Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Scotland
Judging Criteria
Adopted by all Rhodesian Ridgeback constituted Clubs & Associations
Introductory Statement
The Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Scotland welcomes applications from people wanting to join our Judging Lists. We like them to furnish as much detail as possible about their experience, both with dogs in general and Rhodesian Ridgebacks in particular. We also need to know their depth of experience in showing, breeding, handling or working with dogs generally. Those who have not judged before should not be put off from applying because they do not think their experience is wide enough; we realize people have to start somewhere and we would like them to start with us. We intend to form a vigorous and effective C/Level 1 list of starters who will eventually make their way upward.
It is not our policy to demote people who are already on our lists and we shall use common sense about including overseas judges who cannot always provide the records needed to prove they meet our criteria.
Rhodesian Ridgeback breeders should note that if a club has a Code of Ethics, those who do not observe the Code might be excluded from the Judging Lists of that club.
Method of Compilation
The Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Scotland Judging List is compiled by a judges sub-committee comprising club members, the requisite number of whom are active in Rhodesian Ridgebacks and have previously awarded CCs in the Breed. The method of compilation is as follows:-
1.By 1 September each year, nominations for the list are received by the Secretary, either from members or persons applying independently.
2.Nominations are passed to the Judges Sub-Committee.
3.Approval for inclusion is determined by secret ballot by the sub-committee.
4.Allocation to a particular list depends on the person meeting the various criteria as agreed by the sub-committee
5.The list expires on 31 December of the following year.
Traditional / Old system criteria (valid until 2025)
A1 List (Breed Specialist & Non Specialist)
For persons who have previously been appointed by the Kennel Club to award CC’s in the Breed and have completed their first appointment and have the support of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Scotland.
A2 List (Breed Specialist & Non Specialist)
For persons who fulfill all the requirements of the A3 list and who have been assessed in accordance with Kennel Club requirements and are accepted by The Kennel Club for inclusion on the A2 list and have the support of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Scotland.
A3 List
Judges who are recommended by the club as being suitable to award CC’s in the Breed, but not yet been approved by the Kennel Club for inclusion on an A2 list.
Breed Specialist
1.To have a minimum of 7 years judging experience in the Breed and to have the support of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Scotland.
2.To have judged a minimum of 110 Rhodesian Ridgebacks (present in ring).
3.To have judged Rhodesian Ridgebacks at a minimum of eight open shows, including either one breed club show, two supported entry shows or one championship show without the award of CC’s, over an adequate geographical spread.
4.To have attended a seminar given by a Kennel Club Accredited Trainer and passed the relevant examination on Kennel Club Regulations and Judging Procedures.
5.To have attended a seminar given by a Kennel Club Accredited Trainer on Conformation and Movement.
6.To have attended at least one breed specific seminar run in accordance with the relevant Kennel Club Code of Best Practice and passed an examination and/or assessment where applicable.
7.To have bred and/or owned a minimum of three dogs when they obtained their first entry to the Kennel Club Stud Book (save in exceptional circumstances).
8.To have stewarded over a minimum period of three years and 12 shows.
9.To have presented for publication, knowledgeable written critiques.
Non-Specialist
1.To have a minimum of 7 years judging experience in any one breed (to include 5 years in Rhodesian Ridgebacks) and to have the support of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Scotland.
2.To have judged a minimum of 150 Rhodesian Ridgebacks (present in ring).
3.To have judged Rhodesian Ridgebacks at a minimum of eight open shows, including either one breed club show, two supported entry shows or one championship show without the award of CC’s, over an adequate geographical spread.
4.To have attended a seminar given by a Kennel Club Accredited Trainer and passed the relevant examination on Kennel Club Regulations and Judging Procedures.
5.To have awarded CC’s in at least one other breed.
6.To have bred and/or owned a minimum of three dogs of any breed when they obtained their first entry in the Kennel Club Stud Book (save in exceptional circumstances).
7.To have stewarded over a minimum period of three years and 12 shows.
8.To have presented for publication a knowledgeable written critique.
B List
Judges who have been approved by the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Scotland to judge at Shows without CC’s or Open Shows.
Breed Specialist
1.To have five years experience owning and exhibiting Rhodesian Ridgebacks and to have the support of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Scotland.
2.To have judged a minimum of 30 Rhodesian Ridgebacks (present in ring).
3.To have attended at least one breed-specific judging
4.It is desirable to have bred and/or owned a minimum of three dogs when they obtained their first entry in the Kennel Club Stud Book.
5.To have stewarded at a KC licensed show.
6.To have presented for publication a written critique.
Non-Specialist
1.To have five years experience owning and exhibiting in any one breed and to have the support of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Scotland.
2.To be on the A or B judging list of the breed in which they are principally interested.
3.To have judged a minimum of 30 Rhodesian Ridgebacks (present in ring).
4.To have attended at least one Rhodesian Ridgeback breed-specific judging seminar and passed an examination and/or assessment where applicable.
5.It is desirable to have bred and/or owned a minimum of three dogs when they obtained their first entry in the Kennel Club Stud Book.
6.To have stewarded at a KC licensed show.
7.To have presented for publication a knowledgeable written critique.
C List
For aspirant judges who have shown an interest in the breed and have the support of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Scotland.
Breed Specialist
1.To have actively exhibited in Rhodesian Ridgebacks for at least three years.
2.To have attended at least one Rhodesian Ridgeback breed-specific judging seminar and passed an examination and/or assessment where applicable.
3.To have some stewarding experience at training classes or open shows.
4.To be prepared to write knowledgeable critiques.
Non-Specialist
1.To have actively exhibited in their own breed for at least five years.
2.To have attended at least one Rhodesian Ridgeback breed-specific judging seminar and passed an examination and/or assessment where applicable.
3.To have had experience of judging their own breed.
4.To have some stewarding experience at training classes or open shows.
5.To be prepared to write knowledgeable critiques.
Judges Education Program (JEP) - new system
Level 1
Requirements to meet this level:
Minimum of five years proven interest in pedigree dogs
Attend a requirements of a dog show judge seminar (but not mandatory to take and pass examination)
Attend a conformation and movement seminar
Complete a minimum of two full-day stewarding appointments
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:
Take and pass requirements of a dog show judge examination. Judges attending an online requirements of a dog show judge seminar may take the exam via The Kennel Club Academy
Pass points of a dog assessment
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:
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are in Tier 4 / Stud book band D which is 120 dogs in the old system and 60 dogs in the JEP
Level 4
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