Hi, I have read almost everything i have come across to do with showing, and all other aspects of dog life, some time in the following weeks, maybe months, i will be purchasing a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and establishing my own kennel. Of all the information i have read i have yet to come across the answers to these questions i have been wondering about for a long time.

The Questions:

1st: My grandfather bought our families first staff 7 years ago, however we did not show him, and didnt know much about Staffords at that time, but over years of reading, i left school almost 1 year ago know, im nearing 17. I'm going to be purchasing my first staff and hopefully showing it (Him or Her). But i havent seen anything that talks about the age of the breeder/handler, so to put it all into perspective, will i be able to register a affix at 17? Will i be able to show my dog at limit, open and champion level at 17 and basically will my age matter at all?

2nd: In terms of a affix i have give it some thought, read up on it, but again, after researching different places, including one visit to a local show (just to take a look) i found some dogs aswel as having their breeders affix they have 'at Champdogs' (for example). I was just wondering if that is an agreement with the breeder that the 'at Champdogs' is placed in the KC name or as i have seen you can alter you dogs name, before it (if it does) get entered into the Stud Book. So Which is it?

Any help would be much apreciated.

In answer to your first point you can own and show a dog at 6 if you wish but seventeen is a good time to start, not sure if you can register your own affix at 17 but think you can and you do not need one to show your dog you only need that if and when you decide you have a dog good enough to breed from.

Point two if you breed a dog and you have an affix you can register your litter of puppies as breeders affix one, breeder affix two etc. When you sell one of your puppies to some one who also has an affix they can reregister the puppy as ' breeders affix one at purchasers affix'

Hope that makes sense

Thanks . Yeah i didnt mean i want an affix so i was able to show, as you said, i would want the affix as mentions to begin my kennel, hence the reason for my asking whether i could include my kennel name into my pups name when it is registered. Thanks for the reply. It answered atleast one of my questions.

answer to question 2 When you  have your own Kennel name you can apply to the Kennel club to add your kennel name to the end of the dogs you own so long as it is not 30 days after they have achieved their stud book number, they have no other kennel name apart from their breeders and they have not had a kennel name removed  by the breeder.

Ahh ok, i see now, thanks for clearly it up.

There's no age limit on age you have to handle, I first enterd a ring at 2!  And also you can get your own affix (Aslong as you pay your money I don't think the KC cares about your age!

However, be prepared to be knocked a little for your age.  I have found over the years, although less so myself and my brother have had people who haven't quite "taken" to us, we can only assum due to our age.  HOWEVER the majority of the people are very encouragiing, afterall it's us young-uns who are "the next generation" and will continue to strive toward maintaining a breed for many years. (So why is it some people won't share their knowledge I don't know!)

Also, as your 17 have you heard about the young kennel club?  It's a club for those age 6-25 who have an intrest in dogs and though here you will find many like-minded people of a similar age to yourself.

Also I assume you have found a breeder and on a waitiing list as you say you are getting a pup in near future?  If a good one they will only be too happy to help you start your own line I'm sure and they will be an invaluble source of information

Thanks. Yeah, ive heard about the YKC, wouldnt be too egar to join, and yes i have been in talks with one or two breeders, mainly about their upcoming matings and such, they were as you said very helpful. Also, as you said some people do knock younger breeders as ive been told before, ill just have to keep my head up and get on with it.

Yup keeping your head up is the best way!  Like I said, the majority will be only too willing to help and guide, aswell as learn from you!

Just out of intrest, why wouldn't you be egar to join the YKC?

I wouldn't say its just young people that get knocked.  Sometimes it is the "unknown" face on the end of the lead.  Don't forget we all have to start somewhere!