JEP Requirements

The new stud book bands are effective between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2025 and will be reviewed in 2026 and then at four-yearly intervals. Please Note that from 2022 it is confirmed that the Great Dane will be in Stud Book Band D. This means 1st/2nd/3rd Open Class and 1st Limit Class are stud book qualifiers

Judges should be aware that following this reclassification, a judge may only judge a maximum of 3 classes of the breed at Open shows unless they are included on a Great Dane breed club's Level 2 JEP List or Traditional B List.

On advice from the KC for all aspiring judges when filling in your CV updates or Judges application…. PLEASE BE AWARE

A dog may not be counted if it stands alone in its class, and neither may the class be counted, unless there are 2 or more classes containing one or more dogs. Eg. 3 separate classes containing one dog each may be counted as being judged
A class may only be counted if it has had at least 1 dog present
A dog may not be counted if the dog has been judged in a previous class

Judges' Education Programme (Breed Shows) QUALIFICATIONS

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.

Criteria judged in each level

Level 1

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

Level 2

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

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

Award Challenge Certificates in the respective breed

Any variety classes, groups and Best in Show at open and limited shows

Judges are reminded that on accepting an appointment they must ensure that their name is included on a relevant breed council/club judges list or that they meet the appropriate level of the JEP. In the case of the latter, judges are asked to keep records to support their JEP level.

Criteria/Qualifications/Requirements for each level

LEVEL 1

Eligibility to judge

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

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 appointment

LEVEL 2

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

Requirements to meet this level First breed:

Attend and pass requirements of a dog show judge examination

Attend and 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

LEVEL 3

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

Requirements to meet this level:

Attend and pass requirements of a dog show judge examination

Attend and 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

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 stud book band:

Tier 1 – 15 dogs

Tier 2 – 20 dogs

Tier 3 – 35 dogs

Tier 4 – 60 dogs (GREAT DANE)…….. or 120 on traditional route

Tier 5 – 90 dogs

Tier 6 – 125 dogs

LEVEL 4 CC JUDGE

Eligibility to judge

Award Challenge Certificates in the respective breed

Any variety classes, groups and best in show at open and limited shows

Requirements to meet this level:

Attend and pass a breed-specific assessment BSA for the specific breed, organised and run by The Kennel Club (NB This is extra to a BAD or Breed Club Assessment) To be included in a BSA contact the BCJEP coordinator Mrs Sheena Booth

Have seven years' experience judging their own breed

Have attended the requirements of a dog show judge seminar delivered by a Kennel Club accredited trainer, and passed the relevant examination on The Kennel Club regulations and judging procedures.

Have attended the points of the dog assessment conducted by a Kennel Club accredited trainer and passed.

Have attended a seminar delivered by a Kennel Club accredited trainer on conformation and movement.

Have bred and/or owned a minimum of three dogs when they obtained their first entry in The Kennel Club stud book (save in exceptional circumstances)

Have stewarded over a minimum of 12 days at shows (open or championship shows only)

Breed clubs, societies and councils will also have their own criteria that judges are expected to achieve should they wish to be recommended. Please contact them for more information.

Please note that if you are presently on an A3 list for a breed and will have awarded CCs in the breed before 31 December 2021, then you will transition to JEP Level 4 once the appointment has been completed.

If you are still on the A3 list by 31 December 2021, then you will transition to JEP Level 3 provided you meet all the KC requirements. To progress to JEP Level 4 (awarding CCs) you will only need to take and pass a Breed Specific Assessment organized by the KC.

Alternatively, it may be that you might be able to proceed from the present judging system’s A3 List to the A2 List before 31 December 2021. If your application is successful, you would transition to JEP Level 4For new judges replacing traditional route.

For new judges replacing traditional route. For information regarding mentoring/grandfathering and any other JEP questions please contact Mrs Sheena Booth the Great Dane Breed Council Breed Education Coordinator HERE

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