How Do Foreign Dog Shows Work?
I admit it-reading about dog show results for foreign countries is like figuring out a coded message without the password. It's hard to differentiate between wins that count towards earning a championship and post-championship wins. Often I am not sure what kind of championship I'm reading about-a National championship awarded by a country's kennel club or an FCI championship? Was there a judge's critique given, and if so, is the critique available? It's all very confusing, so I decided some research was in order. Here's the distillation of my research-hopefully I can explain it well enough for others to understand. My first step is to correlate the dog show processwith what I know best-earning an AKC championship and continuing to show at dog shows. I'll first try to explain the AKC/CKC championship system for the US and Canada, then the system used in the UK, and finally FCI dog shows and national and international titles.
American Kennel Club/Canadian Kennel Club
In the US and Canada the process required to earn the championship are fairly similar. First, in the US-all approved 'point shows' throughout the country award points towards a championship, whether they are specialties, multi-breed shows or all-breed shows. There are no limitations on the number of shows that can award points, and the points are determined by the number of dogs and bitches entered at the show. The point schedule is set up by region or state and is reviewed and may be adjusted yearly by the AKC to meet a statistical formula.
The dog is entered in one or more classes with other dogs of the same gender and must win the class to move on to 'Winners' competition. In the Winners class, all first place winners of the various classes of the same gender are reviewed by the judge, and one is selected as Winners Dog or Winners Bitch and earns points based upon the entry that day in that gender. While it is possible to enter a dog in multiple classes at one dog show, this is rarely done because the dog must win first place in every class. If the dog fails to earn a first place in all classes, it becomes ineligible to appear in the Winners class that day. To become a champion, the dog must earn 15 total points for an AKC championship,10 points for a Canadian Championship. In addition, the wins must be awarded by three different judges, and in AKC/CKC competition, the dog must demonstrate the ability to defeat a representative number of other 'class dogs' to earn the Championship. That means that at least two of the AKC show wins must have 'major' points awarded by two different judges. Major points would be 3, 4 or 5 points. In the CKC, the magic number is two wins by two different judges of at least 2 points each are required to earn the championship award, and the balance can be single points. Requirements are reduced in Canada because the population and numbers of dogs available for competition are so much less than in the US.
In AKC/CKC shows the Best of Breed competition is separate from the Winners competition where championship points are awarded. Therefore, the 'class dogs' attempting to earn a championship do not compete for points against the 'specials' dogs who already possess their championship. A non-champion Winners Dog or Winners Bitch moves onto the Best of Breed competition and may defeat a champion dog to become that day's Best of Breed winner. But, the Winners Dog or Winners Bitch awards and the points won are not contingent upon defeating the specials. There is no critique provided by the judge for the dogs exhibited, and there is no age requirement before the Championship is awarded. This can result in very young dogs being awarded a Championship on a lucky three day weekend. In both the US and Canada dogs can continue to show after they earn their championship to earn 'dogs defeated' club specific awards and to become a Grand Champion. The GCh is awarded based on the numbers of dog show entries in the specific breed that exhibit at a show. A dog campaigned in BoB competition will continue to accumulate Grand Champion points towards Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum achievement levels.
The dog is entered in one or more classes with other dogs of the same gender and must win the class to move on to 'Winners' competition. In the Winners class, all first place winners of the various classes of the same gender are reviewed by the judge, and one is selected as Winners Dog or Winners Bitch and earns points based upon the entry that day in that gender. While it is possible to enter a dog in multiple classes at one dog show, this is rarely done because the dog must win first place in every class. If the dog fails to earn a first place in all classes, it becomes ineligible to appear in the Winners class that day. To become a champion, the dog must earn 15 total points for an AKC championship,10 points for a Canadian Championship. In addition, the wins must be awarded by three different judges, and in AKC/CKC competition, the dog must demonstrate the ability to defeat a representative number of other 'class dogs' to earn the Championship. That means that at least two of the AKC show wins must have 'major' points awarded by two different judges. Major points would be 3, 4 or 5 points. In the CKC, the magic number is two wins by two different judges of at least 2 points each are required to earn the championship award, and the balance can be single points. Requirements are reduced in Canada because the population and numbers of dogs available for competition are so much less than in the US.
