The ranks of exhibitions, classes, grades and titles
Ranks
All dog shows are divided into all breed and monobreed. They have different titles depending on the type of event. So, to achieve “NKP Champion” pet should be several times the winner of the monobreed shows. To win the title of “Champion of Russia”, the dog must win all-breed exhibitions.
Both types of dog shows have ranks. All-breeds are divided into regional, all-Russian and international. In monobreed exhibitions there are “the Candidate for Champions of club”, “Club Winner” and “champion of club” ranks. The prestige of the victory depends on the rank of the exhibition – the higher, the more significant. For example, if a dog has won six regional exhibitions, it can win the title of “Champion of Russia”. In this case, the same title can be obtained if the pet wins at an international event.
Classes
Dogs are evaluated by special judges-cynologists. In total, there are several classes that differ on the basis of gender, age, success at exhibitions. The FCI regulations give the following classification:
From 3 to 6 months – baby class. At this age, your puppy can participate in the exhibition for the first time. The winner is determined in several stages: first choose the best Pets among males and females. Then they are compared for the title of “Best baby”. The winner of this title becomes a participant in the Best in Show competition. A baby class is presented not in every dog show.
From 6 to 9 months – puppies class. The best representative is chosen by the same algorithm as baby. The winner gets the right to take part in the Best in Show competition for puppies.
Baby and puppy classes don’t compete with high classes dogs.
From 9 to 18 months – Junior class. The winner is determined by a similar scenario. First judges choose the best dogs among males and females. Then both Pets fight for the title of “Best Junior breed”. Its owner becomes a participant in the competition for “Best Junior” title of the dog show among all breeds.
From 15 to 24 months – intermediate class. Designed for dogs that are no longer juniors in age, but haven’t yet passed into the category of adults. Juniors can compete with older dogs in this class.
From 15 months to 8 years – in this age range, 5 classes are allocated at once:
- Open class. All dogs are entered into it, regardless of whether they have any titles.
- The Winners Class. For owners of at least one victory at the exhibition. This class is presented only at special monobreed exhibitions.
- Working Class. For holders of working diplomas.
- Champions Class. For holders of exhibition titles.
- NKP Champions class. For holders of the “champion of the national breed club” title. This class is presented only at special mono-breed dog shows.
From 8 years – a class of veterans. One of the most honorable. Dogs of this class have already participated in a huge number of exhibitions and received many titles. They already have a respectable continuation of the family: children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The best in the class of veterans is chosen according to the familiar scheme: first, judges determine the winners among males and females, and then they compete for the title of “Best veteran”. Sometimes “Veteran Show” is organized on large dog shows.
Assessments
The evaluation system is divided into two areas.
Ratings for baby and puppies:
- “greater prospect”;
- “prospect”;
- “unpromising”.
Grades for adult classes:
- “excellent”, red ribbon – Meets the requirements of the standard 100%
- “very good”, the blue ribbon. Pet meets the standard, but there are some drawbacks
- “good”, the green ribbon. Dog meets the requirements of the standard, but there are noticeable drawbacks
- “satisfactory”, yellow ribbon. Pet generally meets the standard, but has defects of constitution
- “disqualification”, white ribbon. The dog doesn’t meet the requirements of the standard.
Titles
We partly mentioned about the titles in the classes section. Let’s look at the process of obtaining them in more detail.
A judge selects the four best dogs from among those who received an “excellent” rating. Next, he puts each pet in four places. The “winner of the class” is the dog that took the first place. Then the each class winners compete for the title of “Best male”. “The Best Female” is defined on the same principle. As a result, the winners of other classes fight for the “best representative of the breed” title. Here are “Best Junior”, “Best Veteran”, “Best Male” and “Best Female”. The winner of the title “Best representative of the breed” takes part in the Best in Group competition, where he competes with other breeds. If the dog wins this event, it participates in the final competition of the exhibition day Best in Show, where the best dog of the entire exhibition is determined.
Titles at the exhibition have the status of “one-time”. That is, the pet can get just an assessment at one event, while winning the title of “Best male” at another exhibition. All depends on the refereeing: the expert evaluates according to the requirements of the standard. In addition, it is important to take into account the level of opponents. Each time different participants take part in dog shows, and if one pet fades against the background of competitors, then at another exhibition the dog can get high marks. Remember that if your four-legged friend became the owner of the title of “Best” (male, female, Junior), it doesn’t become so until the end of life.
The “Best” title has considerable weight: such dog owners receive a separate certificate. It can be different at each dog show. Several certificates are exchanged for a document that assigns the dog the champion status. In the future, the pet can be put up for competitions in the Champions class. For this purpose, you need to attach this document copies when registering for the following exhibitions.