Our shows are based on the U.K system. Dogs are judged according to the British Breed Standards. The breeds are divided in 6 Groups, being the Working, Terrier, Gundog, Toy, Utility & Hound. Each breed is divided by sex, dogs & bitches, which are then divided into 4 age classes, those for puppies (4 to 12 months), Juniors (12 to 18 months), Open (18 months to 7 years) and Veteran (7 years and over).
Anyone who becomes a member of the Society can participate as long as they own a breed which is recognized by the Kennel Club (U.K). Participating dogs must be registered with the Maltese National Canine Federation. Special arrangements are made for overseas exhibitors in this regard. All our shows are judged by British judges who are purposely invited for every show.
So how does it work?
The breeds are separated in six groups, as described above. There are also 6 groups for the Puppies and Juniors.
The classes:
Every exhibit competes in the relevant class in it's breed. For instance, a dog aged 14 months will compete in the Junior Dog class in the breed, in which other dogs aged between 12 months and not more than 18 months on the first day of the show. A 7 month old puppy bitch will compete in the Puppy Bitch class where she will be competing with other puppy bitches aged between 4 months and not more than 12 months on the first day of the show.
The winners:
The winners of the Puppy, Junior, Open and Veteran Bitch will then compete for the Best Bitch Breed. Same applies for dogs (males). The winners of Best Bitch and Best Dog will compete for the Best Of Breed. Each Best Of Breed winner represents its breed in the relevant Group for Best In Group, the winner of which competes at the end of the show for the coveted Best In Show title. The winner of the Puppy bitch class competes with the winner of puppy dog class for Best Puppy in Breed, who then represents the breed in the relevant Puppy Group for the Best Puppy In Group, which, at the end of the show, competes with the other 5 puppy group winners for Best Puppy In Show. Same goes for the Juniors, the winner of the Junior Bitch class meets the winner of the Junior Dog class for Best Junior in Breed, which then competes for the Best Junior in it's Group with the eventual winner competing with the other 5 Junior group winners for Best Junior in Show.
The winners of the Veteran Classes competes with other veterans in the same group for Best Veteran in Group and eventually for Best Veteran in Show.
Since in the past few years, the majority of the dogs competing in our shows are imported, we decided to include a class for locally bred dogs, to encourage and motivate owners who owns dogs that were bred in Malta. There are 3 Any Variety Locally Bred classes in our shows, each class hosting breeds from the groups which are being judged on the day.
So How are the dogs judged?
Each breed has a breed standard, which defines how the breed should look in terms of structure, size, coat, colour, movement etc. The judge assesses each dog individually, going over each dog to feel the structure, check the teeth, the texture of the coat and also seeing the dog on the move to asses it's movement. The judge then compares the dog with the other exhibits in the class, maybe also seeing them go round the ring together to compare movement. The judge will then choose what is in his or her opinion the dog which resembles the breed standard the most. There is no perfect dog in the World, judging is based on the opinion of the judge, and what would be the best dog under one judge won't be necessary the best one under another judge's opinion, although most winners are easily picked up by the judges constantly.
The Champion title:
A dog will gain it's Champion title after it has gained 12 points. Maximum number of points that can be gained in one show is 4 points, and this depends on the number of dogs of the same sex in the breed.
So how are Championship Points distributed? It is the Best Bitch and Best Dog (irrelevant whether it is a Puppy, Junior, Open or Veteran) in each breed that are awarded points towards the Championship.
Example 1: The winners of the Puppy Bitch, Junior Bitch, Open Bitch & Veteran Bitch competes together for the Best Bitch in Breed. The number of points awarded depends on how many bitches are entered and PRESENT at the show. So let's say there is one puppy bitch, one junior and one open, the total is 3, the Best Bitch gets 3 points. (The maximum number of points that can be gained in one show is 4). Same applies for the males. In the dogs (males) classes, there is one Junior and 1 Veteran, the Best Dog gets 2 points. then the Best Bitch will compete with the Best Dog for Best of Breed. If the Dog wins, then he will get equal number of Points as the Bitch since she gained more points then him because there were more bitches competing. If in this case the Bitch gets Best Of Breed, she will remain with the 3 points. Also, if in this case the bitch won the Best Of Breed, and it wins Best in Group or Reserve Best In Group, beating other dogs from other breeds within the same group that had more points, then she will get the same number of points of the dog or bitch in the group who had more points. So if in this case study we were talking about Pekingese, and the Pekingese that gained 3 points in it's breed beats a Pomeranian that gained 4 points in its breed because there were many, then the Pekingese takes the maximum of 4 Points. This is only for the Group and Reserves, (wins in Junior & Puppy Groups does not apply).
