The Kennel Cub would like to remind all Breed Show judges and Clubs and Societies of the following when submitting nominations for first time approval for Challenge Certificates within a breed. This applies to all routes for judges’ approvals (Grandfathering applications, traditional route nominations, A2 applications and JEP Level progression).
· When adding hands on judging experience, shows where a single dog of a breed is present cannot be counted in your judging numbers, this has been in place for many years but from recent communications it appears that some judges are not aware of this.
· Any application for a fourth or subsequent breed and any group or Best in Show applications will only be considered if the Eye for a Dog assessment has been passed. Any nomination currently being processed will be deferred where possible until successful completion of this assessment.
· To support judges who need the Eye for a Dog assessment to progress we have recently released all planned Eye for a Dog assessment days for the remainder of 2025, this will allow up to 336 judges to take this assessment during 2025 and Judges committee has agreed to waive the 12 months gap between attempts at this assessment to allow those candidates who have previously not been successful to have 1 further attempt during 2025. The Judges team will be in touch with all judges who currently have nominations/grandfathering applications submitted to offer them a priority place on this assessment.
· We will also be running a pre-assessment webinar for all candidates to support their understanding of what is required on this assessment.
We would also like to remind all clubs and societies that judges nominations should be submitted 12 months prior to the show and any submissions for first time approvals will not be accepted if submitted late.
Nominations will be accepted for shows up until the end of 2027 via any of the current routes until 31st December 2025 and will be processed in show order. From 1st January 2026 nominations will only be considered for pre-approved Level 4 judges.