All Breeds Championship Dog Shows being held in 2023 by Clubs & Societies affiliated to the Maltese National Canine Federation. (Dates & number of shows subject to changes)
2023 CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW DATES:
16th & 17th September 2023 - THE MALTA CANINE SOCIETY - Two Day Open Air - 2 shows in one weekend -Venue: Qrendi Football Ground CRUFTS 2024 QUALIFIER
Judges: D.Stewart-Ritchie & C.Friend-Rees
4th & 5th November 2023- 50th Anniversary Championship Show
THE MALTA CANINE SOCIETY -
Venue: TBA
Judges: H.Ogden &
*Dates are subject to changes *Number of shows can vary.
Our shows are open for the general public.
Only dogs that are competing in the show are allowed in the show venue.
2024 CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW DATES:
10th & 11th February 2024 - THE MALTA CANINE SOCIETY -
Venue: Centru Pastorali Qalb Ta' Gesu - Qrendi
13th & 14th April 2024 - THE MALTA CANINE SOCIETY -
Venue: Centru Pastorali Qalb Ta' Gesu - Qrendi
25th & 26th May 2024- THE MALTA CANINE SOCIETY -
Two Day Open Air - 2 shows in one weekend - Venue: Qrendi Football Ground
7th & 8th September 2024 - THE MALTA CANINE SOCIETY -
Two Day Open Air - 2 shows in one weekend - Eukanuba National Championships -
Venue: Qrendi Football Ground CRUFTS 2025 QUALIFIER
2nd & 3rd November 2024- Annual Championship Show - THE MALTESE NATIONAL CANINE FEDERATION -
Venue: Centru Pastorali Qalb Ta' Gesu - Qrendi
*Dates are subject to changes *Number of shows can vary.
Our shows are open for the general public.
Only dogs that are competing in the show are allowed in the show venue.
Dog Shows explained:
Our shows are based on the U.K system. Dogs are judged according to the British Breed Standards. The breeds are divided in 6 Groups, being the Working, Terrier, Gundog, Toy, Utility & Hound. Each breed is divided by sex, dogs & bitches, which are then divided into 4 age classes, those for puppies (4 to 12 months), Juniors (12 to 18 months), Open (18 months to 7 years) and Veteran (7 years and over).
Anyone who becomes a member of the Society can participate as long as they own a breed which is recognized by the Kennel Club (U.K). Participating dogs must be registered with the Maltese National Canine Federation. Special arrangements are made for overseas exhibitors in this regard. All our shows are judged by British judges who are purposely invited for every show.
So how does it work?
The breeds are separated in six groups, as described above. There are also 6 groups for the Puppies and Juniors.
The classes:
Every exhibit competes in the relevant class in it's breed. For instance, a dog aged 14 months will compete in the Junior Dog class in the breed, in which other dogs aged between 12 months and not more than 18 months on the first day of the show. A 7 month old puppy bitch will compete in the Puppy Bitch class where she will be competing with other puppy bitches aged between 4 months and not more than 12 months on the first day of the show.
The winners:
The winners of the Puppy, Junior, Open and Veteran Bitch will then compete for the Best Bitch Breed. Same applies for dogs (males). The winners of Best Bitch and Best Dog will compete for the Best Of Breed. Each Best Of Breed winner represents its breed in the relevant Group for Best In Group, the winner of which competes at the end of the show for the coveted Best In Show title. The winner of the Puppy bitch class competes with the winner of puppy dog class for Best Puppy in Breed, who then represents the breed in the relevant Puppy Group for the Best Puppy In Group, which, at the end of the show, competes with the other 5 puppy group winners for Best Puppy In Show. Same goes for the Juniors, the winner of the Junior Bitch class meets the winner of the Junior Dog class for Best Junior in Breed, which then competes for the Best Junior in it's Group with the eventual winner competing with the other 5 Junior group winners for Best Junior in Show.
The winners of the Veteran Classes competes with other veterans in the same group for Best Veteran in Group and eventually for Best Veteran in Show.
Since in the past few years, the majority of the dogs competing in our shows are imported, we decided to include a class for locally bred dogs, to encourage and motivate owners who owns dogs that were bred in Malta. There are 3 Any Variety Locally Bred classes in our shows, each class hosting breeds from two groups which are being judged on the day.
So How are the dogs judged?
