Last week the Kennel Club announced several significant changes to its regulations and also some new initiatives.

From January 1st. 2003 gone is the need for open and limited shows to provide wet weather accommodation. There have also reversed the points for the Junior Warrant award back to the original points count, with these being gained at either Open Shows and/or Championship Shows.

The only restriction is that at least three of the 25 points must be gained at a Championship Show with CCs for the breed and at least three points at an Open Show or Championship Show without CCs for the breed.

to encourage exhibitors to enter Open Shows a new Certificate of Merit is to be established. The Show Certificate of Merit would allow dogs a further qualification to achieve at Open Shows and the title ‘ShCM’ could be used after the name of the dog on show entries and in catalogues.

The changes come as part of the Kennel Club’s on-going commitment of listening to ‘dogdoms’ suggestions and recommendations to help improve and promote canine events in general. The initiatives are designed to be of assistance to Open Shows in particular.

Full details below...

Following the successful Canine Events Conference which was held earlier this year and the subsequent meetings that have taken place to progress many of the important issues raised, as part of the Kennel Club’s on-going commitment of listening to ‘dogdoms’ suggestions and recommendations to help improve and promote canine events in general, the General Committee has agreed the following amendments. These initiatives are designed to be of assistance to Open Shows in particular.

Wet Weather Accommodation

The General Committee has decided that the dispensation already given to Breed Clubs not to be required to provide wet weather accommodation would be extended to all Open and Limited Shows. This would allow more discretion and flexibility to General Canine Society Open Show organisers.

Junior Warrant

The General Committee also agreed that one of the main reasons for changing the Junior Warrant qualification had been to encourage more exhibits at Open Shows, but entries had not increased in line with expectations. The Committee therefore agreed that the Junior Warrant qualification should revert back to the original points count, with points being gained at either Open Shows and/or Championship Shows. The only restriction is that at least 3 of the 25 points must be gained at a Championship Show with CCs for the breed and at least 3 points at an Open Show or Championship Show without CCs for the breed. However, the minimum number of 3 dogs per class would remain. The Committee also decided that the 3-day gap between shows should be removed.

Show Certificate of Merit

Finally, it was further agreed by the General Committee that a proposal by the Kennel Club Liaison Council Shows Council to encourage exhibitors to enter Open Shows, by awarding a Certificate of Merit, would be established. The Show Certificate of Merit would allow dogs a further qualification to achieve at Open Shows. The details are as follows:

A Kennel Club Show Certificate of Merit (ShCM) will be issued on application by the registered owner at the time of qualification, in respect of a dog that has obtained 25 points at General and Group Open Shows. A minimum of five of the points must be won in Group Competition. (e.g. If an exhibit wins a Group (4 points) and Best in Show (5 points), a further point is required in a Group Competition at another show). The scale of points is as follows:-

(1) Five points for Best in Show.
(2) Four Points for Single Group Best in Show.
(3) Group placings will obtain the following points: 1st - four points, 2nd - three points, 3rd - two points and 4th - one point.
(4) One point for Best Any Variety Not Separately Classified. (AVNSC Hound, Gundog, etc. winner of overall Best AVNSC).
(5) One point for Best of Breed.
(6) The title “ShCM” may be used after the name of the dog on show entries and in catalogues.

Application forms for the Show Certificate of Merit can be obtained from the Shows, Trials & Awards Department, Clarges Street, London W1J 8AB.

Regulation Amendments

Regulation F(1)4. Facilities. From: F.4.(1)c. Wet Weather Accommodation.At Shows where judging is to take place in the open air, an adequate number of alternative rings under satisfactory cover must be provided. Plans of the alternative rings must be available for inspection in the Secretary’s Office. Wet weather accommodation need not be provided at Breed Club Open and Limited shows. To: F.4.(1)c Wet Weather Accommodation. At Shows where judging is to take place in the open air, an adequate number of alternative rings under satisfactory cover must be provided. Plans of the alternative rings must be available for inspection in the Secretary’s Office.Wet weather accommodation need not be provided at Open and Limited Shows.

F.(1)8. Schedule. From: F.(1)8.c. (2) Breed Club Open and Limited Shows. In the event that wet weather accommodation is not being provided at the Show, the front cover or title page of the Schedule must prominently display a statement to this effect. To: F.(1)8.c. (2) Open and Limited Shows. In the event that wet weather accommodation is not being provided at the Show, the front cover or title page of the Schedule must prominently display a statement to this effect.

F.(1)12. Catalogues. From: F.(1)12.b (2) Breed Club Open and Limited Shows. In the event that wet weather accommodation is not being provided at the show, the front inside cover or title page of the catalogue must prominently display a statement to this effect. To: F.(1)12.b. (2) Open and Limited Shows. In the event that wet weather accommodation is not being provided at the show, the front inside cover or title page of the catalogue must prominently display a statement to this effect.

The amendments will be effective from 01.01.03

Junior Warrants

From: K.3. Warrants. a. Junior Warrants (JW) A Junior Warrant will be issued on application by the registered owner at the time of qualification in respect of a dog that has obtained 25 points whilst between the ages of 6 and 18 months. A minimum of 12 points must be won at Championships Shows where Challenge Certificates for the breed are on offer and a minimum of 12 points won at Open Shows or Championship Shows where Challenge Certificates are not offered for the breed. The scale of points is as follows:-

To: K.3. Warrants. a. Junior Warrants (JW) A Junior Warrant will be issued on application by the registered owner at the time of qualification in respect of a dog that has obtained 25 points whilst between the ages of 6 and 18 months. A minimum of 3 points must be won at Championship Shows where Challenge Certificates for the breed are on offer and a minimum of 3 points won at Open Shows or Championship Shows where Challenge Certificates are not offered for the breed. The scale of points is as follows:

K.3.a.(4) (4) Junior Warrant points can only be claimed from one Show per day with three clear days between qualifying Shows.

The amendments will be effective from 01.01.03.