National Miniature Dachshund Club, Inc.

SECTION 1: GENERAL EXPLANATIONS

SECTION 1.1 The word "dog" wherever used in these Rules and Regulations includes both sexes.

SECTION 1.2 The words “National Miniature Dachshund Club” may appear in these rules in an abbreviated form as NMDC

SECTION 1.3 THE MEMBERS OF THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY ARE; Husband, Wife, Father, Mother, Son, Daughter, Brother, or Sister, Father in-law, Mother in-law, Son in-law, Daughter in-law, Brother in-law, or Sister in-law.

SECTION 1.4 The word “Club” is defined as an NMDC Affiliate in good standing.

SECTION 1.5 All entries must be made on the official NMDC entry form or an entry form accepted by the NMDC (be aware that any entry form certifies that the entry is from three (3) generations of Miniature Dachshund breeding)

SECTION 1.6 Abuse of Dogs: The show committee shall investigate any reports of abuse of dogs or severe disciplining of dogs on the grounds or premises of a show. Any person who conducts himself in such manner shall be dealt with promptly.

SECTION 1.7 Exhibitor Conduct: NMDC has the right to reprimand or suspend any person or persons from any or all privileges of NMDC for conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Miniature Dachshund, NMDC events or NMDC.  Exhibitors are to maintain the highest level of sportsmanship and are to conduct themselves accordingly.  Foul or abusive language, yelling at exhibitors or judges, disorderly conduct, and/or poor sportsmanship will not be allowed.

SECTION 1.8 Boundaries of Show Grounds. The limits are the boundaries of the grounds. Premises constitute a larger area, its boundaries not well defined. It consists of the land building(s) and all parking areas adjacent to and a continuation of the show grounds where any NMDC events are held whether held separately or in conjunction with each other. Any area inside the limits is on the premises, but an area does not have to be within the limits to be considered within the premises.

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SECTION 2: DOG SHOW DEFINED

SECTION 2.1 A “Member” Show is a show at which Championship points may be awarded. Application for this type of show must be submitted by an NMDC Affiliate Club in good standing and be approved by the NMDC Board.

SECTION 2.2 The National Specialty is governed by the NMDC Board of Directors.

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SECTION 3: MAKING APPLICATION TO HOLD A SHOW, SANCTIONING RULES, APPROVAL OF JUDGES

SECTION 3.1 All shows giving championship points must be approved by the NMDC Board.

SECTION 3.2 NMDC Affiliate Clubs that meet the requirements of NMDC and wish to hold a Conformation Dog Show at which Championship points may be awarded must make application to NMDC in the form provided for permission to hold such show. The letter of application shall list date, location, Show Secretary/Chairman’s' name, address and phone number, all classes offered, judges names and addresses and assignments, and an application fee of twenty-five (25) dollars.  Such request must be made forty-five (45) days prior to show date.

SECTION 3.3 The Show Chairman must be an NMDC member in good standing and appointed by the Affiliate Club hosting a show. The Show Chairman will be responsible for filing show application forms along with appropriate fees in a timely manner.

SECTION 3.3.5 The show Chairman or show Committee, following the show, shall if at all possible make up a printed catalog which shall contain the information given in Section 7.4 CATALOGS and will submit records of the show(s) as in Section 13.

SECTION 3.3.6 The Show Chairman/Secretary shall send to the NMDC Treasurer fees of $1 for each entrant.

SECTION 3.4 NMDC Judge's Books will include a complete report stating total number of regular class dogs and bitches, armband numbers of Winners, Reserve Winners, Best of Winners, Best Opposite Sex and Best of Variety. This report must be signed by the Judge.

SECTION 3.5 Only NMDC Affiliate Clubs, in good standing, may hold NMDC Conformation shows.  An NMDC Affiliate club may host more than one Conformation show per day.

SECTION 3.6 All clubs holding shows under NMDC rules must have available at each show, a copy of the NMDC Breed Standard and the NMDC Show Rules.

SECTION 3.7 Any club giving a dog show must provide armbands and shall see that every person exhibiting a dog wears, when in the ring, an armband with the entry number of the dog being exhibited.

SECTION 3.8 No badges, coats with kennel names, dog’s names or any advertisements, shall be worn or displayed, nor any other visible means of identification used, by an individual when exhibiting a dog in the ring.

