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Pee Wee Special Attraction

Pee Wee Special Attraction

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  • Procedures and Guidelines +

    A Club must submit a Special Attractions Form to conduct the Pee Wee Class Special Attraction. The request must be approved by the Event Operations department. The Pee Wee Special Attraction is a pre-Junior Showmanship class. The Pee Wee class is geared toward children 5–9 years of age. Children younger than five cannot participate in the Pee Wee Class Special Attraction. The safety of the children is a primary concern.

    Download this page as a PDF here.

    Each Pee Wee unit consists of the child, his/her parent/guardian/responsible adult, and the dog. Only one Pee Wee unit is in the ring at a time. This is not a competitive class, but rather a fun, learning experience for the child and the adult. At an All-Breed Event the judge must be an AKC approved All Breed Junior Showmanship Judge. A Group Club or Specialty Club may have a Limited Status Junior Showmanship Judge that meets the criteria. The Judge MUST like children, be patient, kind, and have a sense of humor!

    This Special Attraction must be listed as such in the premium list and in any public announcements which will include the following information:

    • A dog must be at least four months of age to enter the Pee Wee class.
    • Bitches in season will not be allowed to participate. If pre-entered, a dog may be substituted that meets the eligibility requirements as specified by the club.
    • All dogs entered must have the proper lead and collar.
    • A responsible adult must be present with the child both inside and outside the ring. The adult is to maintain control of the dog outside of the ring.
    • At a Group or Specialty Club Show the dogs must be of the breed(s) eligible for the event.
    • At an All-Breed event, all AKC fully recognized and Miscellaneous Class breeds must be allowed to enter, including dogs with a PAL listing.
    • At an All-Breed event, it is up to the host club to decide if FSS breeds not in the Miscellaneous Class and All-American dogs are allowed to enter.
    • It is up to the host club to decide if a dog must be registered to participate.
    • How entries will be accepted is up to the host club. In addition to an entry, a release must be signed by the child’s parent or legal guardian. Please contact Event Operations at eventplans@akc.org to request the current version of the Pee Wee Release of Liability.
    • The entry fee, if any, shall be specified.
    • Clubs may specify a limit on the number of children allowed to enter the class.
    • Clubs must submit a summary report to AKC including number of entries and feedback to the Event Operations Department at eventplans@akc.org.
    • The safety of both the dogs and Juniors inside and outside the ring is a primary concern. Outside of the ring, the dog is to be controlled by the adult accompanying the child. An additional lead, provided by the Club, will be at the Judge’s table. At the Judge’s discretion based upon the size of the child and the dog, for safety purposes the adult may be asked to attach a second lead to the dog so both child and adult will walk the dog together.

    It is essential that the club hosting this Special Attraction provide the support and time to greet the participants and make them feel welcome and be able to answer any question that may arise. There should be a minimum of three club members to assist participants, monitor the ring for safety, and one may act as the steward. Club members must be patient, pleasant, and willing to dedicate as much time as needed to create a pleasant experience for the young Junior and his/her adult. This is vital to the success of this program.

    Each of these club members assisting should make themselves familiar with the Junior Showmanship Conformation Regulations, Guidelines for Judging Juniors in Conformation, Juniors in Performance Event Regulations booklet. It is recommended that these Regulations be available to those junior entrants at the show along with the Pee Wee class procedures and guidelines. (The club may download the PDF of the booklet or order from the Order Desk.)

    Although the word “judge” will be used, this is designed to be a learning and mentoring experience—no Junior will be “judged” but rather will be mentored with the age-appropriate amount of information to help prepare them for what they will be expected to know about AKC regular Junior Showmanship once they reach 9 years of age. Obviously, the older children can absorb more detail than the younger ones. The children will be mentored one child, their adult, and dog in the ring at a time. Each child will receive a participation ribbon or rosette to commemorate the experience. The club may select the color of the ribbon and may wish to add a small gift for the child or the dog to take home. It would be an added plus if the Judge were to be available for individual photographs with the show or club photographer which would serve as a memento and reminder to both the child and the adult of the fun experience and remind them to return again next year!

