Dog shows are the place to be in the canine world. There one can find each breed of dog, and for each of them, the conformity to the breed standard of the subjects is judged. The goal is to select the dogs which are closest to the breed standard to preserve its characteristics.
The organisation and the jargon used are not easy to understand for the beginner, so here are some explanations:
For all breeds.
For all dog breeds with CACIB or "Certificat d'Aptitude au Championnat International de Beauté" (French for "Certificate of Aptitude for International Champion of Beauty") of the F.C.I. (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) and attribution of the CACS or "Certificat d’Aptitude de Conformité au Standard" (French for "Certificate of Aptitude for Standard Conformity") of the SCC (Société Centrale Canine).
For all breeds of dog, with attribution of the CACS
Inside an all breeds dog show, with the agreement of the regional kennel club and the breed club.
Organized by the breed club, with attribution of the CACS if at least 50 dogs are registered (30 for the breeds with less than 100 birth per year)
Organized by the breed club, without CACS attribution.
Inside each breed, males and females are splited, and dogs in each sex are divided in classes, depending on their ages and titles.
Optional class
The date taken into account to determine the age is the day the dog is showed.
Once the catalogue is printed, it is forbidden to transfer a dog from one class to the other unless the problem is due to a printing mistake.
To compete in these classes/competitions, the dogs must be registered individually in one of the individual classes.
A dog and a bitch of the same breed and variety and belonging to the same owner.
Two dogs of the same sex, same breed and variety and belonging to the same owner.
Consisting of minimum three and maximum five exhibits of the same breed and variety, without distinction of sex, bred by the same person (same kennel name), even if they are not his property.
A sire or dam with minimum three and maximum five of his progeny (first generation, sons/daughters).
These classes should preferably be judged in the breed-judging rings.
The qualifications given by the judges must correspond to the following definitions:
Qualification given to a dog being very very close to the ideal standard of the breed (showed in perfect condition) achieving a harmonious and balanced whole, with a touch of "class" and a bright look. The superiority of his qualities will dominate its small imperfections while preserving the characteristics of its gender.
Qualification given to a dog prefectly typed, balanced in its proportions and in good physical condition. Some small faults will be tolerated. This qualification can only reward a quality dog.
>Qualification given to a dog showing the charasteritics of the breed but with some defaults, provided those defaults are not to big.
Qualification given to a dog typed enough, without obvious qualities or not in good shape.
Qualification given to a dog who could not pass the confirmation exam.
This rating is to be given to any dog which does not move, constantly jumps up and down on its handler or tries to get out of the ring, makes it impossible to assess the gait and the movement. This rating is also to be given if traces of operations or treatment can be observed which seem to indicate that the exhibitor wanted to deceive the judge.
The four best dogs in each class are placed provided that they have been awarded at least the qualification "Very Good".
The CAC is a national grading, it is up to the national kennel clubs to decide in which classes and to which dogs this certificate can be awarded. A CACS can only be awarded if the dog in question has been assessed as being of superior quality. The CACS counts towards a national champion title.
The Reserve CACS is awarded to the second best dog which was given the qualification "Excellent". It is however not compulsory to award the Reserve CACS.
The only dogs which can be taken into consideration for the CACIB are those which have been awarded "Excellent 1st". A CACIB can only be awarded if the dog in question has been assessed as being of superior quality. The CACIB is not automatically and compulsorily linked to the "Excellent 1st".
The Reserve CACIB is awarded to the second best dog which was given the qualification "EXCELLENT". It is however not compulsory to award the Reserve CACIB.
The dog and the bitch which were proposed for the CACIB, the best junior dog and the best junior bitch which have received the qualification "1st Excellent" in the Junior class, the best veteran dog
and the best veteran bitch which have received the qualification "1st Excellent" in the Veteran class compete for the Best of Breed.
The judge awards CACIB and RESERVE CACIB according to the quality of the dogs without checking whether they meet the conditions regarding age and/or registration with a studbook recognised by the FCI.
Only one judge for each sex and breed carries out the granting of all awards, including CACIB, and this judge shall be appointed in advance.
The CACIB proposals will be issued by the appropriate judges. The final confirmation will be made by the FCI. It is up to the FCI General Secretariat to check whether the dogs proposed comply with the conditions laid down for confirmation of the CACIB. The cards handed to the exhibitors at the shows duly indicate that the relevant dog has been proposed for a CACIB. They must read: "Subject to confirmation by the FCI". The General Secretariat must make sure that the CACIB was correctly awarded. Latest three months after the show, two copies of the catalogue and the lists of the dogs proposed for the CACIB and the Reserve CACIB must be forwarded by the show organiser.
Best of Group, Best in Show, "Breeders' Group", "Progeny Group", "Couple Class (Brace)", "Best Veteran", "Best Junior", "Best Puppy", "Best Baby" and "Junior Handling" must be judged by only one judge, who must be appointed in advance.
The only judges who may be used to this end are those who were allowed to do so by their respective national canine organisation, which issued an appropriate written permission.