This is only to satisfy my own curiousity, nothing else. I was always under the impression that if you gave CC's in a particular breed then you did not judge that breed at Open Show Level, now I don't know if I thought it was a rule, etiquette or what! Anyone know?

I know we all look at some open show judges and think "who?!" I have just looked at several online schedules and the judges are not even in the same group. I appreciate that Show Secretaries are looking at the budget so we either get lobbed in with AVNSC Terrier or might get classes but a judge who is doing lots of other breeds. If we have CC judges doing open shows then I appreciate there are some advantages ( ie testing them out before shelling out for an Champ Show entry) but there are also judges who need classes who are not allowed to progress, the fast tracked ones also aren't helping!  

> I was always under the impression that if you gave CC's in a particular breed then you did not judge that breed at Open Show Level, now I don't know if I thought it was a rule, etiquette or what! Anyone know?

If you give tickets in your breed and you accept an appointment to judge it at an Open Show, then you will risk falling foul of the agreement that says you will not judge that breed again within a certain period of time, or distance from the show. So many people won't accept invitations from Open Shows in case it prejudices their Ch Show appointments.

I agree, as an exhibitor it's most off-putting to see your breed is being judged by someone doing a whole range of breeds, often without having shown any interest in your breed at all. But from the other side of the fence, it can be often very difficult to book someone who is suitable. In these cash-strapped days for show societies, every penny can count, even that being spent on judges' lunches. Which is why you often see the same judge doing lots of breeds :-(

No there is no rule.
My own personal etiquette is...I was desparate to get the appointments prior to giving me cc's, so I dont judge my breed at open shows now, leaving them for those who are in the situation I was before 2005. I had no CC appointment in the pipeline so agreed to judge at a breed open show, 2.75 years after my first cc appointment. I am due my 3rd CC appointment in June of 2012 & hope I can leave the open breed clubs now for others...but who knows, as I may have to accept one so as I am able to judge my breed at once in a 3 year time period.

There is no rule or any reason why anyone should not judge at an open show.

If you are not on the B or A list you can only judge a limited number of classes but if you are on the B or A list you can judge any number of classes providing you do not break a contract you have already signed.

A list  breed judges can judge at any level providing they have been assessed
B list breed judges can judge at championship shows where the breed has no CCs or at open, limit or companion shows or matches
C list breed judges can judge a limited number of classes at open or limit shows, they can also do companion shows and matches.

Judges not on any list can judge the same as a C list judge

> If you give tickets in your breed and you accept an appointment to judge it at an Open Show, then you will risk falling foul of the agreement that says you will not judge that breed again within a certain period of time, or distance from the show.

In numerically small breeds breed specialists especially are unlikely to be judging more than once in 3 years as they will get a reduced entry with a breed with a long show life.

It seems a bit sad that a judge may judge regularly until they give CC's and thereafter be basically retired with an airing once every few years.  This can hardly help them keep their judging skills honed.

I can see no excuse for all rounders judging their CC breeds at Open level except of course in Stakes, Groups and varieties.

In numerically small breeds breed specialists especially are unlikely to be judging more than once in 3 years as they will get a reduced entry with a breed with a long show life.

This is true Barbara and I have found myself studying other breeds that I am interested in, attending seminars and will if I do OK ask to go on their C list because I think you need to judge in order to keep your eye in and your rhythm up to speed to say nothing to exercising you concentration skills.

>I have found myself studying other breeds that I am interested in, attending seminars

It's good that you do this. I think it's the people who accept breeds that they have no interest in and who have not attended the relevant seminars who cause the bad feeling.

Mind you, some breeds can be quite remiss by not scheduling regular seminars, complacency rules here and there sadly.

My husband will only judge a breed he is interested in, after studying them ringside, attending seminars ( if there are any) and stewarding them. I think you can tell if the judge is "just adding another" to their list :(

There are those who will ask to go on a C list who have not even bothered to attend a seminar I don't know how they learn the small things that are important in all breeds if they don't put in any study or research at all but there are those who do and I guess they think they can do a good job without, I am just not that confident. I like to do at least one seminar, attend a breed show and as much stewarding as I can, when I start to question what the judge is doing in my own mind I start to think that perhaps I am beginning to learn something.