    The Judge should explain the process of showing the dog to the Junior and the responsible adult in the ring including breed specific presentation. Depending on the size of the dog and the child, the adult may be asked to lift a table breed on or off the table, or the Club may mandate that the adult should do it regardless. The required judging surface (table/ramp/floor) defined by the parent club does not apply to the Pee Wee Class Special Attraction. The safety of the dogs and children is the priority when determining the surface for judging. Neither the youngster nor the adult should be asked to show the bite.

    Consider either holding the Pee Wee Special Attraction at lunchtime, which would give the child and the responsible adult time to get to the show; or the Club may wish to schedule this before the groups, when rings may be available. It is important to maximize spectator attendance as this is a huge crowd pleaser! Ideally, a designated ring for this Special Attraction would allow more time for one-on-one mentoring for each child and adult. If that is not possible, then a ring that is vacant, preferably centrally located (perhaps near the Club tent) for maximum viewing by the greatest audience.

    Some clubs offer a pizza party or cake in a separate location after the classes are over for the children and adults to make new friends and share this new common interest.

  • Upcoming Events +

    Updated 10.15.2024

    Saluki Association of New England 10/18/2024 MA Skyesaluki@gmail.com
    Wenatchee Kennel Club 10/18/2024 WA nfday@msn.com
    Rapid City Kennel Club 10/19/2024 SD katherinejacobson1@gmail.com
    Del Valle Dog Club of Livermore 10/19/2024 CA homardachs@gmail.com
    Illinois Capitol Kennel Club 10/20/2024 IL hybrk1@comcast.net
    Kennel Club of Riverside 10/20/2024 IL hybrk1@comcast.net
    Samoyed Club of America 10/25/2024 TX briarwild@comcast.net
    Kennel Club of Riverside 10/26/2024 CA rnsmith89@yahoo.com
    Greater Murfreesboro Kennel Club 10/26/2024 TN stonesriverkennels@hotmail.com
    Colorado Springs Kennel Club 10/26/2024 CO Blkthndrpugs@aol.com
    Lenape Boston Terrier Club 10/27/2024 NJ jacinta55nj@yahoo.com
    Border Collie Society of America 11/1/2024 MO dianabcsaboardvp@gmail.com
    San Gabriel Valley Kennel Club 11/2/2024 CA salutaireess@verizon.net
    Heart of Texas Labrador Retriever Club 11/2/2024 TX lotsoflabs@comcast.net
    Taconic Hills Kennel Club 11/2/2024 NY pmurphycpa@aol.com
    Taconic Hills Kennel Club 11/3/2024 NY pmurphycpa@aol.com
    National Beagle Club 11/5/2024 TN deb@debkrier.com
    Salisbury Maryland Kennel Club 11/9/2024 MD 1aprilclyde@gmail.com
    Southern Colorado Kennel Club 11/9/2024 CO carey@dalsalley.com
    Central New York Shetland Sheepdog Club 11/9/2024 NY cnysheltieclub@gmail.com
    Central New York Shetland Sheepdog Club 11/10/2024 NY cnysheltieclub@gmail.com
    Cypress Creek Kennel Club of Texas 11/10/2024 TX cypresscreekkennelclub@gmail.com
    Grand Rapids Kennel Club 11/10/2024 MI bellafleurcavaliers@outlook.com
    Cook Inlet Kennel Club 11/10/2024 AK katagnik@yahoo.com
    Tucson Kennel Club 11/16/2024 AZ dazdox@yahoo.com
