Eye for a Dog assessment now only for multi-breed judges: Bookings now open for latest dates

Following feedback received from the Eye for a Dog pilot assessments held in 2018, the Kennel Club has relaxed the criteria for taking this assessment from all Judges wishing to be approved to award CCs (JCF Level 4) to those who want to move to a second or subsequent CC breed. Judges who do not aspire to judge more than one CC breed are no longer required to take the assessment.

This one-off assessment must be undertaken prior to taking a Breed Competence Assessment for a second or subsequent breed. It is a key component of the JCF and is necessary to apply for Level 3 approval for a second or subsequent breed.

The purpose of the assessment is for each candidate to demonstrate their ‘eye for a dog’ based on their general knowledge of canine conformation and movement at a level appropriate for a judge awarding CCs. The assessment does not require any pre-knowledge of breed standards or breed specific detail.

Nine dogs and handlers will be available at each session, comprising at least one breed from each of the seven recognised Kennel Club groups, covering a variety of shapes, sizes etc. Candidates will be assessed on their knowledge of movement, head and neck, forequarters, body (to include proportions, coat and colour) and hindquarters. Candidates will score extra marks for the correct identification of the breed(s).

The Code of Best Practice for the assessment can be found in our judging dog shows section.

Bookings are now open for the latest assessments, taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday February 19/20 at the Kennel Club Building at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. There are 72 places available over the two days. The assessments are to be split into morning and afternoon sessions and are of three hours duration.

To book onto this assessment candidates must have previously awarded Challenge Certificates in at least one breed.  

The cost per person is £20 and places are restricted to 18 candidates per session.

Please direct all enquiries to our JCF team.

Interested parties in Scotland are reminded that the Scottish Kennel Club recently agreed to hold an Eye for a Dog assessment on Sunday 31 March, details of which will be issued in due course.