DEFINITION OF CLASSES

In the following definitions a Challenge Certificate includes any show awards that counts towards the title of Champion under the rules of any governing body recognised by the Kennel Club. Show awards issued by the Irish Kennel Club which count towards the title of Champion shall be five point Green Stars or more. Wins at Championship shows in breed classes where Challenge Certificates are not on offer shall be counted as wins at Open Shows. In the case of a dog owned in partnership and entered in members classes or competing for members specials, each partner at the time of entry must be a member of this society. In estimating the number of awards won when entering any class all wins up to and including the seventh day before the closing of entries shall be counted when entering for any class i.e. 12.03.11 Wins in variety classes do not count for entry in breed classes but when entering for variety classes wins in both breed and variety classes must be counted. A First prize does not include a special prize of whatever value. A dog is not eligible for variety classes unless also entered and subsequently exhibited in a breed class where such a class is provided for which it is eligible. Exemptions from this regulation, a) A puppy unless a class for dogs under twelve months of age for which it is eligible is provided for in the breed, b) A dog in Any Variety Veteran Class. If an exhibitor reports before the judging of a class or classes that a dog has been entered which is ineligible the exhibitor may choose one of the following options. 1) Withdrawal, the dog may be withdrawn from competition subject to the conditions of regulations 9K(1) and (20), 2) Transfer,a) If a dog is ineligible for a class or classes as regards its breed, colour, sex, weight or height. b) For an exhibit entered incorrectly in a Minor Puppy Class or Puppy Class which is over age but under twelve calendar months or eighteen calendar months of age respectively, the show secretary shall transfer the exhibit to the Puppy Class or Junior Class respectively for the correct breed,colour,sex,weight or height and in the event of there being no Puppy Class or Junior Class to the Open Class for the correct breed,colour,sex,weight or height. c) For any reasons other than the above the show secretary shall transfer the exhibit to the Open Class for the correct breed,colour,sex,weight or height.If an exhibit arrives late and misses a class even if it is the only class in which the dog is entered the dog may not be transferred to any other classes.

With these provisos the following are definitions of certain classes:-

VETERAN For dogs of not less than seven years of age on the first day of the show.

MINOR PUPPY For dogs of six and not exceeding nine calendar months of age on the first day of the show.

PUPPY For dogs of six and not exceeding twelve calendar months of age on the first day of the show.

JUNIOR For dogs of six and not exceeding eighteen calendar months of age on the first day of the show.

YEARLING For dogs of twelve and not exceeding twenty four calendar months of age on the first day of the show.

NOVICE For dogs which have not won a Challenge Certificate three or more First prizes at Open or Championship shows (minor puppy, special minor puppy, puppy, and special puppy classes excepted whether restricted or not)

GRADUATE For dogs which have not won a Challenge Certificate or four or more First prizes at Championship Shows in Graduate,Post Graduate, Minor Limit, Mid Limit ,Limit and Open Classes whether restricted or not.

POST GRADUATE For dogs which have not won a Challenge Certificate or five or more First prizes at Championship Shows in ,Post Graduate, Minor Limit, Mid Limit ,Limit and Open Classes whether restricted or not.

MID LIMIT For dogs which have not become show Champions under Kennel Club Regulations or under the rules of any governing body recognised by the Kennel Club or won five or more First prizes at Championship Shows in Mid Limit, Limit and Open Classes confined to the breed whether restricted or not at shows where Challenge Certificates were offered for the breed.

LIMIT For dogs which have not become show Champions under Kennel Club Regulations or under the rules of any governing body recognised by the Kennel Club or won seven or more First prizes in all at Championship Shows in Limit and Open classes confined to the breed whether restricted or not and where Challenge Certificates were offered for the breed.

OPEN For all dogs of the breeds for which the class is provided and eligible for entry at this show.

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