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SECTION 4: DOG SHOW CLASSIFICATIONS

The mandatory regular classes of NMDC are as follows:

Puppy, American Bred, Bred by Exhibitor, Open, Winners, Best of Variety, Best of Breed

These classes shall be divided by sex, except Best of Variety and Inter-Variety Judging

SECTION 4.1 The Puppy Class shall be for dogs that are six (6) months or over, but less than twelve (12) months, and that are not champions. The age of the dog shall be calculated up to and inclusive of the first day of a show. Puppy class may be divided six months to nine months, and nine months to twelve months.

SECTION 4.2 The American Bred Class shall be for all dogs, (except Champions), six (6) months of age and over, whelped in the USA, by reason of a mating which took place in the USA.

SECTION 4.3 The Bred by Exhibitor Class shall be for dogs that are:

• Six (6) months of age and over
• Not Champions
• Owned or co-owned by a breeder of record or a member of the breeder’s immediate family
• To handle a dog in the Bred by Exhibitor Class, either of the following conditions must be met
  1. Handler must be an owner or co-owner of record and be a breeder of record or
  2. Handler must be an immediate family member of the breeder who maintains ownership of the dog.
• The winner of the Bred by Class may be handled by other than the above named individuals in any subsequent class for which it becomes eligible.

SECTION 4.4 The Open Class shall be for any dog, six (6) months of age or over. The Open Class may be divided Open Red, Open Black and Tan and Open Any Other Color.

SECTION 4.5 The Winners Class shall be divided by sex and each division shall be open only to undefeated dogs of the same sex which have won first prizes in any of the regular classes. There shall be no entry fee for competition in the Winners Class. After the Winners prize has been awarded in one of the sex divisions, the dog placing second to the winning dog, if undefeated except by the dog awarded Winners, shall compete with the other eligible dogs for Reserve Winners. No eligible dog may be withheld from competition.

SECTION 4.6 The awards in Best of Variety competition shall be Best of Variety, Best Opposite Sex and Best of Winners. The following categories of dogs may be entered and shown in this competition:

• Dogs that are Champions of Record of NMDC, AKC, CKC, IABCA, UKC or FCI.
• Dogs, which according to their owner's records have completed the requirements for a championship, but whose championships are unconfirmed.
• The showing of dogs whose championships are unconfirmed (either in classes or in Best of Variety competition) is limited to a period of ninety (90) days from the date of the show where a dog completed the requirements for a championship or until certification of championship is issued.
• The first place dogs from the competitive Veterans Class, Field Trial Class, or Dual Champion Class.

SECTION 4.7 Dogs Competing in Winners and/or Best of Variety class must not have been defeated in any Regular class.

SECTION 4.8 The optional non-regular classes of NMDC are: Stud Dog, Brood Bitch, Brace, Veterans, Field Trial or Dual Champion.  Veteran, Field Trial, and Dual Champion Classes must be divided by sex.

SECTION 4.9 The following rules will apply if these non-regular classes are included:

• Stud Dog class shall consist of the sire and two (2) to four (4) of his progeny, which must be entered in a regular class. Entry for this class shall be in the name of the sire and none of his progeny shall be entered as a sire in this class. The Stud Dog may be neutered.
• Brood Bitch class shall consist of the dam and two (2) to four (4) of her progeny which must be entered in a regular class. Entry shall be in the name of the dam and none of her progeny shall be entered as a dam in this class. The Brood Bitch may be spayed.

  In the Stud Dog and Brood Bitch classes, the merits of the Stud Dog and Brood Bitch are not considered in the placement of the entry. It is the quality of the get that forms the basis for the judge’s decision. All get must be examined and gaited. The Stud Dog and Brood Bitch must also be examined to determine if there is a condition that would require disqualification or excusal under NMDC Rules or the NMDC breed standard. In addition to the Stud Dog and Brood Bitch, all handlers must wear an armband designating the get being exhibited. This class may be held prior to or after Best of Variety Judging.

• Brace class shall consist of entries of two dogs with identical ownership, each of similar coloring, markings and variety that work as a team. A brace may be composed of two dogs of any combination of male, female, intact or altered.
• The Veteran's Class or classes is open only to dogs which have reached their seventh (7) birthdays. This class is open to spayed and neutered dogs and must be divided by sex.
• Field Trial Class is open to dogs which have attained at last three (3) field trial points.
• Dual Champion Class is open to dogs which have attained the AKC title of Dual Champion.
• Non-regular class winners shall not become eligible to move on to any regular conformation class by virtue of their non-regular class award other then the Competitive Veteran, Field Trial and Dual Champion Class which may compete in the Best of Variety Class.

