Benching at General and Group Championship dog shows

The Kennel Club would like to announce that following its recent Board meeting it has been agreed that the requirement for benching for General and Group Championship dog shows will be relaxed for a two-year trial period commencing the 1 January 2023.

This decision has been taken having listened to feedback from exhibitors and due to concerns expressed by show societies about the strain on shows’ finances at this present time.

Applications for exemption from benching will now be considered by The Kennel Club for next year’s shows. Those show societies which wish to apply for exemption from benching will be required to submit revised show plans and risk assessments. The Kennel Club will be contacting show secretaries direct with further details.

The Show Executive Committee will be regularly monitoring the impact on shows and Field Officers will be assigned to report on those shows for which exemption from benching has been approved.

The Kennel Club can confirm that it will continue to provide benching at Crufts.

For further enquiries please contact our Breed Shows team.