XIX. Non-licensed Conformation Classes.

A. Rules applying to non-licensed conformation classes.

1. Non-licensed classes may be offered at all UKC conformation shows, except that Group, Best in Multi-Breed Show and Best In Show classes may only be offered in accordance with the rules in this Section, paragraph B, subparagraph 5 below. A host club must request nonlicensed classes when submitting its “Event Application for a Scheduled Weekend”. Notice of the non-licensed classes will be published in BLOODLINES magazine with the notice of the club’s licensed event. Non-licensed classes may only be offered for breeds for which licensed classes are offered.

2. At the discretion of the Event Committee, breed specific non-licensed classes may be scheduled immediately following Best of Breed judging for that breed. Group competition may commence immediately after all breeds for that group have been judged.

3. Group, Best in Multi-breed Show and Best in Show must be judged by licensed Judges. All other non-licensed classes may be judged by non-licensed Judges or licensed Judges.

4. No Championship points or Top Ten points shall be awarded as a result of winning a nonlicensed class.

1. Novice Puppy Classes. All Puppy classes shall be divided individually by breed and by sex. An individual judge’s book shall be prepared for each breed, consisting of the following classes:


a. Novice Male and Novice Female classes. For intact dogs 3 months of age and under 6 months of age that are permanently registered with UKC as of the day of the show, or that have a valid Temporary Listing (TL) number as of the day of the show, or that are not yet permanently registered but that are from litters registered with UKC as of the day of the show. The Judge shall give up to four placements, where possible, in these classes.

b. Best of Breed Novice Puppy. This class shall consist of the winners of the Novice Male class and the Novice Female class. The judge shall select a single winner in this class.

2. Stud Dog and Brood Bitch Classes. Classes shall be divided by breed and judged separately by sex. These classes shall be judged on the quality of the progeny and not the individual stud dogs and brood bitches. Stud dogs and brood bitches must be permanently registered with UKC as of the day of the show to be eligible for this class. Progeny may compete if they are permanently registered with UKC, are out of UKC Registered litters, or have a valid Temporary Listing number on the day of the show. Spayed bitches and neutered dogs are eligible to compete in these classes but not as progeny. The Judge shall give up to four placements, where possible, in these classes. Only the exhibitors of the stud dogs and brood bitches are required to wear armbands in these classes.


a. Stud Dog. Each entry in this class shall consist of a stud dog and at least two but not more than four dogs sired by that dog. The progeny must be at least three months of age and may include both sexes. At least two of the progeny must be entered in the licensed classes. Stud dogs entered in this class may not be counted as progeny for their sires in the same class. Entries shall be made in the name of the stud dog.

b. Brood Bitch. Each entry in this class shall consist of a brood bitch and at least two but not more than four dogs produced by that bitch. The progeny must be at least three months of age and may include both sexes. At least two of the progeny must be entered in the licensed classes. Brood bitches entered in this class may not be counted as progeny for their dams in the same class. Entries shall be made in the name of the brood bitch.

3. Miscellaneous Classes. These classes shall be divided by breed.


a. Brace Class. Each entry in this class consists of two dogs of the same breed handled by a single handler. This class shall be judged on the basis of the overall quality of the entry and the similarity of the two dogs in type, size, and markings. The purpose of this class is to reward high quality within consistent type. The Judge shall give up to four placements, where possible, in this class. Dogs must be six months of age or older, intact and permanently registered with UKC or have a valid Temporary Listing number on the day of the show in order to be eligible for this class.

b. Veteran Class. This class consists of dogs seven years of age, or older and shall be divided by sex. The purpose of this class is to reward dogs that maintain good breed type and good condition as they age, and to give other breeders an opportunity to see the top dogs of the past. The judge shall give up to four placements, where possible, in this class. The Best Veteran Male shall compete with the Best Veteran Female for Best Veteran of Breed. Dogs must be permanently registered with UKC or have a valid Temporary Listing number on the day of the show in order to be eligible for this class. Spayed and neutered dogs are eligible for this class.

c. Altered Dogs. This class consists of purebred dogs six months of age or older that have been spayed or neutered. This class shall be divided by sex. The Judge shall select a single winner in each class. The Best Altered Male shall compete with the Best Altered Female for Best Altered Dog of Breed. The purpose of this class is to enable owners of spayed and neutered dogs to get an evaluation of their dog’s conformation and to enable breeders to see a wider range of dogs resulting from the breeding programs. Dogs must be permanently registered with UKC or have a valid Temporary Listing number on the day of the show in order to be eligible for this class.

