Level 1Beginner
The different entry periods
The answer
“First closing date”, “second rate”, “final closing date”… At first glance, a show’s calendar can seem complicated.
The key point: one deadline may announce a price increase, while another marks the end of entries. Here is how to tell them apart so you can enter your dog with peace of mind.
This guide covers shows in France. The dates and arrangements are specific to each event.
1. Entries open: you can sign up
This is when the organiser starts receiving entries.
As soon as the entry form is available, take a few minutes to check the date of judging, the right class for your dog, the supporting documents and the announced deadlines.
The good habit: put the dates in your diary before putting the entry off until later.
2. The first rate: the best-value period
Some shows offer a first price until a set date. After that deadline, entries are still possible, but the amount goes up.
MyDogShow tip: when a show offers two price periods, compare them: the gap between the first and the second rate can be around ten euros for a single dog, excluding options and extra fees.
A “first closing date” can therefore mean the end of the first rate, without being the final closing of entries.
3. The second rate: still in time, but more expensive
After the first deadline, a higher rate may apply until the final closing date.
MyDogShow tip: note every deadline of this kind for your show, as in this example calendar:
| Milestone | Announced date |
|---|---|
| End of the first rate by post | 1 November 2026, date of postmark counts. |
| Change of rate online | 1 November 2026 at midnight. |
| Announced final closing date | 20 November 2026; for postal entries, date of receipt. |
These dates apply only to this event. Check the deadlines for your show and your method of entry.
4. The final closing date: your entry must be complete
For FCI international shows, late entries after the closing date are not allowed. The regulations also require the file to be fully completed and the fees to be paid.
On SCC Expo (the French kennel club’s online entry platform), filling in the form or preparing the basket is not enough: your dog is only entered once payment has been validated. You then receive a receipt by email.
Example: you prepare your basket on Monday, then forget to pay before the closing date on Tuesday. The dog is not entered simply because their details were typed in.
5. Post and online: read the note after the date
For a postal entry, two wordings deserve your attention:
- “Date of postmark counts”: the date of posting is the reference.
- “Date of receipt”: the file must have reached its destination within the stated deadline.
MyDogShow tip: the same entry form can use both wordings for different deadlines. Posting the file on the last day is therefore not enough when receipt is required by that date.
For online entries, check the announced cut-off time and complete payment with some margin.
6. What if an extension is announced?
Don’t count on an extension to get organised. Until a new deadline is officially published by the organiser or on its entry platform, keep the announced date as your reference.
If an extension is published, re-read its conditions: new date, applicable rate and procedures concerned. Don’t assume it automatically postpones all the other deadlines.
At an FCI international show, changing class after the closing date remains prohibited, except in the case of an administrative error by the organiser. The titles giving access to the champion class must also be validated within the regulatory deadline.
Beginner — three tips
- Set two reminders. One before the end of the first rate, the other before the final closing date.
- Pay with some margin. A connection or bank card problem will be easier to sort out.
- Check the receipt. On SCC Expo, it is expected after a successful payment.
Intermediate — three tips
- Spot the postal rule. Posting and receipt do not mean the same thing.
- Compare the saving from the first rate. It can become worthwhile across several entries.
- Check the official page before confirming. Verify the dates and instructions currently displayed.
Advanced — three tips
- Track the deadlines separately. Rate, entry, supporting documents and any changes may need separate checks.
- Plan ahead for titles and certificates. Don’t let a pending document jeopardise your planned class.
- Archive your entry. Keep the regulations, the summary and the receipt so you can find the applicable conditions.