Organising a Companion Dog Show

“I would strongly encourage others to hold Companion Dog Shows. It is such a fun day out for all the family and of course a great way to fund raise for your chosen charities.” Sheila Hamilton-Andrews, Companion Dog Show Organiser

Everything You need to know about holding a Companion Dog Show

Why hold a Companion Dog Show?
Dogs have a special place in our hearts and are a vital part of any community. What better way to raise funds for your charity or cause than by holding a dog show, where the dogs and owners in your neighbourhood can join you in raising money as well as enjoying a great day out. Always popular events, Companion Dog Shows attract hundreds of hounds and generate millions of pounds every year for countless important and worthy causes.

Why not unleash the fundraising potential of the dogs in your community by holding a Companion Dog Show?

A Companion Dog Show taking place What are Companion Dog Shows like?
Sometimes forming part of a village fete, or as events in their own right, Companion Dog Shows are great fun events at which all dogs, great and small, pedigree and non-pedigree, take part.

The mainstay of many Companion Dog Shows are the fun or ‘Novelty Classes’ like ‘Dog most like its owner’ and ‘Dog with the waggiest tail’. Use your imagination and schedule some classes that everyone attending can have some real fun with. As there is nothing like a bit of healthy competition to get people coming along to a show, Companion Dog Shows can also schedule classes which allow pedigree dogs to compete head to head in classes such as ‘Any Variety Terrier’ or ‘Any Variety Puppy’. Many people like to bring their new puppies along to Companion Dog Shows to get them used to other people and dogs and to see if they have the makings in them of the next Crufts Champion.

Please note that puppies under six months old are not permitted to take part in Companion Dog Shows.

Sounds great, what do I need to do?
You will need to fill in a Licence Application Form and send it to the Kennel Club with supporting paperwork from the charity of your choice and a fee of £10 (inclusive of insurance premium tax at 5%). Insurance for your show is also available if required, see below for more details. Also please do not forget to include your Promotional Assistance Form.

Before you do anything else, you must inform your charity, or cause, in writing that you intend to hold a Companion Dog Show on their behalf. The charity’s acknowledgment of this letter (this must be the original letter and not a copy) should be sent to the Kennel Club with your completed application form. It is not possible for us to issue the licence without this information.

Why do I need a licence?
Holding a Licensed Show means that all dogs, including pedigree dogs, can compete and join in the fun. Licences are only granted to properly organised events so that all those attending the show know that the money is going to charity and that the show is being run under the high standards set by the Kennel Club.

One of the ways the Kennel Club makes sure that a licensed show is of a high standard is that licences are only issued to shows that are held in accordance with the Kennel Club’s regulations and have a published schedule. The regulations are not complex and are fully explained in this pack.

A Companion Dog Show taking place How long does it take?
You should not have to wait longer than two weeks to receive your licence (although in the very busy ‘show season’ of April to August it might take slightly longer). The earlier in the year you apply for a licence the earlier you will receive it.

Do I need insurance cover to hold a Companion Dog Show?
There are so many ways in which an event could run into problems, it is essential that you always secure suitable liability insurance for any public event. It is always better to be safe than sorry!

Another way the Kennel Club ensures that licensed events are of a high standard is by stipulating that the licence will only be valid if a current Public Liability Insurance Document is held and is on display on the day(s) of the show. This is for the safety of all those attending the show and to protect you, the organiser.

The Kennel Club, in partnership with PetPartners plc, have introduced a Public Liability Insurance for Companion Dog Shows. The premium is just £10 (inclusive of insurance premium tax at 5%) and to take advantage of this great offer for your show, you only need to 'tick the second box' on the application form and send it with a £10 fee to the Kennel Club, at the same time you apply for your licence.

Are there any other safety tips I should bear in mind?
Companion Dog Shows are most typically held over the summer and dogs suffer terribly if they are left in hot cars – even for short periods of time. Please refer to the Specimen Schedule and Regulations.

What sort of classes can I hold at my show?
We have included details of the types of class you can hold in the Specimen Schedule and Regulations.

You might also want to think about scheduling a Companion Dog Club class as this will mean that the Kennel Club will help to publicise your event for free.

If you want your show to include all dogs in the community you must schedule some pedigree classes. We can only licence shows that include these classes.

Hold a Companion Dog Club Class and we’ll promote your event for free!
Once you have confirmed that your event will hold a Companion Dog Club class we will help you market this by:

Listing on www.companiondogclub.org.uk
Listing in the Kennel Gazette (the Kennel Club’s flagship publication sent to 8,500 subscribers)
Access to the online special interest group, exclusive to Companion Dog Club members. This new section contains news on up and coming Companion Dog Shows with CDC classes, features on Member of the Month, Special Offers, news and lots more..

Please fill out and return the downloadable Promotional Assistance Form to gain free publicity from the Kennel Club.

How do I find a suitable judge for my show?
Why not get in touch with your local dog club and see if they can recommend a good local judge? Making contact with your local clubs may mean that you can get the support of their members for your event.

Contact the Kennel Club to get a full list of clubs in your area by phone 0870 606 6750 or by email to lauren.lowe@thekennelclub.org.uk.

Can I hold a Companion Dog Show as part of another dog show?
Yes, Companion Dog Shows are often held as part of other Kennel Club licensed events, but a separate licence must still be applied for.

The Kennel Club has no jurisdiction over Hunt Terrier and Lurcher Shows, however, if these shows are scheduled they must be held as a separate event and not as part of the Companion Dog Show.

Who can tell me more?
If you would like to discuss your event in more detail with one of our specialists, or would just like some advice, contact the Canine Activities Services Team on 0870 606 6750 or email lauren.lowe@thekennelclub.org.uk.

Companion Dog Show Licence & Insurance application form