Junior Handling National Championships
Junior Handling National Championships
The very first Junior Handling National Championship took place during the CKC's 100th Anniversary Show at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in the summer of 1988. The following year, in 1989, the event moved to the Credit Valley Kennel and Obedience Dog Club, where it stayed for nine years. In 1999, the CKC Junior Kennel Club Council made a big decision: they wanted to turn the Nationals into a truly nation-wide event. So, in 2000, the very first Nationals outside of Ontario was held in Calgary, Alberta. Since then, Junior Zone Finalists have competed for the coveted title of Best Overall Junior in places like British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Quebec.
Qualifications for Zone Finals
The top four Juniors in each age class are invited to the Junior Handling Zone Finals, where they compete for the chance to represent their home zone at the Junior Nationals. Only one Junior from each zone – the Best Overall Junior – advances to the National Championships.
For Conformation participants, eligibility requires completing at least three CKC Junior Handling competitions. Additional requirements may apply based on the Junior Handling Rules & Regulations.
What is a Zone?
Zones are the geographic regions across Canada, not unlike provincial boundaries. There are 14 CKC Junior Handling Zones in total, and each one has a Junior Kennel Club Council representative to support competitors. Not sure which zone you belong to? You can find all the details in Appendix D, "Zone Divisions," of the Junior Handling Rules & Regulations.
Crufts International Junior Handling Competition
Take your passion to the international stage! CKC’s Best Overall Junior in Conformation, who wins the Nationals, gets the incredible opportunity to attend the annual International Junior Handling Competition (IJHC) in Birmingham, England. Where could your love of dogs take you?
Awards
The Best Overall Junior in Conformation at the Junior Handling National Championships takes home: a keeper trophy, an invitation to represent the CKC at the Crufts International Junior Handling Competition in Birmingham, UK, and a bursary.
For the Best Overall Junior in Obedience, the rewards include a keeper trophy, and a bursary.
The Wenrick Award for Sportsmanship is a special honour given to the Junior Nationals competitor who truly embodies fairness, a positive attitude, and dedication – the core values of Junior Handling. What makes this award even more meaningful? It’s voted on by the competitors themselves!
Junior Handling Nationals – 2024
The 2023 National Finals for Junior Handlers in Obedience and Conformation were held on August 30 and 31, 2024, amidst the breathtaking scenery of the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. Sixteen talented young handlers from all over Canada came together to showcase their passion, dedication, and incredible skill. A huge congratulations to all the CKC Junior Handlers who put in so much hard work and competed in the 2023 finals. CKC is beyond proud of your achievements and all the effort you’ve put into your craft!
Congratulations to this year’s winners:
Junior Handling Obedience:
1st: Brooke Fitzpatrick – Saskatchewan – Zone 9
Junior Handling Conformation:
1st & Best Overall: Abbey Mahn – Ontario – Zone 6
2nd: Isaac Clark – Ontario – Zone 4A
3rd: Willow Bertrand – BC – Zone 11
4th: Ann-Katrine Bonneau – Québec – Zone 3
Sportsmanship Award:
Payton Silvestri-Smith – Ontario – Zone 4B
The Sportsmanship Award is voted on by the finalists.
All Finalists:
Allysa Butt – Zone 1A
Keyla-Anne Fraser West – Zone 1B
Madison Leblanc – Zone 2
Ann-Katrine Bonneau – Zone 3
Isaac Clark – Zone 4A
Payton Lillian – Zone 4B
Abby Fletcher – Zone 5
Abbey Mahn – Zone 6
Brooke Kerr – Zone 7
Lilly Raposo – Zone 8
Julia Collins – Zone 9
Brooke Fitzpatrick – Zone 9
Aiden Maciborski – Zone 10
Willow Bertrand – Zone 11
Kayleigh Smithers – Zone 12
Tatyanna Meier – Zone 12
A big congratulations to all the amazing finalists from across Canada! We’re incredibly proud of everything you’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see what exciting achievements lie ahead for you. Keep up the fantastic work!