Judges’ Education Programme – JEP (Breed Shows)

A new system has been developed for the education, approval and listing of every level of judge, from those who aspire to judge, right through to open show judges, plus those who go on to award Challenge Certificates, judge championship show groups and best in show.

The system has been designed taking into account the feedback received from exhibitors, show societies and judges.

The Judges Education Programme introduces a structured and logical approach to the training of judges, incorporating a step-by-step approach.

Kennel Club Regulations implementing the Judges Education Programme came into force on 1 January 2021. Seminars undertaken prior to this date can be accepted for use when progressing via the Judges Education Programme. However, judges are required to complete the criteria at each Judges Education Programme level before moving on to the next.

Stewarding is a requirement for both levels 1 and 3 and therefore a more fluid approach can be taken here.

Level 1

Requirements to meet this level:

  • 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, exam effective from 1 January 2024)
  • Pass the Points of a Dog assessment conducted by a Kennel Club Accredited Trainer (effective from 1 January 2024)

Eligibility to judge

Up to three classes (four if one is a puppy class) for any breed at limited or open shows.

Level 2

Requirements to meet this level

First breed:

  • Attend a breed appreciation day (BAD) and pass a multiple-choice examination (MCE) for the respective breed.
  • View ring stewarding seminar and take online quiz.
  • Complete critique writing seminar and take online quiz.

Subsequent breeds

  • Attend a breed appreciation day (BAD) and pass a multiple-choice examination (MCE) for each breed.
    Note: Not mandatory for group judge for breeds in the group that they are not approved at level 4, but attendance strongly recommended.

Eligibility to judge

  • Unlimited number of classes for the respective breed at limited, open or championship shows (no CCs).
  • Any variety classes, groups and best in show at limited shows.

Level 3

Requirements to meet this level

  • Undergo minimum of three mentoring sessions with a minimum of 12 months between first and third session
  • Be observed judging a breed club show, breed supported entry show or championship show without CCs once mentoring sessions have been undertaken
  • Complete remaining 10 full-day stewarding appointments (onetime qualification)
  • Have owned/bred a minimum of three dogs when they obtained their first entry in The Kennel Club Stud Book – save for exceptional circumstances (one-time qualification for first breed in which a judge awards CCs)
  • Attended the appropriate sub-group field trial/open gundog working test for first gundog breed or ring procedure at licensed shows (German Shepherd Dog education programme) online exam (one-time qualification)
  • Have achieved the relevant hands-on experience in line with the stated requirements for the relevant breed:

Tier 4 – Hound Group: Afghan Hound, Beagle, Rhodesian Ridgeback        JEP 60 Dogs

The following types of event may be used to claim hands-on experience numbers:

  • Breed classes at championship shows without CCs
  • Breed classes at open shows
  • Breed classes at limited shows
  • Mock/training classes at breed club shows (practical judging days) – only one occasion can be claimed and a maximum of five dogs
  • Dogs judged at Kennel Club approved assessments, maximum of five dogs – only one occasion and a maximum of five dogs.
  • Cannot be used in addition to mock classes
  • Dogs judged at inter or intra-club single-breed matches
  • Special award classes at breed club shows
  • Supported entry shows
  • Dogs judged at single breed dog of the year competitions
  • Overseas appointments

Dogs judged at the following types of event may not be included in a judge’s hands-on experience:

  • AVNSC and variety classes
  • At fun days
  • Conjointly with other judges at events where the candidate judge is not required to give independent judgment on the dogs
  • Any JEP mentoring sessions

Eligibility to judge

  • Unlimited number of classes for the respective breed at limited, open or championship shows (no CCs)
  • Any variety classes groups and best in show at limited shows

Level 4 CC judge

Requirements to meet this level 

  • Attend and passed a breed-specific assessment for the specific breed run by The Kennel Club

Eligibility to judge

  • Award Challenge Certificates in the respective breed
  • Any variety classes, groups and best in show at open and limited shows

Information available on the Kennel Club Website re-JEP Judging.