Setting standards through education.

Kennel Club Training Board

The Kennel Club Training Board oversees the Kennel Club’s Judges Training Programme with the following remit from the General Committee:

To establish a framework for the training of:

• Judges (breed specialists and multi breed), Club officials, show organisers, Ring stewards.

• To encourage and maintain high standards of judging with particular reference to the soundness, health and well being of the dog.
• To encourage and maintain high standards of ring stewarding and show organisation.
• To provide educational guidance for judges, stewards and show organisers.
• To work closely with those organising training seminars.
• To recommend the accreditation of and to oversee the work of the Kennel Club Accredited Trainers.

Judge's training programme for conformation (shows)

The Kennel Club’s training programme for dog show judges has been introduced to meet several needs;

• to maintain and improve the quality of Kennel Club shows
• to retain existing exhibitors and to attract new exhibitors
• to ensure that judges have the correct levels of knowledge and experience for the breeds they are to judge
• to reinforce the importance of health and welfare of breeds in the minds of judges whilst judging
• to give exhibitors confidence in their judge
• to underpin the value of awards gained at Kennel Club licensed shows, particularly the Kennel Club Challenge Certificate and Champion dog award.
  

The training programme focuses in the main, on first time Challenge Certificate judges.  Advice and guidance has been given to registered breed clubs/councils on managing the training of judges for their breed.

First time Challenge Certificate Judges

The Kennel Club requires the following mandatory requirements to have been achieved prior to a person being nominated to award with Challenge Certificates for the very first time.  These new judges are required to:

• attend a Seminar on Regulations and Judging Procedures and pass an exam delivered by an approved Kennel Club Accredited Trainer for Regulations and Judging Procedures.  The syllabus is based on Kennel Club Judges Regulations and the Kennel Club Guide for Judges.
• attend a Seminar on Conformation and Movement of a Dog delivered by an approved Kennel Club Accredited Trainer for Conformation and Movement.  The syllabus is based on the Kennel Club Conformation and Movement Video.
• Pass the Hands on Assessment of a Dog conducted by specially trained Conformation and Movement Accredited Trainer.
• To have stewarded at 12 shows

Established Challenge Certificate Judges

The Kennel Club has also introduced a training programme for established Challenge Certificate Judges.  Attendance at seminars under this programme is not mandatory, but is encouraged, and there are eligibility criteria in order to attend these seminars.

• a development programme of seminars introduced to educate judges who have been approved for three breeds with CCs within a group to further their knowledge of other breeds in the same group.  These seminars are organised by registered group societies or other approved groups and run to a code of best practice.

• Judges who have received a credit pass for a particular breed are exempt from having to qualify to judge the same breed at open shows and will be given extra consideration by the Kennel Club’s Judges Sub-Committee should they be nominated to judge this same breed with Challenge Certificates.

Evaluation of judges whilst judging

All judges are evaluated (sample of evaluation form follows) by established judges for the relevant breed on their first Challenge Certificate appointment for each new breed.  Unless they have been nominated and assessed through a breed club/council training scheme.

Registered Breed Clubs/Councils responsibilities

• All registered breed clubs/councils are required to undertake breed specific training and to progress judges for their own breed by carefully managing their own lists of judges.
• Each club or council is required to set reasonable criteria covering the number of dogs judged and years of experience - for open shows and for potential championship show judges to meet (different criteria for the different categories of show).  This criterion is based on the Kennel Club’s Advisory Criteria for Breed Club Judges Lists.  (example follows)
• To organise on a regular basis Breed Specific Seminars, run to the Kennel Club’s Code of Best Practice. (example follows)
• Clubs are also requested to nominate suitable individuals to the Kennel Club as potential Challenge Certificate judges.  These individuals must have complied with the club’s stated criteria and have been assessed by three established CC judges for the breed.  Further detailed information is available from the Kennel Club’s Judges Department.

Code of best practice for judges

A code of best practice has been introduced setting out the Kennel Club’s expected standard for judges regarding integrity, impartiality, age and health issues.

Kennel Club accredited trainers

Through advertisement the Kennel Club has invited applications from established Challenge Certificate judges wishing to be involved in the Judges Training Programme.  The initial application criteria was:

• Regulations and Judges Procedure Trainers – Those who have previously been approved to judge one breed with Challenge Certificates and have experience in delivering seminars or a teaching qualification, or a judge who had been approved to award Challenge Certificates to two breeds.

• Conformation and Movement Hands On Assessment Trainers – Those who have previously been approved to judge at group level at General & Group Championship Shows.  Those with a relevant professional qualification who have previously been approved to award CCs to at least two breeds.

