and get an International Champion title which has an FCI judge and an AKC judge and it can be a total of 4 to 5 shows a weekend. http://www.raritiesinc.ca/ To go beyond an Int'l Ch title (Granch Ch., Supreme, etc.) your dog needs to complete and pass a CGC test.

Annise

Mike,

You're correct that "Int. Ch." equates to International Champion. However, interestingly, there are 2 different kinds of "International Champion." The first kind is more legitimate, in my humble opinion, and it is sanctioned by the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale -http://www.fci.be/). You can read all about it on their website. Basically, it is an organization that regulates dog shows in many different countries, standardizes their rules and offers shows outside of the US, Canada and the United Kingdom, among others. The rules to become a Champion are found here (a Microsoft Word document): http://www.fci.be/uploaded_files/international%20Championship_EN.doc. For example, in Thailand (only because I know how it works there), there can be a Thailand Champion, offered by the Kennel Club of Thailand or there can be FCI shows that offer International Championships.

You'll find that there are quite a few Canadian Kennel Club and AKC judges that are also licensed by the FCI to judge their shows. When you hear of judges going overseas to judge, typically, they are judging under that banner.

The other kind of "International Championship" is under the aforementioned International All-Breed Canine Association (IABCA). These shows are offered in the US and Canada and they involved those V-1 ratings etc. To become a Champion there, is not at all difficult, in my opinion, and from what I've heard. Basically, you pay your entry fees and your dog gets written up with a supposed critique and it's a so-called "Champion." It is NOT nearly as difficult to earn one of those "Championships" as it is under the AKC shows. What's interesting is that there are also quite a few Canadian Kennel Club and AKC judges that judge these shows, basically for some extra cash. The atmosphere is very relaxed, from what I understand.

Anyway, the FCI shows are more like shows in the US and the UK, as far as the judging is concerned and as far as how difficult it is to earn a Championship. FCI also puts on the World Show.

I hope this is helpful.

Jay

There are quite a few people who think "International Champion" means that the dog is a champion in several countries ( or even just two).

FCI designates some shows as international or world. Gaining these titles is more about winning at shows that are designated.

This is a quick version, I am sure it can be explained in more detail.

E

At first I thought this was an easy answer. I always thought that, with the exception of Canada, if your dog was a champion in the US and any other country, ie Mexico, Bahama's, Europe ect. that your dog was a Int. Ch. and I still think this may be right. Please someone correct me. But when I tryed to look it up on the internet I see there is something called the The International All-Breed Canine Association of America that is also giving International Championships, but I don't know much about them. I found this description of the championship process.



The following is a description of an International (European Style) Dog Show taken from the Catalogue of Events at the March 15 & March 16, 2003 shows in Greeley, Colorado. At this particular event, there were 3 shows in 2 days. For a dog to receive an International Championship, it must receive 3 rankings of V-1 (very excellent - top rating for adult class) by three judges of two different countries.

"The International All-Breed Canine Association of America (IABCA) began approximately fifteen years ago with the intent of making an International "UCI" Championship Title available to the American public while not exposing the dogs to the danger and inconvenience of international travel. To accomplish this, an association was formed with an International Association of dog clubs headquartered in Germany, the Union Cynologie International (UCI). The UCI organization has been in existence for over 30 years. There are many countries, throughout Europe, North America and the Far East, represented in the association. Through UCI, International Titles are awarded to dogs who meet the requirements."

"IABCA shows are held in accordance with the German regulations and guidelines that have been established by UCI. The guidelines provide for a WRITTEN CRITIQUE OF EACH DOG ENTERED and a rating number of how well the dog conforms to the International "UCI" breed standard. The rating a dog received, based on the critique, will determine the type of championship certificate, if any, is awarded in the class. Each dog will receive an "URKUNDE" (certificate of participation) with it's class placement noted. NOTE: The International "UCI" standards are based on the "country of origin" for each breed, if possible."

I hope we will hear from some more knowledgeable people to clear this up.

Bruce Fisher
FISHERIDGE BULLDOGS

Respect the Elders, Teach the Young , Cooperate with the pack, play when you can , hunt when you must, rest in between, share your Affection, voice your Feelings, Leave your Mark!!!

Not that I have any plans of doing it or anything, but I am trying to study up and learn about showing and how it works.