The South African Show Scene
Utility Group
Miniature Schnauzers in South Africa are shown in the Utility group with breeds like Boston Terriers, Bulldogs, Chows, Dalmatians, French Bulldog, Keeshond, Lhasa Apso, Poodles, Schipperke, Shar Pei, Shiba Inu, Shih Tzu, Tibetan Spaniel and Tibetan Terrier. Standard and Giant Schnauzers are shown in the Working Group.
We also have the Gundog, Herding, Hound, Terrier, Toy, and Working Groups.
The Utility Group is very strong in South Africa, with several dogs in most of the breeds being top quality, capable of winning anywhere in the world. Many have been imported as puppies or adult champions from countries overseas.
How The Shows Are Run
We have two types of shows:
Open Shows, which are used as a "training ground" for novice dogs and aspirant judges. No points are available. They are open to all pure-bred dogs, and entries are taken on the day, but are much smaller than Championship Shows with between 200 and 400 entries. Champions (Specials) may also be shown.
There are plus minus 52 All Breeds Championship Shows held annually, where dogs can earn points towards their Championship Title. Usually only two All Breeds Championship shows are held over a weekend in South Africa, so you may end up making a round trip of 2500km (+/- 1500 miles) for a show weekend.
There are several breed classes - Minor Puppy (6-9 months), Puppy (9-12 months), Junior (12-18 months) Graduate (18-24 months), SA Bred, Veterans, Open and Champions Class. All dogs in these classes (except the Champions class) compete for a Challenge Certificate, which is usually worth one point. A CC is a certificate signed by the judge that states that in their opinion the dog is worthy of being a champion. (This would be the equivalent of "Winners Dog/Bitch"). Five points (CC's) awarded by five different judges, need to be earned for championship status, all after age 9 months, and at least one of these must be won after turning 18 months. Each CC is worth one point, unless 10 or more dogs (or bitches) are entered, when the CC is worth two points. Minor Puppies and Puppies can be awarded a CC, but it can not be used towards their championship.
Who Runs Dogdom in South Africa?
Two Clubs formed in the late 1800s were the foundation of The Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA) which came into being in the early 1900s. KUSA is our national registering body, and controls the affairs of the dog world in South Africa and Namibia, with many affiliated Clubs. Breeders who wish to register puppies have to be members of KUSA, although it is not necessary to be a KUSA member if you are an exhibitor who does not breed.
KUSA also controls other disciplines, such as Agility, Obedience, Carting, Tracking, Working Trials, etc.
Miniature Schnauzers in South Africa are shown in the Utility group with breeds like Boston Terriers, Bulldogs, Chows, Dalmatians, French Bulldog, Keeshond, Lhasa Apso, Poodles, Schipperke, Shar Pei, Shiba Inu, Shih Tzu, Tibetan Spaniel and Tibetan Terrier. Standard and Giant Schnauzers are shown in the Working Group.
We also have the Gundog, Herding, Hound, Terrier, Toy, and Working Groups.
The Utility Group is very strong in South Africa, with several dogs in most of the breeds being top quality, capable of winning anywhere in the world. Many have been imported as puppies or adult champions from countries overseas.
How The Shows Are Run
We have two types of shows:
Open Shows, which are used as a "training ground" for novice dogs and aspirant judges. No points are available. They are open to all pure-bred dogs, and entries are taken on the day, but are much smaller than Championship Shows with between 200 and 400 entries. Champions (Specials) may also be shown.
There are plus minus 52 All Breeds Championship Shows held annually, where dogs can earn points towards their Championship Title. Usually only two All Breeds Championship shows are held over a weekend in South Africa, so you may end up making a round trip of 2500km (+/- 1500 miles) for a show weekend.
There are several breed classes - Minor Puppy (6-9 months), Puppy (9-12 months), Junior (12-18 months) Graduate (18-24 months), SA Bred, Veterans, Open and Champions Class. All dogs in these classes (except the Champions class) compete for a Challenge Certificate, which is usually worth one point. A CC is a certificate signed by the judge that states that in their opinion the dog is worthy of being a champion. (This would be the equivalent of "Winners Dog/Bitch"). Five points (CC's) awarded by five different judges, need to be earned for championship status, all after age 9 months, and at least one of these must be won after turning 18 months. Each CC is worth one point, unless 10 or more dogs (or bitches) are entered, when the CC is worth two points. Minor Puppies and Puppies can be awarded a CC, but it can not be used towards their championship.
Who Runs Dogdom in South Africa?
Two Clubs formed in the late 1800s were the foundation of The Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA) which came into being in the early 1900s. KUSA is our national registering body, and controls the affairs of the dog world in South Africa and Namibia, with many affiliated Clubs. Breeders who wish to register puppies have to be members of KUSA, although it is not necessary to be a KUSA member if you are an exhibitor who does not breed.
KUSA also controls other disciplines, such as Agility, Obedience, Carting, Tracking, Working Trials, etc.
