Dog of the Year Competition

This is a friendly competition. The Rules are as follows:

  • A dog who has won an award which goes towards the title of “Champion” is not eligible for this competition (in the UK this means Challenge Certificate, aka “Ticket” or CC, in other countries this may have another name).
  • If, during the course of the year, your dog wins a CC, then that dog becomes ineligible for Dog of the Year and any of our Club Matches thereafter.
  • At each of our monthly matches, the dogs placed 1st in their class win 4 points, 2nd wins 2 points and 3rd 1 point
  • Dogs winning Best in Match gain 4 points, Reserve Best in Match gains 2 points.
  • The dog gaining most points throughout the year, becomes Dog of the Year for that Year

April 2026: It has been decided that the points system we have been using towards the Dog of the Year awards, was unnecessarily complicated & made an easy decision to simplify it. The points already awarded for this year, will be adjusted accordingly. 

The qualifying classes will receive 5,4,3,2,1 for the 1st – 5th places, with an extra 5 points for B.I.M. & 3 points for the Reserve. 

Special Stakes Class

Match classes are:

  • Baby Puppy – pups under 6 months can only take part in this class. (“Well Done Rosettes” will be awarded to all and there is no winner – so cannot challenge for Best Puppy)
  • Puppy – 6 to 12 Months
  • Yearling- 12 – 24 months
  • Open 24 months upwards 
  • Adult Handling
  • Junior Handling 
  • Best in Match 

In addition to these classes we have added a “Special Stakes” class for any dog having been awarded a CC, a Reserve CC, CACiB or CAC or any award which contributes to the title Champion in the UK or Europe.  The points system will be the same as our Dog of the Year competition.  However, winners of this class cannot challenge for Best in Match.

At the end of the year, the dog with the highest total of Special Stakes points will be awarded a prize.

Pup of the Year Competition

The Pup of the Year has all their points from Puppy and Yearling added up over the year, and the puppy with most points is Pup of the Year.

Adult & Junior Handler of the Year

4 points for 1st in class, 2 points for 2nd in class and 1 point for 3rd in class.

These are added up over the year to find our Handler/Junior Handler of the Year

We are a Kennel Club Affiliated Club.

Dogs with Challenge Certificates or any award which goes towards the title of Champion, may not compete in our matches. However, all dogs (including Champions) are welcome to come and train on normal training nights.