The Judge's Book You alone are responsible for the judge's book. When you finish your assignment:

- sign your book(s).
- fill in the times and dates
- initial all changes and notations.
- personally return the completed judge's book to the Show Secretary.
- check with the Show Secretary before leaving the show.

 

 

Marking the Judge's Book Always be thorough, neat and careful in marking your book. If awards are not correctly marked, the entire purpose of the show is defeated. In all regular classes, mark your placements as first (1), second (2), third (3), and fourth (4), opposite the armband numbers in the judge's book. For Winners and Reserve Winners, as well as Best of Breed, Best of Winners and Best of Opposite Sex, you must record the actual armband numbers of the winning dogs on the appropriate lines.

Once the book is marked, the class is over. Do not re-judge a class.

The full responsibility for the accuracy of the judge's book rests with you. Never rely on the ring steward to advise you of the armband numbers of your placements.

Any change in the judge's book must be initialed. Only the judge or Show Secretary may make notations in the judge's book; only the Show Secretary may move a dog from one class to another or make corrections to entries.

Double-Checking the Book Review your book at the end of an assignment to be sure that:

- all placements being awarded are marked correctly.
- all absentees are marked.
- Reserve Winners Dog and Bitch are correctly indicated.
- Best of Winners is either the Winners Dog or Winners Bitch.
- Best of Breed and Best of Opposite Sex are of different sexes.
- withheld placements, excusals and disqualifications, with the reasons for them, are noted and initialed.

 

 

Take the extra time to double-check all markings in your book. Some errors, if not caught on the spot, can never be satisfactorily resolved.

Excusals and Disqualifications Be thoroughly familiar with the current Breed Standard and the Rules. When called for, you must disqualify a dog. When you excuse or disqualify a dog, you must mark your book "excused" or "disqualified," as the case may be. State briefly the condition requiring your action. The notation must be initialed.

A dog which has been changed in appearance by artificial means, except as specified in the standard for its breed, may not compete at any show and any awards will withheld.

A dog is considered changed in appearance by artificial means if it has been subjected to any type of procedure that has the effect of obscuring, disguising or eliminating any congenital or hereditary abnormality or any undesirable characteristic, or anything that improves a dog's natural appearance, temperament, bite or gait.

In addition, the insertion of any type of apparatus in the mouth of a dog renders that dog ineligible for competition in dog shows and subjects anyone who exhibits, or causes to be exhibited, such dog to disciplinary action.

You have the clear authority under Chapter 7 and 9 of the Rules to remove, excuse or disqualify a dog from your ring.

Shy and Vicious Dogs Excuse any dog that, in your opinion:

- menaces,
- threatens, or
- exhibits any sign that it may not be examined in the normal manner.

When you excuse the dog, mark your judge's book "Excused," stating the reason in the judge's book. A dog so excused shall not be counted as having completed.

Disqualify any dog that, in your opinion, attacks any person or another dog in the ring. Mark your book "Disqualified, attacked." A dog disqualified for attacking may not compete at any future show until the owner officially requests ASCA to reinstate the dog. Reinstatement requires the dog to be examined by a three ASCA Breeder Judges, after which the owner must receive official notification from ASCA that the dog's show eligibility has been reinstated.

Be certain to clearly communicate your decision to the exhibitor of the dog using either the word "excused" or "disqualified."

After disqualifying a dog for attacking, take a moment to write a short description of the circumstances. You may be contacted by the ASCA Board of Directors at a later date.

Disqualifications for attacking are different than being disqualified under the breed standards or other parts of the Rules. It is of the utmost importance to use the word "excused" or "disqualified", as appropriate, when dismissing an exhibitor whose dog is shy or vicious.

Disqualifying Faults Each dog must be examined for disqualifying faults as specified in the breed standard, as well as for violations of Chapter 9 and 10 of the Rules. This applies to judging at all regular levels.

Protests Only exhibitors in the ring have the right to protest dogs competing. Protests are not allowed after every dog in the class has been individually examined and gaited and the judges book marked.

When a verbal protest is made, it is important to remain calm. If, after examining the dog, it is your opinion the dog does not possess the disqualifying fault, advise the exhibitor who made the protest and mark your judge's book "Verbal protest, (stating the reason for protest), not sustained." On the other hand, if the dog has a disqualifying condition, you are to mark your book "Verbal protest, (stating the reason for the protest), disqualified."

Misconduct Be prepared to deal with any misconduct in a calm, professional manner. Do not engage in arguments or debates over your decisions. Ask the Ring Steward and Show Secretary to remove any exhibitor whose behavior is disruptive to other exhibitors and dogs.

Photographs Try to accommodate exhibitors who want photographs taken; however, judging should not be unduly delayed to take a picture. It is often best to delay picture taking until all judging within a scheduled time period has been completed. There is no need for pictures to actually be taken in the ring. Pictures may be taken in an appropriate area of the show grounds at a time mutually convenient for judges and exhibitors.