If you wish to train on a single breed (rather than all the breeds catered for by a JPG) then you need to apply to be a GCCF Specialist Breed Judge (Provisional). Once you have met the criteria listed below you will be able to apply to become a GCCF Specialist Breed Judge (Provisional).
Criteria to Apply to be a GCCF Specialist Breed Judge (Provisional)
A candidate applying to follow the Specialist Breed Judge route must:
- Be a registered GCCF steward
- Recognised breeder of breed for a minimum of 4 years plus a minimum of 5 litters.
- Regular exhibitor for a minimum 4 years with exhibits taken through the levels to at least Imperial Status.
- Proven success, to Imperial status as a minimum, with exhibits of their breeding. These exhibits do not need to be in the ownership of the breeder.
A neuter owner candidate applying to follow the Specialist Breed Judge route must:
- Be a qualified GCCF steward.
- Exhibitors of neuters are eligible to apply but must have at least four consecutive years of regular exhibiting experience of at least one breed catered or by the JPG to which application is made.
- Owned and campaigned exhibits to at least Imperial level
Acceptance into the SBJ (P) level of the GCCF Judge Training Programme of a JPG does not guarantee appointment as a SBJ within an JPG List.
There is no minimum time constraint for completion of stage 2b (Specialist Breed Judge)
Serving as a Specialist Breed Judge (Provisional)
While serving as a Specialist Breed Judge (Provisional) it is hoped that you will gain the experience and expertise needed to become a GCCF Full Specialist Breed Judge. You will judge kitten and neuter breed classes along with miscellaneous classes from within your chosen breed and you will also gain experience by performing tutorials, performing presentations and report writing. With feedback from the BAC and JPG you will be able to progress to the stage where you can take your final assessments and then apply for removal of your provisional status and be promoted to GCCF Full Specialist Breed Judge.
Criteria to Fulfil Prior to Consideration for Removal of Provisional Status (SPJ)
a) Candidates are advised to keep a record of their engagements by keeping copies of all forms and reports submitted to the JPG and must be prepared to listen to and act upon advice and guidance at all times.
b) Serve a minimum of 12 months prior to applying for the removal of Provisional Specialist Breed judge status
c) The SBJ (P) must undertake a minimum of 10 engagements.
d) SBJ (P) can be contracted to undertake kitten breed classes and/or Adult, kitten and neuter miscellaneous/club classes for the relevant breed.
e) Ideally SBJ (P) loading should not exceed 40 exhibits.
f) Complete minimum of 6 kitten classes for single breed classes but 10 for breeds with multi colours/pattern classes.
g) Speciality Breed Judges (P) must comply with the GCCF rules, as they currently stand, regarding the submission of show reports.
h) Complete a minimum of 2 tutorial assessments with any full judge from the preferred list however they must be with two different judges
i) Parallel judge 2 certificate breed classes, for adults or neuters, the awards slip must be countersigned by a full judge of the breed.
j) Undertake a minimum of 2 breed presentations
k) If the breed is of low numbers making 6 breed class critiques/tutorials unachievable, tutorial assessments and critiques on exhibits not in certificate classes will be accepted.
(Refer to the addendum for the list of breeds considered as minority for the purposes of this scheme.)
l) Complete a successful veterinary assessment.
m) Candidates must undertake and reach a competency scoring of 85% on all stage two online assessments
n) The candidate must also complete a minimum of two, but no more than three, Final assessments which must be undertaken with any Full Judge on the preferred list however they must be with different judges.
o) Candidates may seek to arrange, but should not undertake, Final Assessments until they have completed all the other requirements. Tutorial and Final assessments may be done on the same day at a double show but both the exhibits and Full Judge must be different. A Final Assessment must not be sought on the same exhibits or with the same Full Judge as a Tutorial Assessment at the same show.
p) Candidates must expect, and learn to accept, constructive critical comment and JPG members and Full Judges must feel able to provide constructive critical comment without fear of repercussions.
q) SBJ(P)’s should attend such Seminars as may be held by the JPG/BAC, be they face to face or virtual
r) In the case of a major concern being identified the relevant BAC, via the JPG, must advise and guide the candidate to enable them to move forward
s) Specialist Breed Judge (Provisional) may apply, using the relevant application form when they feel ready to be promoted, providing they have met all the specified requirements.
