Conformation Shows

BREED SHOWING IN NEW ZEALAND

Here, hopefully, is a brief, understandable, outline of how the conformation showing system operates in New Zealand.

First of all, the Groups and most common Classes, catered for at shows at all levels:

Group Classification Class Age
1 Toys 1 (a) Dog (Bitch) : Baby Puppy - 3 to 6 months
2 Terriers 2 (a) Dog (Bitch) : Puppy - 6 to 12 months
3 Gundogs 5 (a) Dog (Bitch) : Junior 12 to 24 months
4 Hounds 6 (a) Dog (Bitch) : Intermediate - 24 to 36 months
5 Working 8 (a) Dog (Bitch) : N.Z. Bred - any age
6 Utility 10 (a) Dog (Bitch) : Veteran - 7 years or over
7 Non Sporting 11 (a) Dog (Bitch) : Open - 36 months and over

The main types of shows held - available to "All Breed" Clubs, "Group" Clubs, ie. Gundogs, "Breed" Clubs, i.e. English Setters:


Ribbon Parades Small, relaxed, enter on the day shows - a great place to start
Open Shows Similar to Ribbons, but written entries required in advance
Championship Shows The major shows - where Challenge Certificates are awarded - 2 (dog and bitch) for every breed shown. CC's can be refused by the Judge.


Order of Showing:

Dogs are in the ring first, with judging commencing at the youngest (Class 1) to the oldest class catered for at the particular show (usually 11 - Open). Exhibits in each class are placed 1, 2 and 3.

Once all the dog classes have been judged, the first place getter from each class is recalled to the ring, and all the representatives of each age class are then run off against each other for the BEST DOG. The dog challenge (Championship level shows only) is then awarded. The second place getter from the same age class as the Best Dog is then called into the ring, and the RESERVE DOG is picked from the line-up.

The bitches are then judged as for the dogs, ending up with a BEST (and hopefully Challenge winner) and RESERVE BITCH.

The BEST dog and bitch are then run against each other for BEST OF BREED. The RESERVE of sex is then called into the ring to run off for RESERVE BEST OF BREED, i.e. if the dog comes Best of Breed, the Reserve Dog is then called into the ring to compete with the Best Bitch, for Reserve of Breed.

Once the Best and Reserve of Breed are found, the dog and bitch winners from each age class (Baby Puppy, Junior, etc.) are then called in together to find the BEST PUPPY, BEST JUNIOR, etc.

At the end of the Group judging, the BEST OF BREED winners from each breed in the Group (eg English Setter, Golden Retriever, Gordon Setter, etc.) are then judged against each other to find the BEST OF GROUP. The Reserve of Breed to the group winner is then called into the ring to be included in the judging for the RESERVE OF GROUP.

The age classes at group level are then judged as above.

BEST IN SHOW is also judged as above, with the BEST OF GROUP's competing against each other, and the RESERVE OF GROUP then being taken into the line up for RESERVE IN SHOW.

The age classes are then judged.



TITLES:

New Zealand Champion (Ch):

Must win 8 New Zealand Kennel Club Challenge Certificates (see above), with at least one of these being earned over the age of 12 months. Challenge Certificates are NOT available to Baby Puppies (4 - 6 months).

Of the 8 Challenge Certificates at least 5 must be awarded by different judges.

New Zealand Grand Champion:

Must have won 50 New Zealand Kennel Club Challenge Certificates PLUS 3 BEST IN SHOW awards given under different Judges at "All Breed Championship Shows".




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