Competitive obedience secretary information

Limited obedience shows 

These can have their entries restricted by the following conditions at the societies' choice:

• entries from members of the society only
• competitors from within a specific area only
• entries from specific breeds only
• a defined number of entries or by other conditions subject to approval by the board of The Kennel Club

Societies running limited obedience shows will be fully registered organisations.

Championship obedience shows

These are the most prestigious shows offered by registered clubs with the highest standards expected. Societies running championship shows will be fully registered organisations only. Societies must apply to The Kennel Club for championship status before holding a championship show.

Open obedience shows

These shows can have any number of standard or special classes, except for qualifying heats for The Kennel Club's competitions. Societies running open obedience shows will be fully registered organisations.

When a competitive obedience show is holding a non-scheduled final, and finalists have been invited to attend, special permission is required. This is to ensure that those competing in the final are safeguarded should any problems arise.

Applications for permission to hold special events must be made at least six months prior to the event, except when a series of qualifying heats are held prior to a special event final, in which instance permission must be granted prior to any of the heats being held. For further information regarding the requirements for special events, please email our society and show services team.

Award of Merit Certificates were introduced in 2006 and can be issued to competitive obedience competitors in introductory, pre-beginners and beginners classes. The awards were designed with the aim of attracting new competitors into the sport and to encourage those who don't lose too many marks, regardless of whether they are placed or not.

The certificates are signed by the judge and given out only on the day of the show to competitors who claim them. They involve a minimal amount of work for show management, but are often greatly appreciated as a mark of achievement by the newer competitors in obedience. Societies wishing to offer the certificates are asked to email our society and show services team. Please include details of whether introductory, pre-beginner or beginner certificates are required, as well as estimated numbers.

• Nominate a show secretary, chief steward and (optionally) a show manager as well as a show committee (the chief steward may not enter or compete at the show). Please download The Kennel Club's Obedience Chief Stewards' Guidance Booklet
• Decide on a date, a venue and the number and type of classes to be run. Most societies run their shows in the same week in each year. To avoid date clashes, a list of shows can be found on Find a Show
• Provisionally book the intended venue (for new venues consider venue size, surface, road access and availability of water, power and waste disposal)
• Confirm the venue and check any conditions of use and cancellation terms
• All show dates must be applied for either in writing on club headed paper or by completing a show date application form online in the club profile.
• Show dates must be applied for up to six weeks before the show
• Advertise the show date
• Draw up a budget
• Book your show processors (if used) and online entries service (if used), and catalogue and schedule printers (if used)
• Draw up a provisional ring plan, allocating classes to rings on the basis of estimated numbers of entries. Bear in mind the need for a stay ring of adequate size for the expected entry and consider whether dogs and bitches are to be split or mixed
• Identify suitably qualified and experienced judges for all classes
• Judges should be invited in writing, and asked to accept in writing; the club should then confirm the appointment in writing to form a three-part contract, except in championship classes where approval from The Kennel Club must be obtained first - read more about judging obedience
• Book trophy, rosette and prize card suppliers, caterers and veterinary cover; order scoresheets
• Book hired facilities if required, such as ring markers and ropes, signs, skips, toilets, PA system, 'walkie-talkie' radios, tables and chairs, marquees, score tents, fire extinguishers

The obedience championship show judges' nomination form must be with The Kennel Club nine months prior to the date of the show. For first-time appointments, this form must be accompanied by a completed questionnaire for proposed championship obedience judge which must be received at The Kennel Club to be approved, at least 18 months prior to the date of the show.

If you are looking for a judge for your competition, please visit Find a Judge to search for one who is available. All judges must be fully conversant with The Kennel Club Obedience G Regulations. 

• Prepare and distribute a show schedule, using the appropriate open, limited or championship obedience show specimen schedule as a basis
• Distribute the schedule as widely as possible, using the dog press, obedience websites, The Kennel Club Journal, and other obedience shows
• Invite trade stands if applicable
• Prepare a risk assessment and develop a safety plan to minimise risks
• Arrange adequate public liability insurance
• The ring stewards can be appointed where needed. Allocate tasks such as parking control, PA system announcers, results processing, prize presentations, ring refreshments and judges and helpers lunches, car park checks for hot dogs, signage and equipment management