SECTION: 4.10 Upon the completion of all regular classes the following Inter-Variety judging will be:

1. Best Of Breed
2. Best Of Opposite Sex
3. Best Puppy (optional)
4. Best Bred-by-Exhibitor (optional)
5. Best in any of the non-regular classes (optional)

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SECTION 5: CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Championship points will be recorded according to the number of eligible dogs competing in the regular classes of each sex and according to the NMDC Schedule of Points.
• Championship points will be recorded for Winners Dog, Winners Bitch, Best of Variety, and Best of Opposite Sex at dog shows approved by the National Miniature Dachshund Club, Inc.
• If the dog designated Winners Dog or Winners Bitch is also awarded Best of Variety, the dogs of both sexes that have been entered for Best of Variety competition and that have been defeated in such competition, shall be counted in addition to the dogs that competed in the regular classes for its sex in calculating championship points.
• If the dog designated Winners Dog or Winners Bitch is also awarded Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Variety, the dogs of its own sex that have been entered for Best of Variety and that have been defeated in competition for Best of Opposite Sex shall be counted in addition to the dogs that competed in the regular classes for its sex in calculating championship points.
• The dog awarded the Best of Winners shall be credited with the number of points calculated for Winners Dog or Winners Bitch, whichever is greater. If a class dog or bitch is awarded BOS, figure these points before figuring BOW.
• If the Best of Variety winner comes from the Best of Variety class, points will be calculated according to the number of dogs competing in the regular classes, as well as dogs competing in Best of Variety competition. (For example, 7 class dogs + 5 class bitches + 6 champions = 18 dogs)
• A dog awarded BOV will be credited with the number of points calculated for BOV or BOS whichever is greater.
• The points for Best Opposite Sex to Variety is calculated by counting all dogs of the same sex competing.
• The dog receiving BOB will receive the highest number of points awarded that day.
• The dog receiving BOS to BOB will receive the highest number of points awarded to that sex that day.
• In counting the number of eligible dogs in competition, a dog that is disqualified, or that is dismissed, excused or ordered from the ring by the judge, or from which all awards are withheld, shall not be included.
• Any dog which shall have won fifteen (15) points shall become Champion of Record, if six (6) or more of said points shall have been won at two (2) shows with a rating of three (3) or more championship points each under two (2) different judges.

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SECTION 6:  JUDGES

NMDC recognizes two levels of judges.  They are Breeder Judges and Other Registry Judges.  Only Breeder Judges are eligible to judge at the National Show and shall be selected by the members attending an annual meeting prior to the show. All judges that have served at the National Specialty may be hired by Affiliate clubs.

SECTION 6.1:  REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR BECOMING AN NMDC BREEDER JUDGE

Before applying for Breeder Judge Status, the following requirements must be met:

• Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.

• Must have bred five (5) Dachshund Champions of Record (AKC, CKC, IABCA, UKC, FCI or any other National Breed Registry

• Must have a thorough knowledge of Miniature Dachshund Breed Standard.

• Must have a thorough knowledge of the NMDC Approved Conformation Show Rules and Regulations.

• Must have served as a steward in the conformation ring at three (3) or more events or served as a Show Secretary at three (3) or more events or judged matches at three (3) or more events or any combination there of totaling three (3).

• Must be willing to abide by the NMDC Conformation Judges Code of Ethics (See Sec. 15).

THESE ARE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLYING AND EACH APPLICANT WILL BE EVALUATED ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS BEFORE ACCEPTANCE INTO THE PROGRAM. APPLICANT MAY EXCEED THESE REQUIREMENTS FOR THEIR BENEFIT.

SECTION 6.2:  PROCEDURE

Steps in applying for Breeder Judge Status:

• Submit a letter to the NMDC secretary stating how the requirements for becoming a breeder judge have been met.

• Upon receipt of the application the NMDC Board will verify the documentation is correct and minimum requirements have been met.

• The applicant’s name will be published in the NMDC Digest for comments from the membership. The membership will have thirty (30) days to respond. The NMDC Secretary will forward the application and comments from the membership to the NMDC Board of Directors. The NMDC Board of Directors will approve or deny the applicant within ninety (90) days.

• Any properly documented negative comments will be investigated by the NMDC Board of Directors. If this investigation indicates there is probable cause that the applicant should not be approved, the application will be denied. If denied, the applicant will be given an explanation as to the reasons for the denial and may include suggestions or tasks that will help the applicant to be successful in a second application process. If denied, the applicant will have thirty (30) days to appeal the decision. If an appeal has been submitted, the Board will respond within thirty (30) days. If an applicant has been denied approval, the applicant may reapply after a waiting period of two (2) years and after having satisfied any additional tasks assigned by the NMDC Board of Directors.

