American Water Dog Club

Kennel Club Show Categories

Companion Show

Very relaxed shows, ideal for all dogs and owners, whether pedigree or crossbreed, with a mix of pedigree and fun classes. Usually held in conjunction with fetes, charity open days or other events.

 

Limited Show

Entry level shows, restricted either by geographical location, or by membership of a club, society or breed.
Dogs that have won a Challenge Certificate (CC), or obtained any award that counts towards the title of Champion under any governing body recognised by the Kennel Club, are not eligible for entry at these shows.

 

Open Show

Open shows are open to all KC Registered pedigree dogs and are often considered the best place to start if you wish to get involved in pedigree dog showing. They may be restricted by breed or open to a number of breeds. They are a good place to meet like-minded people and practice your handling skills. The Best in Show, Reserve Best in Show and Best Puppy in Show at a general or group open show qualify for Crufts.

 

Premier (Open) Show

Run on the same format as open shows, but with more classes (often held over two days) and more opportunities to qualify for Crufts.

 

Championship Show

The highest level of dog show competition in the UK.
Open to all but more competitive in nature, as competitors strive to qualify for Crufts and win CCs!
A dog that wins 3 CCs (under 3 different judges, one of which must be won when it is over 1 year old) is awarded the title of Champion and then can use the letters Ch before the dogs name *.

* Gundogs and Border Collies are awarded the title of Show Champion (Sh Ch). They can only be called a Champion (Ch) once they have proven their working ability.

 

Types of Show

Single Breed Show:
Open to a single breed only.

Group Show:
Open to one group of dogs.
There are seven groups; Hound, Pastoral, Utility, Toy, Gundog, Terrier and Working.

General Show:
Open to all KC recognised breeds. These shows can take place over several days.

 

