 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Calendar of Events
Conformation Show Guidelines & Class Definitions
Conformation Class Eligibility:
It is the Exhibitor’s responsibility to make sure their Leonberger is entered in the correct class.
- Failure to enter the Leonberger in the correct class may result in disqualification from competition at the event. There is no further penalty for this error.
- No class shall be re-judged to accommodate a Leonberger who has been entered in the incorrect class. However, if the error is discovered before competition begins in the affected classes, the Leonberger may be moved to the correct class.
- If a Leonberger is disqualified after being placed in a class, the next placed Leonberger will assume the higher placement.
- Questions regarding class eligibility should be directed first to the Event Chair for any given event. Exhibitors may also consult any member of the LCA Show Committee. However, the Show Committee, Event chair, or any other individual shall not be held responsible for advice of eligibility based on inaccurate or incomplete information given by the exhibitor.
- Exhibitors should read the class definitions carefully before entering any show.
- A Leonberger may not be moved to a champion class without notification of eligibility to the exhibitor by the LCA Points Secretary.
- A Leonberger will be considered ineligible for conformation competition if it has been subjected to any type of procedure that would change, disguise, correct or eliminate a congenital or hereditary defect or undesirable characteristic with the exception of the removal of rear dewclaws.
- All Leonbergers competing in regular conformation classes or special adult classes must be intact (except as noted in veteran class). Male Leonbergers must have two normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum (except as noted in veteran class).
NOTE ON GROOMING:
In order to avoid confusion among those familiar with grooming other breeds for conformation showing, owners and handlers please be advised that the LCA insists upon strict adherence to the following language from the AKC Standard: "Leonbergers are presented naturally and untrimmed. No scissoring is allowed with the exception of trimming excess hair on toes for neatness. Any other trimming or shaping of the coat is penalized to the extent that it is effectively eliminated from competition."General Conformation Guidelines:
- No badges, clothing with kennel names, or other means of identification may be worn or used while exhibiting in the ring. No collars with ID tags on Leonbergers while being exhibited.
- Handlers shall not use pinch collars in the ring.
- If a dog/bitch is owned either wholly or in part by a judge at an LCA Sanctioned Event, the Leonberger shall not be exhibited under said judge.
- Exhibitors and their Leonbergers are not to fraternize with judges immediately prior to an event.
Conformation Classes:
Regular Youth Classes:
- Youth Dogs/Bitches 6-9 months: Open to all Dogs/Bitches between 6 and 9 months of age.
- Youth Dogs/Bitches 9-12 months: Open to all Dogs/Bitches between 9 and 12 months of age.
- Youth Dogs/Bitches 12-18 months: Open to all Dogs/Bitches between 12 and 18 months of age.
- A puppy born on January 1st will be eligible to compete only in the 3-6 month non-regular class as of April 1st, and until June 30th.
- At any show held on or after the next anniversary, which constitutes a new age class (6, 9, and 12 months) that puppy will be eligible to compete only in the next age class.
- At any show held on or after the 18-month anniversary of birth, that puppy will be considered an adult, and will be eligible to compete only in the appropriate adult class.
Regular Adult Classes (Non-Champion):
- Novice Dog/Bitch: Open to any Dog/Bitch 18 months or older who has NOT won 3 first place awards in Novice, or won 1 first place award in any other adult class (Bred by Exhibitor, Foreign Bred, Open, or Veteran), AND who has earned NO points toward an LCA Championship.
- Bred By Exhibitor Dog/Bitch: Open to any Dog/Bitch 18 months or older who is exhibited by his or her breeder where the breeder is either the sole or part owner of the Leonberger being shown.
- Foreign Bred Dog/Bitch: Open to any Dog/Bitch 18 months or older who is from a kennel domiciled outside of the United States.
- Open Dog/Bitch: Open to any Dog/Bitch 18 months or older. Dogs or Bitches that are eligible for the Novice, Bred by Exhibitor, or Foreign Bred classes may be entered in this class instead, at the owner’s discretion.
Special Adult Classes:
These classes do not compete for LCA Championship points, but the winners of
both champion classes and veteran classes compete for Best of Breed and Top Leo points.
- LCA Champion Dog/Bitch: Open to any Dog/Bitch who has attained an LCA Championship.
- Veteran Dog/Bitch: Open to any Dog/Bitch who is 7 years of age or older, including LCA Champions, and who is either intact or has produced offspring.
Non-Regular Classes:
Non-regular classes compete in conformation-type exhibition events, but no
championship points are awarded for placement in these classes.
- Puppy Dog/Bitch 3-6 months: Open to all puppies between 3 and 6 months of age.
Leonbergers must be moved to the next age class on the “anniversary” of their birth, as per
the following example: A puppy born on January 1st will be eligible to compete only in the 3-6
month non-regular class as of April 1st, and until June 30th.
- Spay/Neuter: Open to any Neutered Dog or Spayed Bitch who is 6 months of age or older.
Junior Showmanship:
These classes are an opportunity for our members ages 9 to 18 to learn and/or practice sportsmanship, ring procedures, techniques for grooming and showing their dogs, and bond with their dogs through participating with them.
- Junior Class: Ages 9 to 13 years.
- Senior Class: Ages 14 to 18 years.
Pee Wee Showmanship:
Up to age 8 years. Just for fun, and to encourage our youngest members to participate in the show and enjoy joining their dogs in the ring.