• If the application is approved, the applicant will receive notification in writing from the NMDC Secretary of appointment and, at that time, will be an NMDC Breeder Judge. The applicant may then accept regular judging assignments. Upon approval, the applicant’s name, address and telephone number will be published in the next issue of the NMDC Digest and will be added to the NMDC Approved Judges List.

SECTION 6.3:  Other Judges

NMDC policy of accepting other registry judges: A minimum of three years of active judging experience is required of outside registry judges before being accepted to judge an NMDC conformation show.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Other Judges:

Judging at an NMDC Conformation show is an honor and a privilege, not a right. Judge applicants must satisfy NMDC stated minimum eligibility requirements for judges, but satisfying the minimum requirements does not entitle an applicant to become or remain an NMDC judge. In addition to satisfying other stated qualifications to serve, an applicant must consistently display the highest level of ethical conduct, impartial demeanor, professional comportment and dedication to upholding NMDC’s codes and rules. Any documented failure to perform on this level may result in denial or revocation of judging privileges by the NMDC Board of Directors without regard to any other qualification or prior service.

NMDC recognizes judges’ license from the following organizations:

American Kennel Club (AKC)

United Kennel Club (UKC)

Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)

Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI)

International All Breed Canine Association (IABCA)

SECTION 6.4 NMDC will not approve as judge for any given show the following:

• Show Secretary

• Show Chairperson

• Show Veterinarians

SECTION 6.5: A Conformation Judge may not compete with any dog at the same sanctioned Conformation Event he or she is officiating. If multiple Conformation events are held in a single day, the judge may not compete at any of the Conformation events on the same day he or she is officiating.

SECTION 6.6: A Conformation judge shall not personally exhibit any dogs at an NMDC sanctioned Conformation event, in the same state in which he is to judge, four (4) days prior to the judging assignment.

SECTION 6.7: A conformation Judge shall not pass judgment on:

• Any dog he, or a member of his immediate family or household owns, co-owns, bred or co-bred.

• Any dog he, or a member of his immediate family or household has owned, co-owned, held under lease, boarded, regularly trained, instructed or handled (more than twice) in the conformation ring in the preceding twelve months.

• A handler or a member of the handler’s immediate family or household has trained or shown dogs owned or co-owned by the judge on more than two occasions in the preceding twelve months.

SECTION 6.8 Immediate family or household members may compete under another officiating Conformation Judge at the same Conformation Show as long as any wins under the other Conformation Judge will not make the dog ineligible to compete further.

SECTION 6.9 If it becomes necessary to replace an advertised judge after the opening of the show and no person on the NMDC eligible judge's list is available to take his place, the Show Committee may select as a substitute for the advertised judge, a person who is deemed qualified.

SECTION 6.10 The Show Committee shall, in every instance, notify appointed judges of their assignments, and such notifications shall be given before the publication of the premium list/flyer.

SECTION 6.11 A Show Committee which shall be informed at any time prior to twenty (20) days before the opening day of its show that an advertised judge will not fulfill his or her engagement to judge shall substitute a judge in his or her place.

Substitute judges must be approved by the NMDC Board, and the club shall give notice of the name of the substitute judge to all those who entered dogs in the classes to be judged by the advertised judge. All those who have entered dogs to be shown under the advertised judge shall be permitted to withdraw their entries at any time prior to the close of entries and the entry fees paid for entering such dogs shall be refunded.

SECTION 6.12 Should a Show Committee be informed at any time less than twenty (20) days before the opening of its show, or after its show has opened, that an advertised judge will not fulfill his or her engagement to judge; it shall substitute a qualified judge in his or her place, and must attempt to obtain approval of the change from the NMDC Business Office. No notice need be sent to those exhibitors who have entered dogs under the advertised judge. The Show Committee will be responsible for having a notice posted in a prominent place within the show grounds as soon after the show opens as is practical, informing exhibitors of the change in judges. An exhibitor who has entered a dog under an advertised judge who is being replaced may withdraw such entry and shall have the entry fee refunded, provided notice of such withdrawal is given to the Show Secretary prior to the start of the judging.

SECTION 6.13 In case an advertised judge shall have judged part of the classes and then finds it impossible to finish, a substitute judge shall be selected by the Show Committee, and in that event the awards made by the regular judge shall stand, and his or her substitute shall judge only the remaining entries. No dogs entered under the regularly selected judge shall be withheld from competition.

