214.04

COMPANION DOG SHOWS

The General Committee has been considering ways to encourage more dog owners to participate in Kennel Club events.  To facilitate this, the General Committee has looked at ways of expanding the Companion Dog Show to encourage greater participation in these events.

It was noted that approximately 1000 Companion Dog Show licences are issued every year and the events are recognised as being very popular as the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly and exhibitors are able to enter on the day of the show.

However, since the amendment to the Regulations allowing societies to hold these shows, there had not been a substantial take up.

To encourage registered societies to hold Companion Dog Shows, it was felt that if two breed classes per breed could be held e.g. WHWT Club holding a Puppy and Open Class for West Highland White Terriers, those attending the show would also have the opportunity to observe and participate in breed judging.

The judge for these classes would not have to be a breed judge, however, it was felt that breed clubs would most probably wish to appoint a breed specialist.  Judging experience at these shows would not be taken into account in any application to award Challenge Certificates.

The General Committee also agreed that where societies held an Open Show and a Companion Dog Show on the same day, those attending the Companion Dog Show should be permitted to attend the Open Show. 

The following statements were agreed:-                                                      

• To encourage societies to hold Companion Dog Shows, by reminding them that 50% of profits could be retained by the society.
• As Companion Dog Shows were licensed, all dogs entering the Companion Dog Show would be eligible to be present at a licensed show at the discretion of the show management.
• To relax the Companion Dog Show Regulations to allow organisers to schedule on the day a maximum of two classes per breed for pure bred dogs.
• To allow societies to schedule pay on the day AV Companion Dog Club classes.

All the above would be at the discretion of the society and should be clearly detailed in the show schedule.

Therefore, to facilitate the above the following Regulation amendments and additions were made to be effective from 01.02.05:-

REVISED F(3) REGULATIONS

F(3)

SPECIFIC SHOW REGULATIONS

COMPANION DOG SHOWS

These Regulations must be read in conjunction with Kennel Club General Show Regulations F.

1.      A Companion Dog Show may schedule an unlimited number of classes for both pedigree and non-pedigree dogs whether registered or unregistered.  The schedule for the show must follow that of the specimen schedule provided by the Kennel Club with the show licence.

2.   Application.

a.      A Companion Dog Show will only be licensed for the purpose of raising money on behalf of charities or charitable organisations. 

More…

       The organisers must inform the nominated charity in writing of their intention to hold a Companion Dog Show on their behalf.  The charity’s acknowledgement of this letter (original not a copy) must accompany the licence application.  The licence will not be issued without this information.

b.      If the organisers are a Kennel Club registered club or society, at least 50% of profits must be donated to a charity or charitable cause.

c.     Companion Dog Shows may be held as separate events or in conjunction with licensed dog shows. 

d.      In the case of Companion Dog Shows held in conjunction with another Kennel Club licensed dog show, dogs entered for competition at the Companion Dog Show will be deemed to be entered dogs for the purpose of visiting and/or competing in a pay on the day AV Companion Dog Show Class at the other licensed dog show.

e.     Applications for a licence to hold a Companion Dog Show must be made in writing at least 42 days before the date of the show.  The application must specify the charity or charitable cause, the date, the show venue and the name(s) of the judge(s), and must be accompanied by the charity’s acknowledgement letter and the relevant fee.

          NOTE:  Applications for Companion Dog Shows to be held in Scotland or Wales must be made to the Scottish Kennel Club or Welsh Kennel Club as appropriate.

f.     The licence will only be valid if on the day of the event a current Public Liability Insurance document is held and is on display.

3.   Guarantor(s).

a.      The licensee of a Companion Dog Show shall be the Guarantor for the show.  In the case of a Companion Dog Show being held by a registered Society, the Guarantor will be nominated by the Society.

         The Guarantor shall retain receipts or accounts for monies taken at the show and, where applicable, forward these to the organisation on whose behalf the show was held.  The Kennel Club may require production of receipts or accounts after the show.

b.     The Guarantor shall be responsible for the event, its safety and finances.

c.       All entry forms together with any other documents must be preserved by the Guarantor for at least twelve months and must be forwarded to the Kennel Club if required.