Each breed has a breed standard, which defines how the breed should look in terms of structure, size, coat, colour, movement etc. The judge assesses each dog individually, going over each dog to feel the structure, check the teeth, the texture of the coat and also seeing the dog on the move to asses it's movement. The judge then compares the dog with the other exhibits in the class, maybe also seeing them go round the ring together to compare movement. The judge will then choose what is in his or her opinion the dog which resembles the breed standard the most. There is no perfect dog in the World, judging is based on the opinion of the judge, and what would be the best dog under one judge won't be necessary the best one under another judge's opinion, although most winners are easily picked up by the judges constantly.
The Champion title:
A dog will gain it's Champion title after it has gained 12 points. Maximum number of points that can be gained in one show is 4 points, and this depends on the number of dogs of the same sex in the breed. The winners of the Best Dog and Best Bitch in each breed gets the points, according to how many dogs of the same sex in that breed were present at the show. So for example, if there was 1 puppy bitch, 1 in Junior Class and one in Open, the Best Bitch will get 3 points. if there were a total of 2 bitches, the Best Bitch will get 2 points, etc. Maximum number of points that can be obtained in one shoe is 4 points. Same goes for the Best Dog. Now lets say that there were a total of 2 bitches and 4 dogs, so the Best Bitch gets 2 points whilst the Best Dog gets 3 points, and when it comes for the Best of Breed, this goes to the Bitch, then the Bitch will get the same amount as the Best Dog, since the latter won more points because of the numbers present at the show. If the Best of Breed winner got 1, 2 or 3 points, and wins Best In Group or Reserve Best In Group, winning over other dogs in the same group who won more points in the same show because there was a bigger number of dogs in that breed, than the Group Winner or Reserve will get the same points as the one with the most points in that group which was beaten by the Best or Reserve winner. Example, if there was one Border Collie in a show, that won 1 point, and this dog wins Best In Group or Reserve, beating a German Shepherd dog that won 4 points, then the Border Collie will get 4 points in that show. In all cases, the maximum number of points that can be obtained in one show is 4. Winnings in the Puppy and Junior Groups does not count for the points inheritance system described above.
In our Country, with limited number of dogs in our shows, having also some breeds represented by one dog, the point system gives the Champion Title more prestige, then having the C.C system in which a dog can become a Champion in 3 shows without ever beating another dog.
The Prizes:
Prize Cards and occasionally, Rosettes, are awarded to each winner of 1st, 2nd & 3rd place of each class, the Best Bitch and Best Dog, Best Puppy In Breed and Best Junior in Breed. Beautiful Rosettes are also awarded to the winners of the Best in Groups, Reserve Best in Groups, Best Puppy In Group and Reserve Best Puppy In Group, Best Junior in Group and Reserve Best Junior in Group.
Handling Classes:
We also have a Junior Handling class which is open for young handlers between the age of 10 to 17 years. The class is judged on the ability of the Junior's handling skills, rather than the dog being handled.
To encourage our children to take the hobby of dog showing from an early age, we also have a Children's Class, which is open for Children between the age of 4 to 10 years.
A word of advice to the new exhibitor: No matter what, win or loose, you always take the best dog home with you........
Contact us should you require more information.
Our shows are based on the U.K system. Dogs are judged according to the British Breed Standards. The breeds are divided in 6 Groups, being the Working, Terrier, Gundog, Toy, Utility & Hound. Each breed is divided by sex, dogs & bitches, which are then divided into 4 age classes, those for puppies (4 to 12 months), Juniors (12 to 18 months), Open (18 months to 7 years) and Veteran (7 years and over).
Anyone who becomes a member of the Society can participate as long as they own a breed which is recognized by the Kennel Club (U.K). Participating dogs must be registered with the Maltese National Canine Federation. Special arrangements are made for overseas exhibitors in this regard. All our shows are judged by British judges who are purposely invited for every show.
So how does it work?
The breeds are separated in six groups, as described above. There are also 6 groups for the Puppies and Juniors.
The classes:
Every exhibit competes in the relevant class in it's breed. For instance, a dog aged 14 months will compete in the Junior Dog class in the breed, in which other dogs aged between 12 months and not more than 18 months on the first day of the show. A 7 month old puppy bitch will compete in the Puppy Bitch class where she will be competing with other puppy bitches aged between 4 months and not more than 12 months on the first day of the show.
