1. A dog or bitch is entered into a dog or a bitch class, respectively. They are not shown together until the last class (BEST OF BREED)
 2. There are a number of classes which can be entered, it is POSSIBLE to enter your dog in more than one class but is very seldom actually done, if ever.
3. You enter your dog in the class most appropriate for the dog. The following classes are available at most shows:
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Puppy classes
puppy (age 6-9 months, puppy (age 9-12 months), puppy (age 12-18 months)

***IMPORTANT*** Be sure you are accurate down to the day of the age of your dog. If you miss this by one day you will be declared ineligible for the class, EVEN if you have taken the win! (in most SPECIALTIES all three classes aRe available, in many all-breed shows the puppy classes will be 6-12 months and 12-18 months)
Novice class:
for dogs who have never had more than three blue ribbons (first place wins) or who have never taken a Best of Breed win

***again, be careful of the NOVICE clas!. More Novice winners are later declared "ineligible" than you would care to imagine! myself included! (and I had taken Winners Bitch at a Specialty!! Only to be told it didn't count!***

scenes at the grooming tables

 American bred
(dogs who were bred in America) This class is often entered as a sign to a judge that the dog/handler may be inexperienced but are not eligible for novice OR sometimes when a handler is handling more than one dog and is entering a lot of the classes.
Bred-by exhibitor:
This class is exclusively for the BREEDER-OWNER of the dog to show their own dog
Open:
Exactly what it says, any dog, any age over 6 months, any country of origin, even a finished Champion, may enter the open class
***again, these classes are for dogs and bitches, respectively**** (“BITCH” is not a dirty word at a dog show!)

and ....finally....Best Of Breed
Dogs already finished to their championships compete in this class for Best of Breed plus the Winners Dog and The Winners Bitch from the classes
NOTE: SPECIALTY shows often hold extra (non-regular) classes such as Veterans and variety classes, for example in the Newfoundland breed there are Open classes for dogs of another color other than black. (O.A.O.C.---Open, Any Other Color)
Also, there may be various classes within these classes, for example, size limitations within certain breeds (such as beagles) leads to completely separate classes for EACH size of beagle, thirteen inch or fifteen inch. When entering such classes, it is important that you specify on the entry form the EXACT class in which you are entering your dog.

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