articles:
useful and interesting information for brt owners

 Many of us who love our dogs, also love the thrill of seeing them win in the ring. There is a wonderful sense of accomplishment and pride knowing the dog you have raised, trained and cared for is viewed highly by judges, fellow dog owners and spectators alike. I have participated with my dogs in countless shows over the years and each win is equally rewarding and exciting! After talking with other AKC and BRT breeders and owners about the differences between FCI and AKC show rules, it came to my attention many people have questions about the differences in the rules and judging.
 Not very long ago on a BRT Yahoo group message board, I also saw an email with the subject, “CACIB, is it good or bad?” This made me realize more information is needed in the US and Canada (countries which don’t belong to the FCI).

This article is meant to explain the differences between the CACIB and CAC shows.
Any CACIB show is considered a big event in the FCI show world. These huge, beautiful and wonderfully organized shows require a great deal of work and do not take place as often as national and local dog shows.I hope the following information is enlightening for the many BRTCA members who travel to Europe and Russia to see our exquisite breed (and maybe even participate), so they will better understand what is occurring in the rings of FCI dog shows.

What are CAC and CACIB?
FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) is the club that rules on shows in most of the countries of the world. CAC and CACIB are two “all breed conformation” show levels for national and international shows. The rules surrounding the title of “National Champion” may vary depending on the country; but in general, to earn the title of “National Champion” a dog must win several CAC certificates at National or International dog shows. The quantity of CAC certificates available for all breed rings during each show varies depending on the rules of the host country’s national club. For example, in Russia, CAC certificates may be earned by the winner of each class (except puppies) so there could be as many as ten awarded: two J.CAC for Juniors and two each for Intermediate, Open ,Working and Champion classes(Champions still accumulate CACs); but in Sweden, only two CAC certificates are awarded in each breed on the same day in the same location, one for each sex (similar to AKC points awarded to winners dog and winners bitch) awarded to Best of Breed and Best Opposite Sex. But in Sweden, a Champion cannot be awarded a CAC.  If the BOB or BOS is awarded to a champion,  the CAC is then awarded to the second best dog who is not already a  Champion.

CAC (Certificate d’Aptitude au Championat) or R.CAC is a distinction available to all class winners beginning at the Intermediate Class (15-24 months). The Reserve CAC certificate may be earned by the second best dog in the show class. Two Reserve CAC certificates are the equivalent of one CAC certificate. A Junior CAC certificate counts towards a Junior Championship and can only be earned in Junior Classes. It is important to note, however, that earning CAC or R.CAC certification is not automatic for the class winner. If the FCI judge determines the dog is not good enough in his opinion, even the class winners may leave the ring without this certification.  (The equivalent of “withholding points” in an AKC show by withholding a first or even second place ribbon.)

CACIB – (Certificat d'Aptitude au Championnat International de Beauté de la FCI) is only available to dogs which have been judged to be of superior quality and awarded “excellent 1st.” However, the CACIB is not automatically and compulsorily linked to dogs awarded “excellent 1st.” The reserve CACIB is awarded to the second best dog given the qualification “excellent”; but again, the certification is not guaranteed. The judge will award CACIB and reserve CACIB based solely on the quality of the dogs without checking whether they meet the age and/or registration requirements with a studbook recognized by the FCI.

FCI International Beauty Championship for All Breeds Together 
CACIB international shows help pave the way towards an FCI International Beauty Championship. The title of “International Beauty Champion,” which has the same significance in any country where the FCI rules, has the following requirements: To be eligible for this title, a dog must have obtained four Certificats d'Aptitude au Championnat International de Beauté (CACIB) in three different countries under three different judges.  (Two CACIBs out of four may be from the same country or from the same judge.)  The same rules apply for any number of dogs. A minimum of one year and one day must elapse between the first and last CACIB. (For example: A dog receiving its first CACIB on January 1, 2008 must receive its third CACIB no earlier than January 2, 2009.)
Restrictions
In accordance with the FCI Breed Nomenclature for Dog Breeds, only one CACIB may be awarded for each sex on the same day at the same location. Class winners at CACIB shows earn CAC or reserve CAC, which counts towards a national championship.  
In FCI shows, dogs may take part only in the following classes. (All classes are for each sex):
a)   Puppy class - 6 to 9 months old (does not count toward championship)
b)   Junior class - 9 to 18 months old (counts toward junior championship only)
The CACIB can be awarded in classes c, d, e and f:
c)      Intermediate class - 15 to 24 months old
d)      Open class – 15 months and up
e)      Working class – 15 months and up, with a “Working Dog Certificate” organized for breeds, for which work tests are needed (including Golden Retrievers).  The certificate of Working Dog is given to:
   - Defense dogs - with at least IPO I diploma
   - Hunting dogs - with at least III grade diploma on contests
f)        Champion class - for dogs who have the diploma of an International Champion or National Champion or from a different dog registry organization accepted by FCI
g)      Veteran class – 8 years and up (does not count toward championship)
   
Ring Order:
Puppy Class Winners compete for Best Puppy in Breed  
Junior Class Winners compete for Best Junior in Breed  
Intermediate Class, Open Class, Working Class and Champion Class Winners compete for Best in Sex first, then Best Dog and Best Bitch compete for Best in Breed and Best in Opposite Sex.Veteran Class Winners compete for Best Veteran in Breed. 

