Junior Education
Mission & National Specialty Experience
The Collie Club of America Junior Showmanship program is dedicated to fostering the next generation of Collie enthusiasts through education, mentorship, and hands-on experience. The goal is to help Juniors develop strong sportsmanship, personal responsibility, confidence, and a deep understanding of the Collie breed, both in and out of the show ring. By participating, Juniors gain not only technical skills in handling and presentation but also build lasting friendships and a sense of community with fellow dog lovers across the country.
This mission comes to life in a powerful way each year at the CCA National Specialty, where Juniors are celebrated and supported. In addition to competing in Junior Showmanship, they can participate in special events such as the Junior Seminar, Junior Pizza Party, and opportunities to meet experienced breeders, judges, and professional handlers. The National provides an inclusive environment where Juniors are recognized for their dedication and encouraged to grow in every aspect of their journey with Collies, whether in conformation, performance events, or simply learning more about the breed they love.
How To Become A Junior
To become a Junior Handler with the American Kennel Club (AKC), a young person must be between the ages of 9 and 18. The first step is to apply for a Junior Handler Number through the AKC, which is used to track participation, points earned in competition, and eligibility for awards or scholarships. This number is required before entering any Junior Showmanship classes at AKC events. The application can be completed online or by mail, and it’s free.
Once enrolled in the program, the Junior will need a dog to handle. The dog must be a purebred, AKC-registered breed, but it doesn’t have to be owned by the Junior. Many participants borrow or co-own dogs with breeders, family members, or mentors. The key is having a reliable, well-trained dog that the Junior can work with consistently.
Before entering the show ring, it’s important for the Junior to become comfortable with the basics of handling and ring procedure. This can be achieved by attending local handling classes, joining 4-H dog clubs, working with experienced mentors, or becoming involved with a breed club like the Collie Club of America. These early experiences help Juniors learn how to present the dog in a professional, confident, and sportsmanlike manner; skills that are the foundation of the program.
When the Junior is ready, they can begin entering AKC dog shows that offer Junior Showmanship. Classes are divided by age and experience: younger participants start in the Novice category, and those who have won three first-place ribbons move into the Open class. Age divisions include Junior (9–11 years), Intermediate (12–14 years), and Senior (15–under 18 years). Placements in these classes earn points, which can qualify Juniors for prestigious competitions like the AKC National Championship and can be tracked by breed clubs, like the CCA.
Throughout their time in the program, Juniors are encouraged to keep a detailed log of their shows, placements, and progress. While the AKC and CCA track points, it’s ultimately the Junior’s responsibility to maintain accurate records and ensure their results are reflected correctly.
Beyond the conformation ring, AKC Juniors are also welcome to explore performance events such as agility, obedience, rally, and herding. These opportunities, along with scholarships and mentorship programs, are designed to support the overall growth and development of young dog enthusiasts, fostering not only skilled handlers but also responsible, passionate members of the dog community.
Current Juniors
How Points Are Counted
The official point count for Junior Showmanship rankings is based on results published by the AKC. After each show, the Collie Club of America’s Junior Showmanship Chair reviews the AKC records to calculate points. Points are awarded based on the number of Juniors defeated in your class and/or in the Best Junior competition.
The rankings are updated and published every two months in the CCA Bulletin. These updates reflect your cumulative score throughout the calendar year.
Tracking Your Own Results
Although the Junior Showmanship Chair calculates the official standings, it is your responsibility to keep a personal record of the shows you enter and your placements. This helps ensure accuracy and gives you the opportunity to catch any errors early.
To do this:
- Keep a show log with the date, location, class, number of competitors, and your placement.
- Take a photo of the judge’s book when possible or note the entry numbers and placements.
- Compare your records with the AKC’s published results and the CCA’s rankings.
If you notice any discrepancies, you must notify the Junior Showmanship Chair within two weeks of the points being published.
Maintaining your own records ensures that your hard work is accurately reflected and helps the committee resolve any issues quickly and fairly.
To access the AKC Show results:
Google AKC show results OR go to https://webapps.akc.org/event-search/
Look at the calendar bar; select the correct month and year. Next look on the specific date of the show you attended. Scroll to the very bottom of the show results. Junior showmanship will be listed. Please note the listings of “Number of Entries” and “Numbers of Competitors.” These numbers are not always the same. You will use the number of competitors since it reflects the juniors actually in attendance at the show. You must also double check with the judge’s book to verify this number. Occasionally a junior will pick up an arm band and will be caught up in a breed conflict and/or does not return to the ring. Always fail safe your count!
Best Junior:
If you are Best Junior, you must only count the “Number of Competitors” since this number reflects the actual of juniors at the show. Remember to subtract yourself from this number. For Example: If there are 25 total competitors and you win Best Junior, you earned 24 showmanship points.
Reserve Best Junior:
If you are Reserve Best Junior, you follow the same process except you subtract an additional person (the Best Junior Handler).
Class Placements:
If you place in a class, the process is similar. Click on the class in which you placed. Count only the number of juniors that you defeated. For example: If there are 14 juniors in your class and you placed 4th, you earned 10 showmanship points.
Collie Junior Foundation
The Collie Junior Foundation (CJF) was founded to expand on the legacy and values long supported by the CCA. While the two organizations are independent, CJF operates as a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit, they share a common mission: to support, educate, and encourage youth involved with Collies.
The idea for the CJF was born from the success of the Tuff Quest scholarship, which recognized outstanding Juniors for their dedication to the breed, and was given by CCA Juniors program mentor, Marjorie Tuff. The Foundation was started to offer not only scholarships but also a broader platform for mentorship, education, and year-round support for young Collie enthusiasts.
The CJF works closely with the CCA, often coordinating events and outreach, especially at the CCA National Specialty, where both groups support Junior Showmanship and host activities. Many of CJF’s founders and board members are active CCA members and lifelong supporters of the breed. Together, the two organizations form a supportive network that ensures Juniors are not only welcomed into the community but also given the tools and encouragement to thrive.
The CJF is built on three core pillars: Scholarship, Education, and Connection. Each pillar reflects a commitment to not only advancing Junior participation in Collie activities, but also nurturing personal growth and long-term involvement in the breed community.
- Scholarship supports Juniors beyond the ring, recognizing the hard work, discipline, and leadership they demonstrate through Collie-related involvement.
- Education provides opportunities for Juniors to deepen their understanding of the breed, learn from experienced mentors, and gain confidence in handling, breeding, and responsible ownership.
- Connection creates lasting relationships between Juniors, mentors, breeders, and fellow exhibitors—helping young people feel seen, supported, and encouraged throughout their journey.
Scholarship
The CJF Scholarship is a central expression of the Foundation’s mission to support the future of Collie youth. Each year, the Foundation awards up to four scholarships of $1,000 each to Juniors who demonstrate commitment, leadership, and meaningful involvement with the Collie breed.
Applicants must be between ages 16 and 22 and actively pursuing education through a college, university, trade school, or certificate program. Importantly, candidates don’t need to have shown in Junior Showmanship exclusively—eligibility includes a wide range of Collie-related activities such as performance events, club service, rescue work, or breed advocacy.
To apply, students submit a 750–1,000-word personal essay reflecting on how their experiences with Collies have shaped their personal growth and future goals. Supporting materials include 2–3 letters of recommendation, documentation of involvement, and basic details about the applicant’s educational path.
Applications are due by mid-February each year, and awards are disbursed directly to recipients for use toward tuition or approved educational expenses. The scholarship is designed not only to ease financial burdens, but also to publicly recognize the extraordinary young people helping shape the future of the Collie breed.