Judging order
So, the judging goes as follows:
Dogs first...
1) All the classes are judged
2) The winner of each class (or every unbeaten dog/bitch) comes back to challenge for the CC.
3) Once CC has been awarded, the dog that stood second in its class to the CC dog is called back to challenge the other unbeaten dogs for the Reserve CC.
4) Champion Dog Class (Dog Specials) is judged
Then the bitches...
5) All the classes are judged
6) The winner of each class (or all unbeaten bitches) come back to challenge for the CC.
7) Once the bitch CC has been awarded, the bitch that stood second in its class to the CC bitch is called back to challenge the other unbeaten bitches for the Reserve CC.
8) Champion Bitch Class (Bitch Specials) is judged.
The CC Dog, Champion Dog, CC Bitch and Champion Bitch all come back to challenge for Best of Breed. BOB is awarded and the dog/bitch that stood second in its class to the BOB winner is called back to challenge the others for the Reserve Best of Breed. We don't have a Best Opposite Sex class, so you may end up with two dogs or two bitches as BOB and RBOB. The Minor Puppy and Puppy Dog and Bitch challenge for Best Puppy.
The Best of Breed goes forward to the Group judging, and the Best Puppy goes in for Best Puppy in Group Judging. Some shows have special challenges for the Reserve Best of Breed, Best Junior, Best Veteran and Best SA Bred winners.
So, the judging goes as follows:
Dogs first...
1) All the classes are judged
2) The winner of each class (or every unbeaten dog/bitch) comes back to challenge for the CC.
3) Once CC has been awarded, the dog that stood second in its class to the CC dog is called back to challenge the other unbeaten dogs for the Reserve CC.
4) Champion Dog Class (Dog Specials) is judged
Then the bitches...
5) All the classes are judged
6) The winner of each class (or all unbeaten bitches) come back to challenge for the CC.
7) Once the bitch CC has been awarded, the bitch that stood second in its class to the CC bitch is called back to challenge the other unbeaten bitches for the Reserve CC.
8) Champion Bitch Class (Bitch Specials) is judged.
The CC Dog, Champion Dog, CC Bitch and Champion Bitch all come back to challenge for Best of Breed. BOB is awarded and the dog/bitch that stood second in its class to the BOB winner is called back to challenge the others for the Reserve Best of Breed. We don't have a Best Opposite Sex class, so you may end up with two dogs or two bitches as BOB and RBOB. The Minor Puppy and Puppy Dog and Bitch challenge for Best Puppy.
The Best of Breed goes forward to the Group judging, and the Best Puppy goes in for Best Puppy in Group Judging. Some shows have special challenges for the Reserve Best of Breed, Best Junior, Best Veteran and Best SA Bred winners.
Champions (or "Specials")
Unlike the USA, we may not simply "move up" to the Champions Class if a dog has won the requisite number of points (CCs) - we continue to show the dog in its class until KUSA confirms that the dog has indeed become a champion. Thereafter the dog can be entered in the Champions Class, although there is nothing to stop an exhibitor from continuing to show a Champion in the Open class, thereby continuing to compete for points. In advertisements, one may read that a dog finished its title, but is not yet gazetted - this indicates that the dog has won the requisite number of points for championship, but has not yet been officially confirmed by KUSA.
About The Judges
We have several All Breeds Judges, as well as Group Judges in South Africa; and several clubs "import" judges from overseas.
Where Are Shows Held?
As South Africa is generally hot and sunny, we do not have many indoor shows and most shows are held outdoors. Unfortunately, if it is cold and rainy we still show outside!!
Entry Numbers
Most shows have entries of between 600 and 1000 dogs. Miniature Schnauzers entries range from 2 - 14 at a show at the moment.
Handlers
Most dogs in South Africa are owner-handled although there are a few people who do handle dogs for other exhibitors.
Unlike the USA, we may not simply "move up" to the Champions Class if a dog has won the requisite number of points (CCs) - we continue to show the dog in its class until KUSA confirms that the dog has indeed become a champion. Thereafter the dog can be entered in the Champions Class, although there is nothing to stop an exhibitor from continuing to show a Champion in the Open class, thereby continuing to compete for points. In advertisements, one may read that a dog finished its title, but is not yet gazetted - this indicates that the dog has won the requisite number of points for championship, but has not yet been officially confirmed by KUSA.
About The Judges
We have several All Breeds Judges, as well as Group Judges in South Africa; and several clubs "import" judges from overseas.
Where Are Shows Held?
As South Africa is generally hot and sunny, we do not have many indoor shows and most shows are held outdoors. Unfortunately, if it is cold and rainy we still show outside!!
Entry Numbers
Most shows have entries of between 600 and 1000 dogs. Miniature Schnauzers entries range from 2 - 14 at a show at the moment.
Handlers
Most dogs in South Africa are owner-handled although there are a few people who do handle dogs for other exhibitors.
