Ringcraft Classes Explained
Ringcraft classes are the ultimate destination to train your dog for the show ring.
To participate, your dog must not be a champion and must be KC registered.
These classes focus on preparing both your dog and you, the handler, for the show ring.
You don’t need to own the dog you train and show; it can be co-owned with someone else.
The class involves various activities, including learning in-ring terminology like “stacking” – the correct placement of your dog’s legs to show its conformation.
You’ll also be taught the ins and outs of what happens at a show and how to work seamlessly with your dog in the ring.
Trainers often include short games to enhance your progress and understanding.
At least once a month, your ringcraft will host a match night, a mini-show where dogs from the class compete against each other.
In these match nights, dogs face off one-on-one in an elimination process until only two remain: one adult and one puppy. The winners are named Best Puppy in Match and Best in Match.
Note that match nights differ from actual dog shows.
Your dog can start attending ringcraft at any age, provided it has had all its vaccinations.
There is a fee for the classes, but prices are very affordable, typically ranging from £2-£4 per dog.
If you wish to participate in the monthly match nights, there is a small additional fee, and you’ll need to fill out a form with details like the dog’s KC registered name, age, and owner.
What will I learn?
At ringcraft, you’ll learn various terms commonly used in the show ring. Here are some key examples:
Stacking: Adjusting the dog’s legs to match the breed standard’s correct conformation. When you enter the ring, you’ll need to stack your dog so the judge can evaluate its outline against the breed standard.
On the Move: After the judge views the dogs lined up in their conformation stance, they will ask all handlers to move their dogs together in a circle, typically once or twice. This allows the judge to observe the dogs’ movement.
Presenting to the Judge: After moving around the ring, handlers take turns presenting their dogs to the judge. You’ll step out of the line, stand your dog in front of the judge, and display its conformation as you did initially.
Examination of the Dog: Once the judge has viewed your dog’s conformation, they will conduct a physical examination. The judge will ask for your dog’s age and inspect its bite (teeth structure). You’ll need to show your dog’s teeth. The judge will then feel your dog’s body to assess its build. Remember not to obstruct the judge’s view; move around the front of the dog when necessary.
On the Move (Shapes): After the examination, the judge will ask you to move around the ring with your dog, following specific patterns. These shapes help the judge assess your dog’s movement from different angles. Common patterns include:
Circle: Move in a circle with the dog on your left, moving counterclockwise. This allows the judge to see the entire body and movement.
Triangle: A frequent pattern where you move in a triangular shape, giving the judge multiple angles to view the dog’s movement.
Straight Up and Down: Stand in line with the judge’s feet, then move straight up and down with your dog, finishing in a free stack. This helps the judge view the dog’s profile from the front and back.
Free Stack: A stance where the dog shows its conformation without the handler adjusting its legs. After presenting your dog to the judge, you’ll need to position it in a free stack at the back of the line, ready for the judge to evaluate the dogs once more in a lineup.
Types of shows
There are six types of dog shows: fun shows, companion shows, open shows, limited shows, premier shows, and championship shows.
Fun Shows: These are great for beginners looking to start showing their dogs. Usually held during the summer at fairs, they offer a relaxed environment where you and your dog can get used to the ring and competition setting. Judging here isn’t as stringent as in official shows, providing a stress-free introduction to the show ring.
Companion Shows: The next step up from fun shows, companion shows are judged more like real shows, but anyone can enter, and dogs don’t need to be KC registered. They are often held in similar venues as fun shows.
Open Shows: Open to any KC registered dog over six months old, open shows feature mixed classes for dogs and bitches. Typical classes include puppy (6-12 months), junior (12-18 months), postgraduate (dogs with no more than 5 first places at a championship show), and open (open to all dogs, including puppies and champions).
Limited Shows: These shows are restricted to certain competitors. No champion dogs or those that have won a CC at a championship show can enter. Limited shows often cater to specific groups or breeds. For instance, a Siberian Husky club might hold a limited show for its members only.
Premier Shows: Similar to open shows, premier shows are open to all KC registered dogs. However, they offer a greater chance to qualify for Crufts. Placing in the top four of your group (e.g., working group) at a premier show qualifies you for Crufts.
Championship Shows: These shows are the most prestigious and are open to all KC registered dogs. Dogs and bitches are judged separately, with more classes available than at other shows. Dogs compete by age or previous wins, with age calculated from the first day of the show, which typically spans several days. Each day is designated for specific groups, such as working or pastoral.
You start by competing in a breed class, with separate classes for dogs and bitches. After all dogs have competed, first-place winners return to compete for a CC (Challenge Certificate). If you win first place in one class but not another, you can’t compete for a CC as you’ve been beaten in that second class. This process is repeated for bitches.
