
It varies a little from country to country :)
First of all entry is made either online or paper - you can only enter
one breed class which are either one of the age catagories or Open / Working / Champion. Payment can sometimes be made on the day at the show for UK visitor if you can't pay by credit card, otherwise you need to do bank transfer in Euros which almost doubles the entry fee. ( We can't issue personal cheques or do online bank to bank payments in Euros in UK )
Passes are issued but often arrive very close to the date of the show - we have had occassions where passes have not arrived before we have travelled and had to see secretary on arrival = extra stress :)
You must arrive within specified times as dogs are either individually inspected by the vet - microchip and passport is checked OR some counties do not have a formal vet in procedure BUT there are vets on the door and they will pull over any dog they wish to inspect ( a bit like going through customs )
Benches are not generally allocated unless you are given the option to pre book with entry. Most shows opperate a first come first served basis and most exhibitors seem to take their own cages and set up mini camps around the halls. Benches are not like those in UK but large floor level cages. Ring numbers are collected from the ring in the hour before judging starts.
Ring procedure is different - all dogs are shown in number order, each dog is seen individually and graded. Dependant on the breed standard and country you may find dogs are offically measrured for height (even breed where we don't measure) / weights / and I have had microchips checked by the judges to verify the exibit is the animal recorded on entry. Often the dogs are moved much more than in UK - at one breed club show we gaited for no less than 7 times round a very big ring !! All this takes approx 5mins - 7mis / dog and the judge dictates a full written report on each dog a copy of which is given to owner at end of judging. Dogs are placed 1 - 4 in order of merit if graded excellent or very good
Not all class winners compete for the "national ticket" (CAC) or "international ticket" (CACIB) and at international shows different rules apply to the CAC and CACIB. There are also different rules country by country around the issue of CAC's. Basis rules :: Only dogs graded excellent can challenge for CAC or CACIB , puppies and veterans do not challenge for either ticket, only dogs over 15mths can challenge for CACIB but a younger dog could win a CAC, and in some counties Champions do not challenge for the "National Ticket - (CAC) only the CACIB. Confused yet :) It does take some working out but basically the CAC will be awarded first IF the winner is under 15mths the CACIB will be awarded to the best dog of age to recieve it from remaining winners OR if the CAC winner is over 15mths it will also win the CACIB. In countries where Champions do not challenge for CAC the CACIB is awarded to the BEST OF SEX between the CAC and winner Champion class. Bet your confused now ..LOL
Each country has its own rules re number of CAC's needed to be a Champion, some breeds need work certificates (eg Field trail awards, tracking tests etc) before any title can be held. Many countries have no SHOW champion award.
Dogs and bitches judged as in UK and Best of Breed declared. The BOB winner MUST present for the group or the ticket is withdrawn. If you win the group you MUST attend for Best in Show = makes travel plans intersting unless you are on last day of the show :)
Every show has a removal time - no exibit is allowed to leave before that time which is usually as group judging starts.
Vets at the shows are familiar with passport system and if you have the meds they will do passport verification at the show - you cannot travel home until minimum of 24hrs after the vet has done the passport.
"SIMPLES" >> yes ???