4. Group, Best in Multi-Breed Show and Best in Show classes. The club is responsible for preparing an individual group Judge’s book for each group offered and a separate Judge’s book for Best in Show or Best in Multi-Breed show.


a. Group Classes. Each UKC-recognized breed belongs to one of eight Groups. Each Group class shall consist of the Best of Breed winners from those breeds belonging to that specific Group as listed in Section XVI. Groups shall be judged by a single Judge who shall give up to four placements, where possible, in this class.


i. Group classes at All-Breed shows. Group classes must be offered by clubs hosting all-breed shows.

ii. Group classes at Multi-Breed shows. A club may only hold a Group class when it offers classes for five or more breeds in that Group.

b. Best In Multi-Breed Show. A club must host a minimum of ten breeds in order to offer this class.


i. If no Group classes are offered, this class consists of the Best of Breed winners from all breeds offered at the show. When one or more Group class is offered, the Best in Multi-breed Show class shall consist of the first-place winners of each Group and those remaining Best of Breed winners who were not defeated in any Group class.

ii. This class must be judged by a single licensed UKC Judge.

iii. The name of the Judge shall not be made public until immediately prior to the start of judging for this class.

iv. The Judge shall select a Best in Multibreed Show winner and a Reserve Best in Multi-breed Show winner.

c. Best In Show. A club must host all breeds eligible for UKC conformation privileges in order to offer this class.


i. This class consists of the first-place winners of each Group class.

ii. The Best in Show class may be judged by a single licensed UKC Judge or by a panel of three licensed UKC Judges at the discretion of the Event Committee.

iii. The name(s) of the Judge(s) shall not be made public until immediately prior to the start of judging for this class.

iv. The Judge(s) shall select a Best in Show winner and a Reserve Best in Show winner.

5. Special Exhibitions. Clubs may offer an exhibition only class. Each club may establish the requirements for entry in this class and is encouraged to include conformation and performance dogs. A club may call the class by whatever name it chooses but the name should reflect the requirements for entry. Each dog will be given the opportunity to enter the ring and have a commentator read the dog’s accomplishments. Clubs may offer rosettes, ribbons, or trophies to each participant.

6. Total Dog Award. A club (or with special written approval by UKC, a combination of clubs holding events in conjunction with each other) offering conformation and at least one eligible performance event may apply to offer the Total Dog Award when submitting its “Event Application for a Scheduled Weekend”. Clubs hosting more then one conformation and/or performance event on the day Total Dog awards are offered may have all events considered eligible when determining Total Dog qualifiers.


a. Eligible dogs. Dogs that are permanently registered with UKC as of the day of the show and dogs that have a valid Temporary Listing (TL) number as of the day of the show are eligible to compete for the Total Dog Award.

b. Requirements for Total Dog Award. To be eligible for this award, a dog must meet the requirements listed below.


i. Compete in conformation with competition and win one of the following classes:


(a) Best Male/Female of Variety

(b) Best Male/Female

(c) Best of Winners

(d) Champion

(e) Grand Champion

(f) Best of Breed

(g) Group 1 through 4 (Note: Group 4 win only counts if there are five or more breeds in the Group class.)

(h) Best in Multi-Breed Show

(i) Reserve Best In Multi-Breed Show

(j) Best in Show

(k) Reserve Best in Show

ii. Earn a qualifying score in a licensed class at a UKC Performance Event (Agility, Obedience, Weight Pull, Dog Sport, Terrier Race or UKC licensed Hunt events).

c. For the purpose of this award, competition through Best of Breed is defined as defeating another dog of the same breed. If there is no competition of the same breed, a Best of Breed winner who defeats another dog of a different breed by placing in the Group, by winning Best or Reserve Best in Multi-breed Show, or by winning Best or Reserve Best in Show shall be considered to have a win with competition.