SECTION 6.14 A substitute judge shall finish the judging of the class he or she is judging if he or she has begun to judge before the advertised judge arrives at the show.

SECTION 6.15 No judging shall occur at any show prior to the time specified in the judging schedule.

SECTION 6.16 The maximum number of dogs assigned to any judge, in one day, shall never exceed 175. When the entries have closed, if the entry under any judge exceeds the above limits, the Show Committee must select some other judge or judges to whom sufficient classes can be assigned to bring the total assignment of judge within the limits. In the case of pre-entry show, approval must be obtained from the NMDC Board for each reassignment. Notice must be sent to the owner of each dog affected by such a change in judges at least five (5) days before the opening of the show, and the owner has the right to withdraw his entry and have his entry fee refunded provided notification of his withdrawal is received before the opening of the show by the person named in the premium list to receive entries.

SECTION 6.17 A Judge's decision shall be final in all cases affecting the merits of the dogs. Full discretionary power is given for want of merit. After a class has been judged in accordance with these rules and regulations, it shall not be rejudged. A class is considered judged when the Judge has marked his book, which must be done before the following class is examined. If any errors have been made by the Judge in marking the awards as made, he may correct the same but must initial any such corrections.

SECTION 6.18 A Judge may order any person or dog from the ring. For the purpose of facilitating the judging, Judges are required to exclude from the rings in which they are judging all persons except the steward or stewards, show attendants assigned to the ring, and those actually engaged in exhibiting.

SECTION 6.19 A Judge must be supplied with the Judge's Book in which he shall mark all awards and all absent dogs. The original Judge's Books shall be in the custody of the Judge, Steward, Show Secretary or Show Chairperson. None other shall be allowed access to it. At the conclusion of the judging, the book must be signed by the Judge and any changes which may have been made therein initialed by him.

SECTION 6.20 A Judge's decision, as marked in the judge's book, cannot be changed by him after filing with the NMDC Tabulator but an error appearing in the Judge's book may be corrected by the NMDC Tabulator after consultation with the Judge and Show Secretary.

SECTION 6.21 If a Judge disqualifies a dog at any show, he shall make a note in the Judge's book giving his reasons for such disqualification. In computing the championship points for the breed, said dog shall not be considered as having been present at the show. The show secretary will acknowledge to the NMDC Tabulator the name of the disqualified dog, the registration number and owners name and address.

SECTION 6.22 A Judge shall not judge the same assignment more than once in any six (6) month period for the same affiliate.

SECTION 6.23 To be eligible to judge at the NMDC National Specialty, a must be approved by the membership at the annual meeting.

SECTION 6.24 Affiliate clubs may submit a judge’s name to the NMDC Board for a one-time approval to judge a regional show.

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SECTION 7 NATIONAL SPECIALTY SHOW

SECTION 7.1 The National Specialty will be pre-entry only, and a show catalogue and premium list will be printed.

SECTION 7.2 PREMIUM LIST

• Premium lists and entry forms will be at least 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches.

• Every premium list shall specify the date at which entries for a show shall close. The premium list shall also specify the name, address and phone number of the Show Secretary and the person who is to receive the entries.

• Premium lists and entry forms must be sent to prospective exhibitors at least thirty-five (35) days prior to the closing date for entries of the show if sent by other than FIRST CLASS MAIL and at least thirty (30) days if sent by FIRST CLASS MAIL. Prospective exhibitors include all NMDC members and those non- members in attendance at this show in the preceding year.

• The certification of the NMDC Business Office is published on the first page of the premium list stating that permission has been granted by NMDC for the dog show to be held under NMDC rules and regulations, i.e.: "NMDC Sanctioned” and "NMDC Show Rules Apply."

• The premium list shall contain the following: a list of the officer and board of directors of the NMDC, a list of the members of the Show Committee, together with the designations of "Chairperson" and the Chairperson's address, the names of the veterinarians (or name of local Veterinary Association), whether the veterinarian will be in attendance throughout the show hours or "on call", names, city and state of the judges, together with their assignments, and the name, address and phone number of the show secretary. The premium list shall also specify the exact location of the show, the date or dates on which it is to be held, and the times of opening and closing of the show.

• If more than one judge has been approved to judge the show, the premium list must designate the particular assignments of each judge as approved by the NMDC Business Office, except when the member club has requested and received approval for the drawing of assignments at the show, in which case a statement to this effect shall appear in the premium list in place of designated assignments.

