Judging dog shows

Before you become a breed show judge you must have sufficient knowledge and experience of your breed. The Kennel Club suggests a minimum of five years' involvement in pedigree dogs before stepping into the centre of the ring and officiating.

All judging appointments at dog shows licensed by The Kennel Club must be underpinned by a contract between the society and the judge. Forming a contract requires three stages:

1. The society must invite the judge in writing, including the wording required in the dog showing regulations, and request a written acceptance
2. The judge should return a written acceptance of the judging appointment
3. The society should then confirm the judging appointment, again in writing

Three-part contracts should always be in place, even for emergency replacement judges. In the event of a judge or society being in breach of their contract, and unable to provide a satisfactory explanation of the breach, the board of The Kennel Club may impose sanctions.

It is against The Kennel Club rules for judges to ask for an appointment.

After you have judged your first breed, you may wish to judge other breeds. You can do so by applying for the breed club's judging lists and working your way through each criteria. 

First-time Challenge Certificate judges

The Kennel Club requires the following mandatory requirements to have been achieved prior to a person being nominated to award with Challenge Certificates for the very first time. These aspiring judges are required to:

• Have seven years' experience judging their own breed
• Have attended the requirements of a dog show judge seminar delivered by a Kennel Club accredited trainer, and passed the relevant examination on The Kennel Club regulations and judging procedures. The syllabus is based on the Show F Regulations, The Kennel Club Code of Best Practice for Judges (including Guide for Judges and Ring Stewards and Code of Best Practice for the Selection of Judges) and The Kennel Club Code of Conduct. Further pre-course learning, including a film and a mock examination, are available on The Kennel Club Academy
• Have attended the points of the dog assessment conducted by a Kennel Club accredited trainer and passed. To assist with pre-course learning, you may also wish to take the drag and drop exercise on The Kennel Club Academy
• Have attended a seminar delivered by a Kennel Club accredited trainer on conformation and movement. For pre-learning, subscribe to The Kennel Club Academy and watch the conformation and movement series 
• Have attended at least one breed-specific seminar run in accordance with The Kennel Club Code of Best Practice for the running of a breed seminar and judging competence assessment and passed a hands-on examination where applicable. Please speak to your club or council about future dates
• Have bred and/or owned a minimum of three dogs when they obtained their first entry in The Kennel Club stud book (save in exceptional circumstances)
• Have stewarded over a minimum of 12 days at shows (open or championship shows only)
• Have attended any field trial or an open gundog test (GWT) for a gundog breed in the relevant sub-group (for gundog breed councils/clubs/societies only)

Breed clubs, societies and councils will also have their own criteria that judges are expected to achieve should they wish to be recommended. Please contact them for more information.

The minimum requirements for hands-on experience to be considered to award Challenge Certificates for the first time under the traditional approval system (not Judges Education Programme) are as follows. These Judging Tiers come into effect for CC nominations received by The Kennel Club from 1 January 2022, and approval via the Judge Education Programme (JEP) route still requires 50 per cent of the numbers listed under the traditional route.

The minimum requirements for hands-on experience for variety breeds are shown in the following table:

The Board has previously clarified that the following types of event may be used to claim hands-on experience numbers under both the JEP and traditional approval system:

• Breed classes at Championship Shows without CCs
• Breed classes at Open Shows
• Breed classes at Limited Shows
• Mock/training classes at breed club shows (practical judging days) – only one occasion can be claimed and a maximum of 5 dogs
• Dogs judged at KC approved assessments, maximum of 5 dogs – only one occasion and a maximum of 5 dogs. Cannot be used in addition to mock classes.
• Dogs judged at inter or intra-club single-breed matches
• Special Award Classes at breed club shows
• Supported entry shows
• Dogs judged at single breed dog of the year competitions
• Overseas appointments

Dogs judged at the following types of event may not be included in a judge’s hands-on experience:

• AVNSC and Variety classes
• At fun days
• Conjointly with other judges at events where the candidate judge is not required to give independent judgment on the dogs
• Any JEP mentoring sessions.

The Kennel Club believes that greater use of the A2 approval system will both improve procedures and be of long-term benefit in ensuring that new championship show judges have previously been deemed capable of undertaking an appointment to award Challenge Certificates. Equally importantly, it will enable judges to go through an approval procedure without first having to receive an invitation to award CCs, an aspect of the previous system that has frequently been criticised.

