Conformation
I. General
- The CKC Conformation evaluation is designed to evaluate
the structure and movement portion of the Champion of record title for CKC.
Completion of this evaluation, along with the temperament requirements and the
working requirements will result in the dog being awarded the title of Champion
and the abbreviation “CH” before the dog’s registered name, and will become a
part of the dog’s permanent record.
- The conformation competition will be reserved for intact
males and females that are at least six months of age. Dogs and bitches that
have been rendered incapable of reproducing may compete in the veterans classes
where offered. The veteran class is a non-regular class and will not be awarded
championship points.
- Handlers are expected to be at the designated ring at
the scheduled time. Judging will not wait for handlers to get their dogs or to
make equipment changes. Any dog that misses its scheduled ring time or any
handler that does not present his dog with the proper equipment will be
dismissed and forfeit any entry fee.
- Any dog displaying signs of aggression toward people
will be excused from the show grounds. Any dog that is dog aggressive that
cannot be controlled will be excused from the show grounds. Any dog that
requires a muzzle or other drastic form of restraint will be excused from the
show grounds.
- All dogs presented for evaluation will be clean and neat
in appearance. Dogs will wear a slip collar appropriate for the breed’s size.
Collars must be approved by judge. The lead should be a light weight leather or
nylon lead not to exceed six feet in length. This excludes the use of any
flex-type lead. Chain or rope leads of any length will not be allowed.
- Any judge noting any discrepancies in or around his/her
ring will take appropriate action. If the problem cannot be resolved in a
reasonable amount of time, the violator will be excused from competition or
escorted from the premises as appropriate. Any spectator, competitor, or club
official that notes any discrepancy should report it to the CKC Field
Representative.
II. Checking In
- The check-in time will begin at least one hour prior to
the start of judging. Upon arrival, the handler should report to the Secretary’s
table and complete the entry process. The Secretary will issue an Evaluation
form for each dog. Additionally, an armband number will be issued. The handler
should verify that the number on the armband matches the number on the form.
This number will used for identification throughout the event. Once the forms
are received and verified, the handler should note the ring number and scheduled
time for each breed. The handler should arrive at the ring prior to the
scheduled time and turn in the form to the steward. It is the handler’s
responsibility to listen for his/her class and number to be called.
- After the dog has been evaluated, the handler will
receive a copy of the evaluation form to keep for his/her records. This copy
should be stored in a safe place until the owner’s dog has received its Champion
of Record title.
III. Handler’s Attire
- The handler should dress in a manner that allows the
handler to perform his/her duties in the ring without being restricted. This
should include shoes that cover the entire foot; slacks or a skirt or dress that
covers the thighs; and a shirt or blouse that covers the entire upper torso.
Apparel shall not contain any name or symbol that represents a club, kennel, or
training facility. Apparel shall not contain any language or logo that may be
offensive or vulgar in nature or that may be considered controversial.
IV. Classes
Classes will be divided into regular and non-regular classes. Regular classes
are those classes that are required by CKC to be offered at all conformation
events, and in which CKC may award championship points. Non-regular classes are
those classes that CKC allows clubs to offer and award prizes or trophies to the
winners. Non-regular classes will not be awarded championship points. Bitches in
season may compete in conformation events.
- Regular Classes
- Puppy Class - This class is open to dogs and bitches that
are at least six months of age, but have not reached one year of age. The judge
may divide the class by sexes as needed.
- Adult Class - This class is open to dogs and bitches that
are at least one year of age. The judge may divide the class by sexes as needed.
- Best of Breed Class - This class is open to dogs and
bitches that, according to their owner’s records, have satisfied all
requirements to earn the Champion of Record title, and any dog or bitch that
earned a V-1 rating on that day. Those earning a V-1 rating on that day may
compete for Best of Breed, but it is not required. This class will not be
divided by sexes.
- Non-regular Classes
- Bred-By Exhibitor - This non-regular class is open to all
dogs and bitches that the handler is also the owner or one of the owners, and
also one of the breeders of record.
- Veteran’s - This non-regular class is open to all dogs and
bitches at least seven years of age. This class may be broken down into an upper
and a lower veteran’s class at large events. Lower veteran’s class will be for
dogs and bitches seven years but not over ten years of age. Upper veteran’s
class will be for dogs and bitches at least ten years of age.
