Thanks to Sophie Rolf for this article (info as at 22/03/2024)
Note links have not copied over .. I will sort them soon
🐾 YKC Obedience Guide 🐾
After a long chat with Phil at the YKC at Crufts, I thought it would be helpful to share some clarifications on YKC Obedience, which can be a bit of a labyrinth to navigate! Over the past year or so we have been part of the qualification process so to make it clearer for those that are unsure or thinking about taking part, here’s some info!
These are the YKC Obedience regs for 2024 (Crufts 2025)
https://kc-media-production.azureedge.net/.../ykc...
And these are the judging criteria:
https://kc-media-production.azureedge.net/.../ykc...
Never competed in obedience? (Dog or handler). Then start in Basic 🙂 If the dog has won through Open obedience classes with you or another handler, or if you have won through Open obedience classes with another dog, then eligibility is as follows:
YKC class Open class
Basic Introductory
Basic Pre Beginner
Basic Beginners
Novice Beginners
Novice Novice
High Flyers Novice and Anything higher
You should enter the lowest class you are eligible for. Progression is through winning out of standard open classes; there is no progression just through winning YKC classes. So until you win out of pre-Beginners in open comps, you remain in Basic for YKC. Obedience regs can be purchased from the Kennel Club or viewed here http://www.obedience.nl/.../g-regs-mini-guide-2024.pdf
YKC Qualifiers are held at some Open obedience shows as well as at YKC training days and camp. Qualifiers are listed here https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/.../competing-in.../ but Louth has since been cancelled / moved. Schedules can be found on https://obedienceuk.net/default.asp looking for the YKC symbol as shown below. Entries are direct or online via WithYourDog https://www.withyourdog.co.uk/ Not all shows have schedules out or are open for entries yet. Your dog needs to be KC registered on the breed or activity register to compete, and the handler needs an up to date YKC membership.
The classes are usually small and the judges are usually child-friendly. Winning a class in your age group qualifies you for next year’s Crufts, and due to the cascade system in the rules it’s possible to still qualify by being placed, not just first. If you move up an age group before Crufts you will work in your current age group not the group you qualified in.
If you’re unsure whether to give it a go, the Basic class is quite simple and achievable even if you haven’t done much formal obedience before.
In addition to the YKC classes, the GCDS Special pre-beginner stakes also offers a YKC final at Crufts, enter the regular stakes classes and the highest placed YKC members can qualify. Make sure to note YKC on your entry, and their age. The GCDS was so supportive of our YKC members in their ring this year, you need to have passed your Bronze Good Citizen award and to not have won out of pre-beginners to enter. https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/.../good-citizen-dog.../
Note links have not copied over .. I will sort them soon
🐾 YKC Obedience Guide 🐾
After a long chat with Phil at the YKC at Crufts, I thought it would be helpful to share some clarifications on YKC Obedience, which can be a bit of a labyrinth to navigate! Over the past year or so we have been part of the qualification process so to make it clearer for those that are unsure or thinking about taking part, here’s some info!
These are the YKC Obedience regs for 2024 (Crufts 2025)
https://kc-media-production.azureedge.net/.../ykc...
And these are the judging criteria:
https://kc-media-production.azureedge.net/.../ykc...
Never competed in obedience? (Dog or handler). Then start in Basic 🙂 If the dog has won through Open obedience classes with you or another handler, or if you have won through Open obedience classes with another dog, then eligibility is as follows:
YKC class Open class
Basic Introductory
Basic Pre Beginner
Basic Beginners
Novice Beginners
Novice Novice
High Flyers Novice and Anything higher
You should enter the lowest class you are eligible for. Progression is through winning out of standard open classes; there is no progression just through winning YKC classes. So until you win out of pre-Beginners in open comps, you remain in Basic for YKC. Obedience regs can be purchased from the Kennel Club or viewed here http://www.obedience.nl/.../g-regs-mini-guide-2024.pdf
YKC Qualifiers are held at some Open obedience shows as well as at YKC training days and camp. Qualifiers are listed here https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/.../competing-in.../ but Louth has since been cancelled / moved. Schedules can be found on https://obedienceuk.net/default.asp looking for the YKC symbol as shown below. Entries are direct or online via WithYourDog https://www.withyourdog.co.uk/ Not all shows have schedules out or are open for entries yet. Your dog needs to be KC registered on the breed or activity register to compete, and the handler needs an up to date YKC membership.
The classes are usually small and the judges are usually child-friendly. Winning a class in your age group qualifies you for next year’s Crufts, and due to the cascade system in the rules it’s possible to still qualify by being placed, not just first. If you move up an age group before Crufts you will work in your current age group not the group you qualified in.
If you’re unsure whether to give it a go, the Basic class is quite simple and achievable even if you haven’t done much formal obedience before.
In addition to the YKC classes, the GCDS Special pre-beginner stakes also offers a YKC final at Crufts, enter the regular stakes classes and the highest placed YKC members can qualify. Make sure to note YKC on your entry, and their age. The GCDS was so supportive of our YKC members in their ring this year, you need to have passed your Bronze Good Citizen award and to not have won out of pre-beginners to enter. https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/.../good-citizen-dog.../