12/04/2026
ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS:
OUTLINE OF PROPOSED CHAMPION CLASS
The following was received from Dogs Australia late Friday afternoon regarding the survey that was sent out:
Outline of proposed Champion Class
The basic premise around the Class is listed below:
· All male non‐Champions compete in their normal classes and then Challenge dog is awarded.
· Then all the male Champions come in with the male Challenge winner to choose best male and the winner gets Challenge points
· All the female non‐Champions compete in their normal classes and then Challenge female is awarded.
· Then all the female Champions come in with the female Challenge winner to choose best female and the winner gets Challenge points
· The best male and best female then compete for Best of Breed and they get Challenge points
· This system would mean that there would be 2 lots of challenges for each s*x in each breed.
Proposed Procedure for Implementation of Champion Class
1. Ordinary (Non‐Champion) Males: All untitled male dogs over six months of age compete in their usual ordinary classes. The Challenge Dog and Reserve Challenge Dog are then awarded. Points are allocated as per the standard Challenge Certificate procedure.
2. Champion Males: All titled male Champions compete in the Champion Class. Dogs are judged and placed in order of merit (1,2,3 etc).
3. Best Dog: The Challenge Dog winner and 1st place Champion Dog compete against each other for Best Dog. If the Challenge Dog is the winner, this dog will receive additional points and the Best Dog Certificate, in line with current procedures. If the Champion Male is the winner, this dog will receive points for the first time, in line with current procedures.
4. Runner‐Up Best Dog: The dog that is defeated in the Best Dog round remains in the ring. It is then joined by either the Reserve Challenge Dog or the 2nd place Champion Dog (where applicable) to determine Runner‐Up Best Dog.
SECTION 1 – DEFINITIONS and CLASSES
1.1 Definitions
1.1.1 Best of Breed Certificate – certificate awarded to the Best of Breed winning dog or bitch at Championship Shows.
1.2.2 Best Dog/Bitch Certificate – certificate awarded to the winning dog or bitch who is not the Best of Breed winner at Championship Shows.
1.1.3 Challenge Certificate – certificate awarded to the challenge dog and challenge bitch (selected from ordinary class 2/2A through to and including class 11/11A), who is not the Best of Breed or Best Dog/Bitch winner at Championship Shows.
1.1.4 Best Non‐titled Exhibit (no certificate) – additional points awarded to the best non‐titled exhibit (selected from the Challenge Dog and Challenge Bitch), who is not the Best of Breed or Best Dog/Bitch winner at Championship Shows.
1.2 Classes for Exhibit at a Show
1.2.1 General Classes
Minor Puppy 2 For dogs aged six and under nine months, who do not have the title of Champion confirmed by the issue of a Registered Pedigree Certificate by the official closing date of entries.
Puppy 3 For dogs aged six and under twelve months, who do not have the title of Champion confirmed by the issue of a Registered Pedigree Certificate by the official closing date of entries.
Junior 4 For dogs aged nine and under eighteen months who do not have the title of Champion confirmed by the issue of a Registered Pedigree Certificate by the official closing date of entries.
Intermediate 5 For dogs aged eighteen and under thirty‐six months, which are not Champions, or have not gained sufficient points to qualify as a Champion by the official closing date of entries.
Novice 6 For dogs six months of age or over which have not won a First Prize at any Parade, Open Show or Championship Show. Baby puppy and Local classes excepted. (For the purpose of class (6) First Prizes won up to and including the day before the date of entry close in a Show only shall be taken into account but such restriction shall not apply in the case of a Special Prize for which more than one win is required).
Graduate 7 For dogs six months of age or over which have not won a Challenge Certificate up to and including the day before the date of entry close.
Limit 8 For dogs over twelve months of age which are not Champions, or have not gained sufficient points to qualify as a Champion, up to and including the day before the date of entry close.
State Bred 9 For dogs six months of age or over bred in the State or Territory in which they are exhibited, which are not Champions, or have not gained sufficient points to qualify as a Champion by the official closing date of entries.
Australian Bred 10 For dogs aged six months or over bred in Australia, which are not Champions, or have not gained sufficient points to qualify as a Champion by the official closing date of entries.
Open 11 For dogs aged six months or over and of a breed or variety recognized by Dogs Australia, which are not Champions, or have not gained sufficient points to qualify as a Champion by the official closing date of entries.
Veteran 12 7 years and over
Veteran 13 10 years and over
Bred by Exhibitor 14 For dogs aged six months and over, which are not Champions, or have not gained sufficient points to qualify as a Champion by the official closing date of entries. The exhibit must be owned and handled by the breeder of record. The exhibit must be handled throughout the breed classes, all group and general specials classes by the owner or part owner of the prefix under which the exhibit was originally registered.
Note:
Should members have any further concerns or questions please refer them to your own Member Body Directors who should be able to provide a response