V. Ratings
Judges will rank dogs using the scale listed below. To arrive at this
ranking, the judge will use the standard for that breed and his/her
interpretation of the standard. Judges may award one of six rankings:
- V1 - This ranking shall be reserved for dogs of the
highest quality when compared to the prescribed standard. The judge may allow
one or two minor faults in awarding this ranking.
- V2 - This ranking shall be for dogs that closely meet
the prescribed standard. The judge may allow one major fault or several minor
faults in awarding this ranking.
- V3 - This ranking shall be for dogs that meet the
prescribed standard. The judge may allow two major faults, several minor faults,
or a combination thereof in awarding this ranking.
- SG1 - This ranking shall be for dogs that currently do
not meet the prescribed standard, but in the opinion of the judge, should
meet the standard as they mature. This ranking should be used for puppies
and young adults that have not completed physical maturity, or for cosmetic
reasons, such as coat length or fullness.
- SG2 - This ranking shall be for dogs that currently do
not meet the prescribed standard, but in the opinion of the judge, may
meet the standard as they mature. This ranking should be used for puppies
and young adults that have not completed physical maturity, or for cosmetic
reasons, such as coat length or fullness.
- NG - This ranking is for dogs that do not meet the
prescribed standard. If a dog receives three NG rankings by three different
judges, the dog will no longer be eligible for conformation competition.
VI. Ring Procedures
- Once the hosting club has setup the rings with the
approval of the CKC Field Representative, the judge will establish the procedure
that he/she wishes to use. However, the following guidelines must be followed:
The steward’s area must remain next to the entryway; the classes will be judged
in the following order: puppy; adult; best of breed and then non-regular class
(if offered); if the judge divides classes by sex, dogs will be judged first.
- Once the judge has taken a look at the group as a whole,
he will then evaluate each dog individually. With the aid of a scribe, the judge
will examine the dog for structure and movement faults and his/her findings will
be noted on the evaluation form. Once the examination for that dog is complete,
the scribe will give the handler a copy of the written evaluation and the
handler is free to leave the ring.
- Following individual evaluations will be the Best of
Breed competition. The winner of Best of Breed must compete in the Group
competition. Winners of each Group will compete for Best in Show. If non-regular
classes are offered, non-regular groups will follow the regular groups and
non-regular Best in Show will follow the regular Best in Show.
VII. Points
- Dogs that receive a V1 ranking will earn 5 Championship
points
- Dogs that receive a V2 ranking will earn 3 Championship
points
- Dogs that receive a V3 ranking will earn 1 Championship
points
- Dogs that win Best of Breed will earn 3 additional
Championship points (provided at least 3 dogs were entered in that breed)
- Dogs that place first in their Group will earn 5
additional Championship points (provided at least 4 dogs were entered in breeds
within that Group)
- Dogs that place second in their Group will earn 3
additional Championship points (provided at least 4 dogs were entered in breeds
within that Group)
- Dogs that place third in their Group will earn 1
additional Championship point (provided at least 4 dogs were entered in breeds
within that Group)
- Dogs that win Best In Show will earn 5 additional
Championship points (If less than 10 dogs were entered in the show, only 3
points will be awarded)
- Dogs that win Reserve Best In Show will earn 1
additional Championship point
At the handler’s option, a dog that was ranked V1 at the show may compete in
the Best of Breed Competition to earn the Best of Breed title. However, if the
handler decides to compete and wins, he MUST continue to show his dog provided
he continues to win. Should the dog become ill or injured, this must be brought
to the attention of the next judge that will judge the next class in which the
dog will compete. Once the judge verifies the reason, the judge must notify the
CKC Field Representative. If the handler pulls the dog for any other reason, all
points earned at that show will be forfeited.
VIII. Protests and Challenges
If a handler in the ring feels that a dog he/she is competing against does
not conform to a height or weight requirement that the standard lists as a
disqualification, he/she must bring this to the attention of the judge before
the judge has completed his examination of that dog. The protest must come from
a competitor in the ring and not from a anyone outside the ring.
For information on competing or hosting events contact
CKC Events Department at 1-888-CKC– 8042 or visit us at
WWW.CKCUSA.COM
Continental Kennel Club, Inc. reserves the right to
amend these rules at any time.
© 2006 Continental Kennel Club, Inc. All rights reserved
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