After initial consideration candidates have been invited to training sessions and were then assessed on their ability to deliver a lecture on part of the seminar syllabus they would potentially be covering.  * A list of Accredited Trainers follows

Judge's training programme for working trials, obedience, agility and bloodhound judges

In October 2001 the Kennel Club established a Working Party to put in place a similar Judges Training Programme for the above-mentioned working disciplines.  As a result, in July 2004 the General Committee announced that with effect from 1 July 2006 all those persons judging at the above events for the very first time and those who will be submitting questionnaires to the Kennel Club for approval to award Kennel Club Working Trials, Bloodhound, Obedience and Agility Certificates will be required to have attended a Seminar and to pass a multiple choice Examination on the Regulations and Judging Procedures for their respective discipline.

The Seminar syllabus is based on Kennel Club Regulations and the relevant Guide for Judges.  Those appointed to conduct these seminars and examinations are very experienced judges and competitors in their respective disciplines and have themselves been assessed on their ability to carry out this responsibility.

* A list of Accredited Trainers follows.

Code of best practice for judges

A code of best practice has been introduced this year setting out the Kennel Club’s expected standard for judges regarding integrity, impartiality, age and health issues.

The overall and stated object of the Kennel Club is to promote in every way the general improvement of dogs and this objective also applies to Judges.

The overall aim and objective of a Judge at whatever level, from Companion Dog Show to Championship Shows/Trials, is to provide value for the time, training effort and money which the exhibitor/competitor puts into presenting their dog.  Moreover, the decision of Championship Judges in particular will ultimately effect the future development of a particular breed and/or respective discipline concerned.

There is therefore an expectation that Judges will be competent and may be trusted.  Judging is not a right but a privilege.  Judges should be respected by the exhibitor/competitor.  To that end the following Code sets out the relevant aspects that Judges should be capable of demonstrating.

Integrity

1.1    Judges should act honestly and impartially when undertaking an appointment.

1.2    A dog should be placed only on merit according to the Breed Standard or Competition Regulations.  Judges should be prepared to provide a critique on placings (Field Trial Judges excepted).

1.3    Judges should conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the standing of a Judge at all times whilst at a show/trial ad in any other capacity which might have a bearing on the interests of the canine world.

1.4    Judges are referred to the factors set out below which may be said to affect their standing and may result in exclusion from Judging lists or future judging contracts or withdrawal from an agreed appointment;

1.4.1    Criminal Convictions

1.4.2    Threatening Behaviour

1.4.3    Misrepresenting or abusing authority

1.4.4    Not judging in accordance with the Kennel Club Rules and Regulations

1.4.5    Not judging according to Breed Standards

1.4.6    Harsh Handling

1.4.7    Breach of Kennel Club Rules and Regulations

1.4.8    Using the name of the Kennel Club in an unauthorised manner.

Age

1.5    No new judging appointments to award Challenge Certificates to a breed for the first time, Groups or BIS or an Obedience Certificate, Agility Certificate, Working Trials Certificate, Bloodhound Certificate or appointment to a Field Trial Panel for the first time will be considered once a Judge has attained the age of 75 years (at the time of fulfilling the appointment).

Health Guidelines

1.6    Judges are expected to decline, or to withdraw from, an appointment which they cannot fulfil.  The aim of the competition can only be fulfilled when the judging of dogs is carried out in a fully competent manner.

1.7    Ill health of various kinds can temporarily or permanently make it impossible for a person to complete a judging appointment according to the demands which are set forward in this Code of Best Practice.  A Society or Club can, if necessary, either temporarily or permanently cancel the judging contract should it become apparent that the judge cannot appraise his/her own situation and can no longer fulfil the judging appointment.

1.8    Judges must be able to undertake the judging of dogs with an obvious independence and in a confident manner.  Judges must not at any time rely on others to assist with the main work of judging.

1.9    Judges must be capable of meeting the physical requirements of fulfilling the judging appointment.

1.10    From the above it follows that a person with definite lessening of capabilities, and who is dependent on assistance or the presence of various forms of technical help may need to consider if he or she is capable of fulfilling a judging appointment in an adequate and satisfactory manner.

1.11    The Show/Trial Organisers shall try to find out that invited judges are able to fulfil their appointments.

1.12    As far as reasonably possible the Show/Trial Organisers are responsible for ensuring that the aims of the dog show/trial are fulfilled and that the exhibitors/competitors receive the quality of judging that they deserve.