• A2 - judges' list procedure
• A2 – questionnaire
• A2 - breed council/club judging list assessment form

A critique is a written report completed by the judge, where he/she will outline the relative virtues and weaknesses of the dogs they have judged at a show, and explain why they have chosen one dog above another. Exhibitors really want to see critiques as they want to know what a judge thought about their dog. They are published in Our Dogs and on The Kennel Club judges' critiques website.

Further training on how to write a critique can be found on The Kennel Club Academy.

Veterinary health checks confirm best of breed awards at dog shows, by assessing dogs to ensure that no visible health conditions, which may cause pain or discomfort, are rewarded. Read more information about these vet checks.

This section provides answers to common questions about category 3 breeds, including which breeds are identified as category 3 on Breed Watch, why they have been added, and what is being done to address the issues.

• Bloodhound
• Bulldog
• Dogue De Bordeaux
• German Shepherd Dog
• Mastiff
• Neapolitan Mastiff
• Pekingese
• Pug
• St. Bernard

The suitability of overseas judges to officiate at events licensed by The Kennel Club will be assessed in the same way as for a British National. Overseas judges who have judged a particular breed at championship show level in their own country, or are endorsed by the relevant kennel club in their country, will normally be approved to judge that breed with Challenge Certificates in the UK.

All judges officiating at UK events licensed by The Kennel Club must judge to The Kennel Club breed standards and rules and regulations and not those of any kennel club other than our own. The judge's duties in this country cannot be delegated, and they should be aware that double handling, commentaries and grading are not permitted.

Those overseas judges who have previously been approved by The Kennel Club to award Challenge Certificates in the UK can be found using Find a Judge.

The Kennel Club and the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) have reached an agreement on the mutual recognition of judges.

Please see the terms of the agreement, a revised code of practice for the selection of overseas judges, as well as a contract that must be completed by all FCI judges who are resident in an FCI country and meet the agreed criteria. This only applies to those nominated to award Challenge Certificates, judge groups and best in show for the first time. Those judges who do not meet the criteria set out under the FCI agreement should complete an overseas judges' questionnaire.

The Kennel Club seminars are held by accredited trainers throughout the year. Learn more about the upcoming seminars.

We hope these frequently asked questions will help to resolve some of the common queries that are asked by judges about dog showing.

1. I had an appointment which stated no judging in a 70-mile radius. I unknowingly accepted another appointment within 67 miles. The club withdrew the contract and replaced me without asking if I would withdraw from the other appointment. Is this correct?

The club was within its rights to withdraw you from the appointment; however it should have informed you in writing of its intention to do so.

2. My breed was stud book band E but has now moved to D. I accepted a judging appointment for the breed prior to this announcement. Can I still judge them even though I am not on the relevant list to do more than three classes?

Yes, you are still permitted to judge the classes as you were eligible for the appointment at the time of signing the contract.

3. I award CCs to one breed. Is it permissible to judge the group and AVNSC classes at open show?

Provided that you have previously awarded CCs to at least one breed and are currently eligible to do so, then you are eligible to judge the above classes.

4. I am due to judge Boxers in the morning at a forthcoming show, however I also own Bullmastiffs which are being judged in the afternoon. Can I exhibit my Bullmastiff at the show?

No, it is not permissible to judge and exhibit at the same show, regardless of the breed.

5. Where can I find details of judging seminars?

These are advertised in The Kennel Club Journal, Dog Press and also on our training seminars page. You may also wish to contact a member of the education and training team by calling 01296 318540 (ext: 225). If a judge cannot find anything going on in their area, they can contact the trainer to ask about one-to-one training sessions.

Requirements to meet this level:

• Minimum of five years proven interest in pedigree dogs
• Attend a Conformation and Movement seminar hosted by a Kennel Club Accredited Trainer
• Complete a minimum of two full-day stewarding appointments
• Attend a Requirements of a Dog Show Judge seminar and pass associated exam (either in person or online via Kennel Club Academy, exam effective from 1 January 2024)
• Pass the Points of a Dog assessment conducted by a Kennel Club Accredited Trainer (effective from 1 January 2024)

Eligibility to judge

Up to three classes (four if one is a puppy class) for any breed at limited or open shows.

