United Belgian Shepherd Dog Association
UKC Special Exhibition &
Judging Procedures for Belgian Shepherd Dogs Only.
UKC provides Belgian Shepherd Dogs the opportunity to be shown one of three ways at UKC
Licensed Conformation Shows. This is in keeping with the traditional exhibition procedure in the
breed’s country of origin. The United Belgian Shepherd Dog Association may specify to clubs hosting
their breed, which method they prefer to be used for their breed. While use of the preferred method
is not mandatory, UKC hopes that UBSDA’s wishes will be considered. However, the manner in
which they are shown is determined by the host club.
A. Types of exhibition.
1. Customary Exhibition procedure.
2. Assisted Animation/Critique Procedure (AA/CP), Long Form.
3. Assisted Animation/Critique Procedure (AA/CP) Short Form.
B. Customary Exhibition Procedure. Standard conformation procedure, i.e., handler poses dog
for examination and gaits the dog in a prescribed pattern as directed by the judge. Eligible handler
exhibits the entry without assistance from a third party.
C. Assisted Animation and Critique Procedure.
1. Judges will utilize “assisted animation” (for no more than three minutes per dog) to assess
expression, carriage, etc., at some time during the judging of each dog in each class.
2. “Assisted Animation” is defined as follows:
Assisted Animation involves two people. One is a designated handler, who holds the dog’s lead and
makes no attempt to stack or animate the dog. The other being the person who stands away from the
dog, but does not leave the ring, and attempts to animate the dog by calling to it or making noises.
During the Judge’s individual appraisal of each dog, the dog will be held by the designated handler.
3. The designated handler may be:
a. The primary handler of the dog (i.e. - the person noted on the official UKC entry
form as the handler of the dog); or
b. An alternate - a person other than the primary handler. This could be the steward
or any other capable person designated by the primary handler.
4. While the dog is being held by the designated handler, the other person performs the assisted
animation, and the Judge appraises it. This allows the Judge to see the expression, carriage, and
natural stance of the dog more clearly. The designated handler is to use discretion and common sense
during the procedure.
5. All regular UKC Official Dog Show Rules apply to this portion of the judging. Baiting with
squeakers, toys or food is entirely at the Judge’s discretion.
6. The actual hands-on examination and gaiting of the dog are to be done only while the primary
handler is in control of the dog, not during the assisted animation portion of the judging. Exhibitors
and spectators outside the ring are not, under any circumstances, to engage in animation activities.
This is considered “double-handling” and is forbidden under the UKC Rules and Regulations.
7. A suggested procedural guideline follows:
a. The dogs for each class are brought into the ring. This may be in catalog order, or an
alternate order, at the Judge’s discretion.
b. The Judge will examine each dog in line for bite, dentition, temperament, etc.
c. One at a time, each dog is brought out of line for its assisted animation evaluation. At no
time during the assisted animation portion of the judging should the Judge attempt to physically
examine (touch, hands-on) or evaluate the dog’s gait.
d. When the Judge is ready to proceed to the movement evaluation portion, the primary
handler will return to the dog, if a designated handler has been used. If not, the person who was
performing the assisted animation will leave the ring. The primary handler will then move the dog
as directed by the Judge.
e. When the individual evaluations are complete, the Judge may choose to see some or all of
the class animated in order to finalize their decisions regarding placements. At this time, the Judge
may choose to animate the dog themselves or ask a steward to do so. They may ask for individual
dogs to be animated again using the assisted animation format, but this is not encouraged because of
the amount of time involved.
D. Rating System/Critiques.
1. Judges will use a rating system and provide individual written critiques on each dog. The rating
system includes: Excellent (EX), Very Good (VG), Acceptable (AC), and Non-Rated (NR).
United Kennel Club will provide uniform critique forms for a nominal fee.
2. Ratings are separate from the usual UKC placements and point allotments. The ratings may be
published by the Host Clubs in their individual newsletters.
3. Ratings are purely the Judge’s opinion of the dog on that day. The rating is given to each animal as
it is assessed against the ideal described in the breed standards, not against the other dogs in its class.
4. Any or all of the ratings may be given in any one class. For example, one class may consist entirely
of dogs rated Very Good or Acceptable. Another class may have two Excellents, one Very Good, and
one Acceptable. Another class may have every dog rated Excellent.
5. While awarding placements, the Judge may provide verbal explanations for the order of
placement to the exhibitor and/or public, but is not required to do so. At Multi-Breed shows, this
practice should only occur if time permits.
E. Definition of Ratings. Each rating may be modified by a plus (+) or minus (-) to further indicate
the relative quality of the dogs.