Example 2: A breed is only represented by one entry. The winner gets 1 Point. If it wins or gets Reserve in the Group, it gets the equal amount of the dog it beats in the same Group with the largest points gained at that show.
Some may consider this system as confusing, it's not. It has worked for many years without any problems. Some may say that for a dog in a breed that has very few dogs representing, it will take time to get the 12 points needed to gain the title. Yes, it is true, but was is any title worth if it is so easy to get? If a dog can become a Champion in just 3 shows without beating any other dog, what is the title worth in this case? Is the dog worthy of being called a Champion?
The Prizes:
Prize Cards and occasionally, Rosettes, are awarded to each winner of 1st, 2nd & 3rd place of each class, the Best Bitch and Best Dog, Best Puppy In Breed and Best Junior in Breed. Beautiful Rosettes are also awarded to the winners of the Best in Groups, Reserve Best in Groups, Best Puppy In Group and Reserve Best Puppy In Group, Best Junior in Group and Reserve Best Junior in Group.
Handling Classes:
We also have a Junior Handling class which is open for young handlers between the age of 10 to 17 years. The Junior Handler competing shall not be younger then 10 years or older than 18 years of age on the day of the show in which the local competition is being held. Once the Junior Handler reach the age of 18 years, he/she cannot continue to participate in Junior Handler classes but the points gained during that year before the 18th birthday will still count for the Junior Handler Of The Year competition for that year. The class is judged on the ability of the Junior's handling skills, rather than the dog being handled. It is also very important that the Junior Handlers are entrusted to handle breeds that they are physically able to handle and restrain, and the show organizers will have the right to order a change of dog if they deem the handler is not capable of controlling the dog being handled. This is for the safety of the other handlers and dogs.
To encourage our children to take the hobby of dog showing from an early age, we also have a Children's Class, which is open for Children between the age of 4 to 10 years.
A word of advice to the new exhibitor: No matter what, win or loose, you always take the best dog home with you........
Contact us should you require more information.
Anyone who becomes a member of the Society can participate as long as they own a breed which is recognized by the Kennel Club (U.K). Participating dogs must be registered with the Maltese National Canine Federation. Special arrangements are made for overseas exhibitors in this regard. All our shows are judged by British judges who are purposely invited for every show.
So how does it work?
The breeds are separated in six groups, as described above. There are also 6 groups for the Puppies and Juniors.
The classes:
Every exhibit competes in the relevant class in it's breed. For instance, a dog aged 14 months will compete in the Junior Dog class in the breed, in which other dogs aged between 12 months and not more than 18 months on the first day of the show. A 7 month old puppy bitch will compete in the Puppy Bitch class where she will be competing with other puppy bitches aged between 4 months and not more than 12 months on the first day of the show.
The winners:
The winners of the Puppy, Junior, Open and Veteran Bitch will then compete for the Best Bitch Breed. Same applies for dogs (males). The winners of Best Bitch and Best Dog will compete for the Best Of Breed. Each Best Of Breed winner represents its breed in the relevant Group for Best In Group, the winner of which competes at the end of the show for the coveted Best In Show title. The winner of the Puppy bitch class competes with the winner of puppy dog class for Best Puppy in Breed, who then represents the breed in the relevant Puppy Group for the Best Puppy In Group, which, at the end of the show, competes with the other 5 puppy group winners for Best Puppy In Show. Same goes for the Juniors, the winner of the Junior Bitch class meets the winner of the Junior Dog class for Best Junior in Breed, which then competes for the Best Junior in it's Group with the eventual winner competing with the other 5 Junior group winners for Best Junior in Show.
The winners of the Veteran Classes competes with other veterans in the same group for Best Veteran in Group and eventually for Best Veteran in Show.
Since in the past few years, the majority of the dogs competing in our shows are imported, we decided to include a class for locally bred dogs, to encourage and motivate owners who owns dogs that were bred in Malta. There are 3 Any Variety Locally Bred classes in our shows, each class hosting breeds from the groups which are being judged on the day.