• Once entries have closed, finalise the ring plan, splitting classes where numbers of entries make it advisable (50 or more except championship class C which may not be split). Ensure no class exceeds 60 dogs
• Inform judges of their entries and the breeds entered, especially in classes B and C, to ensure suitability of test design and retrieve article
• Prepare the show catalogue information including competitor details and classes and send information to the show's printers, if used (including championship class C running orders advised by The Kennel Club)
• Conduct a random draw for running orders in relevant (non-championship) classes, and notify all competitors by post of their running orders and the ring plan (show processors/printers will generally do this for you while preparing the catalogue)
• Prepare a stewards' list to ensure efficient use of club and volunteer helpers; ensure all rings have sufficient stewards where judges are not bringing their own teams and that enough stay stewards and scent decoy stewards are available
• Confirm to suppliers the numbers of trophies, rosettes and prize cards, catering and refreshment requirements, ring equipment etc.
• Finalise ground plan for rings, parking, camping (if applicable), trade stands and secretary's tent

• Ensure copies of the regulations, all entry forms, copies of the show schedule and catalogue, the competition licence, insurance certificate, awards, neutral and decoy scent cloths, judges' correspondence, spectator dog entry form booklets and an official Kennel Club incident book are taken to the show
• Within 14 days of the show, send a fully updated and accurate copy of the catalogue for championship shows only, with all awards marked in, to the society and show services team
• Within two weeks, report to The Kennel Club if there were any incidents requiring a report (e.g. biting/aggression incidents, formal objections/complaints, changes of judging arrangements, cancellation or abandonment). These should be logged in the incident book and sent to The Kennel Club. Read more about incidents at events

Please note: The above list gives an idea of general timescales but many individual tasks will be done in a different order from that above depending on circumstances.

It is important that the society and show services department is informed of a cancellation in writing by completing the cancellation of shows form as soon as this decision is made, giving the reason for the cancellation. It should not be assumed that because the licence application form is not returned to The Kennel Club by the due date, that the show will be removed from the show diary. 

If the cancellation is notified far enough in advance, this could free up a date for use by other clubs and societies, and in other instances it will prevent the office assuming the event is going ahead and therefore sending out unnecessary reminder letters for schedules and/or catalogues. 

Read further information about cancellation of events.

Society committees must ensure that they have adequate cover for all the society's activities. The Kennel Club Insurance cover is specifically designed for canine clubs or societies, including public and products liability and directors' and officers' liability insurance at a competitive price.

One of the main concerns for societies is whether there will be adequate insurance cover. Kennel Club show regulations stipulate that insurance is required – otherwise the show licence is invalid. It is always best to check with the society’s own insurance provider in terms of the amount of and heads of cover. We have partnered with Pet Business Insurance (PBI) to provide specifically designed insurance cover for canine clubs or societies, including public and products liability insurance at a competitive price. It is unlikely that any Covid-19-specific insurance will be available but general public liability will be available.

You can contact them on 01284 736874 or visit their website.

A society should make best efforts to ensure that the venue/ground is Covid-19 safe, in line with government advice available at the time (including risk assessments). This will then help in demonstrating that the society has discharged its duty of care to participants and visitors. It is not possible to guarantee a no Covid-19 risk scenario, and there will be an element of assumption of risk by the participant/visitor. The society’s job is to minimise that risk. As always in the context of health and safety, there should be clearly documented instructions and role descriptions defining the clear delegation of responsibilities for the range of health and safety issues at the event.

A statement must be included in all schedules to state that if an exhibitor, or anyone in their household, has Covid-19-related symptoms or has tested positive for Covid-19, they must not attend the event.

The obedience regulations specify that shows must issue a schedule which conforms to the current specimen schedule issued by The Kennel Club. The specimens available below are regularly updated to take account of changes to the regulations or policy. Show secretaries are advised to download the most recent version of the specimen schedule before preparing any show schedules.

• WT04 - championship obedience specimen schedule
• WT07 - open obedience specimen schedule 
• WT08 - limited obedience specimen schedule
• WT79 - premier obedience specimen schedule

Read our guidelines on being a chief steward.

Read our guidance on the general data protection regulation.

Anything that occurs at an event that is ‘out of the ordinary’ should be considered an incident and logged in the incident book, even if those involved do not wish to take any action. Read more about incidents at events.

Every society must undertake its own individual risk assessment for every event.

Any particular measures or conditions that competitors need to be aware of prior to the event must be included within the schedule.

Written guidance should be sought from the venue hirer regarding any special measures the show committee must undertake during their hiring period.

Rings may need to be spread out more than previously to allow space between the rings for free movement of people and to ensure that those in adjacent rings are not too close to each other.

Indoor venues may need to have more space around rings to ensure there is adequate space and a separate entrance and exit should be encouraged,

Is your proposed venue therefore large enough to accommodate the above and any other special requirements?