“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?

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. Also we can provide Insurance for your show for a fee of £10 (inclusive of Insurance Premium Tax at 5%) if required, see below for more details. Also if you intend to hold Companion Dog Club Classes (see below), you will be entitled to Promotional Assistance, please complete the form. 

Before sending in your completed form(s), you must inform your charity, or cause, in writing that you are intending to hold a Companion Dog Show on their behalf. The charity’s acknowledgment and agreement to your letter (this must be the original letter and not a copy) should be sent to the Kennel Club, along 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.

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. We state 42 days prior to the show date in our regulations, but endeavour to process sooner). 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 Agria Pet Insurance Ltd, 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. This offer is available to shows taking place in England, Scotland and Wales.

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 page 2 of the Specimen Schedule and Regulations for notices required on the Schedules and Entry Forms, to make all competitors aware.

What sort of classes can I hold at my show?
We have included details of the types of classes you can hold in the Specimen Schedule and Regulations, with reference to Kennel Club Show Regulations. For further details of Specific Show Regulations.

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.

Also you might 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.

Companion Dog Club Novelty Classes
These can consist of similar novelty classes as listed in the specimen schedule, for example: Dog with the waggiest tale, Most handsome dog or you can choose other classes such as OAP (dogs over 8) etc. You can be very creative and choose as many classes as you like – but remember the easier the class is to enter, the more entries you will receive. Remember no pedigree classes should be scheduled. Whatever classes you have chosen, it must be listed accurately on the schedule, as this helps to prepare the entrants and their dog on the day.

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. Note, to be listed in the Kennel Gazette, you must send in your form several weeks in advance of the show date, in order to meet the monthly deadlines.

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 - see below for details.

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 0844 463 3980 or email lauren.lowe@thekennelclub.org.uk.

Summary of Forms/Links:
Companion Dog Show Licence & Insurance application form
Companion Dog Club Class Application & Promotion Assistance Form
Companion Dog Show Feedback Form
Companion Dog Shows Public Liability Insurance Policy Information
Companion Dog Show Regulations

Summary of Companion Dog Club links:
Holding a Companion Dog Club Class
Companion Dog Club Classes 2009 
Companion Dog Club

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Companion Dog Shows 

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