Winners then vie for titles such as Best Puppy in Breed, Best of Breed, and Best Veteran in Breed. These winners move on to group competitions, like working or pastoral, where they compete against other best of breed winners. Group winners compete for Best in Show, Best Puppy in Show, and Best Veteran in Show.
Placing in the top three of the breed class at a championship show qualifies you for Crufts. These shows are also benched, meaning your dog has an allocated space while waiting to compete.
Entering a Show
Entry Fees: Entry fees vary based on the type of show. For open shows, fees typically range from £3 to £7 per dog. Championship shows, where CCs are available, usually cost between £25 and £30 per dog. Fees must be paid in advance, either online or by post, well before the show date.
Pack a Bag: Be sure to pack a bag of essentials for the show. This should include your show collar and lead (usually a snake chain and show lead), water, treats (anything your dog loves, like dog biscuits, cocktail sausages, cheese, or ham—the smellier, the better), a suit for the handler with appropriate, easy-to-move-in footwear, and bench chains if attending a championship show.
Terminology
Age – your dog MUST be at least 6 months of age on the first day of the show. There is no limit of the age after that.
Open Show Classes
Puppy – a dog or bitch aged between 6-12 months on the day of the show
Junior – a dog or bitch aged 12-18 months on the day of the show
Postgraduate – a dog or bitch that has won 5 or less 1st places at championship level.
Open – open to any dog or bitch including champion dogs or dogs with CC’s.
Championship Show Classes
Minor puppy dog – a dog aged 6-9 months
Minor puppy bitch – a bitch aged 6-9 months
Puppy dog – a dog aged 9-12 months
Puppy bitch – a bitch aged 9-12 months
Junior dog – a dog aged 12-18 months
Junior bitch – a bitch aged 12-18 months
yearling dog – a dog aged 12-24 months
yearling bitch – a bitch aged 12-24 months
novice dog – a dog who has not won more than 3 1st places at championship level
novice bitch – a bitch who has not won more than 3 1st places at championship level
graduate dog – a dog who has not won more than 4 1st places at championship level
graduate bitch – a bitch who has not won more than 4 1st places at championship level
post graduate dog – a dog who has not won more than 5 1st places at championship level
post graduate bitch – a bitch who has not won more than 5 1st places at championship level
limited dog – a dog that is not a show champion and has not won more than 7 1st places at championship level
limited bitch – a bitch that is not a show champion and has not won more than 7 1st places at championship level
open dog – open to all kc registered dogs on the breed register
open bitch – open to all the kc registered bitches on the breed register
AV – any variety
AVNSC – any variety not separately classified
NFC – not for competition (for dogs who are only spectators)
Awards
BIS – Best in show
BPIS – best puppy in show
BIG – best in group
BOB – best of breed
RBOB – reserve best of breed
BV – best veteran
BPIB – best puppy in breed
BB – best bitch
BD – best dog
BOS – best of sex
G1/2/3/4 – group 1/2/3/4
CC – challenge certificate (a dog that wins best dog or best bitch will receive a CC. You need three to make your dog a champion)
RCC – reserve CC (the dog that would compete in best of breed if for whatever reason the dog gaining the CC could no longer compete)
JW – junior warrant (an award gained by dogs aged 6-18 months. You need 25 points to gain one, once gained you will qualify for crufts for life. Points are gained by placing e.g. 1st place- 3 points, 2md place- 2 points, 3rd place- 1 point)
CH – champion (a dog which has gained three or more challenge certificates)
Handling Classes
In addition to breed classes that focus on your dog, there are handling classes that concentrate on you as a handler. Various types of handling classes are available, with the Young Kennel Club (YKC) handling classes being the most popular. These classes are open to participants aged 6-24 and are divided into different age groups and dog groups. For example, a 20-year-old handler with a Siberian Husky would compete in the 17-24 years working group.
The YKC offers two types of handling classes: handling and stakes. Handling classes assess the handler’s skills, while stakes classes evaluate both the handler and the dog.
Other handling classes include junior handling and adult handling, which are also categorized by age and dog groups.
Placing in the top three in YKC classes earns points: 1st place awards 30 points, 2nd place 15 points, and 3rd place 10 points. To qualify for Crufts in YKC handling and stakes, you need 30 points. In handling, you can compete with different dogs as long as they are in the same group (e.g., working group). However, in stakes, you must show the same dog and place 1st to qualify for Crufts. Points can be accumulated across multiple shows; for instance, two 2nd place finishes earning 15 points each will qualify you.
For junior and adult handling, placing in the top three can qualify you for the Handling Finals later in the year, though not all shows offer this.
All handling entry fees must be paid in advance and cannot be paid on the day of the show.
More information on showing from The Kennel Club
