The UDC will need many judges located in each of our regions in order to be able to conduct trials and shows on a local level. While becoming a judge demands dedicated effort, as well as the time and funding to achieve that goal, it is a rewarding experience. Thus if you feel that you have the qualifications, the UDC urges you to apply. “Apprentice Judges” are those people who have met all mandatory qualification requirements, while “Apprentice Trainees” are those who are still lacking one or more of the mandatory qualifications but who have expressed an interest in becoming a judge and show the serious desire and drive necessary to achieve those missing qualifications and are in fact at the time working towards achieving them.
People interested in the Apprentice program should contact the Director of Judges and request an information packet, which details the procedure for acceptance into the program. After all the information on the application is complete, the names of new applicants for judging positions will be published twice in the Focus with an indication of the judging position being applied for. Anyone wishing to comment on the character or qualifications of these applicants may do so in writing to the Director of Judges. In order to be considered, these written comments must be received no later than four weeks following the publication of the names the second time.
List of Current Judges
Application Procedure
- The Applicant should contact the Director of Judges for an application. Only those persons who demonstrate a high standard of personal conduct, good sportsmanship, a sound mastery of the basics of the category and willingness to work with people and intelligently promote the sport will be considered by the UDC Judge’s committee.
- After the application has been submitted, the Regional Director and the Director for the Category, i.e. Conformation, Obedience, Schutzhund, Tracking will acquaint themselves with the applicant and forward a report as to the character and abilities of the applicant to the Judges Committee.
- The UDC Director of Judges will initiate publication of the applicant’s name and the types of events for which he or she is applying as an apprentice judge; once in the FOCUS, and once on the UDC official email list, requesting comments from the membership regarding the applicant. The Director of Judges will compile comments received within 30 days of each publication and present all collected information to the UDC Judges Committee for their review.
Process for Judge Selection at UDC Events
During the start up of UDC, there is a need for qualified judges to officiate at UDC events. Depending upon the type of show/trial event, and whether it is a local, regional, or national event, many things have to be kept in mind. These qualifications must be consistent with these guidelines.
Conformation
Generally at all levels, local. regional, and nationals, UDC and AKC judges can be used. AKC judges must be willing to support the purpose and standards set forth by UDC. These non-UDC judges may have never given a verbal critique or understand ratings or understand UDC paperwork. This responsibility of education is placed on the show chairperson or regional director. They
must be able to instruct the non UDC judge in all these areas so that consistency is achieved. Be concerned that the non UDC judge must have the ability to speak publicly. Foreign Judges will need to submit their qualifications for the Judge’s Committee and/or the UDC Board to approve. If a foreign judge is to be approved, a variety of conditions must be made available: A translated copy of UDC Rules to be issued to the judge, a translator must be provided for those judges that cannot speak the English language, and an assistant to aid in the completion of UDC paperwork.
Temperament Test
Only UDC temperament testers can be used for these activities.
Breed Survey Test
Because this is a new program, the need to have qualified judges is very important. This may be accomplished by having two judges for this event. One conformation judge and one working dog judge. Both will be on the field together to evaluate the dog. Each has their own area of expertise, but both will need to confer about the overall ratings.
Working Dog Trials
Any UDC, AWDF, DV, SV judge can officiate at a UDC working dog trial.
Obedience Trials
Generally at all levels, local. regional, and nationals, UDC and AKC judges can be used. AKC judges must be willing to support the purpose and standards set forth by UDC. Realizing, these judges may not know all the differences of a UDC event or be familiar UDC paperwork. An experienced show chairperson or regional director must be able to instruct the non UDC judge in all
these areas.
Tracking
Any UDC, AWDF, DV, SV judge can officiate at a UDC working dog trial.
Obedience
Generally at all levels, local. regional, and nationals, UDC and AKC judges can be used. AKC judges must be willing to support the purpose and standards set forth by UDC. This responsibility of education is placed on the show chairperson or regional director. They must be able to instruct the non UDC judge in all these areas so that consistency is achieved.