Sweden

Reported by Marie Borresen (Charles Dickens)
Photo for this section of: Int S Sf Dk N Ch Charles Dickens Maddox
Breeder/Owner: Marie Börresen

Sweden registers about 450 american cockers /year. The breeding and showing is all done by "amateurs", there is no one that is making their living of breeding or handling american cockers in Sweden, it's just a hobby. Dog showing is very much a "peoples sport" in Sweden, many of the exhibitors just have one or two dogs that they show to the best of their ability, and the shows usually have many dog interested visitors. Even though, the quality of breeding and handling is internationally high which has been said repeatedly by visiting american judges.

The Swedish Kennel Club consists of 25 county kennel clubs, each responsible for administrating their own show/shows. They arrange about 35 International and National shows/year. The Swedish Spaniel and Retriever Club is working under the Kennel Club and arrange about 30 championship shows/year.

Although Sweden has lightened up on its import regulations during later years, only dogs from countries within the EC, with some exceptions, are let into Sweden without quarantine. This does however not mean that a dog coming from a country within the EC can enter without the necessary papers.

The judging of the dogs can be seperated in two parts. First all dogs in the class are judged seperately and awarded a quality prize, first, second, third or zero prize. Only the ones with first are allowed to enter the competition class. In the competition class the judge can chose to give champion quality prize (CK) to any number (or none) dogs that he consider to be of good enough quality. The ones with a CK compete later in the best dog/bitch class were the Certificate is given. All dogs are given a written critique. Photo for this section of the American Cocker Club of Sweden show where Ch Charles Dickens Maddox (right) was BIS and Ch Capris White Diamond (left) was BOS to BIS.



The Classes
The following classes are separate for dogs and bitches unless otherwise stated:

Puppy class ("valpklass")
6-9 months - unofficial class.
Puppies under 9 months are not eligible for any of the official classes.

Junior class
9-15 months.
All exhibits awarded a first prize in this class are eligible for junior competition class.

Junior competition class
All exhibits awarded a HP (honours prize) are considered as promising. A dog of excellent type can be awarded a Ck (champion quality). Only dogs that have been awarded a Ck are qualified to compete in Best Dog/Best Bitch-class.

Youngster class ("unghundsklass")
15-24 months.
All exhibits awarded a first prize in this class are eligible for youngster competition class.

Youngster competition class
All exhibits awarded a HP (honours prize) are considered as promising. A dog of excellent type can be awarded a Ck. Only dogs that have been awarded a Ck are qualified to compete in Best Dog/Best Bitch-class.

Working trial/ Field trial class ("bruks-/jakhundsklass")
9 months and over.
Open for dogs with prize on field trial.

Working trial/Field trial competition class
Any number of dogs can be given Ck. The Ck qualifies the receiver to compete for the CC in Best Male or Best Bitch class.

Open class ("Öppen klass")
24 months and over, excluding Swedish champions. Dogs awarded a 1st prize go on to Open competition class.

Open competition class
Competition class where dogs of excellent type are awarded a Ck, which gives them the right to compete in Best Dog/Best Bitch class.

Champion class
For all champions.
Ck is awarded to any number of dogs that according to the judges opinion are considered worthy of their championship. Dogs awarded Ck shall compete in Best Dog/Best Bitch class. Dogs entered in Champion class can not be awarded CC.

Veteran class
7 years of age or more.
Very well preserved veterans can be awarded HP. Veterans of excellent quality and still in full bloom can be awarded Ck and are then eligible to compete in Best Male or Best Bitch class. Provided that the dog has been awarded at least a HP, the Best Dog Veteran and the Best Bitch Veteran should compete for Best Veteran of Breed. Veteran in breeds which need Working trial/Field trial merits for CC and wants to compete for the CC must be entered in Working trial/Field trial class.

Best Dog/Best Bitch class
All exhibits awarded the Ck or CC during the day should compete for Best Dog. Winner of the class is awarded Best Dog of Breed. The identical procedure is employed with the bitches. The dog or bitch placed first is awarded the CC. The Best Dog and the Best Bitch should finally compete for Best of Breed (BIR) and Best of Opposite Sex (BIM). Not eligible for the CC is a dog which:

a) already has been awarded the Swedish champion title
b) is entered in the Champion class
Juniors and youngsters, can be awarded an unlimited amount of CC's as they are too young to be able to get their final CC for the confirmation of the Swedish champion title.

The CACIB
At international shows only, dogs and bitches compete for the CACIB (international certificate) and Reserve CACIB in each sex. The CACIB is normally awarded in connection with the competition for Best Dog and Best Bitch respectively. To achive the Swedish Championship the dog must have at least 3 CC's, one of which must be achieved when it's over 2 years of age.

The Swedish American Cocker Club ( ACC) only has one championship show/year. They also have a number of very prestigious unofficial shows/year which usually draws a larger number of entries than the championship shows. ACC also awards the top winning cockers every year.