RKC Judges
Education
Programme
(JEP)

JUDGES’ TRAINING 

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BREED EDUCATION CO-ORDINATORS 

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The Royal Kennel Club (RKC) runs its own ‘Judges’ Education Programme’ for aspiring and progressing judges, with a Breed Education Coordinator (BEC) appointed for each breed. The role of the BEC is to assist and guide those wishing to pursue or progress their judging career. The BEC and first point of contact for information regarding judging Irish Wolfhounds is Debbie Tebbutt (debtebiwbec@gmail.com).  

Full information regarding the JEP and judging dog shows is available on the RKC website using the following link: www.thekennelclub.org.uk/events-and-activities/dog-showing/judging-dog-shows. 

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THE JUDGES’ EDUCATION PROGRAMME  

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The Judges' Education Programme (JEP) introduces a structured and logical approach to the training of judges, incorporating a step-by-step approach. Royal Kennel Club (RKC) Regulations implementing the JEP came into force on 1 January 2021. Seminars undertaken prior to this date can be accepted for use when progressing via the JEP. However, judges are required to complete the criteria at each JEP level before moving on to the next. 

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The following is a step-by-step guide to the progression route for aspiring and progressing judges: 
  

JEP LEVEL 1 judges are eligible to judge: 

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• Up to three classes (four if one is a puppy class) for any breed at limited or open shows. 

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Requirements to meet this level: 

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• Minimum of five years proven interest in pedigree dogs 

• Attend a conformation and movement seminar hosted by an RKC Accredited Trainer 

• Complete a minimum of two full-day stewarding appointments 

• Attend a ‘Requirements of a Dog Show Judge’ seminar and pass associated exam (either in person or online via RKC Academy).  (Exam effective from 1st January 2024) 

• Pass the Points of a Dog assessment conducted by a RKC Accredited Trainer. (Effective from 1st January 2024) 

  

JEP LEVEL 2 judges are eligible to judge: 

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• Unlimited number of classes for the respective breed at limited, open or championship shows (no CCs) 

• Any variety classes, groups and best in show at limited shows  

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 Requirements to meet this level if Irish Wolfhounds are your first breed: 

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• Meet the criteria for level 1 judges 

• Attend a Breed Appreciation Day (BAD) and pass a Multiple-Choice Exam (MCE) for the respective breed* 

• View ring stewarding seminar and take online quiz via RKC Academy 

• Complete critique writing seminar and take online quiz via RKC Academy** 

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NB 

*Judges sitting Multiple-Choice Exams held at Breed Appreciation Days from 1 January 2024 will be required to meet the amended Level 1 criteria. 

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**Whilst completing the critique writing and stewarding seminars remain a JEP level 2 requirement, the Board has agreed that they can be undertaken at any time, and that the judge does not need to wait until they meet level 1 criteria, and are recommended to view prior to stewarding or judging. ​​

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SUBSEQUENT BREEDS 

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Requirements to meet this level if Irish Wolfhounds are not your first breed, and you have already reached JEP level 2 in a different breed: 

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• Attend a Breed Appreciation Day (BAD) and pass a Multiple-Choice Exam (MCE) for each breed. Note: Not mandatory for a group judge for breeds in the group that they are not approved at level 4, but attendance is strongly recommended. 

 
JEP LEVEL 3 judges are eligible to judge: 

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• An unlimited number of classes for the respective breed at limited, open or championship shows (no CCs) 

• Any variety classes groups and best in show at limited shows 

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Requirements to meet this level: 

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• Meet the criteria for level 1 and level 2 judges 

• Undergo minimum of three mentoring sessions, with a minimum of 12 months between first and third session 

• Be observed judging a breed club show, breed supported entry show or championship show without CCs once mentoring sessions have been undertaken 

• Complete remaining 10 full-day stewarding appointments (one time qualification) 

• Have owned/bred a minimum of three dogs when they obtained their first entry in the RKC Stud Book – save for exceptional circumstances (one-time qualification for first breed in which a judge awards CCs) 

• Attended the appropriate sub-group field trial/open gundog working test for first gundog breed or ring procedure at licensed shows (German Shepherd Dog education programme) online exam (one-time qualification) 

• Have achieved the relevant hands-on experience in line with the stated requirements for the relevant breed.  (Irish Wolfhounds fall into Tier 3 – hands-on experience currently minimum 35 dogs for judges following the JEP route). 

  

JEP LEVEL 4 judges are eligible to judge: 

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• Award Challenge Certificates in the respective breed 

• Any variety classes, groups and best in show at open and limited shows 

  

Requirements to meet this level: 

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• Meet the criteria for level 1, 2 and 3 judges 

• Attend and passed a breed-specific assessment for the specific breed run by the RKC 

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NB 

The following section contains information relating to the ‘Traditional’ (Breed Club Lists) judging route.  It must be noted that from 1st January 2026* the RKC is transitioning from individual breed club-maintained judging lists to a centralised, online JEP Breed Shows platform.  This change means that breed clubs will no longer manage their own judging lists.  Instead, judges will upload their information and experience onto the JEP Breed Shows platform, and the RKC will publish these lists via its ‘Find A Judge’ facility.  (*Information may be liable to change at any time). 

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THE TRADITIONAL ROUTE (BREED CLUB JUDGING LISTS) 

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From January 2021 no-one may judge unless they meet the Royal Kennel Club (RKC) Judges’ Education Programme (JEP) Level 1 requirements.  Existing CC judges are excluded from this requirement. 

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C list judges are eligible to judge: 

Up to three classes (four if one is a puppy class) for any breed at limited or open shows. 

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For aspirant judges who have shown an interest in the breed and have the support of the Irish Wolfhound Club. Also might include those who have judged the breed at limited and open shows but do not yet qualify for the A and B lists. 