GCCF Judge Training Document (V7)
Frequently Asked Questions
There are a few extracts (that are highlighted in bold) that have been taken from the ‘Serving as a Specialist Breed Judge (Provisional)’ section (page 19-23) in the Judge Training Guide V7 as these extracts have often triggered questions from candidates. So please take a look at some of the commonly asked questions which may be of help to clarifying exactly what is required when serving as a specialist breed judge.
From time to time further questions and answers will be added to this page. If you cannot find the answers to your questions on this page please contact your JPG and they will help you.
Serving as a Specialist Breed Judge (Provisional)
Criteria to Fulfil prior to Consideration for Removal of Provisional Status (SPJ)
d) SBJ (P) can be contracted to undertake kitten breed classes and/or Adult, kitten and neuter miscellaneous/club classes for the relevant breed.
o) Candidates may seek to arrange, but should not undertake, Final Assessments until they have completed all the other requirements. Tutorial and Final assessments may be done on the same day at a double show but both the exhibits and Full Judge must be different. A Final Assessment must not be sought on the same exhibits or with the same Full Judge as a Tutorial Assessment at the same show.
q) SBJ(P)’s should attend such Seminars as may be held by the JPG/BAC, be they face to face or virtual
Q. Can I accept engagements to judge breed classes?
A. Yes you can, but only kitten breed classes.
Q. When am I allowed to take the final assessments?
A. You will need to complete all other requirements before you do your final assessments. Minimum requirements for tutorials, presentations, engagements and reports must all be be completed first.
Q. Do I have to attend seminars before I apply for promotion?
A. If you feel you are ready to apply and have not attended a seminar then you are able to still apply however there is a real expectation that if there is a seminar then you should attend.
Specialist Breed Judge Training Process
Tutorial assessments will:
a) Will be undertaken through an oral presentation and feedback to the assessing full judge and take place at either, a show where the candidate is judging or a relevant seminar.
Q. Do I have to be judging at a show to do a tutorial?
A. Yes, you do need to be judging at a show or attending a seminar to do a tutorial.
Breed Presentations:
a) Specialist Breed Judges must undertake oral breed presentations that must be done at either a show/seminar and assessed at the time by any FJ of the breed, preferably on the preferred list if available, within the relevant JPG.
b) All such presentations will be conducted verbally.
d) Breed presentations may be done at shows or seminars.
Q. Can I do a presentation with any full judge?
A. Yes you can. but it is preferred that you do a presentation with a full judge on the JPG’s preferred list of judges..
Q. Do I have to be engaged to judge to perform a presentation?
A. No you do not, you just need the permission of the show manager and the full judge to be able to perform a presentation when not engaged to judge at the same show.
Q. Can I do a presentation at a show or seminar?
A. Yes you can. but it is preferred that you do a presentation with a full judge on the JPG’s preferred list of judges..
Final Assessments
b) The Full Judge will supply the candidate with a list of exhibit numbers, preferably from their or the candidates judges book, and should include, where possible adults, kittens and neuters. Candidate must be supplied with the date of birth/age, sex and breed number of each exhibit to be discussed and placed.
Q. Do the cats used in a final assessment have to be in the full judge’s or my own book?
A. It is preferred that they are in your book or the full judge’s book but if it is not possible to take suitable cats from the books then you can use other cats in attendance.
The extract from the document is correct at the time of publication. It is expected that the GCCF training will evolve over time as indeed will the documentation but every effort will be made to keep this page up to date. Having said that it is advised to double check the document that the extract has been taken from as this will absolutely be kept up to date.
