First new-style Junior Warrant title goes to French Bulldog

Owner now aiming to win Open Show Winner title too

A number of titles can now be won at open shows

The owner of the first winner of the Kennel Club’s new-style Junior Warrant (JW) award has been so encouraged by her dog’s success that she has vowed to try and attain his Open Show Winner (OSW) title too.

Olivia Timms of Northolt, London who owns the French Bulldog, Eastonite Maui JW ShCM says that, because of the way his birthdate fell, she could have claimed his JW certificate under either the old or new system, but she opted for the latter as this would give her the opportunity to try for the newly-introduced OSW title too.

Originally introduced by the Kennel Club in 1938 as a way of rewarding young dogs of above-average quality, the prestigious JW award has recently been revised and a minimum of seven points must now be won at open shows (or in non-CC entries at championship shows) instead of the traditional three points.

The revision of the JW award has been brought in as a way of invigorating the open show scene in the UK. Similar measures introduced recently by the Kennel Club have included the Show Certificate of Excellence (ShCEx) and Veteran Warrant (VW) awards as well as breed supported entry classes.

The JW title is a special award given only to dogs which attain the required 25 points between the age of 6 and 18 months. As with the old system, at least three points must be won in a CC entry. For dogs which qualify, the letters ‘JW’ may be used after their name on show entries and in catalogues.

Dogs which attain the JW award are allocated a Kennel Club Stud Book Number and the owner will be sent a certificate for this as well as another one for the JW award once the claim has been successfully processed. Claims for dogs born on or after 1 July 2017 must be made under the new system (form AW08).

Only dogs with the new-style JW award are eligible to attain the OSW title which is automatically awarded by the Kennel Club once such dogs claim their ShCEx certificate.

Maui qualified for the JW award by winning 24 first prizes including at Crufts 2018, six BOB and 12 BP. Other open show wins at the time included three puppy groups and an adult group 4 and since then Maui has continued to do well in groups and has now also attained his Show Certificate of Merit (ShCM) title. Olivia now intends to campaign him more in the hope of winning his ShCEx title which, when combined with his new-style JW award, will automatically qualify him for his OSW certificate.   

At championship shows, Maui won the CC at the Welsh Kennel Club last year under Rony Doedijns of the Netherlands and he also has a RCAC won in Belgium under Hana Krejcova of Italy. “I would love to achieve Maui’s final two CCs to make him a British champion”, said Olivia. “Then my dreams will have come true!”

On attaining the new-style JW award, Olivia said: “I was first shocked when I got the phone call to say Maui was the first ever dog to achieve the new JW title. I am very proud of Maui’s achievements and look forward hopefully to many more.”

Just to prove that Maui has more than one string to his bow, he regularly takes part in Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme training and recently achieved his Bronze award with Ruislip and Northwood Canine Training Society.

Of the new-style JW award itself, Olivia said: “I do think it will bring more entries to open shows. In some ways it is easier to get the points now only needing an extra dog in the class at open shows, compared to the old system which needed three including yourself, but now you need double the open show points which can be more difficult.”

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “The Kennel Club sends huge congratulations to Olivia on the achievement of the first new-style JW award with Maui. More points from open shows are now required in order to win this award, so we very much hope to see more entries at this sort of show this year and beyond.

“2019 is shaping up to be a very exciting year indeed for the British open show scene with a number of dogs already achieving new titles. This is very good news indeed and we wish exhibitors all the very best of luck in trying to win these awards with their dogs.”

Read more information on the new-style Junior Warrant award, including a claim form which outlines the points system and FAQs. Please direct any enquiries via email to our team.