1.13    The Kennel Club has an overriding responsibility and may in individual cases either temporarily defer or permanently withdraw approval when the judge in question is considered not to have the necessary capabilities.  That is not to say that any particular disability will preclude judging.  A common sense approach needs to be adopted by both Show/Trial Organiser and Judge.

During Judging

1.14    Treat and handle all competing dogs in a confident, careful and consistent manner.  Judges must not harshly handle, maltreat, or penalise unfairly any dog.

1.15    Conduct themselves in a courteous manner to all and concentrate fully on the dogs.  It is inadvisable for judges to call any exhibitor/competitor by their name, initiate or engage in a conversation initiated by an exhibitor/competitor whilst judging is in progress.

1.16    Dress in a conventional and acceptable fashion precluding them from being the centre of attention, or from causing any distress to the dog being exhibited or its owner.

1.17    Try to avoid sunglasses or light reflective/reactive glasses when judging breeds at conformation shows as this could inhibit the ability to determine shades and colours of a dog’s coat, eyes etc.

1.18    Judges should not smoke, consume alcoholic drinks or use or activate a mobile phone whilst in the Ring or when judging.

General

The following are general requirements for Judges;

1.19    Absolute integrity in order to judge honestly and impartially, and to place dogs solely on their merit.

1.20    A suitable temperament and sufficient stamina to cope with what can be a physically and mentally demanding task.

1.21    To judge in a customary fashion acceptable to the exhibitor/competitor and the breed of dog.

Conformation Shows

Judges should have;

1.22    A comprehensive knowledge of the breed to be judged and its Kennel Cub Breed Standard.

1.23    An understanding of Kennel Club Regulation F paragraph 8.

1.24    The following minimum criteria before being considered to award Challenge Certificates for the first time.

Breed Specialist

1.24.1    Minimum of 7 years judging experience in the breed as well as having attended the following mandatory seminars:

1.24.2    To have attended a seminar given by a Kennel Club Accredited Trainer and passed the relevant examination on Kennel Club Regulations and Judging Procedures.

1.24.3    To have attended a seminar given by a Kennel Club Accredited Trainer on Conformation and Movement.

1.24.4    To have attended a least one breed specific judging seminar run in accordance with the relevant Kennel Club Code of Best Practice and passed an examination and/or assessment where applicable.

1.24.5    To have bred and/or owned a minimum of 3 dogs when they obtained their first entry in the Kennel Club Stud Book (save in exceptional circumstances).

1.24.6    To have stewarded at 12 shows.

Non Breed Specialist

1.24.7    Minimum of 7 years judging experience in any one breed (to include 5 years in the relevant breed).

1.24.8    To have awarded Challenge Cerifictaes to at least one other breed.

1.25       Eligibility to judge at Open Shows, Regulation F(1) paragragh 21 refers.

Summary

• Judges should have a comprehensive knowledge of the breed(s) to be judged and also the relevant Kennel Club Breed Standard.  It is the responsibility of the Judges to keep abreast and up to date with developments in such matters.
• Judges should have a comprehensive knowledge of competition procedures and etiquette.  It is the responsibility of the Judges to keep abreast and up to date with developments in such matters.
• Judges should be familiar with the Kennel Club Rules and Regulations and the Guide for Judges as amended from time to time and to keep up to date with all relevant Regulations governing the Breed, the competition and judging.
• Judges should give value to the exhibitor/competitor and ultimately the Breed/Sport in question.  Judges should act at all times with honesty and integrity and impartiality.

List of relevant literature available from the Kennel Club

• KC Guide for Obedience Judges and Stewards
• KC Guide for Judges & Ring Stewards
• KC Guide for Bloodhound Judges
• KC Guide for Working Trial Judges and Stewards
• KC Guide for Agility Judges and Stewards
• Conformation and Movement, Hands on Assessment Paperwork
• Challenge Certificate Judges Evaluation Form

Kennel Club Advisory Criteria for Breed Club Judges Lists

Kennel Club Code of Best Practice for Breed Club Seminars

Exhibiting Seminars

Anyone who is holding an exhibiting–related seminar this year is invited to email the details to the Kennel Club’s Canine Activities Team at canineactivitiesteam@thekennelclub.org.uk so that the seminar can be listed on our new Events Calendar.  Simply click on the Seminars icon on the right to search our Events Calendar for Exhibiting Seminars in your area or by date. 

Education and Training prospectus

List of Kennel Club Accredited Trainers (Show)

SR12 Hands On Assessment Candidate Form

List of Kennel Club Accredited Trainers (WTOA)

Please visit our Online Shop to puchase Kennel Club Guides for Judges, Kennel Club Regulations booklets and Conformation & Movement DVD.