Judges Competency Framework at Crufts

  • Are you ready for JCF?
  • Speak with specialist JCF staff at Crufts
  • Collect your free updated JCF guide at the show
  • Established judges can learn how to transition from old system to new
  • Newer exhibitors can learn about how to get started on the judging 'ladder'

The Judges Competency Framework (JCF) will have a presence at Crufts, and the Kennel Club is urging judges of every level, from the new and aspiring to the vastly experienced, to visit the main Kennel Club stand at the show to find out more about this new system of educating, approving and listing judges in the UK. Breed Education Coordinators (BECs) and breed club representatives are also welcome to come to the stand with any queries they may have.

Established judges can visit the stand in hall 3 and speak with specialist Kennel Club staff about arrangements during the JCF transition period. For example, it may be that they are approved to award CCs in one breed and are on judging lists for other breeds at open show level – the JCF team at Crufts will be on hand to explain how to transition from the old to the new system.

Likewise, less experienced judges can visit the stand to find out what they need to do in order to ensure they meet the requirements to be able to judge at open and limited shows from 2020. The team will be able to offer advice on seminar and assessment requirements, among other aspects, which will be compulsory for new judges starting out under the new system.  

An updated detailed guide to the JCF will be available on the stand. Judges as well as those interested in becoming a judge are welcome to collect their free copy.

The team will also be on hand to answer queries about the JCF Eye for a Dog assessment which will be compulsory for any championship show judge who aspires to add a second or additional CC breed to the list of breeds they judge under the JCF. The Kennel Club recently held these assessments over two days at Stoneleigh where all 72 places were booked within three days. Ninety nine judges have now passed this assessment and there are plans to hold further assessments later this year including regional events – dates will be announced nearer the time.

Breed Appreciation Days (BADs) are the new breed-specific judging seminars, run by breed clubs and councils, at which a judge must pass a multiple choice exam if they wish to judge that breed at JCF Level 2 (equivalent of B list). There have been 38 BADs held so far and there are plans for a further 45 such seminars to be held this year. Browse our list of future BADs.

A pivotal aspect of the JCF will be mentoring which will enable candidates to increase their knowledge of a breed, guided by experts. The Kennel Club now has 1,863 JCF mentors across 95 breeds and the list continues to grow. Read more information about JCF.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “The JCF is now only a matter of months away and it is encouraging that a lot of progress has been made already with BADs and mentoring sessions in full swing. We very much hope that judges of all levels of experience, as well as BECs and breed club representatives, will visit the Kennel Club stand at Crufts in order to find out exactly where they fit in the JCF picture and the supporting requirements, either as an established judge who will need to transition over, or as a new judge just starting out on the new system or as part of the organisation to ensure the continuation of a high level of judges’ education.”

The Kennel Club has a designated JCF email address to which all JCF enquiries should be directed. Please email our JCF team.