The winners:
The winners of the Puppy, Junior, Open and Veteran Bitch will then compete for the Best Bitch Breed. Same applies for dogs (males). The winners of Best Bitch and Best Dog will compete for the Best Of Breed. Each Best Of Breed winner represents its breed in the relevant Group for Best In Group, the winner of which competes at the end of the show for the coveted Best In Show title. The winner of the Puppy bitch class competes with the winner of puppy dog class for Best Puppy in Breed, who then represents the breed in the relevant Puppy Group for the Best Puppy In Group, which, at the end of the show, competes with the other 5 puppy group winners for Best Puppy In Show. Same goes for the Juniors, the winner of the Junior Bitch class meets the winner of the Junior Dog class for Best Junior in Breed, which then competes for the Best Junior in it's Group with the eventual winner competing with the other 5 Junior group winners for Best Junior in Show.
The winners of the Veteran Classes competes with other veterans in the same group for Best Veteran in Group and eventually for Best Veteran in Show.
Since in the past few years, the majority of the dogs competing in our shows are imported, we decided to include a class for locally bred dogs, to encourage and motivate owners who owns dogs that were bred in Malta. There are 3 Any Variety Locally Bred classes in our shows, each class hosting breeds from two groups which are being judged on the day.
So How are the dogs judged?
Each breed has a breed standard, which defines how the breed should look in terms of structure, size, coat, colour, movement etc. The judge assesses each dog individually, going over each dog to feel the structure, check the teeth, the texture of the coat and also seeing the dog on the move to asses it's movement. The judge then compares the dog with the other exhibits in the class, maybe also seeing them go round the ring together to compare movement. The judge will then choose what is in his or her opinion the dog which resembles the breed standard the most. There is no perfect dog in the World, judging is based on the opinion of the judge, and what would be the best dog under one judge won't be necessary the best one under another judge's opinion, although most winners are easily picked up by the judges constantly.
The Champion title:
A dog will gain it's Champion title after it has gained 12 points. Maximum number of points that can be gained in one show is 4 points, and this depends on the number of dogs of the same sex in the breed. The winners of the Best Dog and Best Bitch in each breed gets the points, according to how many dogs of the same sex in that breed were present at the show. So for example, if there was 1 puppy bitch, 1 in Junior Class and one in Open, the Best Bitch will get 3 points. if there were a total of 2 bitches, the Best Bitch will get 2 points, etc. Maximum number of points that can be obtained in one shoe is 4 points. Same goes for the Best Dog. Now lets say that there were a total of 2 bitches and 4 dogs, so the Best Bitch gets 2 points whilst the Best Dog gets 3 points, and when it comes for the Best of Breed, this goes to the Bitch, then the Bitch will get the same amount as the Best Dog, since the latter won more points because of the numbers present at the show. If the Best of Breed winner got 1, 2 or 3 points, and wins Best In Group or Reserve Best In Group, winning over other dogs in the same group who won more points in the same show because there was a bigger number of dogs in that breed, than the Group Winner or Reserve will get the same points as the one with the most points in that group which was beaten by the Best or Reserve winner. Example, if there was one Border Collie in a show, that won 1 point, and this dog wins Best In Group or Reserve, beating a German Shepherd dog that won 4 points, then the Border Collie will get 4 points in that show. In all cases, the maximum number of points that can be obtained in one show is 4. Winnings in the Puppy and Junior Groups does not count for the points inheritance system described above.
In our Country, with limited number of dogs in our shows, having also some breeds represented by one dog, the point system gives the Champion Title more prestige, then having the C.C system in which a dog can become a Champion in 3 shows without ever beating another dog.
The Prizes:
Prize Cards and occasionally, Rosettes, are awarded to each winner of 1st, 2nd & 3rd place of each class, the Best Bitch and Best Dog, Best Puppy In Breed and Best Junior in Breed. Beautiful Rosettes are also awarded to the winners of the Best in Groups, Reserve Best in Groups, Best Puppy In Group and Reserve Best Puppy In Group, Best Junior in Group and Reserve Best Junior in Group.
Handling Classes:
We also have a Junior Handling class which is open for young handlers between the age of 10 to 17 years. The class is judged on the ability of the Junior's handling skills, rather than the dog being handled.
To encourage our children to take the hobby of dog showing from an early age, we also have a Children's Class, which is open for Children between the age of 4 to 10 years.
A word of advice to the new exhibitor: No matter what, win or loose, you always take the best dog home with you........
Contact us should you require more information.
During the judging of the Working Group at one of our shows.
