Level 1Beginner
The information you need to enter your dog
The answer
You know his favourite toy and the exact spot to scratch to make him happy… but his LOF number (the French stud book)? To enter him in a show, you will need some more administrative details!
The best approach is to get your documents ready before opening the form. Then you can copy the information in peace, without hunting for a number in the middle of the entry.
This guide covers shows in France. The fields and the documents to send vary depending on the organiser and the class chosen.
1. Details about your dog
Here is the information to prepare.
MyDogShow tip: keep your show’s entry form in front of you to check the fields requested: they can vary from one organiser to another.
| Information | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Full official name | The name on his papers, with the kennel prefix if he has one. |
| Breed and variety | The details that match your dog. |
| Sex | Male or female. |
| Date of birth | The exact date, needed to choose the class. |
| Identification | The microchip or tattoo number. |
| Stud book | The LOF number (the French stud book) or the references of the foreign stud book requested. |
| Parents | The official names of the sire and the dam, if requested. |
| Breeder | The contact details or name requested for the breeder. |
| Additional characteristics | Colour, coat type, height or weight, depending on the form. |
A small example: "Nala" may be his name at home, while his birth certificate says "Nala des Jardins du Soleil". When you enter, copy the full official name.
Beware of the two numbers: the chip identifies the dog; the LOF number relates to his pedigree registration. They are not interchangeable.
2. The owner's details
Prepare your name, full address, phone number and an email address you check regularly.
MyDogShow tip: check on your show’s entry form that every contact field requested has been filled in.
On SCC Expo (the French kennel club's online entry platform), the entry must be made by the owner, even if someone else handles the dog in the ring. The handler and the owner can therefore be two different people.
Reread your email address character by character: a small typo can make it hard to receive the documents.
3. The class and the supporting documents
To choose the class, you will need the date of birth and, in some cases, additional documents.
At an FCI international show:
- Age is calculated on the day the dog is shown.
- The working class requires a copy of the appropriate WCC certificate, proving that an admissible test has been passed.
- The champion class requires proof of a title accepted by the regulations, confirmed no later than the official closing date for entries.
A dog that does an activity does not automatically belong in the working class. Likewise, a show win is not enough to enter him in the champion class.
4. The documents to keep to hand
To prepare your entry, gather:
- the birth certificate or pedigree, for the genealogical information;
- the proof of identification, to check the microchip or tattoo number;
- the class certificates, if needed;
- any documents expressly requested by the organiser.
Having a document to hand does not mean you always have to attach it. Follow the list of documents requested for your show.
Good news for first steps: the Centrale Canine (the French kennel club) points out that confirmation is not compulsory to take part in a show. A dog with his birth certificate can start before being confirmed.
5. The papers for show day
Once the entry is done, also prepare your departure folder. The Centrale Canine recommends taking the health record with up-to-date vaccinations, the I-CAD card (the French identification database) or the passport, the birth certificate or pedigree, and the ring number.
This practical recommendation does not replace the health requirements of the event. Check the organiser's instructions to find out which documents are required in your situation.
Beginner — three tips
- Lay the documents out in front of you before you start. You will fill in the form with less hesitation.
- Copy the numbers rather than typing them from memory. Then check every digit.
- Don't guess missing information. Ask the breeder or the organiser where to find it.
Intermediate — three tips
- Create a summary sheet for your dog. Gather his official name, his birth details and his administrative references.
- Keep your contact details up to date. Check your postal address and email in particular after any change.
- Check the class at each entry. His age and the documents available may have changed.
Advanced — three tips
- Plan ahead for certificates. Check the working or champion documents before the closing date.
- For a dog registered abroad, use the exact references from his registry. Ask how to enter them if the form seems designed only for the LOF.
- Cross-check. Compare the entry summary with the dog's papers before paying.