Class: Classification: 
Minor Puppy For dogs of 6 and not exceeding 9 calendar months of age on the first day of the Show.
Puppy For dogs of 6 and not exceeding 12 calendar months of age on the first day of the Show.
Junior For dogs of 6 and not exceeding 18 calendar months of age on the first day of the Show.
Yearling For dogs of twelve and not exceeding twenty-four calendar months of age on the first day of the Show.
Beginners * For owner, handler or exhibit not having won a first prize at any Show.** For owner, handler or exhibit not having won a first prize at any Show.
Maiden * For dogs which have not won a Challenge Certificate/CACIB/CAC/Green Star or a First Prize at an Open or Championship show (Minor Puppy, Special Minor Puppy, Puppy and Special Puppy classes excepted, whether restricted or not).** For dogs which have not won a First Prize at any Show (Minor Puppy, Special Minor Puppy, Puppy and Special Puppy Classes excepted whether restricted or not).
Novice * For dogs which have not won a Challenge Certificate/CACIB/CAC/Green Star or three or more First Prizes at Open and Championship Shows (Minor Puppy, Special Minor Puppy, Puppy and Special Puppy classes excepted, whether restricted or not).** For dogs which have not won 3 or more First Prizes at any Show (Minor Puppy, Special Minor Puppy, Puppy and Special Puppy Classes excepted, whether restricted or not).
Tyro * For dogs which have not won a Challenge Certificate/CACIB/CAC/Green Star or five or more First Prizes at Open and Championship Shows (Minor Puppy, Special Minor Puppy, Puppy and Special Puppy classes excepted, whether restricted or not).** For dogs which have not won 5 or more First Prizes at any Show (Minor Puppy, Special Minor Puppy, Puppy and Special Puppy Classes excepted, whether restricted or not).
Debutant * For dogs which have not won a Challenge Certificate/CACIB/CAC/Green Star or a First Prize at a Championship Show where Challenge Certificates were offered for the breed (Minor Puppy, Special Minor Puppy, Puppy and Special Puppy classes excepted, whether restricted or not).** For dogs which have not won a First Prize at an Open or Championship Show (Minor Puppy, Special Minor Puppy, Puppy and Special Puppy Classes excepted, whether restricted or not).
Under Graduate * For dogs which have not won a Challenge Certificate/CACIB/CAC/Green Star or three or more First Prizes at Championship Shows where Challenge Certificates were offered for the breed (Minor Puppy, Special Minor Puppy, Puppy and Special Puppy classes excepted, whether restricted or not).** For dogs which have not won 3 or more First Prize at Open or Championship Shows (Minor Puppy, Special Minor Puppy, Puppy and Special Puppy Classes excepted, whether restricted or not).
Graduate * For dogs which have not won a Challenge Certificate/CACIB/CAC/Green Star or four or more First Prizes at Championship Shows in Graduate, Post Graduate, Minor Limit, Mid Limit, Limit and Open classes, whether restricted or not where Challenge Certificates were offered for the breed.** For dogs which have not won 4 or more First Prizes at Open or Championship Shows in Graduate, Post Graduate, Minor Limit, Mid Limit, Limit and Open Classes, whether restricted or not.
Post Graduate * For dogs which have not won a Challenge Certificate/CACIB/CAC/Green Star or five or more First Prizes at Championship Shows in Post Graduate, Minor Limit, Mid Limit, Limit and Open classes, whether restricted or not where Challenge Certificates were offered for the breed.** For dogs which have not won 5 or more First Prizes at Championship and Open Shows in Post Graduate, Minor Limit, Mid Limit, Limit and Open Classes, whether restricted or not.
Minor Limit *For dogs which have not won two Challenge Certificates/CACIB/CAC/Green Stars or three or more First Prizes in all at Championship Shows in Minor Limit, Mid Limit, Limit and Open classes, confined to the breed, whether restricted or not at Shows where Challenge Certificates were offered for the breed.** For dogs which have not won 3 or more First Prizes in all at Open and Championship Shows in Minor Limit, Mid Limit, Limit and Open Classes, confined to the breed, whether restricted or not.
Mid Limit * For dogs which have not become show Champions under Kennel Club Regulations or under the rules of any governing body recognised by the Kennel Club or won 3 or more CACIB/CAC/Green Stars or won five or more First Prizes in all at Championship Shows in Mid Limit, Limit or Open Classes, confined to the breed, whether restricted or not, at shows where Challenge Certificates were offered for the breed.** For dogs which have not won 5 or more First Prizes in all at Open and Championship Shows in Mid Limit, Limit and Open Classes, confined to the breed, whether restricted or not.
Limit * For dogs which have not become show Champions under Kennel Club Regulations or under the rules of any governing body recognised by the Kennel Club or won 3 or more CACIB/CAC/Green Stars or won 7 or more First Prizes in all, at Championship Shows in Limit or Open Classes, confined to the breed, whether restricted or not at shows where Challenge Certificates were offered for the breed.** For dogs which have not won 7 or more First Prizes in all at Open and Championship Shows in Limit and Open Classes, confined to the breed, whether restricted or not.
Open * For all dogs of the breed for which the class is provided and eligible for entry at the Show.
Veteran For dogs of not less than 7 years of age on the first day of the Show
Champion For dogs which have been confirmed a Champion or Show Champion under Kennel Club Regulations or under the rules of any governing body recognised by the Kennel Club.
Rare Breeds Confined to those breeds not granted Challenge Certificates in the current year, with the exception of those breeds whose registration is confined to the Imported Breed Register.
Field Trials For dogs which have won an award, Diploma of Merit or Certificate of Merit in actual competition at a Field Trial held under Kennel Club or Irish Kennel Club Field Trial Regulations.
Working Trial For dogs which have won an award in competition at a Bloodhound Working Trial and Kennel Club licensed Working Trials, held under Kennel Club Regulations.
Stud Dog For stud dogs and at least two progeny of which only the progeny must be entered and exhibited in a breed class at the Show
Brood Bitch For brood bitches and at least 2 progeny of which only the progeny must be entered and exhibited in a breed class at the Show.
Progeny For a dog or bitch, accompanied by at least three of its registered progeny. The dog or bitch not necessarily entered in another class however, all progeny having been entered and exhibited in another class. The dog or bitch and the progeny need not be registered in the same ownership.
Brace For 2 exhibits (either sex or mixed) of one breed belonging to the same exhibitor, each exhibit having been entered in some class other than Brace or Team.
Team For 3 or more exhibits (either sex or mixed) of one breed belonging to the same exhibitor, each exhibit having been entered in some class other than Brace or Team.
Breeders For dogs bred by the exhibitor
Imported Breed Register For breeds confined to the Imported Breed Register and only when an Interim Breed Standard has been published by the Kennel Club. Such breeds may be exhibited in this class only with the winning dog being eligible to compete for Best in Group or Best in Show as relevant.
Any Variety Not Separately Classified For breeds of dog for which no separate breed classes are scheduled.
Young Kennel Club (YKC) Stakes For Any Variety dog or bitch exhibited and handled by a fully paid up member of the Young Kennel Club. The dog should be registered either: a. Solely or jointly in the member’s name, or 41 F(A) b. In the name of a member of the family and under these circumstances the dog must be resident at the YKC member’s address.
Good Citizen Dog For dogs that have achieved their GCDS Bronze Award.
Scheme Class Certificate or above.
Scheme Class Not For Competition Societies may at their discretion, accept Not for Competition entries. Societies may accept such entries from Breeds of dog not included within the title of the Society and at Shows held over more than one day, such entries may be accepted on any day from any breed.
Any Variety Companion Dog Club Class For Any Variety of purebred dog having been entered at a Companion Dog Show held in conjunction with the show at which this class is scheduled.
Imported Breed Register For breeds confined to the Imported Breed Register and only when an Interim Breed Standard has been published by the Kennel Club. Such breeds may be exhibited in this class only with the winning dog being eligible to compete for Best in Group or Best in Show as relevant.