Requirements to meet this level

First breed:

• Attend a breed appreciation day (BAD) and pass a multiple-choice examination (MCE) for the respective breed.
• View ring stewarding seminar and take online quiz.
• Complete critique writing seminar and take online quiz.

Subsequent breeds

• Attend a breed appreciation day (BAD) and pass a multiple-choice examination (MCE) for each breed.
  Note: Not mandatory for group judge for breeds in the group that they are not approved at level 4, but attendance strongly recommended.

Eligibility to judge

• Unlimited number of classes for the respective breed at limited, open or championship shows (no CCs).
• Any variety classes, groups and best in show at limited shows.

Requirements to meet this level

• Undergo minimum of three mentoring sessions with a minimum of 12 months between first and third session
• Be observed judging a breed club show, breed supported entry show or championship show without CCs once mentoring sessions have been undertaken
• Complete remaining 10 full-day stewarding appointments (onetime qualification)
• Have owned/bred a minimum of three dogs when they obtained their first entry in The Kennel Club Stud Book – save for exceptional circumstances (one-time qualification for first breed in which a judge awards CCs)
• Attended the appropriate sub-group field trial/open gundog working test for first gundog breed or ring procedure at licensed shows (German Shepherd Dog education programme) online exam (one-time qualification)
• Have achieved the relevant hands-on experience in line with the stated requirements for the relevant breed:

• Dachshund: 125 Dachshunds of any combination of the six varieties
• Poodle: 75 Poodles of any combination of Poodle (Miniature), Poodle (Standard) and Poodle (Toy), which must include a minimum of 15 of each variety
• German Spitz: 35 German Spitz of any combination of German Spitz (Klein) and German Spitz (Mittel)
• Fox Terrier: 35 Fox Terriers of any combination of Fox Terrier (Smooth) and Fox Terrier (Wire)
• Bull Terrier: 40 Bull Terriers of any combination of Bull Terrier and Bull Terrier (Miniature)
• Belgian Shepherd Dog: 35 Belgian Shepherd Dogs, any combination of Groenendael, Tervueren, Malinois and Laekenois
• Chihuahua: 100 Chihuahuas, any combination of Long Coat or Smooth Coat

• Breed classes at championship shows without CCs
• Breed classes at open shows
• Breed classes at limited shows
• Mock/training classes at breed club shows (practical judging days) – only one occasion can be claimed and a maximum of five dogs
• Dogs judged at Kennel Club approved assessments, maximum of five dogs – only one occasion and a maximum of five dogs. Cannot be used in addition to mock classes
• Dogs judged at inter or intra-club single-breed matches
• Special award classes at breed club shows
• Supported entry shows
• Dogs judged at single breed dog of the year competitions
• Overseas appointments

• AVNSC and variety classes
• At fun days
• Conjointly with other judges at events where the candidate judge is not required to give independent judgment on the dogs
• Any JEP mentoring sessions

Eligibility to judge

• Unlimited number of classes for the respective breed at limited, open or championship shows (no CCs)
• Any variety classes groups and best in show at limited shows

Requirements to meet this level 

• Attend and passed a breed-specific assessment for the specific breed run by The Kennel Club

Eligibility to judge

• Award Challenge Certificates in the respective breed
• Any variety classes, groups and best in show at open and limited shows

The Kennel Club breed education co-ordinators (known as the BEC) are administrative roles which co-ordinate all points of breed-specific education and support for judges. These co-ordinating roles are held on behalf of the breed clubs in order to support the breed club obligations under the Judges' Education Programme (Breed Shows) for the education and training of judges.

Read more about being a breed education co-ordinator.

The aim of the Judges' Education Programme (Breed Shows) breed appreciation day (and subsequent multiple-choice breed standard examination) is to educate individuals interested in the breed, whether they are exhibitors, aspiring judges or breeders, and provide them with the information to make informed decisions to preserve and safeguard the breed.

Read the full list of breed appreciation days.

Details on how to run one of these days can be found below.

