Level 3Experienced
Individual awards: what can your dog win?
The answer
A pretty rosette, a cup, a card bearing a few letters… At a dog show, not every award means the same thing. Some salute a result on the day; others can count towards a championship title.
Here are the key points for French and FCI international shows.
Certificates: awards with specific conditions
| Award | What it means |
|---|---|
| CACS | Certificat d’Aptitude de Conformité au Standard (certificate of aptitude for conformity to the standard): a French national certificate. |
| CACS-J / CACS-V | The French certificates for juniors and veterans respectively. |
| CACIB | The FCI's Certificate of Aptitude for the International Beauty Championship. |
| CACIB-J / CACIB-V | The international certificates for juniors and veterans respectively. |
| RCACS / RCACIB | The reserves for the corresponding certificates. They result from a specific award by the judge. |
A reserve is therefore not simply a second place in the class.
For the French CACS, the classes that can compete are intermediate, open and working. For the CACIB, the champion class is added to these classes.
The CACIB requires a 1st Excellent, but this result does not guarantee it will be awarded. The same principle applies to the Junior and Veteran CACIB, in their respective classes. There is no CACIB-J or CACIB-V reserve.
Awards that distinguish a dog within its breed
Two abbreviations come up often:
BOB — Best of Breed. The dog selected as the best of its breed or of the variety judged, among the eligible competitors.
BOS — Best Opposite Sex. If the BOB is a male, the BOS rewards a female; if the BOB is a female, it rewards a male.
Distinctions such as Best Junior, Best Veteran, Best Puppy or Best Baby may also be offered, depending on the regulations and the schedule.
A scene to help you understand
Imagine Oslo coming back from the ring with:
- 1st Excellent: its placing and its grade.
- CACIB: an international certificate.
- BOB: the Best of Breed distinction.
These mentions tell of three different results. To announce them clearly, it's best to keep them all!
A certificate isn't enough to become a champion
A CACS or a CACIB can contribute to a title, but a championship title has its own conditions and requires confirmation.
Likewise, cups, medals and rosettes are physical awards: whether they are given out depends on the organiser. The official result is the information to keep.
Three tips to make the most of your results
Beginner — Decode your card before you leave. Ask the ring secretary to explain each abbreviation. You will then be able to announce the result without forgetting a distinction.
Intermediate — Keep a complete record. Photograph the card and note the date, the show, the class and the judge. A small, well-kept file saves you having to look this information up later.
Advanced — Start from the title you are working towards. Check its official conditions before choosing your next shows: the certificates required and the requirements can vary depending on the title and the breed.