HOW
DO I MAKE UP A CHAMPION DOG?
So,
you've decided to show your dog in the conformation
(breed) classes with the aim of making him/her up as
a champion. You've been to some local ringcraft classes
and you've tried your hand at showing at a couple of
open shows, now you're ready to go for the big ones.
You've entered the championship show in advance and
you have everything ready for the weekend.
Challenge
Certificates (CCs)
During
the course of judging the classes, the judge will look
for the best dog and bitch that, in his or her opinion,
is of "such outstanding merit as to be worthy of
qualifying for the title of Champion." If that
happens to be your dog - well done! You're one-fifth
of the way there! The certificate that is issued is
called a Challenge Certificate (CC) and is usually worth
one point. If, however, there are more than 10 dogs
or bitches competing for a CC, it will be worth two
points. The judge may also award a certificate to the
second-placed dog or bitch, called a Reserve Challenge
Certificate (RCC). These don't count towards your dog's
championship, but if the CC winner is disqualified,
the RCC winner will be awarded the CC in its place.
A
judge has the right to withhold a CC (refuse to award
it) if he/she believes the quality of the exhibits are
not up to standard.
Gathering
points
For
a dog to become a Breed Champion, he/she must be awarded
five points. Here are the rules in this regard:
*
The breed must be on the KUSA Breed Register
* Points awarded to a dog younger than nine months old
do not count
* At least one point must be awarded after the dog is
18 months old
* You can earn four points in your own district, but
one point (often called "the away CC") must
be awarded in another district ...(see
the list of districts below)
* All points must be earned under different judges
* Certain breeds, (eg. Rottweilers, German Shepherds,
Giant Schnauzers, etc)) require additional tests, age
restrictions and ...qualifications
- KUSA or your dog's breeder will advise
KUSA
districts
*
Eastern Districts of Gauteng & Surrounds
* Western Districts of Gauteng & Surrounds
* Kwa-Zulu Natal (Southern Coastal Region)
* Kwa-Zulu Natal (Northern, Northern Coastal & Midlands
Regions)
* Free State
* Northern Cape
* Eastern Province & North Eastern Cape
* Border & Transkei
* Western Cape
* Boland & South Cape
* Namibia
Declaring
your dog
When
you have gathered all the points you need and checked
that all CCs are applicable to the rules above, you
have to apply to KUSA to declare your dog as champion.
It is not an automatic process, neither is it compulsory
- some people tend, for example, not to declare their
dog immediately, preferring to keep it in the Open Class
until it has matured sufficiently to compete in the
Champions Class. On the other hand, having achieved
such success, it makes good sense to claim your dog's
status as soon as possible.
The
form you need to complete, "Application for Championship
Certificate" is available from the KUSA office
or from the KUSA website here.
Remember to make photocopies of your CCs and attach
them to your application.