In AKC/CKC shows the Best of Breed competition is separate from the Winners competition where championship points are awarded. Therefore, the 'class dogs' attempting to earn a championship do not compete for points against the 'specials' dogs who already possess their championship. A non-champion Winners Dog or Winners Bitch moves onto the Best of Breed competition and may defeat a champion dog to become that day's Best of Breed winner. But, the Winners Dog or Winners Bitch awards and the points won are not contingent upon defeating the specials. There is no critique provided by the judge for the dogs exhibited, and there is no age requirement before the Championship is awarded. This can result in very young dogs being awarded a Championship on a lucky three day weekend. In both the US and Canada dogs can continue to show after they earn their championship to earn 'dogs defeated' club specific awards and to become a Grand Champion. The GCh is awarded based on the numbers of dog show entries in the specific breed that exhibit at a show. A dog campaigned in BoB competition will continue to accumulate Grand Champion points towards Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum achievement levels.
The Kennel Club Scheme (UK)
In the UK, the dogs who are entered at Championship shows where Challenge Certificates (CC) are awarded may enter one or more of a number of classes offered that day. Like the AKC shows, dogs entered in more than one class at a show who fail to take all firsts in those classes become ineligible for CC competition at the show. At the conclusion of judging, the judge awards a Best of Sex and Reserve Best of Sex winner for each sex. Before deciding to award a Challenge Certificate the judge must be certain that the proposed awardee is of such outstanding merit as to be worthy of the title of Champion. After awarding the Best Dog CC and the Best Bitch CC, the judge must designate one of these entries as the Best of Breed winner to go on for further Group judging. Judges at Championship Shows and Open Breed Club Shows must produce a written critique for the first two placings in each class, and this information is published after the show is completed. In order to become a champion, the dog must be awarded three CCs under three different judges, and they must be older than 12 months when the last CC is awarded. CCs are only awarded at Championship shows, and the number of these shows is limited each year. In competition very different from the US/Canada dog shows, dogs competing to earn a Challenge Certificate must do so against dogs who are ALREADY champions. That is a much harder proposition than earning a championship in the US and Canada. It means that the class dog has to be good enough, mature enough and confident enough to defeat a consistent winner at least three times in the ring to earn those Challenge Certificates needed for a show championship. Even after earning the three CC's, there is another requirement to becoming a 'full champion'. Gundogs (the dog group for WSS) also need to demonstrate competency in field work (hunting on land, retrieving on land and water). Gundogs are denoted as Show Champions (Sh Ch) until they earn either an Award, Diploma or Certificate of Merit from a Field Trial or successfully complete a Show Gundog Working Certificate. Demonstrating both above average quality in the show ring and competence in the field is something that is required in other countries, also under FCI or national kennel club rules. While not done in the US, it does promote field expertise as a vital part of a breed's makeup.
European National and International Championships
Type of ChampionshipNational Beauty Champion
Title requirements set and title awarded by the national kennel club in the country where the dog was born Certificat d’Aptitude au Championnat (CAC) for wins National Show Champion
Title requirements set and title awarded by the national kennel club in the country where the dog was born Certificat d’Aptitude au Championnat (CAC) for wins FCI International Beauty Champion
Championnat International de Beauté (C.I.B) Certificats d'aptitude au Championnat International de Beauté (CACIB) for wins FCI International Show Champion
Championnat International de Exhibite (C.I.E) Certificats d'aptitude au Championnat International de Beauté (CACIB) for wins |
Required for ChampionshipSet by individual country's kennel club-must include 2 CACs from that country and working test for hunting ability for WSS
Judges critique some dogs, Excellent/Very Good move forward Equals AKC Champion with WD/JH or KC Full Champion (UK) Set by individual country's kennel club-must include 2 CACs from that country. No hunting test needed for WSS but more CACs may be needed. Judges critique some dogs, Excellent/Very Good move forward
Equals AKC Champion or KC British Show Champion (UK) FCI rules require 2 CACIBs in 2 different countries, > 1 yr between awards and FCI-CACIT hunting test equivalent required for WSS Judges critique all dogs, only Excellent rated move forward FCI rules require 4 CACIBs in 3 different countries, > 1 yr between awards and no hunting test required for WSS Judges critique all dogs, only Excellent rated move forward |
The Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) is the international organization based in Brussels, Belgium that has established rules for dog shows administered in 87 member/partner countries throughout the world. The FCI is not a registry, and requires that registration activities, maintenance of the studbook, and judge's education be handled by member national kennel club organizations. FCI has a letters of understanding with both the Kennel Club (UK) and the AKC/CKC (US/Canada). The FCI insures that the pedigrees and judges are mutually recognized by all the FCI members. The FCI awards titles in conformation, hunting, racing, working (rescue/protection), obedience, and agility. Each FCI-member country holds dog shows where dogs born in that country may earn a national championship based on requirements set by that country. Dogs born outside of the country are awarded an international championship title by participation in FCI international dog shows.
