Judges Development Programme
The Judges Development Programme (JDP) is a Kennel Club training programme for judges held bi-annually at the Kennel Club Building, Stoneleigh.
Origins
In the late 1990’s the Kennel Club identified a growing shortage of qualified Group judges at Championship Show level. To address this problem the Judges Working Party was set up which comprised of senior judges and Kennel Club members. Also included in their brief was the falling numbers of dogs being shown at Open Show Level. All Registered Societies were invited to express their views and put forward suggestions to rectify the issue. One of the results of this consultation was the setting up of the JDP to address this shortage of Judges.
Who does it
A Society from each of the seven groups was invited to organise a judges training programme for their particular Group. The Hound Association took on the Hound Group and the present organising team is Hector Heathcote, Shirley Rawlings, Pam Wild, Stuart Milner and Mike Denny.
Who can do it
The courses are open to judges who are passed by The Kennel Club to award Challenge Certificates in at least two breeds in a Group. Placement on a course is by application of suitability qualified candidates to the organising Society.
Workshops
Workshops are held twice a year - normally during March and November, mid week over two days when two different breeds are discussed on each day. The present format for the early workshop is an in depth study of a breed in the form of interactive breed specific coaching with an opportunity for ‘hands on’ with a number of dogs in the breed. In November, after candidates have had time to further study the breed, a ‘hands on assessment’ is conducted where their performance of judging the dogs, knowledge of the breed and writing of a critique is evaluated.
Cost
Costs of Lectures and assessments are available from the Hound Association Secretary
JDP
The Kennel Club Building
Pat Sutton demonstrating the Beagle April 2010 with the assistance of Melanie Spavin and Patience Walden
The Breeds for 2012
The Basset Griffon Vendeen (Petit)
The Basset Griffon Vendeen (Grand)
Borzois
Whippets
Successful Candidates with Credit