16/04/2023
The Kennel Club has released details of its CC allocation for the years 2024 - 2028, formulated using a new model applied to all CC breeds, details of which were first announced in October 2020.
Since the initial announcement, detailed work and consultation have taken place prior to final approval by The Kennel Club Board. In total, 104 breeds have gained one or more sets of CCs overall, and 23 breeds have retained their present number of sets. Whilst 36 breeds have lost at least one set at group and general shows, no breed has lost any sets at breed club level. In further positive steps, the allocation to group and general shows has increased by 42 sets of CCs, excluding the two new group shows which were recently announced.
The key objectives of this new approach include sustainability and transparency of the allocation; fairness across all breeds; the potential to boost entries; separate allocations for breed clubs and general societies; and the encouragement of partnership shows with associated cost reductions for organisers and exhibitors. The latter point is a major consideration as the show scene begins to open up following the prolonged lockdown caused by the pandemic.
Exhibitors will benefit from this, as will the overall average entries, which will lead to more CCs being allocated in future. It is recognised that there is a need to create the best possible exhibitor experience, and thus retain and attract exhibitors. Future increases or reductions in the number of CCs will depend on entries and will be shared between general shows and breed clubs.
In another development, some breed clubs have been offered two sets of CCs in a year (where the second show must be held as a partnership or back-to-back event) in a move designed to give a further boost to the show scene. Breed clubs are seen as key to leading the recovery in show entries. It is also hoped that increasing the number of breed club shows will provide more opportunities for specialists to judge at CC level.
31 breed clubs have been offered a set of CCs for the very first time, something that many could only have dreamt of until now.
As previously announced, The Kennel Club has worked closely with breeds in order to remove complicated CC rotations which were a feature of previous allocations. As a result of the discussions that took place, rotations have been reduced to just six breeds and these are simple, one year on, one year off rotations. The views of breed clubs have been taken into account and in many cases the allocation announced today is the allocation they proposed. Furthermore, any newly amalgamated clubs have been granted CC status in this allocation, guaranteed for a 10 year period, and this offer is still on the table for clubs considering amalgamation.
Another development to grow out of this latest CC allocation has been the recently-announced creation of two new group championship shows, the North East of England Toydog Society and the Scottish Utility Breeds Club, following a rigorous selection process. Each of these societies will hold their first championship event in 2024 and championship status for the years 2025 to 2028 will be subject to the success of their first show. These new societies have come about as a result in the strong position of breed entries in these two groups, and their CCs have been taken entirely from the breed/group allocation.
