Level 1Beginner
The documents to prepare
The answer
The lead is ready, so are the treats… but where did you put the birth certificate?
To head off to a show with peace of mind, put together a folder with your dog's papers. Some are used to complete the entry, others justify a particular class or will be needed at the gate.
This guide applies to shows in France. Always check the documents required in the rules and instructions for your event.
1. The three basic documents
The Centrale Canine (the Société Centrale Canine, the French kennel club) recommends taking the following documents to a show.
| Document | What is it for? |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate or pedigree | Finding the dog’s ancestry details and official name. |
| I-CAD identification card (the French pet identification database) or passport | Checking the identification details. |
| Health record book or passport containing the health information | Showing the relevant health and vaccination details. |
Keep the two numbers clearly apart: the microchip or tattoo number identifies your dog; its stud book number relates to its ancestry.
Good news: confirmation is not compulsory to take part in a show. The Centrale Canine states that a dog can start out with its birth certificate.
The folder trick: put these documents together as soon as you enter. You will be able to check the details and get ready to leave in one place.
2. Class supporting documents, if needed
Some classes require extra proof.
In the working class, for an FCI international show, attach a copy of the appropriate WCC certificate. This document certifies that an eligible test has been passed; doing an activity with your dog is not enough.
In the champion class, provide proof of a title accepted by the rules. It must have been confirmed no later than the official closing date for entries.
These conditions appear in the "Classes" section of the FCI rules.
For a national show, check the supporting documents specified by the organiser.
3. Your entry documents
Keep the payment receipt, then add the invitation or exhibitor card as soon as it is available.
On SCC Expo (the French online show entry platform), the receipt is sent by email after a successful payment. The invitation arrives later, after entries close and a few days before the event. It is also available under "My account", then "Completed entries".
The receipt and the invitation therefore have different functions: don't assume that the first replaces the entry document.
The Centrale Canine also recommends having your running number ready. Follow the organiser's instructions to find out how to collect it.
4. If you are also applying for confirmation
For a confirmation based on parentage, the Centrale Canine asks for the dog to be shown to the judge with:
- its birth certificate;
- its I-CAD identification card;
- the parentage confirmation form.
The official Centrale Canine page, listed in the sources below, gives access to the form.
If your application concerns an imported dog or an initial registration, check the form and the documents specific to that procedure.
5. Do a final check before you leave
The recommendation to bring a record book with up-to-date vaccinations is not, on its own, the list of health requirements for all shows.
Re-read the conditions for your event, especially if your dog is coming from abroad or is in a particular situation. Check which supporting documents must be sent in with the entry and which must be shown on the day.
For the official documents required, bring the originals that are needed. Photos or scans are useful as a back-up, but do not always replace the required documents.
Beginner — three tips
- Prepare a dedicated folder. Gather together the dog's papers and the show documents.
- Check the name and identification. Make sure each document relates to the dog that has been entered.
- Do your check the day before. You will have time to track down a missing paper.
Intermediate — three tips
- Keep a legible digital copy. Photograph the documents in full, without cutting off the numbers.
- Save the invitation offline. You will be able to open it even if the signal at the venue is poor.
- Check the attachments after entering. Don't assume that a document used previously has been sent for this new event.
Advanced — three tips
- Plan ahead for class certificates. Check their eligibility and availability before entries close.
- Create a folder for each dog. If you have several entries, this limits the exchange of documents.
- Archive any special instructions. Keep the organiser's replies about your supporting documents together with the entry.