4.   Classification.

a.     Classes for pedigree dogs may include any of the following:

          1.     Any Variety Sporting Dogs

          2.     Any Variety Hounds

          3.     Any Variety Gundogs

          4.     Any Variety Terriers

          5.     Any Variety Non-Sporting Dogs

          6.     Any Variety Utility

          7.     Any Variety Working

          8.     Any Variety Pastoral

          9.     Any Variety Toys

          10.Any Variety Puppy (6-9 months)

          11.Any Variety Puppy (6-12 months)

          12.Any Variety Junior (12-18 months)

          13.Any Variety Open

          14.Any Variety Veteran (Over 7 years)

          15.Any Combination of Groups

16.Junior Handlers Class (Under 18 years of age – Dog owned by exhibitor or the exhibitor’s parents).

b.     The basis for the grouping of the breeds is defined in Kennel Club Regulations for Classification and Registration.  Licences will not be issued for shows scheduling any form of additional class for dogs of a particular breed or group even if this class is open to non pedigree dogs of a similar type.  (Delete underlined).     

c.      A maximum of two breed classes per breed may, at the organiser’s discretion, be scheduled on the day of the show for pedigree dogs whether registered or unregistered.

d.     Novelty Classes.  Notwithstanding the above any number of novelty (fun) classes may be scheduled open to all entered dogs whether KC registered or not.

e.     Companion Dog Club Novelty Classes.  Limited to those dogs that are members of the Companion Dog Club.

5.   Regulations.

a.     Obedience Classes.  Obedience classes may be scheduled at Companion Dog Shows provided the tests and titles of the classes differ from those laid down in Kennel Club Rules and Regulations.

b.     Agility and/or obstacle courses.  Agility and/or obstacle courses may not be held as part of a Companion Dog Show.  However, an Agility Test may be held in conjunction with such an event provided it is organised by a registered society in accordance with Kennel Club Regulations for Agility Tests, and a separate licence is issued.

c.     Dogs which have won any of the following awards are not eligible for entry at Companion Dog Shows:

1.   Challenge Certificate (or any award that counts towards the title of champion under the rules of any governing body recognised by the Kennel Club).  (Pedigree classes only).

2.   Reserve Challenge Certificate.  (Pedigree classes only).

3.   Junior Warrant.  (Pedigree classes only).

4.   Obedience Certificate.  (Obedience classes only).

d.     Only dogs of 6 calendar months of age and over on the day of the show are eligible for entry.

e.     Exhibitors and officials at Companion Dog Shows shall be subject to Kennel Club Rule A42.

COMPANION DOG SHOW REGULATIONS

1.            Kennel Club Regulation F.1.b. to facilitate Companion Dog Show dogs being “allowed” into dog shows held in conjunction with “licensed dog shows”.

From:

Dogs entered at Kennel Club licensed shows, with the exception of Companion Dog Shows, must be registered at the Kennel Club in accordance with Kennel Club Regulations for Classification and Registration B.

To:

Dogs entered for exhibition at Kennel Club licensed shows, with the exception of Companion Dog Shows, must be registered at the Kennel Club in accordance with Kennel Club Regulations for Classification and Registration B.  In the case of Companion Dog Shows held in conjunction with another Kennel Club licensed dog show, a dog entered for exhibition at the Companion Dog Show will be deemed to be an entered dog for the purposes of visiting and/or competing at the other licensed dog show.

2.            Kennel Club Regulations F (Annex A) – New definition of class to facilitate registered clubs/societies to schedule a class for Companion Dog Show dogs/handlers to “have a go”.

New Class

ANY VARIETY COMPANION DOG CLUB CLASS

For Any Variety of purebred dog having been entered at a Companion Dog Show held in conjunction with the show at which this class is scheduled.

(Amendments given in bold)

ENDS             06/12/04

For further information please contact

Press Office

020 7518 1008 / 1020

pressoffice@the-kennel-club.org.uk