Good Citizen Dog Scheme Breed Classes

The Kennel Club would like to remind judges at breed shows what is expected when judging Good Citizen Dog Scheme (GCDS) breed classes, as scheduled at open and championship shows, following some reports that these have been misunderstood.

While eligibility for these classes requires dogs to have achieved their GCDS Bronze award or above, the class should be judged in the same way as any other conformation class, with each dog being judged against the breed standard.  Unbeaten winners of the GCDS class have the same standing as all other unbeaten dogs, and a critique must be written for the first two placings in each class.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “From time to time, the Kennel Club hears of confusion surrounding the GCDS breed classes. Sometimes this misunderstanding occurs at Crufts, but dogs who compete in these classes have qualified for the show in the usual way and therefore the class must be judged like any other conformation class.”

While it is not necessary for exhibitors to produce their GCDS award certificate at shows, spot checks are carried out after the event to ensure only those dogs which have achieved the award are being entered into these classes.