Level 1Beginner
Can you change class?
The answer
Did you enter your dog in open class, and now you'd rather have the intermediate class? A change may be possible before the closing date, depending on the show's arrangements. After the closing date, you generally can no longer freely change your choice.
The right habit: act as soon as you spot a mistake or want to change your entry.
Before the closing date: how do you go about it?
Your dog must meet the conditions of the new class: age on the day of judging, a confirmed title or a working certificate if needed.
On SCC Expo (the entry platform of the Société Centrale Canine, the French kennel club), for a class change at the same price, the SCC gives this route:
Mon compte → Engagements terminés → Modifier.
On CEDIA (a French show entry platform), a change request lets you select the dog, then the “Change of class” option. The change is then subject to confirmation; an extra payment may be requested. A request that has been sent is therefore not yet a validated change.
Example: Oslo will be 20 months old on the day of judging. The owner wants to move from open to intermediate. They can request this change within the deadline, since the dog meets the age condition.
After the closing date: what are the limits?
For FCI international shows, the regulations forbid transferring from one class to another after the closing date, except in the case of an administrative error by the organising committee.
This distinguishes two situations:
- You had correctly chosen the intermediate class, but the organiser recorded the open class: report the error with your proof of entry.
- You chose the open class yourself and now want to change: that is not the administrative exception provided for by the FCI.
A champion title confirmed only after the closing date doesn't allow you to claim a transfer to the champion class on that basis either.
Can you ask the judge on the day of the show?
The judge cannot change your class at your request. The 2025 French Championship regulations state this expressly. Matters concerning the entry must be dealt with through the organisation.
A special case: the working class
The Société Centrale Canine (SCC) states that a dog entered in working class without a certificate obtained before the last closing date will be moved to open class. This is a correction of eligibility, not a general option to change your mind after the closing date.
Three tips to improve
Beginner — Re-read your confirmation straight away. Check the dog's name, the judging date and the class. A mistake spotted early is easier to sort out.
Intermediate — Keep proof of the change. Keep the validation email or the updated entry. Check that the new class appears on it.
Advanced — Allow for processing times. CEDIA generally quotes one to two working days, sometimes longer if a supplement is needed. Avoid making a last-minute request.