Level 1Beginner
When do you need to go to the ring?
The answer
Get to the ringside before your class is due, then go in when the steward calls you. For a first show, planning to check things out 20 to 30 minutes before the announced time is a practical margin, to be adapted to the organiser’s instructions.
The ring is the space where the judge examines the dogs. Your class groups the competitors in the same category, for example the males in junior class.
The aim? To be ready without turning the wait into a marathon for your dog!
Beginner — Getting your bearings
- Check the time and the ring number. Look at the organiser’s information and your exhibitor card. Careful: the show’s opening time, the start of judging and your own time are three different reference points.
- Scout the area in advance. With a margin of 20 to 30 minutes, you can find the ring entrance, get your number ready and ask how far the judging has got. This margin is organisational advice, not a general regulatory requirement.
- Introduce yourself to the steward. When they are free, give your number and class: “Hello, number 125, bitch in junior class. Where are you up to?” The steward and the secretary are responsible, among other things, for gathering the dogs by class and checking for absentees. Follow their instructions to go in.
Intermediate — Following the right signal
- Also watch what is happening in the ring. Identify the class currently being judged and ask which one comes before yours. If that one is called, get ready nearby, following the steward’s instructions.
- Finish your preparations before the call. Plan the toilet break and adjust the show lead early enough. When called, your dog and you should be able to reach the ring calmly.
- Wait without blocking the entrance. Choose a spot where you can hear the calls while leaving space for the other dogs. If yours copes badly with being close to others, keep more distance and watch the progress. The dog’s welfare remains a regulatory priority.
Advanced — Planning the whole day
- Coordinate the classes of several dogs. Note the rings and times involved. If two classes risk overlapping, tell the stewards as soon as you notice and, if possible, arrange for someone to take over the handling. Any arrangement must be confirmed on the spot.
- Prepare your dog in moderation. A few steps and a short familiar exercise may be enough before going in. Adapt this preparation to their age, condition and behaviour: no need to multiply repetitions if they are already ready.
- Check for any call-backs after judging. Before leaving, ask whether your dog has to return for a comparison or an award. The Centrale Canine (the French kennel club) explains that some competitors are called back after the class judging for the awarding of certificates and their reserves.
The trap to avoid
Being in the show venue does not mean being ready for the ring. Some organisers require arrival on site well before the judging.
For example, the regulations for the 2025 French Championship in Dijon asked for arrival at the latest one hour before the judging time. This instruction applied to that event; it is not a universal rule for getting to the rings.
The memory aid: “I find my ring, check the progress, prepare my dog… and go in when called!”