UKC Beagle Bench Show Judges Authority and Responsibilities

AUTHORITY

The UKC Hunting Beagle Program not only encourages dogs to be hunted in our UKC events, it is required that they hunt in order to show, at least until they acquire 50 championship hunt points. Bench Show Judges should pay particular attention not to penalize a dog that has been hunted. A Hunting Beagle shown on the bench should be in field ready condition and have the strength and endurance to compete according to the Hunting Beagle rules.

1. The Judge is in charge of the show, and their decisions are final.

2. A Judge may disqualify any dog for fighting or attempting to bite another dog or person. The Judge may disqualify an exhibitor for any unsportsmanlike action. A Judge has the right to request that a handler or spectator be removed from the show site for unsportsmanlike behavior.

3. Judge has the right to withhold giving an award and/or UKC Championship points if, in their opinion, there is not a dog submitted that qualifies or meets the UKC Official Breed Standard.

4. A Judge may not be called upon to fault any dog after the show is over and winners are announced. They have the right to refuse.

5. Judge has the right to split or divide classes when considered necessary.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. The Judge must be UKC licensed for the year in which they are judging and should have their current Judge’s card with them at the time of the show. No Championship points will be awarded otherwise.

2. Neither UKC Judges nor apprentice Judges are to enter their dogs in any UKC Licensed Beagle Bench Show that they are judging in whole or in part. Their dogs cannot be entered by a handler. Nor can any member of a Judge’s or apprentice Judge’s immediate family show under that Judge.

3. A UKC Judge is responsible for their own conduct and appearance, which should always be becoming to a Judge.

4. A newly approved Judge cannot have an apprentice serve under them until they have judged at least one show.

5. No more than one apprentice can serve under a Judge at a show.

6. UKC Judges are to keep up-to-date on any changes in the standards.

7. Judge must see that all handlers walk or gait dogs. Dogs must be gaited for Judge to determine to what degree each dog conforms to breed standard. Dogs must be evaluated equally when gaited and shown on the bench.

8. Judge shall have handler open dog’s mouth for Judge to check dog’s bite (for dog’s health reasons).

9. Judge must physically check all dogs bone structure and conformation.

10. Judge will remove from the bench any female dog in season.

11. A Judge shall give equal time in examining each dog they are judging. Every dog warrants a Judge’s complete inspection.

12. Judge shall not ask individual handling dog: (1) who owns dog; (2) who dog was purchased from; or (3) what line the dog is out of while judging the dog.

13. A Judge shall not remove an “off” standard dog from the bench. The Judge will deduct points from the “off” standard dog in making their ultimate decision, unless it is a disqualifying fault. In that case, the dog is not to be considered for judging. If a Judge determines a dog to have a disqualifying fault, they should submit to UKC the dog’s name, UKC number and description of the fault along with the show report.

14. Judge shall not carry on conversations with spectators while show is in progress. Judge is not to be influenced by any person or that person’s actions.

15. The Judge must accurately report their decisions to the recording secretary.

16. The Judge must complete and sign the Official Show Report Forms for Championship points immediately following the show. Copies of the report go to UKC, the participant, the Bench Show Judge and to the club hosting the event. Please see that each party receives the proper copy of the report. Submit UKC’s copy within ten days or a penalty charge of $20 per month will be made.

*Please note that the yellow copy is a personal receipt for the participant and is perforated for convenience. Receipts shall be issued to Class Winners, Best Male and Female (Registered), Best of Winners (Registered), Champion of Champions and Grand Champion.

17. The Judge must never sign blank show report forms or receipts.

18. If the Judge is also an officer of the club whose event they are judging, two other officers’ signatures are also required on the Official Show Report.

19. UKC has the right to suspend or revoke any Judge’s license.