So How are the dogs judged?
Each breed has a breed standard, which defines how the breed should look in terms of structure, size, coat, colour, movement etc. The judge assesses each dog individually, going over each dog to feel the structure, check the teeth, the texture of the coat and also seeing the dog on the move to asses it's movement. The judge then compares the dog with the other exhibits in the class, maybe also seeing them go round the ring together to compare movement. The judge will then choose what is in his or her opinion the dog which resembles the breed standard the most. There is no perfect dog in the World, judging is based on the opinion of the judge, and what would be the best dog under one judge won't be necessary the best one under another judge's opinion, although most winners are easily picked up by the judges constantly.
The Champion title:
A dog will gain it's Champion title after it has gained 12 points. Maximum number of points that can be gained in one show is 4 points, and this depends on the number of dogs of the same sex in the breed.
So how are Championship Points distributed? It is the Best Bitch and Best Dog (irrelevant whether it is a Puppy, Junior, Open or Veteran) in each breed that are awarded points towards the Championship.
Example 1: The winners of the Puppy Bitch, Junior Bitch, Open Bitch & Veteran Bitch competes together for the Best Bitch in Breed. The number of points awarded depends on how many bitches are entered and PRESENT at the show. So let's say there is one puppy bitch, one junior and one open, the total is 3, the Best Bitch gets 3 points. (The maximum number of points that can be gained in one show is 4). Same applies for the males. In the dogs (males) classes, there is one Junior and 1 Veteran, the Best Dog gets 2 points. then the Best Bitch will compete with the Best Dog for Best of Breed. If the Dog wins, then he will get equal number of Points as the Bitch since she gained more points then him because there were more bitches competing. If in this case the Bitch gets Best Of Breed, she will remain with the 3 points. Also, if in this case the bitch won the Best Of Breed, and it wins Best in Group or Reserve Best In Group, beating other dogs from other breeds within the same group that had more points, then she will get the same number of points of the dog or bitch in the group who had more points. So if in this case study we were talking about Pekingese, and the Pekingese that gained 3 points in it's breed beats a Pomeranian that gained 4 points in its breed because there were many, then the Pekingese takes the maximum of 4 Points. This is only for the Group and Reserves, (wins in Junior & Puppy Groups does not apply).
Example 2: A breed is only represented by one entry. The winner gets 1 Point. If it wins or gets Reserve in the Group, it gets the equal amount of the dog it beats in the same Group with the largest points gained at that show.
Some may consider this system as confusing, it's not. It has worked for many years without any problems. Some may say that for a dog in a breed that has very few dogs representing, it will take time to get the 12 points needed to gain the title. Yes, it is true, but was is any title worth if it is so easy to get? If a dog can become a Champion in just 3 shows without beating any other dog, what is the title worth in this case? Is the dog worthy of being called a Champion?
The Prizes:
Prize Cards and occasionally, Rosettes, are awarded to each winner of 1st, 2nd & 3rd place of each class, the Best Bitch and Best Dog, Best Puppy In Breed and Best Junior in Breed. Beautiful Rosettes are also awarded to the winners of the Best in Groups, Reserve Best in Groups, Best Puppy In Group and Reserve Best Puppy In Group, Best Junior in Group and Reserve Best Junior in Group.
Handling Classes:
We also have a Junior Handling class which is open for young handlers between the age of 10 to 17 years. The Junior Handler competing shall not be younger then 10 years or older than 18 years of age on the day of the show in which the local competition is being held. Once the Junior Handler reach the age of 18 years, he/she cannot continue to participate in Junior Handler classes but the points gained during that year before the 18th birthday will still count for the Junior Handler Of The Year competition for that year. The class is judged on the ability of the Junior's handling skills, rather than the dog being handled. It is also very important that the Junior Handlers are entrusted to handle breeds that they are physically able to handle and restrain, and the show organizers will have the right to order a change of dog if they deem the handler is not capable of controlling the dog being handled. This is for the safety of the other handlers and dogs.
To encourage our children to take the hobby of dog showing from an early age, we also have a Children's Class, which is open for Children between the age of 4 to 10 years.
A word of advice to the new exhibitor: No matter what, win or loose, you always take the best dog home with you........
Contact us should you require more information.