Reviewed Criteria Announced For Judging Mentors and Observers

The Kennel Club has announced that, following consideration of the recommendations put forward by the JCF Independent Review Panel together with the results from the JCF survey commissioned by the Kennel Club, the KC Board has agreed changes to the mentoring and observation elements of the JCF.

This announcement marks the final change to the JCF process to be announced from new judge to Level 4 judge, although an announcement of a new name for the JCF will be made in due course.

The two updated codes of best practice relating to mentoring and observing and respective annexes can be found on the Kennel Club website.

The code of best practice for mentoring includes a revised mentoring record form to be used as part of the mentoring process, along with detailed guidance.

Those wishing to be considered as a Mentor and/or Breed Observer who meet the criteria listed below should contact the Breed Education Coordinator (BEC) in the first instance to indicate their willingness to be included on a breed’s list. They should also indicate which of the four mentoring experiences they wish to be involved in – group mentoring, one to one, Special Award Classes, or student judge.

Potential Mentors and Observers are asked to note that the lists will be compiled afresh by the BECs. Therefore, anyone who meets the above criteria (regardless of whether they have been listed previously) is asked to contact the relevant BEC in order to express an interest.

It is recognised that in some breeds (including non-CC breeds and those on the Imported Register) this will not provide enough Mentors/Observers, and might exclude some excellent potential Mentors who for example do not wish to award CCs.

Breed clubs/councils are also asked to submit to the BEC the names of Mentors and Observers who do not meet the above criteria but have the support of at least 50% of breed clubs or a breed council (please see criteria below). The Kennel Club Judges Committee will then consider these nominations.

Potential Mentors and Observers who meet the above criteria are asked to note that the lists will be compiled afresh. Therefore, anyone who wishes to express an interest (regardless of whether they have been listed previously) is asked to contact a relevant breed club and/or breed council.

In order to be eligible to be observed judging at a breed club open show, breed supported entry show at a General or Group Open Show or a Championship Show without CCs, there must be a minimum number of dogs present, as follows:

The Kennel Club will contact all BECs to ask them to compile amended lists and submit these to the office for approval and publication.

Browse our list of BECs.

All queries regarding the above should be directed to our JCF team.