How did it start?

The idea and roots of Show Handling for Juniors originates from the United States of America. The first initiative in the United States of America. was to form the youth to professional Handlers. Soon the English took over the idea and started working it out. They saw it bigger and opened it to everyone who wanted to show a dog at a dog show. The first guideline's where made and there where competitions organised across the country.

How did it develop?

It didn't stay only by these competitions. A little later they started organising Show Handling Team Matches. This is a competition where also adults can compete. Each Team exists of three juniors or three adults. These Teams competed each other in different rings until finally the best Team was known. Now a days nearly every country has its Show Handling Competition for Juniors. In a few countries like England and Belgium they started Show Handling Competitions for Juniors and Senior.

The development and evolution in Belgium.

When we started in1986 the Show Handling Competition for Juniors we had no idea that it would expand like this. A few years later the J&S Show Handling Club organises on all major Belgian Shows for all Breeds Show Handling Competitions for Juniors.
A few years ago the adult show handlers started asking where they could learn the techniques for showing a dog. We started to organise training sessions for Juniors and Seniors.
The J&S Show Handling Club organised their first Show Handling Team Match in 1997. Also this seemed to be a great success. For the first time Juniors and Adults (seniors) could compete.
At Kortrijk/Courtrai in November 2001 on "Eurodogshow" an International Show Handling Competition for Juniors and Seniors was held for the first time. We have the ambition to give this new initiative international style. Show Handlers (Juniors and Seniors) from all over the World are competing. The inscription form for this competition can be obtained at the secretary of the J&S Show Handling Club.

Preparation of Guidelines and Competition Rules.

Because the interest in our show handling was so big we had to draw-up a Manuel. Here the show handler could learn de basic skills on this new branch of the Dog Sport. This Manuel is based on techniques for the Show Handler to show his dog perfectly. This Manuel is not only written for Show Handlers but also for trainers and Judges.
This Manuel is also a standard for everyone who comes in contact with Show Handling Competition.
Also for the different show handling competitions rules are made up. Here you can find out how the points are divided for the members of J&S Show Handling Club.
The "Manuel for Show Handlers and Judges" and the "Rules for Show Handling Competitions" can be viewed on this website in four languages.

What's the aim of the J&S Show Handling Club.

As you may see the club is not asleep. The J&S Show Handling Club has the ambition to learn young and old the techniques for showing. Our aim is to make a show of the Dog Shows. To get everyone on the same level so that unsportsmanlike, disorganisation, bad manners and behaviour will be of the past. We aim that every Show Handler shows his dog the proper way. You could say: "There is still some work to do".
But at the dog show the chaos is made by the Show Handler of today. It is them who still have a lot of work to do. We are ready and willing to teach and give advice to everyone and together look for the right technique to reach that goal.

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