• Show committees may make such regulations or additional rules for the government of their show as shall be considered necessary, provided such regulations or additional rules do not conflict with any rule of NMDC. Such regulations or additional rules shall be printed in the premium list and violations thereof shall be considered the same as violations of the rules and regulations of NMDC

• No prizes may be accepted or offered by a show giving club unless they are published in the premium list of the show or in the separate list of prizes if the condensed form of premium list is used; nor may any be withdrawn or the conditions thereof changed after they have been published in the premium list or in the separate list of prizes. If the donor of a prize that has been published in the premium list of a show or in the separate list of prizes shall fail to furnish the prize, the show giving club shall supply a prize of the same description and of no less value in a reasonable period of time. The show-giving club shall be responsible for all errors made in publishing offers of prizes and shall, in the event of error, award prizes of equal value; except that if an error has been made in the premium list or in the separate list of prizes in publishing the conditions of the club's special awards, the prizes shall be awarded according to the current terms of the club's Special Awards.

SECTION 7.3 RIBBONS - See CHAPTER 8.

SECTION 7.4 CATALOGUES

• Every Show Committee must provide a printed catalogue, which shall contain all particulars, required of exhibitors entering dogs as hereinafter provided. It shall also contain the exact location of the show, the date or dates on which it is to be held, the times of opening and closing of the show, a list of all officers and members of the Show Committee, city and state of all judges and address and phone number of the Show Secretary, the names of the local veterinary association and whether the veterinarian will be in attendance throughout the show or "on call" and the names and addresses of all exhibitors.

• Every catalogue must bear on its cover or title page: "This show is held under NMDC rules".

• The catalog may be 5 ½ x 8 ½ or 8 ½ x 11 inches in book form. It shall include:
  1. Armband number
  2. Complete registered name of dog
  3. AKC registration number (or number of other acceptable registry)
  4. Date of birth
  5. Name of breeder(s)
  6. Name of Sire and Dam
  7. Name of Owner(s)/co-owner(s)

  catalogue shall either give the address of the owner immediately after the owner's name under the identifying information for each dog entered, or shall include a separate alphabetical list of exhibitors' names and addresses. The entries shall be catalogued by regular classes and non-regular classes, in the order given in Section 4. The information on dogs entered in any additional classes shall appear following the space provided for recording Winners Bitch and Reserve Winners Bitch followed by the particulars of those dogs entered for Best of Variety except that the entries in Brace, Stud Dog, Brood Bitch, or any other classes in which the judge's decision is based on the merits of more than one dog shall appear following the list of dogs entered for Best of Variety, and the space provided for Best of Variety, Best of Winners, and Best of Opposite Sex awards. The particulars of those dogs entered For Exhibition Only shall appear following all other entries in the breed. The Board of Directors may prescribe additional requirements for format and contents of the catalogue.

• The schedule of points toward Championships in the show shall be published in the catalogue.

• All prizes offered in the premium list of a show shall be printed in the catalogue, and no change shall be printed in the catalogue, and no change shall be made in the descriptions or conditions of these prizes, nor shall any prize or trophy be added that was not offered in the premium list or in the separate list of prizes.

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SECTION 8 RIBBONS, PRIZES AND TROPHIES

SECTION 8.1 All clubs holding a show under the rules of NMDC must use the following colors for their prize ribbons or rosettes, in the regular classes.

• First Prize - Blue

• Second Prize - Red

• Third Prize - Yellow

• Fourth Prize - White

• Winners - Purple

• Reserve Winners - Purple and White

• Best of Winners - Blue and White

• Special Prize - Optional

• Best of Variety - Purple and Gold

• Best of Opposite Sex - Red & White

For the non-regular classes the following colors must be used when holding a show.

• First Prize - Rose

• Second Prize - Brown

• Third Prize - Light Green

• Fourth Prize - Gray

• Best in Non Regular Class - Orange

• Best of Opposite in Non Regular Class - Lavender

Each ribbon or rosette shall be at least two (2) inches wide and eight (8) inches long and indicate on its face the placement.

The NMDC logo should be used on awards offered at a show.

SECTION 8.2 If money prizes are offered in a premium list of a show, a fixed amount or percent of entry money for each prize must be stated. All other prizes offered in a premium list of a show must be described.

