The Uganda National Dog Show Judging Program
Conditions
To complete the judging program and be eligible for a judging exam, aspiring judges:
- should be the breeders of any of the FCI breeds
- should be in a dog-related profession
- should demonstrate interest in judging by supporting CAU events
- must have an apprentice certificate signed by at least three FCI judges.
Preparations for the exam
Aspiring judges must know the breed standards of the breeds they want to judge. The recommendation is to prepare for two or three breeds within the same group and to sit for the exam. The exam will include questions on dog anatomy, breed standards, judging procedures, animal welfare, and judging ethics.
Preparation for the exam rests solely on the aspiring judge, although CAU may, from time to time, provide seminars and training sessions.
Process
Apply for the judging program by requesting an application form from the CAU administrator. Return the form, and you will be issued the available training materials.
CAU will schedule a training session with three or more aspiring judges. In this session, we will discuss the breed standards, how to examine the dog, the ring procedures, and general ring etiquette and rules. You will be assigned a mentor and will be given two weeks to prepare for the exam.
CAU will schedule the exam for three or more judges at a time. A judge who has been certified for one or more breeds should continue attending exams until they complete the entire FCI group. An aspiring judge can apply for several breeds at a time.
The exam consists of two written tests: one covering general judging topics, and the other breed-specific. The practical part of the test is to judge the specified breed based on a live animal, or if the dog is not available, based on a video of the breed. An aspiring judge must accomplish all aspects of the exam to pass and receive a judging certificate.
The assigned mentor will observe certified judges at one club or national event and provide CAU with a recommendation to include the certified judge on the approved judges list.
Explaining the general requirements
The requirement to breed the specific breed is based on the premise that the breeder-judge has the in-depth experience that others outside the breed typically lack. Because they have such insight into their breed, breeder-judges tend to be tougher on their own breed. You should have a minimum of five years of experience as a breeder to enter the judging program.
A dog-related profession usually points to veterinarians. However, with more groomers and pet suppliers, we encourage everyone involved with dogs to participate in the judging program.
Supporting CAU events can be done in multiple ways: as a volunteer in and around the ring, as a judge’s assistant, as a declared apprentice judge, or through the means of amplifying the CAU messages on social media, mobilising exhibitors, assisting in the vet tent, guiding and ushering exhibitors around the grounds, and so on.
Apprentice certificates are issued by visiting judges to all interested applicants who have assisted in the rings during the national dog shows.
When you become a national judge
You will be given priority for judging club events and assigned to FCI judges to assist with national events.
You can help organise breed clubs and events, as well as visit different breeders to exchange knowledge and tips about the breeds.
Always remember to evaluate dogs without fear or favour – your reputation depends on picking quality dogs, irrespective of the owners being your best friends or sworn enemies.
You are not permitted to judge your own dogs or dogs you co-own with someone else. Professional handlers you hire to show your dogs can not show any other dogs to you for a period of at least three months.
Your impartial judgment must never be compromised. Your role is to choose the best.
Continuing education
CAU will provide you with the seminars covering the FCI breeds present in Uganda. These will be training seminars held via Zoom, and you are required to complete continuing education to earn the required continuing education points to apply for further exams.
At CAU, we have clear rules and caveats that govern a judge’s progression – including a limit to the number of breeds a judge can apply for and how fast they can be green-lighted to judge them. That’s because, like experts in any field, good dog-show judges are always still learning. As you stand in the middle of that ring, you will always be in the middle of your own education, too.
Exams
There are two levels of judging examinations within the programme:
1. National judging examination (CAU level)
2. FCI judging examination
National judging examination (CAU level)
This is the foundational level of qualification. National judging exams are organised and conducted under CAU. Candidates must first qualify at this level before progressing further. This makes you a national judge, and follows a set pattern of coaching, mentoring, and exams organised by the CAU throughout the year.
At your first exam, you will be allowed to choose the breed you own, and two additional breeds. The three breeds should be from the same FCI group, although this is not mandatory. The South African Boerboel can be included alongside the three FCI breeds.
For any subsequent exam, you can study any additional five breeds from your chosen FCI group; this continues until you complete the group. You must complete one FCI group before starting to study another.
Any national judge who successfully completes one or more FCI groups under CAU examination becomes eligible for the FCI exam.
Costs
While we recognise the urgent need for national judges, the judging program must incur a fee. See the table of costs below:
| Training, sharing of training materials, and mentoring | Continuous | 100,000 |
| Aspiring judges transport and refreshments for training sessions | As required | At one’s own cost |
| First exam | Essentials of judging, dog anatomy, ring procedures, ring ethics, animal welfare, etc., with up to three breeds | 100,000 |
| Subsequent exams | Up to five breeds | 100,000 |
FCI judging examination (FCI international judge)
This is the international qualification level. Eligibility for the FCI examination is obtained after successfully completing the required progression at the National (CAU) level. This will be conducted as a part of the program for the subsequent National Dog Shows, at least once every 12 months.
FCI proctored exam | Minimum four aspiring judges required | $300 |