The Kennel Club has agreed to introduce champion classes at breed club championship shows, with effect from 1st January 2018.
These classes, which are not compulsory, have been brought in by the Show Executive Committee (SEC) following a recommendation from the Dog Show Promotion Working Party which recently announced a number of measures designed to improve the dog show scene in Britain.
The winner of the champion class, provided it is unbeaten, will join all other unbeaten dogs or bitches to compete for the relevant Challenge Certificate.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “The Kennel Club has received feedback from a number of exhibitors that this concept would be a welcome addition to the show scene. The working party was of the view that the introduction of these classes at breed club championship shows would be a positive step as there would be a number of advantages in allowing exhibitors an opportunity to show a champion dog in this new class as well as another dog in the open class, for example.
“There would also be benefits to newer exhibitors and to judges in being able to see more champion dogs which would assist them in the development of their knowledge and expertise in the breed.”
This initiative will be reviewed by the SEC after a three-year trial period (1st January 2021).