HOW DOGSHOWS WORK?

When we started to show our dogs, we have been totally lost.
How? Where? When? What to do?
Everything was total SF and it was really hard to understand the system and the rules.
This is why we will not copy HKS regulations with its all articles and complete rules, because it would be too much for you to process all info and you will be also lost as we were.

We will try to explain how it works as simple as we can :) and we will write only some details which will make you understand better.
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Later with time and more showing experience, you will become an expert and you will know everything about when to enter the ring, what to win and achieve, where to go and collect titles and what to do :).

Until then, just let us to guid you with all that you need in order to attend the dogshows.

If you want to know all dogshow details and regulations already now, you can find it on the following link:

web.hks.hr/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Pravilnik-o-Strucnom-radu-2022_sa-
From page 37 you can find everything about dogshow rules

​​​The dog has to collect a number of candidatures to gain championship 
For every championship there are special rules and regulations how many titles dog should collect, in which period and from how many different judges.

​TYPES OF DOGSHOWS

​There are 3 types of conformation dog shows:

ALL BREED SHOWS
(national and international)
All-breed shows offer competitions for all breeds.

​National dogshows recognized by HKS (Hrvatski kinološki savez)  where you may win CAC title.
CAC is candidature for National championship in beauty .

International dogshows are recognized by the FCI (FederationCynologiqueInternationale) & HKS.
On these shows dog can win CACIB title.
CACIB is candidature for International beauty champion (C.I.B.)

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SPECIALITY AND CLUBSHOWS
Speciealities and club shows are restricted to dogs of a specific breed or to varieties of only one breed - recognized by HKS.

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GROUP SHOWS
Group shows are limited to dogs belonging to one of the 10 FCI groups - recognized by HKS.

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For all type of exhibitions under the protection of FCI and HKS, the division of breeds is mandatory according to to the valid division of FCI-group breeds, namely:

FCI 1
Sheepdogs and cattledogs (except Swiss catledogs)
FCI 2 
Pinschers and Schnauzers, Molossians and Swiss Shepherds
FCI 3  
Terriers
FCI 4 
Dachshunds
FCI 5 
Spitz and primitive type dogs
FCI 6 
Scent hounds and related breeds 
FCI 7 
Pointing dogs
FCI 8 
Retrievers, water dogs, Flushing dogs
FCI 9
Dogs for companionship and play
FCI 10
Sighthounds

Ridgebacks are in FCI 6 group!

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THE ROLE OF THE JUDGE
The judges are experts on the breeds they are judging.
​Judges examine the dogs, then give awards according to how closely each dog compares to the judge’s mental image of the “perfect” dog described in the breed’s official standard.
 They examine (“go over”) each dog with their hands to see if the teeth, muscles, bones and coat texture conform to the breed’s standard.
They view each dog in profile for overall balance, and watch each dog gait (“move”) to see how all of those features fit together in action. 
​Judges award first through 4 places in each class and give titles to the best ones.

Breed specialist judge: Orit Nevo judging Maddox - Geneve

HOW IT WORKS?

​Each dog presented to a judge is exhibited (“handled”) by its owner, breeder or a hired professional.
​The role of a handler is similar to that of a jockey who rides a horse around the track and, hopefully, into the winner’s circle.

COMPETITION IN CLASSES
​Males and females compete separately within their respective breeds, in regular classes:

​Baby class 3-6 months
Puppy class 6-9 months
Junior class 9-18 months
Intermedia class 15-24months
Open class from 15 months
Working class from 15 monhs-dogs with working exam
Champion class from 15months-champions only
Veteran class from age of 8 years

Jada at National dogshow

PUPPY AND BABY CLASS
in these early age classes you can get one of the comments
"very promising", "prospecting", "satisfies" or "does not satisfy".
Dogs rated in these classes are ranked from 1 - 4.
The judge awards male or female puppy for the title Best puppy or Best baby depending on a class.

In puppy and baby class dogs compete for titles and are attending shows so they may become

FUTURE HOPE OF CROATIA
The title Future hope of Croatia will be awarded to the  dog that achieved:
- 3 x  descriptive ratings "very promising" and was first placed 3 times in the puppy class or the baby class
- descriptive marks must be awarded by three different judges- the first descriptive assessment must be completed after February 1, 2019

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JUNIOR CLASS
The title of Junior winner can only be awarded in the junior class to the best dog that was rated "excellent" for both males and females.
Between these two winners the judge chooses Junior Best of breed.

Juniors are competing and attending dogshows so they may become

JUNIOR CHAMPION OF CROTIA - CHM HR
The title "Junior Champion of Croatia (CHM HR)" will be awarded by HKS to a dog that won:
- 3 x Junior winner titles in the junior class
- titles must be awarded by at least two different judges
- one Junior winner title can be replaced by a won CAC HR candidacy if the dog acquired it before the age of 18 months

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ADULT CLASSES
INTERMEDIA - OPEN - CHAMPION
Dogs are awarded, regardless of the age and number of dogs for assessment, the following grades: "excellent", "very good", "good", "sufficient" or "insufficient".
A ranking of 1 - 4 in each exhibition class is mandatory if the dog is rated at least very good.


