Becoming a Dog Show Judge

Aspiring judges, who wish to progress their judging career,  should contact the Breed Education Coordinator (BEC) in the first instance.

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Please email your details to the Breed Education Coordinator, Lorraine Harvey, mycalypso37@btinternet.com

Information should include your current level of judging, if applicable, details of any assessments you may already have in place or require and any forthcoming judging appointments.

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

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The JEP system has been developed for the education, approval and listing of every level of judge, from those who aspire to judge, right through to open show judges, plus those who go on to award Challenge Certificates, judge championship show groups and best in show.

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The system has been designed taking into account the feedback received from exhibitors, show societies and judges. 

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The Judges' Education Programme (JEP) introduces a structured and logical approach to the training of judges, incorporating a step-by-step approach. Royal Kennel Club Regulations implementing the Judges' Education Programme came into force on 1 January 2021. Seminars undertaken prior to this date can be accepted for use when progressing via the Judges Education Programme. However, judges are required to complete the criteria at each Judges' Education Programme level before moving on to the next.
 

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

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Requirements to meet this level:

• Minimum of five years proven interest in pedigree dogs
• Attend a ‘Requirements of a Dog Show Judge’ seminar and pass associated exam (either in person or online via Royal Kennel Club Academy).  
• Attend a conformation and movement seminar hosted by a Royal Kennel Club Accredited Trainer
• Complete a minimum of two full-day stewarding appointments
• Pass the Points of a Dog assessment conducted by a Royal Kennel Club Accredited Trainer.            

• An 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 

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 Requirements to meet this level if Borzoi are your first breed:

• Meet the criteria for level 1 judges
• 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 via Royal Kennel Club Academy
• Complete critique writing seminar and take online quiz via Royal Kennel Club Academy

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Whilst completing the critique writing and stewarding seminars remain a JEP level 2 requirement, the Board has agreed that they can be undertaken at any time, and that the judge does not need to wait until they meet level 1 criteria, and are recommended to view prior to stewarding or judging.

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Judges sitting multiple-choice exams held at Breed Appreciation Days from 1 January 2024 will be required to meet the amended Level 1 criteria.

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Requirements to meet this level, if Borzoi are not your first breed and you have already reached JEP level 2 in a different breed:

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

JEP Level 3 judges are eligible to judge:

• An 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

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Requirements to meet this level:

• Meet the criteria for level 1 and level 2 judges
• 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 (one time qualification)
• Have owned/bred a minimum of three dogs when they obtained their first entry in The Royal 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.  This is currently 35 Borzoi for judges following the JEP route.

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

Requirements to meet this level:

• Meet the criteria for level 1, 2 and 3 judges
• Attend and passed a breed-specific assessment for the specific breed run by The Royal Kennel Club

Full details of the requirements for judging dog shows and the Judges’ Education Programme can be found at The Royal Kennel Club Website:

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www.thekennelclub.org.uk/events-and-activities/dog-showing/judging-dog-shows/

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From January 2021 no one can judge unless they meet JEP Level 1 requirements.  Existing CC judges are excluded from this requirement.

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

For aspirant judges who have shown an interest in the breed and have the support of the Northern Borzoi Association.

NB All C list judges must also fulfil the criteria for JEP Level 1.

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Breed Specialist

• To have a minimum of 2 years in the breed.
• To have attended a Borzoi Breed Specific Seminar.
• To provide full judging CV.

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Non-Breed Specialist

• To have a minimum of 3 years in own breed.
• To have judged own breed at Open show level and be on a B judging list for own breed.
• Attendance at a Borzoi Breed Specific Seminar is required.
• Provide full judging CV.

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• An 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 

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NB All B list judges must also fulfil the criteria for JEP Level 1.

This list includes judges for open shows who are supported by the Northern Borzoi Association.

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Breed Specialist

• To have 5 years’ experience owning and exhibiting in this breed and have the support of the Northern Borzoi Association.
• To have judged a minimum a minimum of 25 Borzoi.
• To have attended at least one breed specific seminar and passed an assessment where applicable.
• To provide a full judging CV.

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Non-Breed Specialist

• To have a minimum of 5 years’ judging experience in any one breed and have the support of the Northern Borzoi Association.
• To have judged a minimum a minimum of 25 Borzoi.
• To be on own breed B Judging list.
• To have attended an Borzoi Breed Seminar
• To provide a full judging CV.

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• An 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 

NB All A3 list judges must also fulfil the criteria for JEP Level 1. 

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For judges who are, in the opinion of the Northern Borzoi Association, competent to award Challenge Certificates, but have not been assessed or approved in accordance with the Royal Kennel Club regulations for inclusion on the A2 list.

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Breed Specialist

• Minimum of 7 years’ judging experience in the breed and have the support of the Northern Borzoi Association (Royal Kennel Club Policy).
• To have judged a minimum of 70 dogs. (Royal Kennel Club Policy) 
• To have attended a seminar given by a Royal Kennel Club accredited trainer and passed the relevant examination on Royal Kennel Club regulations and judging procedures (Royal Kennel Club policy).
• To have attended a seminar given by a Royal Kennel Club accredited trainer on conformation and movement (Royal Kennel Club policy).
• To have attended a confirmation and movement ‘points of the dog’ assessment conducted by a Royal Kennel Club accredited trainer and passed the assessment (Royal Kennel Club policy).
• To have attended at least one Breed specific seminar run in accordance with the Royal Kennel Club code of best practice and passed an examination and/or assessment where applicable (Royal Kennel Club policy).
• To have bred and/or owned a minimum of 3 dogs when they obtained their first entry in The Royal Kennel Club Stud book (save in exceptional circumstances) (Royal Kennel Club policy).
• To have stewarded at a minimum of 12 shows (Royal Kennel Club policy).

Non-Breed Specialist

• Minimum of 7 years’ judging experience in any one breed (to include 5 years in this breed) and have the support of the Northern Borzoi Association.
• To have judged 70 Borzoi. (Royal Kennel Club policy) 
• To have awarded CCs in at least one other Breed (Royal Kennel Club policy).
• To have attended at least one Breed specific seminar run in accordance with the Royal Kennel Club Code of Best Practice and passed an examination and/or assessment where applicable (optional by club).
• To have bred and/or owned a minimum of 3 dogs of any breed when they obtained their first entry in the Royal Kennel Club Stud book, save in exceptional circumstances.

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

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For persons who fulfil all the requirements for the A3 list and who have been assessed in accordance with Royal Kennel Club requirements and accepted by The Royal Kennel Club for inclusion on an A2 list and have the support of the Northern Borzoi Association.

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

For persons who have previously been approved by The Royal Kennel Club to award CCs in Borzoi and have completed their first appointment. 

To have the support of the Northern Borzoi Association.