Knowing when to enter your dog

The right moment to click “Register”

Entries are open and you feel like taking part. Should you enter your dog straight away or wait a little longer?

To decide, look at three things: his preparation, the conditions of entry and the closing date. An entry may be administratively possible without the outing being right for your partnership yet.

1. Seeing whether your dog is ready for the day

Your dog doesn’t need a perfect presentation to begin with. It is better, though, if he has gradually got to know the situations he will meet.

Ask yourself a few questions:

• Can he walk beside you in a busy environment?
• Does he accept a gentle examination by someone else?
• Is he able to settle during a wait?
• How does he cope with travel and being close to other dogs?

These observations are not an entrance exam. They help you prepare an experience he can cope with.

If he is regularly overwhelmed by these situations, give yourself more time to prepare. A show shouldn’t be used to confront him suddenly with all his difficulties.

2. Checking that this outing has a purpose

Before paying, finish this sentence:

“I’m entering my dog in this show to…”

Discovering the ring, trying out a better-prepared presentation, getting an assessment or moving forward on a particular path: each of these answers can justify an outing.

“Because entries close tomorrow” describes a deadline, not a goal!

You can also wait for a more suitable date if the travel, the budget or your availability make the day too complicated.

3. Working out his age on the day of the show

At FCI CACIB shows, the age that counts is the dog’s age on the day he is shown, not the day of entry. [1]

A few reference points from the FCI regulations:

This table is an extract: other classes exist and some require supporting documents. Always check the conditions that apply to the event you have chosen. [1]

Example: your dog is eight months old when you fill in the form, but will have completed nine months on the day he is shown. Under this FCI framework, he then falls into the Junior class rather than Puppy.

4. Not confusing confirmation with taking part

In France, the Centrale Canine (the French kennel club) states that confirmation is not compulsory in order to take part in an international show, provided the other conditions of admission are met. [2]

Confirmation and judging at a show are therefore two separate procedures. Check separately how each is organised if you want to do both.

Also look at the entry form for the breeds admitted, the documents required and any special conditions.

5. Entering with a reasonable margin

There is no single practical lead time such as “always a month beforehand”.

The right moment is when you have the information you need to decide, before the announced closing date. At the FCI shows concerned, late entries are not allowed. [1]

If several price deadlines are offered, compare them without being pushed into entering too early.

On SCCExpo (the French kennel club’s platform), payment must be made and validated for the entry to be confirmed. A pre-entry that has not been completed is not accepted after the closing date. [3]

Keep some margin to check your application and sort out any technical difficulty.

Beginner: three tips for a first entry

1. Choose a day that is easy to organise. A reasonable journey will leave you more time to find out how things work.
2. Get help choosing the class. Work out the age on the day of the show and ask the organiser if any condition is unclear.
3. Check that your entry is confirmed. After the form and the payment, check the status of your entry. Don’t settle for having started the process.

Intermediate: three tips for choosing the right moment

1. Link the entry to your preparation. If you’re working on a presentation point, choose a date that gives you time to prepare it.
2. Reassess your dog before each entry. A good previous experience doesn’t mean all the next outings will be suitable. Look at how he is right now.
3. Set your own decision date. Plan to take stock before the official closing date. You will be able to check budget, journey and documents calmly.

Advanced: three tips to avoid mistakes

1. Plan ahead for the supporting documents for special classes. Under the FCI framework, the Working class requires the certificate required. For the Champion class, an eligible title must be homologated by the official closing date at the latest, with the supporting document attached. [1]
2. Don’t count on changing class after the closing date. The FCI regulations forbid it, except for an administrative error by the organising committee. Choose your class with the information available at the right time. [1]
3. Keep the option to reconsider taking part. Even after entering, reassess the outing if the dog’s condition or behaviour changes. The FCI regulations put his health and welfare first. [1]

Your green light before paying

Is some information missing? Find it before committing. Waiting to decide can be useful; waiting until the last minute leaves less room for the unexpected.

Sources

• FCI: Regulations for FCI Dog Shows (PDF)
• Société Centrale Canine: conditions for entering a show (in French)
• Société Centrale Canine: an entry is confirmed only once payment is validated (in French)