TITLES FOR CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ADULT CLASSES

​CAC & r.CAC title
At international and national dogshows and at special dogshows, which are under the protection of HKS , the judge can award the Candidacy for the champion of Croatia in beauty – CAC HR to the first-placed excellently rated male and female in the following classes: intermediate, open, working and champions. The reserve candidacy of the Reserve CAC HR judge can be awarded to the second best excellently rated male and female in the following classes: intermediate class, open, workers and champions.

​Adult dogs compete in these classes and attend dogshows to collect CAC titles in order to become 
CHAMPION OF CROATIA IN BEAUTY - CH HR
The title "Champion of Croatia in beauty" (CH HR) will be awarded by HKS to a dog that is won:
4 X CAC HR candidacies - of the four candidacies, at least two must be won at an international exhibition - candidacies must be awarded by at least three different judges
- in addition to the above conditions, the title can be assigned to a dog only after the age of over 24 months

Once your dog became a Croatian champion, he can compete only in champion class on Croatian shows.

Once you became a champion, you may continue to compete for a title
GRAND CHAMPION OF CROATIA - CH HR - G
The title "Grand Champion of Croatia" will be awarded by the HKS to a dog that meets the following conditions:
- the dog must be declared Champion of Croatia in Beauty (CH HR) .
- 4 x CAC-HR candidacies won in the champion class after winning the title Champion of Croatia in Beauty (CH HR) 
-at least two must be won at an international exhibition
- candidacies must be won by at least three different judges; 5. the first CAC-HR should be won after March 1, 2015

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When your dog will be at the age of 8 years, you will start to compete in Veteran class
 
VETERAN CLASS
The title of the veteran winner can only be awarded in the veteran class to the best dog that was rated "excellent" for both males and females.
The judge decides who will be the Best veteran between male and female.

VETERAN CHAMPION OF CROATIA - CHV HR
The title "Veteran Champion of Croatia (CHV HR)" will be awarded to the dog by HKS upon request of the owner who won:
- 3 x Veteran winner
- titles must be awarded by at least two different judges.

CACIB TITLE
​CACIB is candidature for International beauty champion and it is possible to win on International show.
The judge is awarding best adult male and best adult female with the CACIB on International dogshow.


INTERNATIONAL CHAMPION - INT CH (C.I.B)
- 4 CACIB candidacies in 3 different countries and from 3 different judges
- between the first and last candidacy achieved, at least one must pass year (365 days)

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Titles like Junior Best of breed (JBOB), Best of opposite sex (BOS) & Best of Breed (BOB) do not count for any championship but these titles are prestige and they open the doors to Best in show competition. 

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OTHER TITLES

BEST OF OPPOSITE SEX - BOS
International dogshow
CACIB (male or female), Junior winner (male or female), and the Veteran winner (male or female) of the opposite sex to that in who was awarded the title of BEST OF THE BREED.

National and special and club shows 
For this title compete all males or all females with titles won CAC HR, Junior winner male or female, and  Veteran winner male or a female of the opposite sex to the one in which the BEST OF BREED title was awarded.

BEST OF BREED - BOB
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International dogshow
Competing for this title:
CACIB male, CACIB female and Junior winner male and female, Veteran winner male and female

National dogshow
All males and females that won CAC title + Junior winner male and female + Veteran winner male and female

BEST IN SHOW COMPETITION
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After judging in the rings, where judges have choosed the best dogs from each breed the show program of the selection of the most beautiful dogs on the show starts.
No titles from this part of the show are used for championships but it is prestige to have this titles in front of the name of your dog because the Best in show competition is reserved for the best dogs :)

The program contains:
​- selection of the best young handler (junior handling)
selection of the most beautiful baby 
- selection of the most beautiful puppy
- selection of the most beautiful veteran of the exhibition, 
- choice of the most beautiful couple
- selection of the most beautiful breeding group
- selection of the most beautiful hunting dog from the working class, 
- selection of the most beautiful junior dog 
- selection of the most beautiful dogs by FCI groups (from I. to X.) - BOB winners
 - the selection of the most beautiful dog of the exhibition – BIS (Best in Show), within all winners from the group competition.

In each of the mentioned categories, ranking from 1st to 3rd place is mandatory​

BREEDING GROUP 
All breeders who can meet the following conditions can apply for the competition the most beautiful breeding groups. 
- The breeding group consists of at least 3 dogs, which must be individually registered for the exhibition, entered in the catalog and positively evaluated at the exhibition. 
 -All dogs of one breeding group must be from the breeding of one breeder, but no they must be owned by him.

COUPLE
The couple consists of a male and a female who are registered for the exhibition, entered in the catalog and positive judged at the exhibition.
​Both dogs must be owned by the same owner.

This is summary of the most important things you should try to understand. Everything else you may find on the HKS link in this article!

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