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NB All C list judges must also fulfil the criteria for JEP level 1. 

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Breed Specialist 

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• At least 2 years exhibiting the breed. 

• To have attended at least one Irish Wolfhound breed specific educational seminar (non-assessment). 

• Brief statement of involvement in the breed. 

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Non-Breed Specialist 

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• Must be included on own breed B List or above. 

• To have attended at least one Irish Wolfhound breed specific educational seminar (non-assessment). 

• Provide full judging CV. ​

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B list judges are eligible to judge: 

• An unlimited number of classes for the respective breed at limited, open or championship shows (no CCs) 

• Any variety classes, groups and best in show at limited shows​ 

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NB All B list judges must also fulfil the criteria for JEP level 1. 

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This list includes judges for open shows who are supported by the Irish Wolfhound Club. 

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Breed Specialist 

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• Minimum of 5 years’ experience owning and exhibiting in this breed and have the support of the Irish Wolfhound Club. 

• To have judged a minimum of 15 Irish Wolfhound classes, with a minimum of 30 Irish Wolfhounds actually judged. 

• Attendance at minimum of one Irish Wolfhound breed specific education seminar, run in accordance with the RKC Code of Best Practice (and passed a hands-on assessment) demonstrating understanding of breed type; how to assess an Irish Wolfhound; how to go over the dog and how to recognise important features of the breed. 

• Agree to submit a written critique to the dog press for all future Irish Wolfhound judging appointments. 

• Provide a full judging CV. 

• Have completed a minimum of 2 full day stewarding appointments. ​

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Non-Breed Specialist 

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• To have a minimum of 5 years’ judging experience in any one breed and have the support of the Irish Wolfhound Club. 

• To have judged a minimum of 20 Irish Wolfhound classes with a minimum of 40 Irish Wolfhounds actually judged. 

• Attendance at minimum of one Irish Wolfhound breed specific education seminar, run in accordance with the RKC Code of Best Practice (and passed a hands-on assessment) demonstrating understanding of breed type; how to assess an Irish Wolfhound; how to go over the dog and how to recognise important features of the breed. 

• Agree to submit a written critique to the dog press for all future Irish Wolfhound judging appointments. 

• To provide a full judging CV. 

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A3 Judges are eligible to judge: 

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• An unlimited number of classes for the respective breed at limited, open or championship shows (no CCs) 

• Any variety classes, groups and best in show at limited shows  

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NB All A3 list judges must also fulfil the criteria for JEP level 1.   ​ 

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For judges who are, in the opinion of the Irish Wolfhound Club, competent to award Challenge Certificates, but have not been assessed or approved in accordance with the RKC regulations for inclusion on the A2 list. 

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Breed Specialist 

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• Minimum of 7 years’ judging experience in the breed and have the support of the Irish Wolfhound Club (RKC Policy). 

• To have judged a minimum of 25 Irish Wolfhound classes with a minimum of 70 Irish Wolfhounds actually judged. (RKC Policy – numbers optional by Club) 

• To have bred and/or owned a minimum of three Irish Wolfhounds when they obtained RKC Stud Book entry (save in exceptional circumstances (RKC Policy) 

• To have attended a seminar given by a KC accredited trainer and passed the relevant examination on KC Regulations and Judging Procedures (RKC Policy 1.7.2001)  

• To have attended a seminar given by a RKC accredited trainer on Conformation and Movement (RKC Policy 1.7.2001) and passed a Conformation and Movement hands-on assessment conducted by a RKC Accredited Trainer (RKC Policy 1.7.2001). 

• To have attended at least one Breed specific seminar run in accordance with the relevant RKC Code of Best Practice and passed an examination and/or assessment where applicable (RKC policy 1.7.2001). 

• To have attended a Points of the Dog Assessment conducted by a RKC Accredited Trainer and passed the assessment. (RKC Policy 1.7.2005). 

• Agree to submit a written critique to the dog press for all future Irish Wolfhound judging appointments. 

• Provide a full judging CV. 

• To have stewarded a minimum of 12 times (2 or 3 days at one show counts as 2 or 3 times). (RKC Policy). 

  

Non-Breed Specialist 

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• Minimum of 7 years’ judging experience in any one breed (to include five years in Irish Wolfhounds) and have the support of the Irish Wolfhound Club (RKC Policy). 

• To have judged a minimum of 30 Irish Wolfhound classes with a minimum of 90 Irish Wolfhounds actually judged. (RKC Policy – numbers optional by Club) 

• To have bred and/or owned a minimum of three dogs of any breed when they obtained their first RKC Stud Book entry (save in exceptional circumstances  

• To have attended at least one breed specific judging seminar run in accordance with the relevant RKC Code of Best Practice and passed an examination and/or assessment where applicable.  

• To have awarded CCs in at least one other breed (RKC Policy). 

• Agree to submit a written critique to the dog press for all future Irish Wolfhound judging appointments. 

• Provide a full judging CV.​ 

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A2 judges are eligible to judge: 

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• Award Challenge Certificates in the respective breed 

• Any variety classes, groups and best in show at open and limited shows 

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For persons who fulfil all the requirements for the A3 list and who have been assessed in accordance with RKC requirements and accepted by the RKC for inclusion on an A2 list and have the support of The Irish Wolfhound Club (RKC Policy). 

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A1 judges are eligible to judge: 

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• Award Challenge Certificates in the respective breed 

• Any variety classes, groups and best in show at open and limited shows. 

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Breed Specialist & Non-Breed Specialist 

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For persons who have previously been approved by the RKC to award CCs in the breed and have completed their first judging appointment and who have the support of The Irish Wolfhound Club (RKC policy).