The CAC (Certificat d’Aptitude au Championnat) [and Reserve CAC] is a national grading that is awarded to class winners who do not currently have a championship in that country. It is up to the national kennel clubs to decide in which classes and to which dogs this certificate can be awarded. A CAC is similar to the Challenge Certificate (CC) in the UK, but it is awarded more like the winners points in an AKC event. I have not been able to decode if the class winners ARE or are NOT not competing against the champion titleholders for the CAC award. Winners of the classes eligible for awarding the CAC are divided by gender and the Best Dog and Best Bitch are selected. There is also a Reserve CAC awarded, for the same reason as in the UK or in AKC/CKC competition. In some countries multiples of the Reserve CAC can count towards a national championship CAC. And, a national show championship and a full championship may be available, depending upon whether or not the Welshie must demonstrate hunting ability in that that country.
FCI rules require that the first title of National Champion earned in an FCI country must be with at least 2 CACs won at shows organised by the same national canine organization in the same country on two different days. Requirements for national championships differ by country-some require a set number of wins at specific kinds of shows (i.e. FCI international dog show or specialty show), some have minimum ages before the national title can be awarded, and some may require the dog demonstrate hunting skill, as mentioned. Only after the national championship is earned in compliance with FCI regulations is the dog is eligible to compete at FCK international shows.
At the international dog show level under FCI rules the Certificats d'aptitude au Championnat International de Beauté (CACIB) is awarded instead of the CAC. FCI allows only one CACIB to be awarded in each sex, in each breed and breed variety. This may differ from the number of CACs awarded by national clubs at national dog shows. To qualify for the FCI title of Championnat International de Beauté (C.I.B) or International Beauty Champion the dog must a) win in two different countries, under two different judges, two CACIB awards, no matter the number of dogs; b) between the first and last CACIB, a minimum period of one year and one day must have elapsed. In addition, the hunting dog must have passed a hunting test/trial specific to its breed in which the Certificat d'Aptitude au Championnat National de Travail (CACT) is available to be awarded. This title is the equivalent of the UK Full Championship or an AKC Championship with a club awarded WD or AKC Hunt Test title.
Dog exhibitors can choose to compete for a different championship title, the FCI Championnat International de Exhibite (C.I.E), which went into effect in 2009 for breeds subject to a working trial (WSS are included in this group). To be eligible for this title the dog must complete the same requirements as breeds that do not have a working title requirement. They are required to have a) earned in three different countries, under three different judges, four CACIB awards no matter the number of dogs; b) between the first and last CACIB, a minimum period of one year and one day must have elapsed. This is the equivalent of the British Show Champion title in the UK or the AKC Championship of Record title, since there is no hunting ability demonstrated. This title would appeal to those exhibitor/owners who may find the hunting ability test requirement difficult to complete or who have a dislike of hunting.
What I have found most difficult to capture in my research is a description of the actual ring judging procedure that occurs in FCI dog shows. According to David Cavill, a UK dog show judge, here's how he describes it-remember, this is a UK multi-group and BiS judge describing FCI judging, so some of the vocabulary is not quite the same..."The dogs come into the ring for their initial assessment. When the first dog is called forward for full assessment the other exhibitors leave the ring so the judge does not have them in front of them for a direct comparison...Having gone over the dog the judge then dictates a report for the dog to the ring secretary. At the end of the report the ring secretary asks what grade the dog should receive ... Those that are not graded Excellent are handed their report and a ribbon indicating their grade. Most European exhibitors cheerfully accept their grades – they are used to the system. Those that are graded Excellent come back into the ring and are placed in order 1 to 4. The judge is then asked whether any of those standing in the line-up are worthy of a Challenge Certificate [ed. i.e. being made a champion.] If they are they are given another colour ribbon and will appear at the end of the judging of their sex for the selection of the Challenge Certificate. In many countries there is a Champions Class and this is judged in exactly the same way. The judge is entitled to give a grade other than Excellent to champion if they so wish. The final line-up, therefore, comprises only those who the judge believes are sufficient quality to gain a Challenge Certificate. Those dogs are again judged as a class and are placed in order 1 to 4, the winner receiving the CC and the dog placed second the RCC.[ed. possibly he means BoB and Reserve BoB? I am not sure here...]
