JUDGES
General
The approval to judge at World Kennel Groupevents is a right.
Judges and applicants must be known for their honesty, integrity, impartiality and knowledge of the sport and breeds which they are applying to judge.
All judges and applicants must abide by The World Kennel Group’s Code of Ethics.
All Judges must adhere to the Policy and Procedures unless otherwise noted within the rules of The World Kennel Groupfor that event.
All judges and applicants must be capable of performing the functions necessary for
judging dogs in accordance with the rules of the World Kennel Groupfor that event.
Consideration of fitness to judge may include, but is not restricted to, physical mobility
and flexibility, physical stamina, vision, ability to complete necessary paperwork
associated with judging, ability to express oneself orally and in writing, as well as mental
capabilities required to judge.
All judges must be a World Kennel Group participant in good standing and have a judge’s certificate.
Applicant Conformation Judges
Eligibility Requirements – New Applicants
An applicant must be 21 years of age or over.
An applicant must have a minimum 3 years of documented experience.
Judges who have retired may act as a mentor for a period of
5 years from the date of retirement in WKG records.
An applicant must have a sound background in the breed or breeds for which the applicant is applying, and documented experience in the sport, (breeding, showing, club membership, official positions, etc.).
Judges cannot mentor more than 5 initial applicants each calendar year.
For the purpose of this provision, a mentor shall be defined as an experienced and trusted adviser on Breed Standards, Ring Procedures, and all things dealing with a judge’s professional responsibilities. In signing the Application for Initial Conformation Judging Permit, the mentor is agreeing to make himself/herself
available for advice and discussions with the applicant until the first four permits are completed. The mentor and applicant may continue this relationship throughout the application process, by mutual agreement.
The mentor will submit a report on the interactions with the applicant. A copy of the report will be provided to the applicant by WKG.
Qualifications Judging
The applicant receives a Advanced National category.
An applicant must have judged, within 3 years immediately preceding the submission of the application, a minimum of 5 approved events which may include all-breed or specialty sanction
matches, all-breed or specialty sweepstakes or Baby Puppy competitions, specialty futurities or maturities.
Competitions.
Sanction national show, matches, sweepstakes, futurities, and maturities along with breeds judged shall be properly ocumented and verified by the club on the forms provided.
Ring Stewarding
Education
Educational activities are a necessary step for advancing in the judging program. It is expected that when an application is reviewed by the World Kennel Group, it will be evident that the applicant has
participated in a program of on-going education. This may include attending seminars, workshops, breed study groups, reading, formal
courses of study, breed videos, actual and virtual visits to prominent
kennels, working with a mentor, etc. Educational activities must be
completed within a 2 year period to be valid.
Permit Process
The applicant must submit a completed application with all the pertinent documentation to WKG in the country of residence.
Each individual, prior to the granting of the initial permit, shall successfully pass a written examination.
The World Kennel Group country participant representing the territory which the applicant resides, will arrange for a time and place for the exam to be written.
Should the exam not be taken within this time period, the applicant must resubmit an application. The applicant may not have any reference material available when completing the exam.
An applicant may apply for 1 single breed at a time to a maximum of 1 single breed in 5 different groups, following all requirements as set in this policy.
If the applicant, after completing all requirements, wishes to apply for an additional permit, it must be applied for in 1 of the 5 groups in question.
An applicant may not apply for more than one-half (½) of the breeds within a group at one time.
Where an applicant is issued an initial permit, the initial permit must be completed.
The National category.
Competitions.
Sanction national show, matches, sweepstakes, futurities, and maturities along with breeds judged shall be properly ocumented and verified by the club on the forms provided.
The International category.
Competitions.
Sanction international and national show, matches, sweepstakes, futurities, and maturities along with breeds judged shall be properly ocumented and verified by the club on the forms provided.
Judges are encouraged and expected to engage in a self-directed program of professional development.
Emeritus Judge Policy
General
Clubs participating in the WVKG have the right to invite judges who are not registered with the WKG, but who have extensive knowledge and experience.
Emeritus Judge must know the rules and standards of the VKG for conducting an examination
Emeritus judges are permitted to judge official events as stated in the policy applicable to the event type.
Judges that wish to be enrolled in the WKG Judge Program must submit a written request (per e-mail) to The World Kennel Group.
Emeritus Conformation Judges
An Emeritus Conformation judge can officiate one (1) Best in Show per year, at an All Breed Show, providing that he was previously eligible to judge Best in Show.
Code of Ethics for Judges
• Judges and applicants must comply with the By-laws, rules and policies established by the The World Kennel Groupand all rules and policies of the event(s) they judge.
• Judges and applicants must be known for their honesty, integrity, impartiality, and knowledge of the sport and of the breeds they judge or apply to judge.
• Judges are highly regarded within. When accepting assignments, whether domestic or foreign, judges act as ambassadors of The World Kennel Group, its judges. Their comportment must reflect their respected position and their actions must be
beyond reproach.
• Judges must recognize that education is an integral part of judging and must undertake a selfdirected program of continued education.
• Judges must remain current of all pertinent rules, policies, and standards relative to the event(s) and breeds they judge.
• Judges must evaluate each dog they judge impartially and award each animal the appropriate placing relative to the event’s standard and the competition in the class, regardless of the dog’s record, advertisement, friendship, or any other considerations.
• Judges must treat all exhibitors with courtesy, respect, dignity, and impartiality.
• Judges should be aware that, even when not actually engaged in judging, their comportment must reflect their position within.