 Juniors in 1997 to over 15,000 in 2003.
The Junior Organization offers: a Junior Newsletter, a membership pin for all Juniors obtaining a Junior Handling Number (which is now required for entry into the Junior Showmanship Class), a section of the AKC Web Site devoted specifically to Junior Showmanship and Juniors Seminars, which are given at a minimum of four times a year on the weekends.
The Junior Showmanship scholarship program was also started in 1997. Initially it awarded $5,000, but over the years, this amount has increased significantly; today we award the sum of $100,000 annually. This year, the AKC received 81 applications for the Junior Showmanship Scholarships and 48 were awarded ranging from $1000-$5000. The recipients from 23 states participate regularly in all aspects of the fancy including Obedience, Agility, Conformation, and the Performance Events. To date we have awarded over $ 300,000 and we are proud to be investing in the future of the fancy by supporting Juniors’ pursuit of secondary education.
Another important focus for us has been recognizing the accomplishments of our junior participants in all areas of competition offered by AKC. In 1999 we began recognizing Juniors who have handled dogs to titles in the Companion and Performance Events with a certificate and a pin. The majority of certificates have been issued for dogs with titles in Obedience and Agility. However, we have many Juniors participating and working towards titles in all of the events, including Hunt Tests and Field Trials, Earthdog, Lure Coursing and Herding. To date Juniors have handled dogs to Master level titles in almost every event and we have issued 663 title certificates.
Our Juniors Competition at The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship also rewards Juniors’ academic achievement — in order to be eligible for entry a student must submit transcripts showing a grade point average of at least 3.0 or equivalent for the two semesters completed immediately prior to the closing of entries. Winning Juniors receive $5,000 in scholarship awards.
Our Summer College Intern Program is the newest addition to the many opportunities we offer Juniors. The program was created to nurture the professional development of those with a background and interest in the sport while also offering the participants a meaningful and challenging work assignment that complements their academic training and career goals. The intern program will help us access the best and the brightest individuals and groom them for careers at the AKC.
Juniors are vital to the future of responsible dog ownership and our sport. The values, attitudes and responsibility learned through Junior Showmanship will serve these youngsters well throughout their lives. By putting time and effort into learning about their dog and how to present it, juniors are rewarded not only with a win but also with friendships, role models and the joy of purebred dogs.
Juniors are the future of our breeding programs, our sport, our clubs and of the AKC. I hope that you and your clubs take the time to mentor children who show an interest in the sport and encourage them to participate as Juniors.
Sincerely,
Ron Menaker
Chairman