• Code of Best Practice for the Running of a Breed Appreciation Day and Multiple-Choice Breed Standard Exam
• Breed appreciation day notification form
• Breed appreciation day multiple-choice breed standard exam cover sheet
• Breed appreciation day evaluation form
• Breed appreciation day and multiple-choice breed standard exam certificate templates
• Breed appreciation day and multiple-choice breed standard exam returns form

Mentoring forms an important part of a judge’s learning to be competent to judge a breed.

• Code of Best Practice for Breed Mentoring
• Mentoring form

Observation forms an important part in the learning and development experience of a judge. The observation takes place when a judge is observed while in the act of judging. The observer is there to ensure the judge is able to demonstrate sufficient ability in terms of knowledge of the breed being judged and also ring manner.

• Code of Best Practice for Observation
• Observation form

This assessment can only be undertaken by judges who have awarded at least one set of Challenge Certificates. Judges progressing to award Challenge Certificates in a second or subsequent breed under the Judges' Education Programme (Breed Shows) are required to have passed this assessment.  A review of this assessment is due to take place during 2021.

The following judges have passed The Kennel Club's eye for a dog assessment under the Judges' Education Programme (Breed Shows) since April 2018.

• An Eye for a Dog Assessment - Code of Best Practice
• Candidates who have passed the eye for a dog assessment

Several different types of scenario have been identified below to assist judges currently or previously resident outside Great Britain and inviting societies in understanding how they will transition into the Judges Education Programme (Breed Shows).

Societies and judges are reminded that the current CC approval system will remain in place for five years.

Overseas judges will need to have a Judges Education Programme (Breed Shows) online account to allow their appointments to be displayed on Find a Judge.

From 1 January 2021 eligible judges may submit an application form for consideration to be pre-approved to award Challenge Certificates.

Candidates can self-nominate provided they are included on at least one breed club/council A3 list and/or have a pre-existing JDP credit pass for the relevant breed. Each judge must also meet all The Kennel Club’s mandatory requirements for approval to award CCs.

Judges of breeds that do not yet have CC status are advised that they too have grandfather rights which may make it possible to achieve level 4 status in such breeds. In those cases it is recognised that breed specialists will not have the three stud book numbers (as required for CC judges), but the judges committee will take into account dogs owned and/or bred and any significant wins.

It should be noted that all applications made using the grandfathering system are still subject to approval by the judges committee and The Kennel Club Board. Judges are only able to make one submission per breed, group or Best in Show and there will be no appeal process available. Therefore judges should ensure they meet the required criteria before making an application.

Those judges wishing to complete a hard copy of the form or to grandfather for groups and Best in Show are asked to complete the relevant questionnaire and submit via our online form.

• Breed nomination 
• Utility group 
• Toy group
• Hound group
• Gundog group
• Terrier group
• Working group
• Pastoral group
• Best in show

¹ Tier 1 - 30 dogs; Tier 2 (including non-CC breeds) – 40 dogs; Tier 3 – 70 dogs; Tier 4 – 120 dogs; Tier 5 – 180 dogs; Tier 6 – 250 dogs.

Breeds with varieties require the following criteria (automatic approval is given for a further variety or varieties once approved for a CC appointment in an initial variety): Bull Terriers – 80 dogs of any variety; Chihuahua (Long Coat & Smooth Coat) – 200 dogs of any variety; Belgian Shepherd Dogs (Groenendael, Tervueren, Laekenois & Malinois) – 70 dogs of any variety; Fox Terrier – 70 dogs of any variety; German Spitz (Mittel & Klein) – 70 dogs of any variety; Poodle (Toy, Miniature & Standard) – 150 dogs including at least 30 of each variety; Dachshund (all varieties) – 250 dogs any variety.

² Mandatory for approval to award CCs in first three breeds and desirable for subsequent breeds.

³ Current criteria – First time group judges must have carried out CC appointments to a minimum of four breeds (three in the working group) in the relevant group. For second and subsequent groups, three breeds are required. The Judges Committee will take into account the diversity and judging tiers of the previously approved breeds together with the number of dogs judged in the breeds for which the judge is not yet approved and any JDP Credits obtained.

⁴ Current criteria – Judges must be approved to judge one group and to award Challenge Certificates to at least one breed from two other groups. Judges will be expected to have experience in judging across all groups and all relevant experience will be taken into account.

