Juniors Program
Today’s youth hold the future of our breed in their hands. Our responsibility is to encourage and guide them so that they can continue to improve and protect our beloved Griffs. For a rare breed like ours, this is especially critical. AWPGA encourages young people to connect with their Griffs through many enriching activities. As a pet and companion, a Griff can teach a child valuable lessons in love and respect for another creature. Children can learn responsibility, consistency, patience, trust, and empathy with adult guidance.
For Young Hunters:
Children who hunt with their family and their Griff learn the value of consistent training, an appreciation for nature, and the importance of wildlife conservation. Skills such as marksmanship, patience, and teamwork with their dog will serve them well throughout life. Testing their training skills at AKC Hunt Tests or NAVHDA events can inspire them to keep honing their abilities and deepen their bond with their Griff. Junior Handlers of Griffons have excelled at the highest levels with their Griffs, including earning NAVHDA’s highest title: Versatile Champion.
For Junior Showmanship:
Junior Showmanship lets young people shine. This event tests a young handler’s ability to present a dog to its best advantage in the breed ring, building both handling skills and sportsmanship in a competitive setting. Kids learn about structure, type, and applying breed standards to their dog. They gain experience in conditioning, training, grooming, and confidently presenting their dog. Perhaps most importantly, they learn to handle both wins and losses with grace. The American Kennel Club (AKC) has long supported youth involvement by providing Junior Showmanship classes specifically for young people. Recently, AKC has begun to recognize juniors who compete successfully in obedience and agility as well. Juniors are defined as kids between ages 10 and 18. They are expected to have done the majority of training with their dog themselves. Juniors who earn titles in obedience or agility are awarded certificates of accomplishment.
For young people interested in competing in Junior Showmanship at licensed shows, an AKC Junior Identification number is required. Visit the AKC’s Junior FAQ page for more information. And in answer to the most common question—yes, spayed and neutered dogs can be shown in Junior events!
The American Kennel Club offers various opportunities for your Junior to participate! For more information check out the AKC Junior Resources
Junior Statistics for the current and past years.
AWPGA Junior Awards
Certificate of Achievement
The AWPGA Junior Program will issue a Certificate of Achievement to each Junior member who has earned a NAVHDA prize, AKC degree (including CGC, TKN, DN, etc.), or AKC title with their Wirehaired Pointing Griffon during the 2024 calendar year.
Certificates will also be awarded to Junior members achieving a Top 10 ranking in Breed, All-Breed, Junior Showmanship, or NOHS rankings by the end of 2024 (NOHS rankings are based on the qualifying period, not the calendar year).
Junior Annual Awards
The AWPGA Junior Program will present a trophy or plaque to the top-ranked Junior member in each of the following categories:
• Junior Showmanship – Based on AKC Year-End Breed rankings for Wirehaired Pointing Griffons, as published by Canine Chronicle in January of the following year. In case of a tie, the Junior with the most juniors defeated will receive the award. Only rankings/wins where a Junior showed a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon will be considered.
• Hunt Test/Field Tests – Self-reported by the Junior and confirmed by a parent/guardian. Awards are based on the number of NAVHDA and/or AKC hunt/field titles or prizes earned with a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. If tied, each Junior will be recognized. Notify the Junior Program Coordinator of all NAVHDA prizes and AKC hunt/field titles earned by January of a Calendar year. If a Junior handles multiple Griffons, each prize/title counts separately.
• NOHS (National Owner Handled Series) – Based on AKC rankings for Wirehaired Pointing Griffons as published by Canine Chronicle for the previous year’s NOHS Qualifying Period. The Junior Member’s own points will be reviewed to determine the top-ranked Junior. This award recognizes Junior Members’ achievements in NOHS, not individual dogs’ rankings.
AWPGA Juniors Available Grants
Deadline: Based on event. If no members qualify, funds will roll over to the next year.
Eligibility Requirement for Event Grants: All applicants must be current AWPGA Junior members for 2024 and personally handle a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.
Claiming Grants: All event grants must be claimed within 3 months of the event date, or they will be forfeited.
Distribution of Event Grant Awards: In order to be sure that no AKC Regulations are violated for those Junior Members in Junior Showmanship- ALL approved Event Grants shall be payable FOLLOWING the holding of the respective event. Invoice for the Grant Amount for travel costs shall be submitted to the AWPGA Treasurer for reimbursement.
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Westminster KC Junior Showmanship Finals:
$300.00 Event Grant to support the travel expenses of a Junior Member who qualifies and participates in the 2025 Westminster KC Junior Showmanship Finals.
Deadline: Requests from those applying for a Junior Event Grant (Westminster Junior Showmanship Competition) need to be sent to the AWPGA Junior Program Coordinator no later than thirty (30) days after the end of the Qualifying Period. The grant payable for the Westminster Junior Showmanship Competition is paid out in the subsequent year. If no Junior Members qualify to compete, or are unable to attend, the funds shall remain unused and rollover into the subsequent year.
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AKC National Junior Showmanship Competition:
$300.00 Event Grant to support the travel expenses of a Junior Member who qualifies and participates in the 2025 AKC National Junior Showmanship Competition.
Please Note: It is acceptable that the Junior has additional wins with other Breeds, but the minimum requirement must be met by wins with a WPG.
If more than two (2) Junior Members apply for either Junior Showmanship Event Grant, the Junior with the most qualifying wins with a WPG shall be chosen. -
NOHS Finals Competition:
$300.00, to support the travel expenses of a Junior Member who qualifies to compete in the 2023 National Owner Handled Series Finals Competition.
If there is more than one (1) Junior Member who qualifies for the available Event Grant for the NOHS competition, the award shall go to the Junior Member with the highest NOHS ranking (based on points earned solely by the Junior Member) at the end of the Qualification Period.
Deadline: Requests from those applying for a Junior Event Grant for the NOHS Finals Competition in 2023 need to be sent to the AWPGA Junior Program Coordinator no later than 2 weeks after the cutoff for the Qualifying Period. If no Junior Members qualify to compete, or are unable to attend, the funds shall remain unused and rollover into the subsequent year.
Qualification Details:
-WPG must rank in the Top 10 NOHS.
-Only points earned solely by the Junior with their WPG are counted. (Example: If the WPG has 100 total points but only 40 were earned by the Junior, only 40 points will count towards the Grant.)
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NAVHDA Invitational:
$300.00 Event Grant to support the travel expenses of a Junior Member who qualifies and participates in the 2024 NAVHDA Invitational( held in 2025).
Deadline: The deadline for qualifying is December 31st. The grant payable for the NAVHDA Invitational is paid out in the subsequent year. If no Junior Member qualifies to compete, or are unable to attend, the funds shall remain unused and will be rolled over into the subsequent year. Example- the 2024 applicant shall have qualified in 2024 to compete in the 2025 Invitational.
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Lily Bennett
2021 & 2022 Top Junior Handler for NOHS Competition
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Lila Holberg
2021 Top Junior Handler for Junior Showmanship
