NZ German Shepherds
Showing your Dog
New to dog showing, don't know where to start, not sure which classes you should be entering your dog in to. This information is often confusing or hard to find so let us give you a helping hand.
Specialist Shows are organised by German Shepherd Dog Clubs/Associations and will therefore only have German Shepherds entered.
The advantages of entering these shows is that in most cases the Judge will have a more in depth knowledge of the breed, generally having bred/owned or handled German Shepherds themselves for many years, you will therefore get a better feel for the standard of your dog compared to other German Shepherds in NZ. Clubs/Associations tend to appoint International Judges from all over the world. Many German Shepherd Breeders/Show Owners only enter their dogs into the Specialist Shows.
Disadvantages of only entering Specialist Shows is that the number of shows held each year are limited.
| 1 1a |
Baby Puppy Dog Baby Puppy Bitch For dogs or bitches 3 calendar months and under 6 calendar months of age on the first day of the show. |
| 2 2a |
Minor Puppy Dog Minor Puppy Bitch For dogs or bitches of 6 calendar months and under 9 calendar months of age on the first day of the show. |
| 3 3a |
Puppy Dog Puppy Bitch For dogs or bitches of 6 calendar months and under 12 calendar months of age on the first day of the show. |
| 4 4a |
Novice Dog Novice Bitch For dogs that have not won a first prize except in Baby Puppy Class under six months of at any Open or Championship Show, up to the time of closing of general entries at any recognised show whatsoever. A dog or bitch must be 6 months of age or over on the first day of the show. |
| 5 5a |
Junior Dog Junior Bitch For dogs or bitches of 12 calendar months and under 24 calendar months of age on the first day of the show. |
| 6 6a |
Intermediate Dog Intermediate Bitch For dogs or bitches of 24 calendar months and under 36 calendar months of age on the first day of the show. |
| 7 7a |
Limit Dog Limit Bitch For dogs or bitches which have not won more than 4 Challenge Certificates up to the time of closing of general entries at any recognised Championship Show. Overseas Champions cannot complete in Limit Class in New Zealand. A dog or bitch must be 6 months of age or over on the first day of the show. |
| 8 8a |
New Zealand Bred Dog New Zealand Bred Bitch For dogs or bitches born in New Zealand of 6 months of age or over on the first day of the show. |
| 9 9a |
Stud Dog Brood Bitch For dogs which have sired one or more registered litters. For bitches which have whelped one or more registered litters. |
| 10 10a |
Veteran Dog Veteran Bitch For dogs or bitches of 7 years of age or over on the first day of the show. |
| 11 11a |
Open Dog Open Bitch For dogs or bitches of 6 months of age or over on the first day of the show. |