Every dog in a show gets a rating (qualification) and written critique by the judge. The rating given by the judges may be one of the following:
 EXCELLENT: Only awarded to dogs which come very close to the ideal standard for the breed, are presented in excellent condition, display a harmonious, well-balanced temperament, and are of high class and have excellent conformation.  
VERY GOOD: Only awarded to dogs that possesses the typical features of their breed, have well-balanced proportions and are in correct condition. A few minor faults may be tolerated but none of a structural nature. 
GOOD: A dog that possesses the main features of its breed however showing some faults provided they are not concealed.
SUFFICIENT: A dog which corresponds adequately to its breed, without possessing the generally accepted characteristics or whose physical condition leaves something to be desired.
DISQUALIFIED: A dog which does not correspond to the type required by the breed standard; which shows a behavior clearly not in line with its standard or which behaves aggressively; which has testicular abnormalities; which has dental flaw or a jaw anomaly; which shows a color and/or coat imperfection or clearly shows signs of albinism. 
CANNOT BE JUDGED: This rating is to be given to any dog which does not move, constantly jumps up and down on its handler or tries to get out of the ring, makes it impossible to assess the gait and the movement or avoids constantly to be examined by the judge and makes it impossible to inspect teeth, anatomy and structure, tail or testicles. The reason why the dog was rated CANNOT BE JUDGED has to be stated in the judge’s report.

The four best dogs in each class are placed provided that they have been awarded an “excellent” or at least the qualification “very good.” If a dog has earned the show rating “excellent” without any placement, it means there were at least four higher qualified dogs in show ring. One note about the colors of the FCI show ribbons, the order is not the same as the AKC. While a blue ribbon represents first place for the AKC, a red ribbon represents first place in the FCI show ring and blue represents second place.

When a dog leaves an FCI show ring, with or without a ribbon, every dog receives a written critique in which the judge describes the dog’s quality, strengths and weaknesses. These written critiques are very valuable, especially when they come from well-known judges who are knowledgeable in the breed. This information may also be helpful when trying to find a partner for breeding. By reading several critiques about the same dog from different judges, we can see a dog through the “judge’s eyes.” This creates a complete image of the dog to take into consideration. On a personal note, you can use these critiques to study how your dog improves with age and as a memory of each step towards your dog’s show titles. 

Optional Collective Classes/Competitions: These are additional classes. To compete in these classes/competitions, dogs must be registered individually in one of the following compulsory classes. These optional classes/competitions should preferably be judged in the breed-judging rings.
-  Brace/Couple Class/Competition: A dog and bitch of the same breed and variety belonging to the same owner.
(Similar to AKC “brace” competition.)

 Breeders Class/Competition: A minimum three and maximum five exhibits of the same breed and variety, without distinction of sex, bred by the same person (same kennel name), even if they are not his property. (AKC does not recognize this type of class.  However, it is somewhat similar to AKC stud dog/brood bitch competition held at specialty shows except that the emphasis is on the breeder or kennel represented by the overall quality of the individual dogs exhibited rather than the progeny to its sire/dam.)
-  Progeny Class/Competition: A sire or dam with minimum three and maximum five of his progeny (first generation, sons/daughters). (Similar to AKC stud dog/brood bitch competition held at specialty shows.)

FCI Best in Group: After the judging is completed in the Breed and Collective Classes, Best of Breed holders compete further in the following group categories:
Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs, except Swiss Cattle Dogs 
Group 2 Pinschers and Schnauzers – Molossoid Breeds - Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs (This is where the BRT is exhibited.)
Group 3 Terriers
Group 4 Dachshunds
Group 5 Spitz and Primitive Types
Group 6  Scenthounds and Related Breeds
Group 7 Pointing Dogs
Group 8 Retrievers – Flushing Dogs – Water Dogs
Group 9 Companion and Toy Dogs
Group 10 Sighthounds
Many shows allow different groups to be judged together in the ring for the honor of “Best of Group;” however this does not apply to world and section shows.
I have now shared the general rules for FCI dog shows. I hope this information will help dog lovers better understand the wonderful competitive options that take place all over the world. Of course, there are additional show levels and titles in every country including National Club of the Breed Championship, Junior and Grand Championships, Championships of Region (for example –“Champion of Siberia” in Russia), “Best Stud Dog” and “Best Kennel.” These titles are awarded during club shows in accordance with the rules established by the club. These shows usually take place once a year and involve many types of working titles.

You can find all the rules, details and restrictions on the official FCI website (www.fci.be) or the websites of the many individual national clubs and organizations belonging to the FCI.

I want to say a special thank you to my friend Alexandra Goratchek- Ollson(kennel"Iz Doliny Vetrov",Sweden)for the pictures of the trophys and information about the rules for the title of Champion in Sweden.