    Western Reserve Kennel Club, Inc. 11/23/2024 OH jrcappara@gmail.com
    Western Reserve Kennel Club, Inc. 11/24/2024 OH jrcappara@gmail.com
    American Bullmastiff Association 11/29/2024 pm event WA dakaarcsp@msn.com
    American Bullmastiff Association 11/29/2024 am event WA dakaarcsp@msn.com
    American Hairless Terrier Club 12/13/2024 FL canterburyb@comcast.net
    Delaware Water Gap Kennel Club 12/15/2024 PA pennybgl@nycap.rr.com
    Valley Forge Kennel Club 12/7/2024 PA heckmanda@comcast.net
    2025
    Nolan River Kennel Club, Inc. 1/4/2025 TX beagler@wolfrunbeagles.com
    Santa Clara Valley Kennel Club, INC. 1/11/2025 CA santaclaravalleykc@gmail.com
    Manatee Kennel Club 1/19/2025 FL sportofdogs@gmail.com
    Miniature American Shepherd Club of the USA 1/31/2025 AZ abingtonminis@gmail.com
    Great Barrington Kennel Club 2/1/2025 MA glorial@nycap.rr.com
    Kennel Club of Texarkana, Inc. 2/1/2025 AR ROBERTCHAFFIN28@GMAIL.COM
    Great Barrington Kennel Club 2/2/2025 MA glorial@nycap.rr.com
    Lost Dutchman Kennel Club 2/2/2025 AZ trevafaires@gmail.com  
    Lakeland Winter Haven Kennel Club 2/15/2025 FL vomdrakkenfels@gmail.com
    Silver Bay Kennel Club of San Diego 2/22/2025 CA starcoachdals@aol.com
    Piedmont Collie Club 3/1/2025 NC blairmullin@live.com
    American Pomeranian Club 3/10/2025 KY roxcampbell@gmail.com
    Siberian Husky Club of Metropolitan Dallas 3/15/2025 TX wallks@suddenlink.net
    Siberian Husky Club of Metropolitan Dallas 3/16/2025 TX wallks@suddenlink.net
    Palm Beach County Dog Fanciers Assoc 3/22/2025 FL FOXFYREKENNELS@MSN.COM
    San Luis Obispo Kennel Club 3/29/2025 CA slokcshowchair@gmail.com
    Kennel Club of Yorkville, Illinois 4/6/2025 IL cordia1@aol.com
    Miniature American Shepherd Club of the USA 4/8/2025 MO twinston@mascusa.org
    Lebanon County Kennel Club 4/11/2025 PA southmtngsps@aol.com
    Harrisburg Kennel Club 4/12/2025 PA spindriftpulik@icloud.com
    Rhode Island Kennel Club 4/12/2025 RI kaugaitis@cox.net
    Rhode Island Kennel Club 4/13/2025 RI kaugaitis@cox.net
    Mason & Dixon Kennel Club 4/13/2025 PA stoneshep@hotmail.com
    Northwest Arkansas Kennel Club 4/20/2025 AR nwakennelclub@yahoo.com
    Abilene Kennel Club 5/17/2025 TX richard@bobacbassets.com
    New Castle Kennel Club 5/25/2025 PA mrk4047@gmail.com
    English Cocker Spaniel Club of America 5/29/2025 MA mjlsu76@gmail.com
    German Shorthaired Pointer Club of Northern Sacramento Val 6/6/2025 CA dlpettinatio@surewest.net
    Bryn Mawr Kennel Club 6/14/2025 PA caobrienfi@gmail.com
    Bartlesville Kennel Club 6/25/2025 OK bigcityaussies@gmail.com
    St. Joseph Kennel Club 7/19/2025 MO elgchase@sbcglobal.net
    Cook Inlet Kennel Club 7/27/2025 AK katagnik@yahoo.com

While children younger than five cannot participate in the Pee Wee Class Special Attraction, a club may want to offer other Special Attractions to engage children. Some clubs offer a special attraction which allows children (including those younger than five) to “show” their stuffed/toy dogs. If the club wants to offer this type of Special Attraction, they must submit a Special Attractions Form.