Pet Lamb & Calf Club

All animals must be born after 1st July.

Key Care Tips

Provide warmth, dryness, fresh water, and shelter.

Feed according to instructions on milk powder and feed bags.

Offer meal following guidelines on the bag.

Spend time bonding with your animal—play, brush, and handle them regularly.

Do not wash your lamb. Soap and detergents strip lanolin (the natural grease and water-repellent in wool). Instead, gently wipe with a damp cloth.

If you have any health concerns about your animal, contact your local vet.

Leading

Judging Criteria
Leading is assessed on walking, stopping, starting, turning, and the overall connection between child and animal. Talking to your animal during the ring is encouraged.

Key Points to Remember:

• Hold the lead with your right palm facing up and left palm facing down. Keep the right hand secure at all times.

• Grip below the clip on the lead, gathering the excess neatly in your left hand (never wrap it around your hand).

• Your animal should respond to voice commands or very light hand signals.

• Stand just behind the animal’s ears, slightly in front of the shoulder.

• Maintain a steady walking pace, stop smoothly for 3 seconds, and complete clean turns around pegs.

• Toilet stops are not penalised—pause and allow your animal to finish.

• Use a leading halter (not a tethering halter).

• Keep halters clean—it’s a sign of respect.

• Wear appropriate clothing: covered shoes (no gumboots), tidy trousers/shorts, and a shirt or t-shirt.

• If your animal stops or sits, keep hold of the lead and wait for the steward to help.

• Judges’ decisions are final.

• And most importantly—smile!

Rearing

What Judges Look For:

• A clean animal (coat, ears, eyes, tail, legs, muzzle, feet, and minimal loose wool/hair).

• Good body condition and overall health.

• Child’s knowledge of their animal—judges may ask questions suited to each age group.

Junior (Years 0–3)

Be prepared to answer questions about:

• Animal’s name, date of birth, and age

• Breed/type

• Story of why this animal was chosen

• Diet: milk volume and what else is fed

• Vaccinations (5in1/7in1)

• Drenching (“it stops worms”)

• Where the animal lives

• Any problems and how they were solved

Intermediate (Years 4–6)

Expect more detailed questions:

• Name, DOB, age

• Breed/type

• BW/PW if dairy

• Why this animal was chosen, plus any challenges faced

• Milk feeding (how it’s mixed if powdered) and other diet details

• Vaccination knowledge—what 5in1/7in1 protects against

• Drenching—what worms it covers

• Living conditions

• Poisonous plants

• Other risks to calf health

• Problems faced and how they were solved

Senior (Year 7+)

More in-depth knowledge required:

• Name, DOB, age

• Breed/type

• BW/PW if dairy

• Story of why this animal was chosen, challenges faced

• Milk feeding (powder prep if used) and wider diet

• Vaccination details, including diseases covered and symptoms of illness

• Drenching—coverage and worm types

• Living conditions

• Poisonous plants

• Other factors that affect health

• Problems faced and solutions

Dairy Type Judging

(Only female dairy breeds are eligible.)

Judges look for:

1. Alert head, wide muzzle, open nostrils, strong jaw

2. Straight back

3. Angular shoulders with finger-width gap at withers

4. Rib spring and loose skin for growth

5. Depth and width of chest

6. Length of body

7. Sound leg and hoof structure, tracks well

8. Strong rump structure

9. Overall balance and femininity

Beef Type Judging

(All beef breeds and male dairy breeds are eligible.)

Judges look for:

1. Alert head, wide muzzle, open nostrils, strong jaw

2. Straight back

3. Strong shoulders with good gap at withers

4. Rib spring and loose skin for growth

5. Chest depth and width

6. Length of body

7. Sound leg and hoof structure, tracks well

8. Muscling through rump and loin

9. Overall balance and suitability for beef breeding

Lamb & Goat Calling

How to Train:

• Stand a short distance away with the milk bottle hidden behind your back.

• Call the animal by name—when it comes, praise and feed.

• Repeat at every feeding. By judging day, the animal should respond to its name without needing the bottle.

• Practice in different environments and around people so your animal learns to focus despite distractions.

Judging Criteria:

• Directness of the animal coming to you

• Speed of response

• Vocal calling from the animal

• Ease of catching once it arrives