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Are you a Judge?

  • The decisions made by judges in the show ring strongly influence future breeding plans

  • Judges must take conformation related health problems and temperament into account when making their decisions as well as breed type

  • All show dogs should be Fit For Function: Fit For Life

  • Judges should never award prizes to dogs which are visibly suffering from any condition which would adversely affect their health or welfare. For example:

  • Obvious breathing difficulty

  • Significantly over or under weight dogs

  • Lameness, including hopping

  • A discharge from one or both eyes or any signs of discomfort in either eye

  • Obvious skin or ear irritation

  • Inappropriate temperament - refusal to be handled, timidity or aggression

  • Exaggerations that would make the dog unsuited for fulfilling its original purpose

    • A judge is expected to make such decisions based on their extensive experience of dogs as owners and breeders – they are not expected to display the knowledge of a veterinary surgeon and should not undertake any extra examination of a dog other than that which they would normally perform in assessing general fitness and breed type.


    Breed Watch

    Particular points of concern for individual breeds may include features not specifically highlighted in the breed standard. The features listed are derived from health surveys, a meeting of Kennel Club Group Judges (Feb 2009), feedback from judges at shows and consultation with individual breed clubs / councils.