1. Will our breed club need to continue holding breed-specific assessments during the transition period?

2. We understand that breed clubs will be obliged to offer ‘supported entry’ classes at open shows. Please could you advise how this will be arranged? What made The Kennel Club decide to reintroduce this?

3. Judges who give CCs in three or more breeds may have only attended a breed seminar (no exam or hands-on under current requirements). Is the attendance certificate given still acceptable?

The Kennel Club's current policy for the approval of CC judges is that they need to attend a breed seminar and pass an assessment for their first three CC breeds only. The Kennel Club will take this into account when considering nominations to award CCs at a show. All certificates previously awarded are valid. Breed clubs will make their own decisions regarding their lists.

Level 5 judges can register at level 2 for all breeds in that group, however they will then need to meet the level 3 requirements for each individual breed. All other judges will need to attend a breed appreciation day and pass a multiple-choice breed standard exam if they have not previously passed an exam/assessment.

4. Can two different breed appreciation days take place on the same day at the same venue, with a morning and afternoon session, at which candidates could attend both?

If clubs wish to share a venue they can do so, however the events need to be separate and the timetable must allow sufficient time to cover both breeds fully and in-depth and provide for the multiple-choice breed standard exam. It is recommended that breed clubs consider including a group mentoring session as part of the event, which might impact upon the practicality of combined events.

5. Going forward, what will the purpose of a breed club’s judges sub-committee be once Judges Education Programme (Breed Shows) is fully implemented?

1. How many breed education co-ordinators (BECs) will each breed have?

‘Assistants’ may be appointed if required.

2. What does a BEC role cover?

Read full details about the role of breed education co-ordinator. 

3. Will the BEC be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses?

It is reasonable for BECs to have their expenses paid. This is the responsibility of the breed club(s). We suggest breed clubs/councils put in place a system where all clubs contribute towards expenses/honorarium.

1. What will it cost me to be a listed judge under the new system?

Access to the online system to be free of charge for all judges of all levels for the first three years. Judges will not be ‘licensed’, as previously announced.

2. I award CCs in a breed and understand that once the Judges Education Programme (Breed Shows) system is live, I will be registered as a level 4 judge. I also understand that when this happens I will be able to be registered as a level 1 Judge for all breeds if I wish. However I have never completed any of the requirements for judges at level 1, as these were put into place after I was approved to award CCs. If I want to progress for another breed at level 2 onwards, do I have to complete all of the other level 1/level 2 requirements to do so?

As an existing CC judge, once registered at level 4 for the relevant breed(s) you will be able to register at level 1 for all other breeds you are interested in judging. You are not required to undertake any of the more generic level 1/level 2 requirements, existing CC judges are exempt from these, however you will need to meet the breed-specific requirements (attend a breed appreciation day and take a multiple-choice breed standard exam). 

3. Is it possible to be listed on the Find a Judge website as a judge at different levels all at the same time?

Yes. It is quite possible that you will be a CC judge (level 4), say, in Afghan Hounds while at the same time you are a championship show gundog group judge (level 5) and open show judge of Papillons (level 2 or 3). Your account will show your status for each breed and this information will be reflected on Find a Judge.

4. I am a CC judge but also on the B list for another breed, which level should I be on for each breed?

Level 4 for the CC breed and you may be able to register as level 2 for the other breed, provided you meet the new requirements. You will be able to judge the B list breed during the transition stage, although it is advisable to register as a level 2 as soon as the online facility is available, as this information will be available to show secretaries.

5. I attended a judging seminar a few years ago but cannot find my certificate to prove that I took the exam and passed. What should I do?

It is absolutely essential that proof of seminar attendance and exams undertaken is provided as these will need to be uploaded into the new system, and would be worth contacting the host club. If you cannot provide this, you will need to go to another seminar and take the relevant exam again.

6. Regarding the requirement for aspiring judges to undertake stewarding, how does that work?

As long as you have stewarded for 2 full days at shows, you will be meeting the level 1 requirement. It is not enough to steward for part of a day – you must steward for the full day and provide proof that you have done this. A full day is from the start to the conclusion of all judging in that ring.

To meet level 3 requirements you will need to have stewarded for 12 days. There is a film on stewarding available on The Kennel Club Academy and stewards are required to view this.

7. Can I take the multiple-choice exam at a breed appreciation day if I have not yet attended The Kennel Club basic seminars or stewarded?

