My daughter wants to start Jr Showmanship. Where to start?

First of all, do you have a breed in mind? If not, watch the junior competitons, you will see that certain breeds are popular with juniors as they are fairly easy to handle and look good with and don't require complicated grooming.

THEORETICALLY the quality of the dog does not matter, just as THEORETICALLY a conformation judge is judging the dog regardless of the handler. But just as even the most honest judge can be subconsciously influenced by having a known handler on the lead, good grooming, good handling, attractive markings etc, a Juniors judge can be drawn to a good specimen over an obviously pet-quality one, or one that's not properly groomed for the breed. That's just human nature. So yes, handling is the most important part, but the dog on the end of the lead can complete the picture. Doesn't have to be a top show winner or anything like that, but you do want a decent specimen that is correctly groomed.

That said, there are a fair number of breeders that would LOVE to place a dog with a junior. Often a dog that's completed his championship but is just not as good as what the breeder wants to keep for breeding, or maybe one that has been shown but is just not able to get past the competition.

I'm not sure how it's done in the US, but in Canada a junior can borrow a dog at the show - I've frequently lent my dogs to juniors for competitions who came up to me on the day and asked to use one (although Bassets are a DIFFICULT breed to handle properly, even for adults).

So yes, go to shows, get to know the breeders. Talk to the JUNIORS themselves - they often have connections, many are second-generation handlers. Also, see if your local kennel club has a junior division, it's great for education and networking.

Handling classes are a definite once you have the dog.

Well first get your daughter a junior showmanship number. That info can be found on AKC's website, along with any other info you are going to need. You are going to have to find training classes in your area, most kennel club's will have them, so find your nearest all-breed kennel club and see when they are putting on their classes, you will probably have to join the club, but I am not sure on that one.

Most junior start off with an already finished dog, but a lot of judges don't like that, they like to see a junior work a dog that is not a statue. So your dog if they are AKC registered they can be used as her junior dog, but she will need to learn to show it, and groom the dog.

You could get her, her own dog however. Taking her to shows, is a great idea, getting her around the rings and what not, getting her around the other juniors is also a good idea. Believe it or not, the juniors ring can become quite cut throat, making friends will go a long way. Does she just want to do junior showmanship, or does she want to continue in the breed ring?

A junior is only a junior till they are 18, once 18 they can't show in JS anymore.

Edit- Brea: Bulldogs are not a good starting show dog, they are not an easy breed to show. Also what does the Atlantic Coastal Conference (ACC) have to do with dog showing? In fact none of those breeds you listed are easy to show, except for labradors.

Common JS breeds are

Golden Retrievers

Shetland Sheepdogs

Terriers (all kinds)

GSPs

Herding breeds (all kinds)

Pugs

Edit- Santa Basset, In the US, the junior or someone of the junior immediate family needs to be an owner of the dog.

You want to start her with a Puppy to give her the full experience. My aunt is part of the ACC and is a breeder and has been doing it for 25+ years. My cousin has also won many JR showmanship awards and she has always started out with a puppy. Try to find a breeder that starts training their puppies when they are 6 weeks.

Best 1st dogs to show would be.

Labs.

German Shepards

Boxers

Any bull dogs.

Take her to a couple dog shows to watch the other people, thats how i learned fat.

Hope this helps=]

The AKC has an entire section devoted to information about Junior handling.