In Australia points earned
from Challenge Certificates (CCs), Best of Breed (BOB), Best in Group
(BIG) and Best in Show (BIS) awards are used to make the points required
for a dogs title. CCs are only awarded at Championship Shows. Dogs over
the age of six months, both champions and non-champions compete for
points, awarded in the CC. Dogs require 100 CC points
obtained at a minimum of four shows, of which 25 points must be gained
after the age of 12 months, before they may be granted the title of
Champion.Judging is separated
into dogs and bitches, and into age classes. Currently they are Baby Puppy
(3 - less than 6 months, does not compete for CC), Minor Puppy (6 - less
than 9 months), Puppy (6 - less than 12 months), Junior (12 - less than 24
months), Intermediate (18 - less than 36 months) and Open (6 months and
over) classes. Champions are not judged in a separate class. Judging
begins with the youngest dog class. Winners from each class then compete
in the Challenge lineup, the winner being awarded the CC. Second to that
dog then enters the ring to compete against the other winners to decide
the reserve challenge winner. This is repeated for the bitch classes. The
Best of Breed is then judged from the Dog CC winner and Bitch CC winner.
Points are awarded according to the number of dogs
present, 5 points plus one for each dog. Thus if there is only one dog
present he receives 6 points (5 plus 1), if ten dogs were present, the CC
would be 15 points. From 1 January 2000 extra points were awarded for Best
of Breed (BOB). The BOB winner is awarded 5 points plus one for each
exhibit present (counted from dogs and bitches). For example, the dog CC
may be worth 10 points as there are five competitors, and the bitch CC is
contested by four for 9 points. The BOB CC would be 14 points and this
replaces the CC. The CC for the opposite sex remains unchanged.
The Best of Breed winner competes against winners of the
other hound breeds for Best Exhibit in Group. A reserve is also awarded -
Runner-up Best Exhibit in Group (RUBIG). Best in Group points are
tallied in the same manner as CC points to a maximum of 25 points. The
winner of each age division also competes against those winners from other
breeds for their respective age class in group. Winners of Best in
Group and each age class compete against the winners from the other groups
- toys, terrier, gundogs, working dog, utility and non-sporting for Best
in Show and age class in show awards. Best in Show points are also
tallied as per CC points. *A maximum of 25 points may be obtained in any
one show.*
Open Shows are conducted in exactly the same manner as
Championship shows except that judges have not yet attained their ANKC
Championship licence and hence no CCs are awarded.
