New KC initiatives to revive the Open Show scene: "In the biggest shake-up to the open show scene for more than a generation, the Kennel Club has announced new measures to increase interest in this important and essential side of dog showing through the introduction of three new awards. In addition, the qualifications for the Junior Warrant award and the criteria for premier open shows have been changed to encourage more entries and give confidence to show organisers to schedule more classes and more breeds.

The three new awards, being introduced in 2019, are the Show Certificate of Excellence, Open Show Winners title and Veteran Warrant.

These changes have all come about as a result of extensive consultation between the Kennel Club and show societies, exhibitors, judges and other interested parties, which began with the formation of the Dog Show Promotion Working Party four years ago and continued throughout its work."

Article HERE

Interesting.   However I do wonder whether today's exhibitors tend to go straight in at the deep end (Champ. shows) partly because of the price of showing these days.   Even if Open Show entries cost less, there's still travel etc. to be taken into consideration.   Years ago, most people would take an unproven dog into an Open Show to 'test the waters' and for training.   If they started winning well at that level, then, and possibly only then, they'd move on to Champ shows.   I know that was how I was, until leaving the UK and forced to go straight to Champ show level as there were no Open shows.   When I was starting out, I'd not have remotely considered going straight to a Champ show.   Add to that the fact that Champ show entries were way higher than they are today (in my main breed).

May I just say that the post above was not written by me. I shared a link to the Kennel Club press release for information only and a moderator edited my post and wrote the text you see under my name.

The text is taken directly from the link nursey. Providing a little of what appears on the link, helps people decide if they want to click it or not and also stimulates debate. I doubt anyone will think that you wrote it personally What are you own thoughts on the KC's decision?

I think these new KC incentives are interesting and encouraging. There is now an opportunity to work towards various Open Show titles throughout a dogs lifetime. Not everyone can be successful as far as Championship Shows are concerned, so I love the idea of Open Show titles. My boy has his ShCM and I'm keen start trying to collect ShCEx points. I think it will be quite difficult to accumulate 50 points, but the whole idea it to get us out exhibiting at more shows. Can't wait to get started. :)

> However I do wonder whether today's exhibitors tend to go straight in at the deep end (Champ. shows) partly because of the price of showing these days.

I think maybe it more depends on why the exhibitors are showing. If its just to have fun, have a day out, meet/chat with people, win rosettes, etc, but nothing more - these exhibitors I think tend to prefer Open shows and would welcome the new awards/titles as among other things it adds extra entertainment when they are showing their dog all the way from puppy to veteran.

Those exhibitors who's reason for showing is primarily to breed with the view of improving the breed are more likely to go straight to the Champ shows, where they can see and evaluate top dogs, seek opinion of experienced judges and experienced breeders and so on (I jumped straight in for this reason...)

I agree,  as an owner of a numerically small breed I rarely show at Open shows these days,  especially as I don't have transport.

When I show I want meaningful competition,  and a judge that actually knows the breed,  when numbers even with CC's on offer can be low.