Following a two-year trial during which show regulations were relaxed and a consultation took place in relation to proposed changes to show regulations, the Kennel Club has now confirmed that the F regulations will be amended to give effect to the current suspension of regulations to allow:
- Dogs to be entered into variety classes without having been entered or exhibited in a breed class.
- Dogs declared Best of Breed or Best Any Variety Not Separately Classified or Best Any Variety Imported Breed Register irrespective of being beaten in variety classes, to continue to challenge for Best in Group/Best in Show.
- Dogs declared Best Puppy in Breed or Best Puppy in Any Variety Not Separately Classified or Best Puppy in Any Variety Imported Breed Register irrespective of being beaten in variety classes, to challenge for Best Puppy in Group/Best Puppy in Show.
It has also been confirmed that the regulations in relation to the eligibility for Best Puppy in Show at open shows be amended to reflect that at championship shows i.e. only puppies eligible to challenge are those declared Best Puppy in Breed or Best AVNSC Puppy or Best AV Imported Breed Register Puppy.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “These amendments to the regulations have come about as a result of a wider review of the show scene undertaken by the Dog Show Promotion Working Party which recently announced a number of measures designed to improve the ‘dog show experience’ for exhibitors. We thank those people who responded to the consultation – your feedback was very important in helping the Kennel Club shape dog shows for the modern era.”
The relevant regulation changes, which come into effect on 1st January 2018, are on the Kennel Club website.
All specimen schedules have been updated with these changes and can be viewed on our website.