The Kennel Club wishes to remind inviting societies of the existence of its previously published 'Best in Show and Policy judge statement'. The statement confirms that these judges are exempt from the requirement to be on a breed club B list or higher for breeds in their approved group(s) for which they have not yet been approved to award CCs in order to be eligible to judge more than 3 classes (or 5 for Stud Book band E breeds) at Open Shows or to judge non CC breeds at General and Group Championship Shows.
A Policy judge is an individual who has previously been approved to award Challenge Certificates to 70% of the breeds in any particular group.
Similarly, Judges Development Programme candidates who have passed a breed assessment and achieved a breed credit are also exempt from the need to be on a B list or higher at such events when judging said breed.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: "Regulation F(1)21.b outlines the eligibility of those who may judge breeds at open shows or non CC breeds at General and Group Championship Shows. However, sitting outside these regulations are a number of other judges who, due to KC policy, are also eligible to judge at these shows. We therefore thought it best to clarify this matter for those societies looking to invite judges."