Judges' Education Programme - THE ENGLISH TOY TERRIER (BLACK & TAN) CLUB

As the Official Breed Club for English toy Terriers (Black and Tan) in the UK, a key role of the Club is in delivering educational materials and events for prospective conformation judges of English Toy Terriers, whether they be first time judges, or experienced judges of other breeds looking to develop specialist knowledge of the English Toy Terrier.

We also encourage all exhibitors and breeders of English Toy Terriers to go through at least the early stages of the Judges’ Education Programme (even if not sitting the assessments) to gain a sound understanding of the conformation and movement of an English Toy Terrier that meets the UK Breed Standard.

A current list of English Toy Terrier Judges is available in our Judging Lists. On this page we will cover:

Becoming A Dog Show Judge Of English Toy Terriers
The new RKC Judges’ Education Programme (JEP)
The Traditional Judging Route
- Traditional Route A3 Criteria
Judges’ Education Useful Links

1. Becoming A Dog Show Judge Of English Toy Terriers

The Royal Kennel Club (RKC) is transitioning from the “Traditional Route” for becoming a dog show judge to the new Judges’ Education Programme (JEP). Detailed information about both routes can be found on the RKC’s site: Judging Dog Shows and summaries of key information are provided below.

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2. The new RKC Judges’ Education Programme (JEP)

The new programme introduced by the RKC for all dog show judges is the Judges’ Education Programme (JEP).

The JEP has 4 levels that judges must work through to progress to award CCs in the breed. Details of all the levels can be found here: Judging dog shows | Events and Activities | Kennel Club.

Whilst the JEP is designed to educate judges, exhibitors and breeders of English Toy Terriers can benefit from working through the seminars stipulated for the JEP (particularly levels 1 and 2) even if they do not wish to sit the assessments to become a qualified judge. The programme provides a good grounding on the fundamentals of canine conformation and movement, as well as specialist breed knowledge of English Toy Terriers.

JEP Level 1

Minimum of five years proven interest in pedigree dogs
Attend a Conformation and Movement seminar hosted by a Kennel Club Accredited Trainer
Complete a minimum of two full-day stewarding appointments
Attend a Requirements of a Dog Show Judge seminar and pass associated exam (either in person or online via Kennel Club Academy, exam effective from 1 January 2024)
Pass the Points of a Dog assessment conducted by a Kennel Club Accredited Trainer (effective from 1 January 2024)

Eligibility to judge

Up to three classes (four if one is a puppy class) for any breed at limited or open shows.

JEP Level 2

First breed:

Attend a breed appreciation day (BAD) and pass a multiple-choice examination (MCE) for the respective breed – these are organised by this Club with one at least every 18 months.
View ring stewarding seminar and take online quiz.
Complete critique writing seminar and take online quiz.

Subsequent breeds

Attend a breed appreciation day (BAD) and pass a multiple-choice examination (MCE) for each breed.
Note: Not mandatory for group judge for breeds in the group that they are not approved at level 4, but attendance strongly recommended.

Eligibility to judge

Unlimited number of classes for the respective breed at limited, open or championship shows (no CCs).
Any variety classes, groups and best in show at limited shows.

JEP Level 3

Undergo minimum of three mentoring sessions with a minimum of 12 months between first and third session
Be observed judging a breed club show, breed supported entry show or championship show without CCs once mentoring sessions have been undertaken
Complete remaining 10 full-day stewarding appointments (onetime qualification)
Have owned/bred a minimum of three dogs when they obtained their first entry in The Kennel Club Stud Book – save for exceptional circumstances (one-time qualification for first breed in which a judge awards CCs)
Attended the appropriate sub-group field trial/open gundog working test for first gundog breed or ring procedure at licensed shows (German Shepherd Dog education programme) online exam (one-time qualification)
Have hands-on experience judging at least 20 English Toy Terriers (Toy Group, Tier 2).

Eligibility to judge

Unlimited number of classes for the respective breed at limited, open or championship shows (no CCs)
Any variety classes groups and best in show at limited shows

JEP Level 4

Attend and passed a breed-specific assessment for the specific breed run by The Kennel Club

Eligibility to judge:

Award Challenge Certificates in the respective breed
Any variety classes, groups and best in show at open and limited shows

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3. The Traditional Route

The RKC is phasing out the traditional system of progressing judges towards awarding Challenge Certificates. Until the traditional system is phased out, we will continue to maintain our Club B and C lists. However, if you do not yet meet the criteria for our A3 list, we strongly recommend that you follow the new JEP route outlined above.

Judges who already have experience of judging English Toy Terriers and meet our criteria for the A3 judging list should send an up-to-date judging CV with supporting info to our Judges Sub-Committee co-ordinator, Derfel Owen as soon as possible.

If you are already listed on our A3 judging list, you are entitled to apply to the RKC to be passed to award CCs in the breed under the ‘grandfathering’ scheme. You do not need to wait to have an invitation to award CCs to make this application. Find more about the grandfathering scheme on the RKC website: Judging Dog Shows.

Traditional Route A3 Criteria

For A3 listing prior to a person being nominated to award with Challenge Certificates for the very first time.

Have seven years’ experience judging their own breed
Have attended the requirements of a dog show judge seminar delivered by a Kennel Club accredited trainer and passed the relevant examination on The Kennel Club regulations and judging procedures. The syllabus is based on the Show (F) Regulations. The Kennel Club Code of Best Practice for Judges (including Guide for Judges and Ring Stewards and Code of Best Practice for the Selection of Judges) and The Kennel Club Code of Conduct. Further pre-course learning, including a film and a mock examination, are available on The Kennel Club Academy
Have attended the points of the dog assessment conducted by a Kennel Club accredited trainer and passed. To assist with pre-course learning, you may also wish to take the drag and drop exercise on The Kennel Club Academy
Have attended a seminar delivered by a Kennel Club accredited trainer on conformation and movement. For pre-learning, subscribe to The Kennel Club Academy and watch the conformation and movement series
Have attended at least one breed-specific seminar run in accordance with The Kennel Club Code of Best Practice for the running of a breed seminar and judging competence assessment and passed a hands-on examination where applicable. Please speak to your club or council about future dates
Have bred and/or owned a minimum of three dogs when they obtained their first entry in The Kennel Club stud book (save in exceptional circumstances)
Have stewarded over a minimum of 12 days at shows (open or championship shows only)
Have met the minimum requirements for hands-on judging experience of at least 40 English Toy Terriers (Toy Group, Tier 2).

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4. Judges’ Education Useful Links

Educational resources in the RKC Academy (you must create a free account on the RKC website and be logged in to access the following resources):

For further information on judging English Toy Terriers please contact our Breed Education Coordinator: Mr Richard Forsythe on breed.education@english-toy-terrier-club.com or Judges’ Sub-Committee lead: Derfel Owen on derfelowen@yahoo.co.uk or 07540 843492.

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THE ENGLISH TOY TERRIER (BLACK & TAN) CLUB