Criteria for Veteran Warrant updated

The Kennel Club has announced that the criteria for the Veteran Warrant (VW) have been updated, following feedback received from exhibitors, in order to make the award more fair and accessible.

The VW was introduced at the beginning of 2019 among a number of initiatives designed to invigorate the open show scene. Other measures introduced have included the Show Certificate of Excellence and Open Show Winner awards as well as breed supported entry classes.

Originally it was announced that VW points were to be gained from AV veteran or veteran stakes classes at general and group open shows. However, the Kennel Club has now agreed that points may also be gained at such shows from AV Special Veteran classes split by age and/or sex, eg AV Special Veteran Over 10 Years, AV Special Veteran Bitch etc.

More than 50 dogs aged seven years or over have already won the VW title this year. For dogs which qualify for the VW award, the title ‘VW’ may be used after their name on show entries and in catalogues.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “It was never the intention to make the VW award unfair or inaccessible, so we are pleased to let exhibitors know that we have listened to feedback and AV Special Veteran classes are now eligible too. The response to the title has been very positive so far and we hope to see more golden oldies strutting their stuff at open shows in the future where dogs can now attain titles at every stage of their career, from puppy right through to veteran.”

Read more information on the Veteran Warrant award, including a claim form which outlines the point system. All enquiries should be emailed to our SASS team.