XII. Licensed classes.

A. Rules applying to licensed classes.

1. No dog may be entered in more than one licensed conformation class at the same event.

2. No dog may be entered or shown in a licensed event that has been previously disqualified, except as noted. A dog that has been excused by a judge may be shown in subsequent events. A dog that has been disqualified by a judge under its breed standard (for a reason other than attacking or attempting to attack) may be shown in subsequent events. A dog that has been disqualified under its breed standard three times is ineligible to compete at UKC events. A dog that is disqualified for attacking or attempting to attack (bite) may not be shown at subsequent events until such time as it has been reinstated by UKC.

3. Once in the ring, dogs may not leave until the class is over or unless excused or disqualified by the Judge.

4. If a dog is found to have been exhibited in the wrong class, the class shall not be re-judged.

5. If a dog is not present for the judging of the class in which it is entered, said dog shall be marked absent. No class once judged shall be re-judged.

6. Class winners must compete in the next level of competition through Best of Breed unless defeated, excused, disqualified, or if the dog becomes ill or lame. Dogs withdrawn from competition for health reasons may be required by the Event Committee to present the dog to the show veterinarian to verify the dog’s condition.

7. Invalid entries.


a. Any dog shown in a licensed class and whose entry is subsequently determined to be invalid shall receive no points but shall count as having competed.

b. No points or awards shall be given to the second place dog in any regular licensed class when the entry of a class winner is subsequently determined to be invalid.

c. When the entry of a dog is subsequently determined to be invalid, and that dog has won the licensed class for which there is a Reserve award (Best Male/Female of Variety, Best Male/Female, and Champion classes) given, all points may be given to the Reserve winner from that class. The reserve win may or may not include the competition win. Best of Winners, Best of Breed and Top Ten Points earned by the invalid entry will not be awarded to the Reserve winner.

8. Class changes.


a. Lateral class changes. A lateral Class change moving from an age regulated class to the Breeder/Handler class is prohibited. However a dog may be moved from the Breeder/Handler class to the appropriate age regulated class if the Breeder of record is unable to exhibit the dog.

b. Class Changes and Posting of class change policy. Class changes must be completed no later than one-half hour prior to the start of any regular judging on the day of the show. In the case of a club running two shows simultaneously, the club must post its class change policy at the entry table and the Event Secretary’s table on the day of the show, or publish the class change policy in the Judging Schedule.

c. Official UKC Class Change/Entry Correction form. Class change requests or corrections to any entry form must be done in writing using an Official UKC Class Change/Entry Correction Form as provided by the club. The Event Secretary must attach the form to the original entry.

d. Moving up or moving to a lower level of competition. Any dog that has, according to the owner’s records, completed the requirements for a UKC title may be shown at the next level of competition at the first event following the completion of requirements for the title. At UKC licensed conformation shows and performance trials where two events are held concurrently, any dog completing the requirements for a title at Show/Trial 2 cannot be moved up to the next level of competition for Show/Trial 1. If an exhibitor chooses to compete in Show/Trial 1, he/she must do so in the lower class. Dogs completing title requirements at show/Trial 1 may transfer to the next level of competition for Show/Trial 2, and may compete at the higher level of competition.


i. If a dog is moved to a higher class prior to UKC notification.


(a) Moving back to lower level of competition. Once a dog has been shown at the higher level of competition, it may not be returned to a lower level unless the owner has been notified by UKC that the dog is ineligible for the higher level.

(b) Owner’s records are incorrect. If the owner’s records are incorrect, all wins earned while showing at the higher level of competition shall be invalid.

ii. Moving a dog to the Champion/ Grand Champion class after Official Notification from UKC. Once an owner has been notified that his/her dog has earned the Champion or Grand Champion title, that dog is ineligible for the Regular Classes and must thereafter be shown in the class appropriate to its title.

iii. UKC Official Notification. Once UKC has officially recorded a Championship or Grand Championship title and has issued and mailed the appropriate title certificate,the owner shall be deemed notified.

*1. General rules. A Judge may require that any dog be measured. Exhibitors in the ring have the right to require that a dog competing in the ring be measured or weighed for those breeds with a height or weight disqualification, except that Toy Fox Terriers are only required to be weighed in accordance with paragraph 2 below. The Judge will comply with an exhibitor’s request if it is made before the class judging is complete. The Judge’s determination of the dog’s height or weight is final. The judge must note in the Judge’s book the height or weight of any dog disqualified as a result of measuring. Height is determined by drawing a straight line from the top of the withers perpendicular to the ground. Judges cannot disqualify dogs shown in the Puppy class for being under height or weight minimums.


a. A wicket must be available and provided by the club for use in measuring dogs’ heights.

b. A weight scale must be available and provided by the club for use in weighing dogs.

