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:
Inside each breed, males and females are splited, and dogs in each sex are divided in classes, depending on their ages and titles.
From 15 to 24 months, compulsory.
15 months and over, compulsory.
15 months and over, compulsory. To enter a dog in working class, the entry form must be accompanied by a copy of the FCI compulsory certificate containing the confirmation -by the member country in which the holder and/or owner has his permanent place of residence- that the dog has passed the test as well as details about this test. The only breeds eligible for the working class are those appearing as working breeds in the FCI Breed Nomenclature, taking into account the exceptions granted to some countries for some breeds.
15 months and over, compulsory. To enter a dog in Champion Class, one of the following titles must have been confirmed by the day of the official closing date of entries; proof of this, by copy, must be enclosed with the entry form.
-International Champion of the FCI.
-National Champion (this title must have been earned in the same FCI member country with at least 2 awards).
-National Champion from countries which are not members of the FCI may be recognized.
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.
Up to 6 months, optional.
From 6 to 9 months, optional.
From 9 to 18 months, compulsory.
From 8 and over, compulsory.
The date taken into account to determine the age is the day the dog is showed.
To compete in these classes/competitions, the dogs must be registered individually in one of the compulsory classes.
A dog and a bitch of the 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 optional classes/competitions should preferably be judged in the breed-judging rings.
The qualifications given by the judges must correspond to the following definitions:
May only be awarded to a dog which comes very close to the ideal standard of the breed, which is presented in excellent condition, displays a harmonious, well-balanced temperament, is of high class and has excellent posture. Its superior characteristics in respect of its breed permit that minor imperfections can be ignored; it must however have the typical features of its sex.
May only be awarded to a dog which possesses the typical features of its breed, which has well-balanced proportions and is in correct condition. A few minor faults may be tolerated but none of a morphological nature. This award can only be granted to a dog that shows class.
Is to be awarded to a dog that possesses the main features of its breed however showing faults provided these are not concealed.
must be awarded to a dog which corresponds adequately to its breed, without possessing the generally accepted characteristics or whose physical condition leaves something to be desired.
must be awarded to a dog which does not correspond to the type required by the breed standard; which shows a behaviour clearly not in line with its standard or which behaves aggressively; which has testicular abnormalities; which has dental flaw or a jaw anomaly; which shows a colour and/or coat imperfection or clearly shows signs of albinism. This qualification shall also be awarded to dogs that correspond so little to a single feature of the breed that their health is threatened. It should furthermore be awarded to dogs that show eliminating faults in regard to the breed standard.
Dogs that cannot be awarded one of the above qualifications shall be released from the ring with the rating:
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 or avoids constantly to be examined by the judge and makes it impossible to inspect teeth, anatomy and structure, tail or testicles. 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 same applies if the judge has ample reason to suspect operations that were intended to correct the original condition or feature (e.g.: eyelid, ear or tail). The reason why the dog was rated Cannot be judged has to be stated in the judge's report.
The four best dogs in each class are placed provided that they have been awarded at least the qualification Very Goog".
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. The CAC counts towards a national champion title.
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 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 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.
Dogs of FCI breeds which are not yet definitively recognised (have a provisional status), although not eligible for the CACIB, are allowed to compete for the Best of Breed, Best of Group and Best in Show competitions.
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.