The CAC (Certificat d’Aptitude au Championnat) [and Reserve CAC] is a national grading that is awarded to class winners who do not currently have a championship in that country. It is up to the national kennel clubs to decide in which classes and to which dogs this certificate can be awarded. A CAC is similar to the Challenge Certificate (CC) in the UK, but it is awarded more like the winners points in an AKC event. I have not been able to decode if the class winners ARE or are NOT not competing against the champion titleholders for the CAC award. Winners of the classes eligible for awarding the CAC are divided by gender and the Best Dog and Best Bitch are selected. There is also a Reserve CAC awarded, for the same reason as in the UK or in AKC/CKC competition. In some countries multiples of the Reserve CAC can count towards a national championship CAC. And, a national show championship and a full championship may be available, depending upon whether or not the Welshie must demonstrate hunting ability in that that country.
FCI rules require that the first title of National Champion earned in an FCI country must be with at least 2 CACs won at shows organised by the same national canine organization in the same country on two different days. Requirements for national championships differ by country-some require a set number of wins at specific kinds of shows (i.e. FCI international dog show or specialty show), some have minimum ages before the national title can be awarded, and some may require the dog demonstrate hunting skill, as mentioned. Only after the national championship is earned in compliance with FCI regulations is the dog is eligible to compete at FCK international shows.
At the international dog show level under FCI rules the Certificats d'aptitude au Championnat International de Beauté (CACIB) is awarded instead of the CAC. FCI allows only one CACIB to be awarded in each sex, in each breed and breed variety. This may differ from the number of CACs awarded by national clubs at national dog shows. To qualify for the FCI title of Championnat International de Beauté (C.I.B) or International Beauty Champion the dog must a) win in two different countries, under two different judges, two CACIB awards, no matter the number of dogs; b) between the first and last CACIB, a minimum period of one year and one day must have elapsed. In addition, the hunting dog must have passed a hunting test/trial specific to its breed in which the Certificat d'Aptitude au Championnat National de Travail (CACT) is available to be awarded. This title is the equivalent of the UK Full Championship or an AKC Championship with a club awarded WD or AKC Hunt Test title.
Dog exhibitors can choose to compete for a different championship title, the FCI Championnat International de Exhibite (C.I.E), which went into effect in 2009 for breeds subject to a working trial (WSS are included in this group). To be eligible for this title the dog must complete the same requirements as breeds that do not have a working title requirement. They are required to have a) earned in three different countries, under three different judges, four CACIB awards no matter the number of dogs; b) between the first and last CACIB, a minimum period of one year and one day must have elapsed. This is the equivalent of the British Show Champion title in the UK or the AKC Championship of Record title, since there is no hunting ability demonstrated. This title would appeal to those exhibitor/owners who may find the hunting ability test requirement difficult to complete or who have a dislike of hunting.
What I have found most difficult to capture in my research is a description of the actual ring judging procedure that occurs in FCI dog shows. According to David Cavill, a UK dog show judge, here's how he describes it-remember, this is a UK multi-group and BiS judge describing FCI judging, so some of the vocabulary is not quite the same..."The dogs come into the ring for their initial assessment. When the first dog is called forward for full assessment the other exhibitors leave the ring so the judge does not have them in front of them for a direct comparison...Having gone over the dog the judge then dictates a report for the dog to the ring secretary. At the end of the report the ring secretary asks what grade the dog should receive ... Those that are not graded Excellent are handed their report and a ribbon indicating their grade. Most European exhibitors cheerfully accept their grades – they are used to the system. Those that are graded Excellent come back into the ring and are placed in order 1 to 4. The judge is then asked whether any of those standing in the line-up are worthy of a Challenge Certificate [ed. i.e. being made a champion.] If they are they are given another colour ribbon and will appear at the end of the judging of their sex for the selection of the Challenge Certificate. In many countries there is a Champions Class and this is judged in exactly the same way. The judge is entitled to give a grade other than Excellent to champion if they so wish. The final line-up, therefore, comprises only those who the judge believes are sufficient quality to gain a Challenge Certificate. Those dogs are again judged as a class and are placed in order 1 to 4, the winner receiving the CC and the dog placed second the RCC.[ed. possibly he means BoB and Reserve BoB? I am not sure here...]