SECTION 8.3 Ribbons/Rosettes must be offered for outright award at a show for the following placements:

• First, Second, Third, Fourth in the Puppy, American Bred, Bred by Exhibitor or Open Classes, or in any division of these designated in the classification;
• First, Second, Third, Fourth, in any non-regular class, which the show giving club, may offer;
• Winners, Reserve Winners, Best of Winners, Best of Variety and Best of Opposite Sex; 
• Best of Breed and Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed.

SECTION 8.4 Ribbons and/or Rosettes for outright award may also be offered for: Best Bred by Exhibitor, Veteran, Field Champion, Dual Champion, Brace, Stud Dog and Brood Bitch.

SECTION 8.5 Special revolving or traveling prizes may be awarded at the donor's specifications.

SECTION 8.6 Special Awards are prizes offered by NMDC for outright and automatic award at any show where the terms have been published in full in the premium list of the show. It shall be the obligation of NMDC to notify show secretaries and show-giving clubs that said prizes may be offered provided the terms are set forth in full in the premium list of the show. The club will be solely responsible for the distribution of such prizes within sixty (60) days after the completion of a show when it has been determined that all the terms of the awards have been met. NMDC is not obligated to accept an offering of special awards.

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SECTION 9 SHOW COMMITTEES

SECTION 9.1 Show Committee consists of the Show Chairman and clubs officers present at the show unless otherwise stated in the flyer or premium list.

SECTION 9.2 Show Committees shall be held responsible for the enforcement of all rules and regulations relating to shows and the exhibiting of dogs, and must provide themselves with a copy of the NMDC Show Rules and Regulations.

SECTION 9.3 Conformation ring-size and conditions:

• Indoors - rings should be at least 35 feet by 35 feet and no more the 50 by 50. The floor shall have surface or covering that provides firm footing.

• Outdoors - must be a minimum of 40 feet by 40 feet. The ground shall be clean and level and the grass if any, shall be cut short.

SECTION 9.4 The Show Committees will be held responsible for the maintenance of clean and orderly conditions throughout the precincts of the judging area during all hours when dogs are permitted to be present.

SECTION 9.5 Any person acting in the capacity of Show Secretary, Show Chairman, Ring Steward or persons responsible for contacting and/or hiring a judge, or judges, shall not exhibit, act as agent or handler at the show. Dogs owned wholly or in part by the above may be exhibited at the show. Any person acting in the capacity of judge at a show shall not exhibit; act as agent or handler at the show.

SECTION 9.6 The Show Committee may decline any entries or may remove any dog(s) or person(s) from its show for cause, but in each such instance shall file good and sufficient reasons for so doing with the NMDC Secretary within seven (7) days of the close of the show.

SECTION 9.7 The Show Chairman must be on the show grounds for the entire show.

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SECTION 10 CONDITIONS OF DOGS AFFECTING ELIGIBILITY

SECTION 10.1 Every dog must be entered on an acceptable NMDC entry Form in the name of the person who actually owned the dog at the time entries closed. The right to exhibit a dog cannot be transferred. A registered dog which has been acquired by some person other than the owner must be entered in the name of its new owner at any show for which entries close after the date upon which the dog was acquired. If an entry is made by a duly authorized agent of the owner, the name of the actual owner must be shown on the entry form. Dogs must be entered under their registered names.

SECTION 10.2 No entry shall be made and no entry shall be accepted by a Show Secretary, which specifies any condition as to its acceptance.

SECTION 10.3 No entry may be changed or canceled unless notice of the change or cancellation is received in writing or by telegram by the Show Secretary prior to the closing date for entries, except that a dog may be transferred from his regular class to Best of Variety if he has completed his Championship. No dog wrongly entered in a class may otherwise be transferred to another class. Owners are responsible for errors in entry forms, regardless of who may make such errors. Allowances for refunds on cancellations will be left to the discretion of the Host Club.

SECTION 10.4 A dog which is blind, deaf, castrated, or spayed, or which has been changed in appearance by artificial means except as specified in the breed standard, or a male over 6 months of age which does not have two normal testicles normally located in the scrotum, may not compete at any show in the Conformation Program and will be disqualified. A dog will not be considered to have been changed by artificial means because of removal of dewclaws. When a judge finds any of these conditions in any dog he is judging, he shall disqualify the dog marking his book "Disqualified" and stating the reason. He shall not obtain the opinion of the show veterinarian. When a dog has been disqualified under this rule or under the Breed Standard, awards earned by that dog at that show shall be canceled by NMDC and the dog may not again be shown unless and until, following application by the owner to NMDC, the owner has received official notification from NMDC that the dog's show eligibility has been reinstated. A castrated male may be entered as the Stud Dog in the Stud Dog Class, or other Non-Regular classes. A spayed bitch may be entered as Brood Bitch in the Brood Bitch Class, or other Non-Regular classes.

