Level 3Experienced
Should you favour certain dates?
Intermediate level — “I’m starting to understand”
Yes, some dates may suit your dog and your goal better. There is, however, no magic month for success at shows.
A good date leaves you time to prepare your dog, organise the travel and meet the entry conditions. Here are three tips for choosing it well.
1. Choose a date that leaves you time to prepare
Has a show just opened its entries? Before booking, look at what your dog can do today.
Can it trot steadily on the lead? Accept the examination? Hold a stack for a few moments? Rest in a busy environment?
If one point still needs work, a later date may let you arrive better prepared. Also allow the time needed for grooming suited to its breed, without rushing.
After a tiring outing, leave room for recovery and everyday life. The right gap between two shows depends on your dog, the journey and the conditions it went through.
The practical tip: start from the date you have in mind and work back through the calendar: preparation, grooming, travel and rest. If everything seems to have to be done at the last minute, look for another date.
2. Look at the season and the venue
An outdoor summer show and a winter show in a hall do not call for the same organisation.
Before entering, check:
- Whether the judging takes place indoors or outdoors.
- The options for shelter, shade and rest.
- The usual travel conditions at that time of year.
- Your availability to arrive without rushing and to cope with the wait.
When you enter, the exact weather is still unknown: above all choose a venue and an organisation that let you adapt, then check the forecast as departure approaches.
The FCI regulations require it to be announced whether an international show is indoors or outdoors. They also remind us that the dog’s welfare and health must remain the priority. [1]
The practical tip: favour conditions your dog tolerates comfortably. A date that is convenient for you must also suit your dog.
3. Check the dates that have a regulatory effect
Three benchmarks deserve your attention:
The day your dog will be shown. At FCI international shows, its age on that day determines the classes open to it. In 2026, the junior class runs from 9 months to under 18 months, and the intermediate class from 15 months to under 24 months. [1]
The closing date for entries. The entry must be made in time. The FCI regulations forbid late entries and, after the closing date, changes of class except for an administrative error by the organiser. [1]
The deadlines for the title you are after. Some titles require a minimum interval between certificates. For the C.I.B. and C.I.E. routes, check the provisions for your breed before scheduling your outings. [2]
The practical tip: note down together the judging date for your breed, the closing date for entries and your dog’s exact age. Add the title deadlines if you are working towards one.
Your little challenge
For your next outing, choose a date that meets these three conditions:
My dog will be prepared — the day will be manageable — the entry will match my goal.