The Kennel Club Board has approved amendments to the Judges Education Programme (Breed Shows) Level 1 and Level 2 criteria.
These amendments will come into effect for shows held on or after 1 January 2024 and apply to judges signing contracts from the date of this announcement (21 August 2023). Existing CC judges are exempt from this requirement.
Judges Education Programme (JEP) Level 1 criteria is as follows, with amends in italics:
- Minimum of five years proven interest in pedigree dogs
- Attend a Conformation and Movement seminar hosted by a Kennel Club Accredited Trainer
- Complete a minimum of two full-day stewarding appointments
- Attend a Requirements of a Dog Show Judge seminar and pass associated exam (either in person or online via Kennel Club Academy)
- Pass the Points of a Dog assessment conducted by a Kennel Club Accredited Trainer
Previously it was a requirement that passing the Points of a Dog assessment and Requirements of a Dog Show Judge exam was part of JEP Level 2 criteria.
Consequently, JEP Level 2 criteria is now amended as follows:
- Attend a Breed Appreciation Day (BAD) and pass a multiple-choice examination for the respective breed
- View ring stewarding seminar and take online quiz via Kennel Club Academy
- Complete critique writing seminar and take online quiz via Kennel Club Academy
Whilst completing the critique writing and stewarding seminars remain a JEP Level 2 requirement, the Board has agreed that they can be undertaken at any time, and that the judge does not need to wait until they meet Level 1 criteria, and are recommended to view prior to stewarding or judging.
Judges sitting multiple-choice exams held at Breed Appreciation Days from 1 January 2024 will be required to meet the amended Level 1 criteria.
Helen Kerfoot, Chief Operations Officer at The Kennel Club, commented: “This change to JEP Level 1 criteria will further enhance education of upcoming judges and equip them with the necessary means to judge as they undertake their first appointments.
“We have listened to feedback and it is hoped that these changes create a more logical order of education for judges and will also ensure that exhibitors have confidence that judges have attained a preliminary level of training at any level of show.”
For further information email to
Judges Education Programme (Breed Shows)