Hello peeps, does anyone know what the rules are for keeping your dog on the bench?  I have just spoke to a friend and she thinks there has been a rule change so your dogs do not have to stay on the bench?  What do you think?

I have to admit that I don't usually go against rules but I always have done where benching is concerned!  My dogs go everywhere I go and it will always stay that way!

Thanks for replying spanishwaterdog, would you sit at the ring side with your dog next to you? I know I did this once and a fellow exhibitor that the dogs were only allowed off the bench to stretch their legs and to go to the toilet. Personnaly I don't leave my dog unattended on the bench but if the rules had changed I would maybe sit around the ring with my dog on a blanket. 

This is the press release the KC sent out in December:


BENCHING WORKING PARTY

The Benching Working Party presented its final report via the Show Executive Sub-Committee to the General Committee at its recent meeting when its recommendations were approved.  Members of the Working Party included Mr K W A Young (Chairman), Mrs I Terry, Mrs K Wilberg and Mr R Price.

The General Committee was pleased to note that every breed club and council that approached the Working Party were fully in favour of retaining benching at the General Championship Shows.

All the concerns raised by the breed clubs and councils were addressed by the Working Party and are detailed below.

Concerns raised by Breed Clubs and Councils.

1.  Minimum mandatory bench sizes for certain breeds be increased.

Whilst the Working Party and General Committee were sympathetic to the views expressed by the breed clubs and were hopeful that if space was available, societies would provide increased bench sizes, it was agreed that the existing minimum mandatory bench sizes be left unchanged.

The exception being that an anomaly existed in that Schnauzers had been given the same bench size as Miniature Schnauzers.  Therefore, it was agreed that the minimum mandatory bench size for Schnauzers be increased from 50cm to 60cm.

The General Committee noted that it was perfectly in order for those societies that wished to provide larger benches, to arrange to do so.

2.  That benches in recent years had become much lower to the ground which prevented exhibitors from storing their belongings and as items were being placed in front of the benches, obstructions were being caused.

The General Committee noted that the Chairman of the Benching Working Party had brought these concerns to the attention of the benching contractors.

3.  Security of dogs.  Owners did not like to leave their dogs alone on benches.  Also, concern was expressed over children and visitors walking past and either touching or disturbing the dogs.

One of the main issues raised by all the breeds was safety and security when Kennel Club Regulations currently required dogs to remain on their benches whilst at a show and only allowed them to be off when being judged, being prepared for exhibition and/or being exercised, for a period not exceeding 30 minutes.

The General Committee accepted the view of the Working Party that exhibitors had a duty of care for their dogs and that exhibitors should consider making suitable arrangements, possibly with fellow exhibitors to look after their dog if they needed to leave it on the bench.

These concerns for safety and security of dogs have been addressed with an amendment to Regulation F(1)17.a. to be effective from 01 January 2006.  This will allow exhibitors to take their dogs off their benches so that they may keep their dogs with them whilst they move around the show.  In light of this, the Regulation has been changed to give show organisers the authority to require exhibitors to return their dogs to their benches if, for example, a safety issue arises.

The Regulation has been changed as follows:-

FROM:

17.  Exhibition of Dogs.
a.  Championship, Open and Limited Shows (Benched):-
(1)  Dogs must be present on their benches at all times except
(a)  When being judged.
(b)  When being prepared for exhibition and/or being exercised for a period not exceeding 30 minutes.
(2)  Dogs may be removed from their benches by order of the Veterinary Surgeon, Veterinary Practitioner or Show Management.
TO:

17.  Exhibition of Dogs.
a.  Championship, Open and Limited Shows (Benched):-
(1)  Dogs should be present on their benches at all times except
(a)  When being judged.
(b)  When being prepared for exhibition and/or being exercised.
(2)  In certain circumstances dogs must be present on their benches at all times if required by show management.
(3)  Dogs may be removed from their benches by order of the Veterinary Surgeon, Veterinary Practitioner or Show Management.

(Amendments underlined).

It was felt by the Working Party and accepted by the General Committee that by altering this Regulation much of the concern expressed by exhibitors about the safety and security of their dogs would be overcome, but at the same time show societies, when faced with a safety problem, could require that exhibitors return their dogs to the benches.  This is in line with the Kennel Club's policy of enabling (but not requiring) societies to choose how to apply certain rules in the way most appropriate to the individual circumstances.

4.  In many breeds the dogs were nowadays much stockier and wider benching was therefore required.

The Working Party noted that no evidence had been produced to quantify or substantiate this statement and therefore did not feel that changes should be made.

5.  The siting of anchor rings should not be too high on benches, but should always be situated towards the bottom of the bench.

The General Committee noted that the Chairman of the Benching Working Party had brought these concerns to the attention of the benching contractors.

6.  A wrong impression was given to the public when they saw dogs cramped onto their benches.

The Working Party advised the General Committee that no complaints had been received concerning this matter.

7.  Sizes should be increased so that dogs are able to turn around whilst on their benches.

The Working Party recommended, and the General Committee accepted that to increase bench sizes to allow dogs to be able to turn around and stretch out could in itself be a dangerous option as dogs may become entangled on their leads or may even be able to move off their benches.

8.  The anchor rings on benches were not big enough for leads that were attached to clip collars.

The General Committee noted that the benching contractors had altered the anchor rings accordingly.

9.  That there was an increase in exhibitors bringing their dogs in cages and often the cages would not fit the benching.

The Working Party was of the opinion that should an exhibitor wish to know if a cage would fit onto the minimum mandatory bench size, they should refer to the benching company prior to purchasing the cage.  It was further noted that cages were manufactured in imperial sizes and that the benching sizes were changed slightly when imperial was converted into metric.  However, new cages were metric and the problems would hopefully recede.

10.  That benching contractors could hire out portable tops and fronts.

The Working Party advised that this idea had been tested in the past, but had not been successful.  It was observed that some exhibitors were already using bench fronts in some breeds.

11.  That grooming areas should be placed in front of benching.
 
The Working Party observed that this would cause obstruction of gangways.  Also, that a number of shows had areas cordoned off as grooming areas.  It was agreed that this was a matter for individual show management.

The General Committee wishes to thank clubs which took the time to make representations and for the work of the Benching Working Party.

14 December 2005

ENDS
For further information please contact
Press Office
020 7518 1008 / 1020
pressoffice@the-kennel-club.org.uk

So in short the changes are simply from "must" to "should" when it comes to a dog being on its bench. :)

lol thanks for that

I've never left my dog alone on the bench. Either someone is there to watch her or she comes ringside with me. At some shows, i.e. Stafford or Malvern, the benches are inside and we are outside and once the judging starts our dogs stay with us - outside :)

Sometimes in the summer the marquees where the benching is arranged get far too hot!   I have seen panels being removed or folded back by exhibitors, and then the show officials coming around and replacing them.

Margot

Yes, much nicer to sit in the shade and enjoy the day ;)

I like benching, and need it as a single exhibitor showing more than one dog.  It is a real pain if the ring is too far awqay as it means taking them all ringside and trying to fidn someone to hold them while your in the rign with one of theothers, and of course the ringsiders are likely to have their own dogs to look after.