Could someone please tell me what a dog has to win to gain the title of "International Champion" ??

Just being nosey really as I wasn't sure and I've seen quite a few "Int Ch" knocking about on websites & catalogues etc !

This is a title won under Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) Rules - you can find all of the relevant info HERE but basically a dog must win 3 CACIBs in three different countries under three different judges to be able to win the title :)

Often we see dogs in catalogues as Ch/NedCh/GibCh/SpCH joe Whatsists Spot because these titles have been obtained at shows overseas where only CACs or a minimum number of dogs were competing.  The "International" Champion must win CACIBS as explained above

HTH, Teri :)

For a UK resident dog to claim an Int Ch title they must first be a UK champion (unless they've changed the rule and I've missed it). This doesn't apply to other European countries, you don't need to be a national champ there but of course most are.

> a dog must win 3 CACIBs

Actually, it's four CACIBs, from 3 countries and three judges. There must be at least one year and a day between first and last. A dog resident in the UK must already be a champion, unless it is of a breed that doesn't have CCs, when it must have won three Championship show BOBs.

Thanks everyone and for that link Teri :-)

Is a CACIB like a CC ?

> Is a CACIB like a CC ?

Yes but goes towards and International title.

In countries affiliated with the FCI for example Irelkand National shows willb e hald at which the countires usual awards are available under their ruels (Ireland now requires 7 green stars for Irish title, used to be 40 points).

The FCI will allow the member countires to hold a certain number of International shows.  At these CACIB's are avaialbel to exhibits over 15 motnsh entered in certain classes.  The National award will also be available and it isn't unusual for different dogs to gain these awards.

For example if the Green star goes to an exhibit in Junior (it is inelligible for the CACIB, even if over 15 months), and the CACIB will be awarded to the next highest placed exhibit that qualifies, say the Reserve Green star winner.

Your welcome Alice - I see lincolnpimp has corrected the info, perhaps I should have read the link first ;)

Teri :-D

Thanks Barbara :-)

Going on to your point about Juniors not being allocated CACIB's - why is this? Along quite similar lines, I was talking to a good friend of mine tonight, her puppy now has 2 CC's. The pup is 10 months old but my friend said if she gets her 3rd CC in the next 2 months it won't make her up as she's not 12 months yet - I just wondered why ?? Are the KC against champions being made up so young ?

By the way Teri - I think you mean Lincolnimp - but I love the new name LincolnPIMP - lol !! :-D

Oh my word Alice

Truth is it wasn't even a typo - I've always read it and thought it was lincolnPIMP 
(I'll be even more popular now, eh! :-D )

hehe !! I am sure she will see the funny side (hope so anyway!) :-D

Re the FCI system, CACIB etc and comparison to UK Kennel Club - they do have different rules and regs (and also quite a few breeds we don't recognise officially here)

Pups here are eligible in all breeds allocated CCs to challenge and win them but no matter how many are won in puppy, even 10 LOL, it requires that at least one is awarded after the age of 12 months (can be 12 months and 1 day for eg).  Other rules apply as with adults that 3 have to be under different judges too :)

Two different varieties of my breed each gained 3 CCs while still in puppy - both have since made up, one at Crufts and the other quite recently just at around the age of 2 years :) 

HTH, Teri (who appears to dyslexic LOL)

I wonder why that is then that they have to be 12 months ?? Surely if its a particularly good example of the breed at such a young age then thats a good thing ? I could understand if all CC's were won at say 7/8 months when still a baby pup with developing to do, but I don't think (in my breed anyway) that there would be much of a difference from 10 and 12 months.

The rule has to apply to all breeds, from chihuahuas up to Great Danes. Larger breeds are still very immature even at 12 months, and a stunning puppy can 'go plain' and be no more than average as an adult.

It's a rule across the board Alice - I guess they had to draw a line somewhere and it will affect some breeds to different extents.

In some toys for example what you see at 9-12 months may well be not very different from how the dog will finish at 2 years whereas in many slower maturing and giant breeds things could go VERY wrong as they develop and could easily be 3 years + before fully mature and perhaps 5 years before apparoaching their peak  :)

The Lincoln Imp is a statue in Lincoln Cathedral - and the name of a pub ;)

No offence taken - I think I quite like it!!!

> No offence taken - I think I quite like it!!!

Phewww :-D

Yep, totally agree see some really nice pups at shows and then maybe a year later you would barley recognise them as the same dog. My youngest  looks like she is going to be four/ five years before she is finished so totally agree with that.