Level 1Beginner
The show is full: what can you do?
The answer
You’d spotted the date, pictured your first time in the ring… and now the show says “full”.
The first thing to do: contact the organiser to find out what is really possible, then plan for another date if no place is available. A waiting list or a possible reopening must be confirmed by the organisers: they are not automatic.
“Full” before the closing date is possible
The announced deadline does not guarantee that entries will stay open until then.
MyDogShow tip: don’t wait for the deadline to enter: some organisers reserve the right to close entries earlier.
It is also worth distinguishing two situations:
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Capacity reached before the closing date | Ask the organiser whether there is a waiting list or an official possibility of reopening. |
| Closing date passed | Look for another event. The FCI regulations for international shows forbid late entries. |
| You had already paid before the “full” announcement | Check your receipt and the status of your entry before concluding that your registration has been refused. |
On SCC Expo (the French SCC’s show entry platform), the payment receipt is sent by email after payment. An unpaid basket is not a completed entry. [1]
Beginner — three simple reflexes
- Check exactly what is full. Read the notice: does it concern the show, a separate confirmation session or an option such as parking? Also note the date and day concerned.
- Ask the organiser a precise question. Use the contact details on the official page or the entry form. Give the event, your dog’s breed and the class you want, then ask whether a solution is planned. Avoid repeated chasing: one clear answer is enough to decide.
- Don’t travel hoping to enter the dog on the spot. At an FCI international show, entries after the closing date are forbidden. A dog that is not in the catalogue cannot be judged, except for an error attributable to the organising committee. This exception does not allow you to get around a full show. [2, sections 4 and 5]
Intermediate — three tips to keep a solution open
- Ask whether a waiting list really exists. If so, ask how it works: how will you be notified, how long will you have to reply and how do you complete the entry? A pending request is not an accepted entry.
- Keep your dog’s details ready. Official name, identification, stud book number and any supporting documents: a prepared file will help if the organiser announces a chance to enter before the closing date.
- Look for another show now. The Centrale Canine states that SCC Expo shows open or upcoming entries, and that its general calendar can be found under the “Manifestations” tab. Then check that the new show accepts your breed. [3]
Advanced — three tips to protect your schedule
- Don’t take over another exhibitor’s entry on your own initiative. A withdrawal does not entitle you to show your dog under someone else’s number. Ask the organisers whether an official procedure is possible; any change must be processed and approved.
- Set a date for choosing your plan B. If you are waiting for an answer, decide how long you can wait without missing the closing date of another show or incurring pointless travel costs.
- Plan ahead for future openings. For the events that matter in your season, prepare the documents and note when entries open. Once you’ve decided to take part, complete the entry without waiting for the last few days.
A short message to send
“Hello, the show on [date] is showing as full. Is there a waiting list or an official possibility of reopening before the closing date? I would like to enter [dog’s name], a [breed], in the [class] class. Thank you for your reply.”
Illustration caption: “Full? We find out more, then prepare for the next date!”