This question is more relevant today than it would have been a few decades ago. When I started, we had many match shows in which we could show our puppies for training and practice, while getting some degree of evaluation at the same time. For the most part, matches do not exist today, so more and more people are showing puppies in regular shows.

We all have heard the words judge the dog on the day. In fact, it takes a certain degree of understanding how a breed grows and matures when judging puppies. Traits like coat – and to some degree – movement – improve with age and muscle tone. Certainly, some breeds – such as Cocker Spaniels – mature (physically) earlier than the large breeds, and more closely resemble an adult, and so are easier to judge as puppies.

For me, I look at a puppy in two ways: (1) see it as it is today and (2) I go into my memory vault to remember how mature dogs that I liked were at this puppies age. So, I think, in reality, I judge the dog as one-hundred-percent puppy, and in the back of mind – perhaps subconsciously – I am envisioning it as it is along the growth path of the breed – and what the final result may be. A puppy who seems to be secure within himself and is all together has an advantage. Again, to some extent, this is easier with smaller breeds.

Another aspect that comes into play is the quality of the adults in the Winners competition. If it is a weak entry, and I truly do not care for any of the adults, my mind whispers to me, “At least there is still hope for the puppy.” On the other hand, if it is a good quality Winners competition, and the puppy does not win, I have often taken a few minutes to tell the person showing the puppy how much I like it and I wish them luck with the pup. With new people, sometimes encouragement like that can mean a lot to them – and the puppy deserves that acknowledgement.

Finally, let me share this with you: Let the puppy be a puppy. It is much more important that a youngster learn to like being in the ring than for the handler to try to insist on perfection at this age – and possibly ruin a budding show career. If your puppy is enjoying himself – and that does not mean being completely out of control – and the judge seems to be annoyed at this – find another judge! Just as judges should appreciate novice exhibitors, so should he take some joy out of seeing a puppy enjoying itself in his ring. Both of these things contribute to our future.

Good luck with your puppies.