2. Weight rules for Toy Fox Terriers. All Toy Fox Terriers must be weighed once per weekend before being exhibited. Once a dog has been weighed in, it is considered weighed in for those shows hosted by that club on that weekend and it cannot be required to be weighed again. Clubs hosting Toy Fox Terriers must provide a scale on the day of the show to weigh Toy Fox Terrier entrants. Dogs may be weighed by the Judge, Event Committee members, or officers of the host club. No person who is exhibiting a Toy Fox Terrier in a show may weigh a competitor’s dog prior to that show. Dogs entered on the day of the show may be weighed at the time of entry. Dogs entered prior to the day of the show must be weighed prior to check-in at the entry table. Individual dog weights must be noted on the entry form by the Event Secretary. Toy Fox Terriers weighing over 7 pounds may not be shown in another conformation event unless and until they have officially weighed in at 7 pounds or under.

1. Purebred dogs that are permanently registered with UKC as of the day of the show or,

2. Purebred dogs that have a valid Temporary Listing (TL) number as of the day of the show.

1. Regular classes. These classes are for dogs that have not attained their Champion or Grand Champion title. Classes shall be divided by sex and by variety, for those breeds that have varieties. The Judge shall give up to four placements, where possible, in these classes. Where classes are divided by sex, all male classes shall be judged before female classes.


a. Puppy Male or Puppy Female. For dogs 6 months of age and under one year of age, that have not attained their Champion or Grand Champion title.

b. Junior Male or Junior Female. For dogs one year of age and under two years of age that have not attained their Champion or Grand Champion title.

c. Senior Male or Senior Female. For dogs two years of age and under three years of age that have not attained their Champion or Grand Champion title.

d. Adult Male or Adult Female. For dogs three years of age and older that have not attained their Champion or Grand Champion title.

e. Breeder/Handler Male or Breeder/Handler Female. For dogs six months of age or older that have not attained their Champion or Grand Champion title, and that are handled in this class by a breeder of record at UKC, or by a member of the immediate family of a breeder of record.

2. Best Male of Variety (for breeds with varieties). This class shall consist of the first place winners of the Puppy Male of Variety, Junior Male of Variety, Senior Male of Variety, Adult Male of Variety, and Breeder/Handler Male of Variety. This class shall be offered for each variety within the breed. The Judge shall select a single winner in this class.

3. Reserve Best Male of Variety (for breeds with varieties). This class shall consist of the second place winner (if there is one) in the class from which the Best Male of Variety was selected, and the remaining first place class winners that competed for Best Male of Variety. This class shall be offered for each variety within the breed. The judge shall select a single winner in this class.

4. Best Male class. The Judge shall select a single winner in this class.


a. For breeds without varieties. This class shall consist of the first place winners of the Puppy Male, Junior Male, Senior Male, Adult Male and Breeder/Handler Male classes.

b. For breeds with varieties. This class shall consist of the winners of each Best Male of Variety class.

5. Reserve Best Male. The Judge shall select a single winner in this class.


a. For breeds without varieties. This class shall consist of the second place winner (if there is one) from the class from which the Best Male was selected, and the remaining first place class winners that competed for Best Male.

b. For breeds with varieties. This class shall consist of the Reserve Best Male of Variety from the same variety class from which the Best Male was selected, and the remaining Best Males of Variety that competed for Best Male.

6. Best Female of Variety (for breeds with varieties). This class shall consist of the first place winners of the Puppy Female of Variety, Junior Female of Variety, Senior Female of Variety, Adult Female of Variety, and Breeder/Handler Female of Variety for each variety within a breed. This class shall be offered for each variety within the breed. The Judge shall select a single winner in this class.

7. Reserve Best Female of Variety. This class shall consist of the second place winner (if there is one) in the class from which the Best Female of Variety was selected, and the remaining first place class winners that competed for Best Female of Variety. This class shall be offered for each variety within the breed. The Judge shall select a single winner in this class.

8. Best Female class. The Judge shall select a single winner in this class.


a. For breeds without varieties. This class shall consist of the first place winners of the Puppy Female, Junior Female, Senior Female, Adult Female and Breeder/Handler Female classes.

b. For breeds with varieties. This class shall consist of the winners of each Best Female of Variety class.

9. Reserve Best Female. The Judge shall select a single winner in this class.


a. For breeds without varieties. This class shall consist of the second place winner (if there is one) from the class from which the Best Female was selected, and the remaining first place class winners that competed for Best Female.

b. For breeds with varieties. This class shall consist of the Reserve Best Female of Variety from the same variety class from which the Best Female was selected, and the remaining Best Females of Variety that competed for Best Female.

10. Best of Winners. This class shall consist of the winner of the Best Male class and the winner of the Best Female class. This class shall not be held unless both Best Male and Best Female are awarded.

11. Champion. This class shall consist of dogs of both sexes that have earned their UKC Champion title. The Judge shall select a Champion class winner and a Reserve Champion class winner in this class.

12. Grand Champion. This class shall consist of dogs of both sexes that have earned their UKC Grand Champion title. The Judge shall select a single winner in this class.

