Level 1Beginner
Ring, class, catalogue, number: the illustrated glossary
The answer
“Find your number in the catalogue and report to the ring for your class.”
Does that sentence sound complicated? With four definitions, you'll know exactly what to do!
The ring: where you show your dog
The ring is the marked-out area where the judge examines the dogs, standing and moving.
A show may have several rings. Find the one for your dog using the organiser's information or the staff on site.
Example: “Report to ring 4” tells you a place, not a position in the results.
In the illustration: the dog and its handler are in the judging area.
FCI — Dog Show Regulations, page 17, section “Ring management and assistants” (PDF, in French).
The class: the entry category
The class is the category your dog competes in. It depends mainly on its age and, for some classes, on specific titles or results.
The words Junior, Intermediate or Open therefore refer to official categories. They have nothing to do with your level of experience as a handler.
Example: you can start showing with a dog entered in Open class, if it meets the conditions.
In the illustration: several dogs are gathered to be judged in the same class.
MyDogShow tip: before entering your dog, check the classes offered and their conditions in the rules of the show you have chosen.
The catalogue: the list of participants
The catalogue lists the dogs entered in the show. Among other things, it lets you find their number and their entry category.
Its layout and the way you access it may vary. Follow the organiser's instructions to get to it.
Example: you look for your dog in the section for its breed, then check its class and its number.
In the illustration: the booklet represents the list of entered dogs.
The number: your dog's identifier
The catalogue number identifies your dog at this show. The handler wears it visibly during judging so the ring team can spot it.
An armband or a number clip can be handy.
Example: “Number 128!” means the dog entered under that number is being called. It doesn't mean it's the 128th to go in, or that it scored 128!
In the illustration: the armband shows the made-up number 128.
One sentence, four pointers
Let's take this made-up example: “Oslo, Junior class, number 128, ring 4.”
| Information | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Ring 4 | Where to go |
| Junior class | Which category Oslo competes in |
| Catalogue | Where to find Oslo's entry |
| Number 128 | Which number to wear and listen for when numbers are called |
Beginner: finding the essential information
- Write down the ring, the class and the number. Keep these three details easy to reach.
- Find your ring as soon as you arrive. That way you won't be hunting for it at the last minute.
- Fix your number on before you go in. Check it stays clearly visible when you move.
Intermediate: becoming more independent
- Check the entry in the catalogue. Tell the staff about any difference concerning your dog or its class.
- Follow how the judging is progressing. Other dogs being in your ring doesn't mean your class has started.
- Check the class at every entry. Your dog is growing and its eligibility conditions can change.
Advanced: organising several presentations
- Prepare a summary for each dog. Clearly link each number to its class and ring.
- Change number between two dogs. Do a check before each entry.
- Plan ahead for back-to-back classes. If there's a problem, warn the teams concerned early enough.
These nine tips are practical suggestions; how numbers are handed out and how the catalogue can be consulted depend on the organiser.