1. Excellent (EX). 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
breed standard.
2. Very Good (VG). Dogs receiving this rating may be:
a. Otherwise Excellent dogs in poor condition;
b. Dogs with some fine attributes, but lacking in quality in some area(s);
c. Dogs of good type, construction, and character, but not outstanding; or,
*d. Dogs with a major fault which mars an otherwise Excellent specimen.
Dogs rated Very Good may receive a first place award in their class, but it should be noted
that this will award the dog class points for this win. In general only dogs that are rated excellent
should receive Championship points at that show. If the Judge withholds the points, the ribbon, and
any award/trophy, are not to be given.
3. Acceptable (AC). Dogs receiving this rating may be:
a. Dogs that are adequate, marred by faults, and/or lacking in quality;
b. 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 in a class second place in a class of one, or withhold all ribbons.
4. Not Rated (NR). Dogs receiving this rating may be:
a. So lacking in breed type that they appear to be of mixed-breed heritage, and should receive
no rating and class placement;
b. Dogs that are excused or disqualified.
5. A dog rated lower than others in its class cannot place above them. For example, a dog rated Very
Good may not receive a third place when a dog rated Excellent is placed fourth in the same class.
6. While awarding placements, the Judge may provide verbal explanations for the order of the
placements to the exhibitors and/or public, but is not required or expected to do so.
F. Written Critiques.
1. The Judge is encouraged to comment on all portions of the form, but due to time constraints and
large entries, they may elect to summarize portions. (Examples: “An exceptional dog in body,
angulation and character, whose round eyes detract from an otherwise excellent head piece.” -or- “A
dog of lovely color and character that is otherwise terribly lacking in breed type, particularly in that
is long in body, short on leg, and heavy in head.”)
2. Judges must not be too general to the extent that they provide little information to the exhibitor
for educational purposes, nor information about their own judging. (Example: “Dog has good type
and character, with a nice head.”)
3. Whenever possible, the Judge should attempt to explain the best and worst features of each dog.
For example, under “Head” on the form, one might write “excellent.” but it would be advisable to
include additional details such as “correct planes, well-chiseled, nice length of muzzle.” Or, instead of
just listing “ears” as “OK,” it would be better stated as “well set, too long.”
4. The Judge must indicate the rating given to each dog on the area indicated on the Critique Form.
UKC Special Exhibition &
Judging Procedures for Belgian Shepherd Dogs Only.
UKC provides Belgian Shepherd Dogs the opportunity to be shown one of three ways at UKC
Licensed Conformation Shows. This is in keeping with the traditional exhibition procedure in the
breed’s country of origin. The United Belgian Shepherd Dog Association may specify to clubs hosting
their breed, which method they prefer to be used for their breed. While use of the preferred method
is not mandatory, UKC hopes that UBSDA’s wishes will be considered. However, the manner in
which they are shown is determined by the host club.
A. Types of exhibition.
1. Customary Exhibition procedure.
2. Assisted Animation/Critique Procedure (AA/CP), Long Form.
3. Assisted Animation/Critique Procedure (AA/CP) Short Form.
B. Customary Exhibition Procedure. Standard conformation procedure, i.e., handler poses dog
for examination and gaits the dog in a prescribed pattern as directed by the judge. Eligible handler
exhibits the entry without assistance from a third party.
C. Assisted Animation and Critique Procedure.
1. Judges will utilize “assisted animation” (for no more than three minutes per dog) to assess
expression, carriage, etc., at some time during the judging of each dog in each class.
2. “Assisted Animation” is defined as follows:
Assisted Animation involves two people. One is a designated handler, who holds the dog’s lead and
makes no attempt to stack or animate the dog. The other being the person who stands away from the
dog, but does not leave the ring, and attempts to animate the dog by calling to it or making noises.
During the Judge’s individual appraisal of each dog, the dog will be held by the designated handler.
3. The designated handler may be:
a. The primary handler of the dog (i.e. - the person noted on the official UKC entry
form as the handler of the dog); or
b. An alternate - a person other than the primary handler. This could be the steward
or any other capable person designated by the primary handler.
4. While the dog is being held by the designated handler, the other person performs the assisted
animation, and the Judge appraises it. This allows the Judge to see the expression, carriage, and
natural stance of the dog more clearly. The designated handler is to use discretion and common sense
during the procedure.
5. All regular UKC Official Dog Show Rules apply to this portion of the judging. Baiting with
squeakers, toys or food is entirely at the Judge’s discretion.