You must have completed all the level 1 requirements before being able to attempt a multiple-choice breed standard exam held with a breed appreciation day.

8. As my breed does not have CC status, what is the highest level I can be registered at for Judges Education Programme (Breed Shows)?

Level 4. You need to ensure you follow the same requirements as CC breeds for each stage of Judges Education Programme (Breed Shows). There will be no distinction.

9. Will variety breeds (i.e. Dachshunds and Poodles) count as one breed when counting the breeds required to judge the group?

Yes, they will.

10. What evidence will be acceptable for proof of five years' involvement before judging is permitted?

Evidence can include, but is not restricted to: catalogues, club membership receipts, receipt of dogs purchased, club minutes, stewarding records.

11. I am a judge who is registered at level 4 for a non-CC breed. Can I judge not separately classified, AV classes, groups and best in show at open shows?

Once Kennel Club Regulations are updated, yes you can, it may also allow you to judge that breed abroad, subject to the rules of the local kennel club.

12. I am currently on a breed club A3 judging list. When can I make use of the Judges Education Programme (Breed Shows) 'grandfather' rights?

Judges will only be able to self-submit a questionnaire after 1 January 2021.

13. Will there be any change in criteria for judging BIS, Groups or AV classes at open shows?

No, the requirement stays the same. Under Judges Education Programme (Breed Shows) judges must be level 4 for at least one breed.

1. The Kennel Club F regulations for the two systems will eventually be run alongside each other. Does this mean judges can be invited on either system?

Yes, the two systems will run alongside each other and judges can decide which system to judge under. Shows can invite using either.

2. What wording does The Kennel Club require to be included in judging contracts for shows?

Kennel Club Regulations require the following to be used: ‘In accepting this invitation you agree to be bound by Kennel Club Rules and Regulations and The Kennel Club Code of Best Practice for Judges. In doing so you also recognise that you are obliged to notify us in writing of any change in your personal circumstances or additional information which may affect your ability and standing to fulfil this judging appointment.’

'You should also note that we reserve the right to cancel this contract before the date of the show if there is a change in your circumstances, which in our reasonable opinion would adversely affect your ability to
fulfil the appointment.'

Clubs are also strongly advised to include the following wording within judging contracts: “In accepting this appointment I confirm that I comply with the requirements of Kennel Club Regulation F(1)20b or the Judges Education Programme (Breed Shows)”.

3. Do we need to consult the breed clubs about judges appointed for ‘supported entry classes’ at our show or is it solely up to the general society?

The Kennel Club very much wishes to encourage general societies and breed clubs to work together. It will be to your mutual benefit to encourage a larger entry for the judge to go over, thus contributing to their education while at the same time increasing competition which will enhance the overall experience for the exhibitor. The supporting breed club will submit two names as possible judges, if neither is available you will need to go back to the breed club for two more names.

4. Who can judge classes of a breed prior to the Judges Education Programme (Breed Shows) online system being available?

From 1 January 2021, no one can judge unless they meet the new level 1 requirements.

The exception to this is where a valid contract is in place prior to 24 February 2020, when this announcement was made, providing the appointment complies with The Kennel Club Regulation F(1)20.b

To be able to judge more than three classes of a breed (four if one is a puppy) at any show or any number of classes at a championship show without CCs, a judge must be listed on a breed club/council B list or above.

Judging contracts signed before 21 May 2019 (the date Judges Education Programme (Breed Shows) was placed on hold) stating that a judge has met level 2 requirements will be honoured. For contracts signed after this date, judges must be listed on the relevant breed club/council B list or above.

It is strongly recommended that breed clubs/councils list those judges who have met level 2 criteria on their B list.

A full list of judge eligibility can be found above.

• Show F Regulations
• Code of Best Practice for Judges (including Guide for Judges and Ring Stewards and Code of Best Practice for the Selection of Judges)
• Breed Watch
• Media Centre
• The Kennel Club Journal 
• The Kennel Club breed standards
• The Kennel Club Academy

• Show F Regulations (hard copy)
• The Kennel Club Breed Standards (and binder)
• The Kennel Club Illustrated Breed Standard
• The Kennel Club Gazette
• The Judges' Record Book
• The Stewards' Record Book