UKC CHAMPIONSHIP 100 points; Points won under at least three different judges; Three times awarded Best Male/Female under three different judges
Point Schedule: First in each class 5 points Best Male/Female 10 points Best Male/Female of Variety 8 points Best of Winners 12 points
UKC GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP Five Champion of Champions class wins (at least three entered in class) Won at five different shows under three different judges
CLASSES & JUDGING
Belgian Shepherd Dogs that are not UKC Champions of Records may compete in one of the following classes: Puppy—6 months to 1 year of age; Junior—1 year to 2 years of age; Senior—2 years to 3 years of age; Adult—3 years of age and over; Breeder Handler—6 months of age and over—One of the breeders on record at UKC, or a member of the breeders of records’ immediate family (spouse, parent, step-parent, child, step-child, brother, sister) must handle the dog. These classes are offered for each sex in each of the four varieties—Groenendael, Laekenois, Malinois and Tervueren.
Belgian Shepherd Dogs that are UKC Champions of Record may compete in the Champions class. This class is comprised of champions of both sexes and all four varieties.
Belgian Shepherd Dogs that have earned the UKC title of Grand Champion may compete in the Grand Champion class. This class is comprised of grand champions of both sexes and all four varieties.
Best of Breed Competition is comprised of the Best of Winners and the winners of the Champion and Grand Champion classes.
RULES AND REGULATIONS For official rules and regulations and registration information contact the United Kennel Club, Inc., 100 East Kilgore Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49001-5598; 269/343-9020; Fax 269/343-7037 www.ukcdogs.com
1. All dogs must be UKC registered in order to compete in all classes at this show with the exception of Elder Sweepstakes. 2. Food or bait is allowed in the ring with judge’s permission only. Anyone found to be carrying food or bait without permission may be excused. 3. No “double handling” is allowed. This is defined as a person outside the ring trying to catch the attention of the dog being shown by noises, toys, etc. 4. No professional handlers are allowed to show dogs. This is defined as a person who shows dogs for a livelihood or for monetary gain. Handlers may show dogs owned by them. 5. No grooming in the ring. 6. No harnesses or pinch collars. 7. Any dog behaving in an aggressive manner towards people or other dogs, in or out of the ring, will be expelled from the showgrounds. 8. Belgian Shepherd Dogs will be judged using assisted animation as the judge directs. The judge will determine when the animation will take place, where the dog is to be, and how long the activity will last. Dogs will be animated individually to allow the judge to critique the dog completely. The dog may be held by the handler while one person, designated by the handler, enters the ring and moves, calls to the dog, makes noises, etc. to animate the dog. Or, the designated assistant (or ring steward) may be asked to hold the dog’s lead while the handler animates it. The judge may ask the animator to move in order to improve the view of the dog, or to tone down excessive noise or motion on the part of the animator. The dog is not to be stacked by hand or posed during this portion of the presentation. No additional persons should enter the ring or engage in animation activities. The dog will not be physically examined or gaited when being held by the assistant.
The judge will critique each dog presented. Each will be rated against the breed standard, receiving a rating of “excellent,” “very good,” “acceptable,” or “not rated” (in the case of disqualified or excused entries). Each exhibitor will receive a copy of the written critique of the dog. The critiques will be published in the Belgian Beacon (UBSDA’s newsletter) and some may be published in Bloodlines.
RATINGS Excellent: While recognizing that no dog is without faults or weaknesses, dogs receiving this rating should be of utmost quality overall and possess many fine attributes according to the UKC standard. Very Good: Dogs receiving this rating may be otherwise excellent dogs in poor condition, dogs with some fine attributes but lacking quality in some area(s), dogs of good type, construction, and character but not outstanding, or dogs with a major fault that mars an otherwise excellent specimen. Dogs rated very good may receive a first place in their class, but generally should not receive Championship points at that show. Judges may withhold points and/or ribbons at their discretion. Acceptable: These are dogs that are adequate, marred by faults and/or lacking in quality, or dogs that are of incorrect, inadequate type. Dogs rated acceptable should not receive a first place ribbon and should not earn points at that show. The ribbon and points should be withheld if it is the only rating given in the class. The judge may give a single entry second place in the class of one or withhold all ribbons. Not Rated: Dogs so lacking in breed type that they appear to be of questionable or mixed breed heritage, or dogs who are excused or disqualified. These dogs should receive no rating or placements.
Note: Each rating may be modified by a plus (+) or minus (–) to further indicate the relative quality of the dog.