6. The actual hands-on examination and gaiting of the dog are to be done only while the primary
handler is in control of the dog, not during the assisted animation portion of the judging. Exhibitors
and spectators outside the ring are not, under any circumstances, to engage in animation activities.
This is considered “double-handling” and is forbidden under the UKC Rules and Regulations.
7. A suggested procedural guideline follows:
a. The dogs for each class are brought into the ring. This may be in catalog order, or an
alternate order, at the Judge’s discretion.
b. The Judge will examine each dog in line for bite, dentition, temperament, etc.
c. One at a time, each dog is brought out of line for its assisted animation evaluation. At no
time during the assisted animation portion of the judging should the Judge attempt to physically
examine (touch, hands-on) or evaluate the dog’s gait.
d. When the Judge is ready to proceed to the movement evaluation portion, the primary
handler will return to the dog, if a designated handler has been used. If not, the person who was
performing the assisted animation will leave the ring. The primary handler will then move the dog
as directed by the Judge.
e. When the individual evaluations are complete, the Judge may choose to see some or all of
the class animated in order to finalize their decisions regarding placements. At this time, the Judge
may choose to animate the dog themselves or ask a steward to do so. They may ask for individual
dogs to be animated again using the assisted animation format, but this is not encouraged because of
the amount of time involved.
D. Rating System/Critiques.
1. Judges will use a rating system and provide individual written critiques on each dog. The rating
system includes: Excellent (EX), Very Good (VG), Acceptable (AC), and Non-Rated (NR).
United Kennel Club will provide uniform critique forms for a nominal fee.
2. Ratings are separate from the usual UKC placements and point allotments. The ratings may be
published by the Host Clubs in their individual newsletters.
3. Ratings are purely the Judge’s opinion of the dog on that day. The rating is given to each animal as
it is assessed against the ideal described in the breed standards, not against the other dogs in its class.
4. Any or all of the ratings may be given in any one class. For example, one class may consist entirely
of dogs rated Very Good or Acceptable. Another class may have two Excellents, one Very Good, and
one Acceptable. Another class may have every dog rated Excellent.
5. While awarding placements, the Judge may provide verbal explanations for the order of
placement to the exhibitor and/or public, but is not required to do so. At Multi-Breed shows, this
practice should only occur if time permits.
E. Definition of Ratings. Each rating may be modified by a plus (+) or minus (-) to further indicate
the relative quality of the dogs.
1. Excellent (EX). 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
breed standard.
2. Very Good (VG). Dogs receiving this rating may be:
a. Otherwise Excellent dogs in poor condition;
b. Dogs with some fine attributes, but lacking in quality in some area(s);
c. Dogs of good type, construction, and character, but not outstanding; or,
*d. Dogs with a major fault which mars an otherwise Excellent specimen.
Dogs rated Very Good may receive a first place award in their class, but it should be noted
that this will award the dog class points for this win. In general only dogs that are rated excellent
should receive Championship points at that show. If the Judge withholds the points, the ribbon, and
any award/trophy, are not to be given.
3. Acceptable (AC). Dogs receiving this rating may be:
a. Dogs that are adequate, marred by faults, and/or lacking in quality;
b. 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 in a class second place in a class of one, or withhold all ribbons.
4. Not Rated (NR). Dogs receiving this rating may be:
a. So lacking in breed type that they appear to be of mixed-breed heritage, and should receive
no rating and class placement;
b. Dogs that are excused or disqualified.
5. A dog rated lower than others in its class cannot place above them. For example, a dog rated Very
Good may not receive a third place when a dog rated Excellent is placed fourth in the same class.
6. While awarding placements, the Judge may provide verbal explanations for the order of the
placements to the exhibitors and/or public, but is not required or expected to do so.
F. Written Critiques.
1. The Judge is encouraged to comment on all portions of the form, but due to time constraints and
large entries, they may elect to summarize portions. (Examples: “An exceptional dog in body,
angulation and character, whose round eyes detract from an otherwise excellent head piece.” -or- “A
dog of lovely color and character that is otherwise terribly lacking in breed type, particularly in that
is long in body, short on leg, and heavy in head.”)
2. Judges must not be too general to the extent that they provide little information to the exhibitor
for educational purposes, nor information about their own judging. (Example: “Dog has good type
and character, with a nice head.”)
3. Whenever possible, the Judge should attempt to explain the best and worst features of each dog.
For example, under “Head” on the form, one might write “excellent.” but it would be advisable to
include additional details such as “correct planes, well-chiseled, nice length of muzzle.” Or, instead of
just listing “ears” as “OK,” it would be better stated as “well set, too long.”
4. The Judge must indicate the rating given to each dog on the area indicated on the Critique Form.
