SHOW REGULATIONS
RULES FOR GROUP JUDGING & BEST IN SHOW
Stakes Classes
The Stakes Classes scheduled at this Show are separate from the Breed Judging and do not come under the rules of the Green Star System, e.g. An exhibit which has been beaten in a Stakes Class but wins Best of Breed may proceed to compete in its relevant Group. All exhibits who wish to enter Stakes Classes must be entered in their relevant Breed Classes with the exception of Champions/Veterans who may enter the Stakes Class only. A separate judge other than the Best in Show or Group judge must be used for stakes classes (Best in Show qualified)
Breeds Not Separately Listed
Breeds entered in the Breeds Not Separately Listed at National Championship Shows will be entered into their appropriate breed class and the breed listed in the catalogue. A Judge may award a Green Star and Best of Breed in each breed to any dog unbeaten and eligible, if in his/her opinion they are of sufficient quality and graded excellent or in the case of puppies Very Promising.
Cropped Dogs
Cropped dogs are not permitted to be exhibited at any Irish Kennel Club licenced event
CLASSIFICATION FOR ALL BREEDS
Dog/Bitches: Baby Puppy, Puppy, Junior, Intermediate, Adult, Open, Champion, Veteran,
Field Trial, Neuter, Breeders Group
Stakes Classes: Puppy Stakes, Champion Stakes, Veteran Stakes, Brace,Stakes Special
Beginners Stakes
Junior Handling: 10-12 Years, 13-14 Years, 15-17 Years
CLASS DEFINITIONS (the word “dog” includes both sexes)
A baby puppy class is confined to puppies of four months of age and under six months of age on the day of the show. Baby puppies are confined to this class and cannot compete for any further awards except Best Baby puppy in show.
A puppy class is confined to dogs over six months and under 12 calendar months of age on the day of the show computed from and inclusive of the date of its birth.
A junior class is confined to dogs between 9 and 18 calendar months of age on the day of the show computed from and inclusive of the date of its birth.
An intermediate class is for dogs between 15 and 24 calendar months of age on the day of the show computed from and inclusive of the date of its birth.
An open class is for dogs over 15 months of age on the day of the show computed from and inclusive of the date of its birth.
A champion class is for dogs who have gained the title of Champion under Irish Kennel Club rules or under a recognised Kennel authority confirmed by the date of the closing of entries.
A veteran class is for dogs over 8 years of age on the day of the show computed from and inclusive of the date of its birth.
A field trial class is confined to dogs that have won at least a reserve in a Novice, Puppy, Derby or Open Stakes.
A Neuter Class is for sterilised dogs over 4 months of age on the judgment day of the breed computed from and inclusive of the date of its birth. Best neuter male and best neuter female can compete for best neuter in breed and go forward to Best Neuter in Show BUT they do not compete for the Green Stars, Stakes classes and there is no Neuter Champion title.
A brace class is for two exhibits of the same or different sexes of the same breed belonging to the same person, each exhibit having been entered in some class other than Brace or Team.
A breeders group class is for a minimum of three and a maximum of five exhibits of the same breed and variety without distinction of sex bred by the same person (same kennel name) even if they are not his/her property.
OBEDIENCE CLASS DEFINITIONS
Under General Rules
Food or any other article may not be given or carried in the ring, with the exception of Pre-Beginners and Beginners where a non-squeaky/non-audible toy may be carried by the handler.
PRE -BEGINNERS OBEDIENCE CLASS
Confined to dogs or handlers which have not been awarded three first prizes (on or under 10 marks) in any obedience test under Irish Kennel Club Limited Rules or under any Kennel Club recognised by the Irish Kennel Club Limited. Handlers may carry a non-squeaky/audible toy in their hand or pocket and reward the dog by playing with that toy for up to 20 seconds at the end of each exercise with the exception of the stay test. The dog is not allowed to play with the toy during the exercise.
BEGINNERS OBEDIENCE CLASS 8
Confined to dogs or handlers which have not been awarded an Obedience Green Star or awarded four or more first prizes (on or under 10 marks) ) in any obedience test, other than Pre-Beginners Obedience Class, under Irish Kennel Club Limited Rules or under any Kennel Club recognised by the Irish Kennel Club Limited. Handlers may carry a non-squeaky/non-audible toy in their hand or pocket and reward the dog by playing with that toy for up to 20 seconds at the end of each exercise with the exception of the stay test. The dog is not allowed to play with the toy during the exercise.
NOVICE OBEDIENCE CLASS
Confined to dogs which have not been awarded an Obedience Green Star or four or more first prizes (on or under 10 marks under Irish Kennel Club regulations) in any Obedience class other than in Beginners Obedience class.
CLASS A OBEDIENCE
Confined to dogs which have not been awarded an Obedience Green Star or four or more first prizes (on or under 10 marks under Irish Kennel Club regulations) in any Obedience Class other than in Beginners and Novice Obedience classes.
CLASS B OBEDIENCE
Old Rule:- Down five (5) minutes (30 points). Handler out of sight.
New Rule:- Down four (4) minutes (30 points). Handler out of sight.
Confined to dogs which have not been awarded a Green Star or four or more first prizes (on or under 10 marks under Irish Kennel Club regulations) in any Obedience Classes with the exception of Beginners, Novice or Class A Obedience.
OPEN CLASS C OBEDIENCE / CH. CLASS C OBEDIENCE
Open to All
AGILITY CLASS DEFINITIONS
Grade 1 - For handlers or dogs which have not gained a first place in an Agility Class or three first places in Jumping Classes at Irish Kennel Club CLG., licensed Agility Shows or any Kennel Club recognised by the Irish Kennel Club CLG. N.B. Handlers or dogs previously qualified out of Grade 1, (Elementary) are not eligible for this class.
Grade 2 - For handlers or dogs which have qualified out of Grade 1 but have not gained a first place in an Agility Class or three first places in Jumping Classes at Grade 2 at Irish Kennel Club CLG., licensed Agility Shows or any Kennel Club recognised by the Irish Kennel Club CLG., or elected to progress on points from Grade 1. N.B. Handlers or dogs previously qualified out of Grade 1, (Elementary) are not eligible for this class.
Grade 3 - Open to dogs which are not eligible for Grade 1 or 2 or have elected to progress on points from Grade 2 at Irish Kennel Club CLG., licensed Agility Shows or any Kennel Club recognised by the Irish Kennel Club CLG., and dogs which are not eligible for Grade 4, 5, 6 or 7.
Grade 4 - Open to dogs which have gained a first place in an Agility Class or three first places in Jumping Classes at Grade 3 or elected to progress on points from Grade 3 at Irish Kennel Club CLG., licensed Agility Shows or any Kennel Club recognised by the Irish Kennel Club CLG., and dogs which are not eligible for Grade 3, 5, 6 or 7.
Grade 5 - Open to dogs which have gained a first place in an Agility Class or three first places in Jumping Classes at Grade 4 or elected to progress on points from Grade 4 at Irish Kennel Club CLG., licensed Agility Shows or any Kennel Club recognised by the Irish Kennel Club CLG., and dogs which are not eligible for Grade 3, 4, 6 or 7.
Grade 6 - Open to dogs which have gained three first places in a Class (1 Agility) at Grade 5 at Irish Kennel Club CLG., licensed Agility Shows or any Kennel Club recognised by the Irish Kennel Club CLG., and dogs which are not eligible for Grade 3, 4, 5 or 7.
Grade 7 - Open to dogs which have gained a minimum of four first places at Grade 6 at Irish Kennel Club CLG., licensed Agility Shows only. Two first places must be gained in Agility (not Jumping) Classes.