13. Best of Breed. This class may consist of the winner of the Grand Champion class, the winner of the Champion class, and the winner of the Best of Winners class. If the Best of Winners class is not held due to lack of competition, the Best Male or Best Female that is present shall compete in the Best of Breed class. The Judge shall select a single winner in this class. At National Specialties only, the host club may request permission to have this class judged by a three-Judge panel, consisting of at least two Senior Judges licensed for that breed. Such requests must be made in writing at the time the club applies to host the event. The names of the Judges shall not be made public until immediately prior to the start of judging for this class.


a. Order of judging.


i. Breeds without varieties. Classes for breeds without varieties shall be judge in the following order:


(a) Puppy Male, Junior Male, Senior Male, Adult Male, Breeder/Handler Male
(b) Best Male
(c) Reserve Best Male
(d) Puppy Female, Junior Female, Senior Female, Adult Female, Breeder/Handler Female
(e) Best Female
(f) Reserve Best Female
(g) Best of Winners
(h) Champion
(i) Reserve Champion
(j) Grand Champion
(k) Best of Breed

ii. Breeds with varieties. Classes for breeds with varieties (Section XIV) shall be judged in the following order:


(a) Puppy Male of Variety, Junior Male of Variety, Senior Male of Variety, Adult Male of Variety, Breeder/Handler Male of Variety
(b) Best Male of Variety
(c) Reserve Best Male of Variety
(d) Remaining regular class males of each variety will be judged as above.
(e) Best Male
(f) Reserve Best Male
(g) Puppy Female of Variety, Junior Female of Variety, Senior Female of Variety, Adult Female of Variety, Breeder/Handler Female of Variety
(h) Best Female of Variety
(i) Reserve Best Female of Variety
(j) Remaining regular class females of each variety will be judged as above.
(k) Best Female
(l) Reserve Best Female
(m) Best of Winners
(n) Champion
(o) Reserve Champion
(p) Grand Champion
(q) Best of Breed

*14. Junior Showmanship. Junior Showmanship classes are mandatory and must be offered by all UKC Licensed clubs offering conformation events with the exception of specialty clubs holding events in conjunction with Premier. Clubs licensed to offer UKC conformation shows must use UKC Licensed Junior Showmanship Judges and follow UKC Junior Showmanship Rules. The purpose of these classes is to evaluate each Junior Handler’s ability to present his/her dog, his/her general dog knowledge, and his/her specific knowledge of the dog and breed of dog he/she is presenting. Dogs that are six months of age or older are eligible to compete in Junior Showmanship classes and may be spayed or neutered.

*Eligible dogs.


1. Dogs must be six months of age or older on the day of the event.

2. Dogs must be permanently registered, have a Limited Privilege number or a valid Temporary Listing number.

3. Dogs may be purebred or an altered mixed breed.

4. Dogs may be spayed or neutered.

*5. Females in Season must not enter Junior Showmanship. If a female dog that is being shown comes into season, and the junior wishes to change dogs, they may do so with a dog that meets all other requirements. In such cases, an Entry Correction form must be completed by the Junior and given to the Event Secretary before exhibiting.


*a. Determining Junior’s age class category. The age of the junior as of January 1st of each year shall determine the division in which the junior competes for that entire year. If a junior reaches an age that advances them to the next age division, they will not move up to the higher class until the following calendar year. An exception to this rule is made for the Sub-Junior that turn 8 years of age inside the Junior year. On the Juniors 8th birthday the junior may move from the Sub-Junior class to the Novice Junior Class. Once this move had been made the junior may not move back down to the Sub-Junior Class. No Junior Member who has competed in the Open Junior class may subsequently compete in the Novice Senior Class.

b. Classes. Classes are divided by the age of the Junior Handler and not by the breed of dog.


i. Pee-Wee. This class is for children two years and under four years of age. Parents are allowed to assist children in the ring to ensure that dogs are under control at all times. No placements will be made in this class. Clubs must offer an award or ribbon to each participant.

ii. Sub-Junior. This class is for children four years and under eight years of age. Parents are allowed to assist children in the ring to ensure that dogs are under control at all times. No placements will be made in this class. Clubs must offer an award or ribbon to each participant.

iii. Junior Classes. This class is for youngsters 8 years and under 13 years of age.


(a) Novice Junior. This class is for any Junior Member who has never earned a Best Junior Handler award with competition or who has not earned three first place wins from the Novice Junior class. The Judge shall give up to four placements, where possible, in this class.

(b) Open Junior. This class is for any Junior Member who has earned a Best Junior Handler award with competition from the Novice Junior class or who has earned three first place wins from the Novice Junior class with competition. The Judge shall give up to four placements, where possible, in this class.

iv. Senior Classes. This class is for youngsters 13 years of age and under 19 years of age.


(a) Novice Senior. This class is for any Senior member who has never earned a Best Junior Handler award with competition or who has not earned three first place wins from the Novice Junior class with competition. The Judge shall give up to four placements, where possible, in this class.

(b) Open Senior. This class is for any Junior Member who has earned a Best Junior Handler award with competition from the Novice Junior class or Novice Senior class who has earned three first place wins from the Novice Junior or Novice Senior class with competition. The Judge shall give up to four placements, where possible, in this class.

Best Junior Handler: Best Junior Handler class shall consist of the first place winner from the Novice Junior class, the Open Junior Class, the Novice Senior Class and the Open Senior Class. The Judge shall select a single winner in this class.