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KC suspends unbeaten dog rule and AV stakes classes regulations

Created: 11/11/2014

THERE is to be a two-year suspension of AV stakes classes and unbeaten dog regulations.

  It will start from January 1 and apply to regulations which stipulate that dogs must be entered and exhibited in a breed class before exhibiting in any variety and stakes classes. 

  The Kennel Club said it had been noted that exhibitors often withdrew their bests of breed from AV/stakes classes in order to remain unbeaten for the group.  

"Therefore, while many exhibitors initially entered the AV/stakes classes not all were able to compete,” a KC spokesman said.

 

Additional entries

"As a consequence of suspending the regulation it is anticipated that not only would this encourage exhibitors who have dogs entered in both AV/stakes classes and breed classes to compete in all classes for which they had originally entered, thus reducing the absentee rate for AV classes, but also generating additional entries from exhibitors who for one reason or another may not wish or be eligible to enter their dogs in the scheduled breed classes.”

  It has also been agreed to suspend the regulation that only unbeaten dogs are eligible to compete in a group or best in show, again for two years. Therefore, a dog declared BOB who has been beaten in a variety/stakes class will remain eligible to compete in the group and BIS. The changes apply also to puppy groups and BIS.

  The move comes after deliberations on the part of the KC’s Dog Show Promotion Working Party, which is looking into ways to improve and increase the popularity of dog shows. It chairman Keith Young said: "We believe that this proposal will have a positive impact on entries at shows, and will make for better competition in AV/stakes classes.” 

  These policy changes follow a recent one which allows breed clubs to hold their championship shows in conjunction with another breed club, or with a larger general or group championship show. From January 1, this new policy will allow two sets of CCs in the same breed to be awarded at two different championship shows on the same day, at the same venue.

  The KC is to publish a list of questions and answers to help show societies and exhibitors with the implications of the changes.  Updated specimen schedules will be available on the C website. For further information email breedshows@thekennelclub.org.uk.

See Comment on page 8 of this week's DOG WORLD.