SECTION 10.5 A dog that is lame at any show may not compete and shall not receive any award at that show. It shall be the judge's responsibility to determine whether a dog is lame. He shall withhold all awards from such dog and shall excuse it from the ring. A dog so excused shall not be counted as having competed. When a judge excuses a dog from the ring for lameness, he shall mark his book "Excused - Lame"

SECTION 10.6 No dog shall be eligible to compete at any show and no dog shall receive an award at any show in the event the natural color or the natural markings of the dog have been altered or changed by the use of substance whether such substance may have been used for cleaning purposes or for any other reason. Such cleaning substances are to be removed before the dog enters the ring. If in the judge's opinion any substance has been used to alter or change the natural color or shade of natural color or natural markings of a dog, then in such event the judge shall withhold any and all awards from such dog, and the judge shall make a note in the judge's book giving his reason for withholding such award.

SECTION 10.7 No dog shall be eligible to compete at any show, no dog shall be brought into the grounds or premises of any dog show, and any dog which may have been brought into the grounds or premises of a dog show shall immediately be removed, if it;

• shows clinical symptoms of distemper, infectious hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis, kennel cough or other communicable disease, or

• is known to have been in contact with distemper, infectious hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis, kennel cough or other communicable disease within thirty days prior to the opening of the show, or

• has been kenneled within thirty days prior to the opening of the show on premises on which there existed distemper, infectious hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis, kennel cough or other communicable disease.

SECTION 10.8 A dog that in the opinion of the judge menaces or threatens or exhibits any sign that it may not be safely approached by the judge or examined by the judge in the normal manner shall be excused from the ring. When the judge excuses the dog, he shall mark the dog "Excused," stating the reason in the judge's book. A dog so excused shall not be counted as having competed.

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SECTION 11 CANCELLATIONS OF AWARDS

SECTION 11.1 If the catalogue and/or the judge's book of any show shall, by error or mistake, set forth any information contrary to the information which appears on the entry form of the dog for that show, the Show Committees and/or the Show Secretary of the show, upon request of the owner or handler of said dog prior to the judging, shall correct the entry in the Judge's book and in the marked catalogue to be sent to the NMDC Secretary and said dog may compete in all classes and for all prizes for which its entry form discloses it was entered.

SECTION 11.2 If a placement of a dog in any of the regular classes is canceled, the dog judged next in order of merit shall be moved up and the award shall be counted the same as if it had been the original award. If there is no dog of record to move up, the award shall be void.

SECTION 11.3 If the win of a dog shall be canceled by NMDC the owner of the dog shall return all ribbons and prizes to the show giving club within ten (10) days of receipt of the notice of the cancellation from NMDC The show giving club shall in each instance of failure to comply with this rule notify forthwith NMDC of such failure and NMDC upon receipt of such notice shall suspend the exhibitor so in default from all privileges of NMDC and notify the exhibitor so in default that it has done so. Said suspension shall continue until NMDC is notified that restitution has been made.

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SECTION 12 PROTESTS AGAINST DOGS

SECTION 12.1 Every exhibitor shall have the right to request through the Show Committee, the examination of any dog within a show's premises, which is considered to endanger the health of other dogs in a show.

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CHAPTER 13 SUBMISSION OF SHOW’S RECORDS TO NMDC

SECTION 13.1 After the National Specialty, or Affiliate Show, the Show Chairman/Secretary shall submit a signed catalog, or report, marked with all awards and absent dogs to the NMDC Tabulator (appointed by the Board) within 14 days after the close of the show. The Tabulator will record the results and send an updated point total record to the webmaster for posting on the NMDC web site within 14 days of receipt.

SECTION 13.2 The Show Chairman/Secretary shall retain the entry forms and a copy of the official judge(s) book(s) for one year following the event.

SECTION 13.3 The Show Chairman will also send a marked catalog or report to the NMDC Secretary and/or Historian.

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SECTION 14 STEWARDS

SECTION 14.1 Stewards should have in mind that they have been selected to help the judge and not to advise him.

SECTION 14.2 Stewards should refrain from discussing or seeming to discuss the dogs or the exhibitors with the judge and should not, under any circumstances, show or give the appearance of showing the catalogue to a judge.  Stewards must not take or seem to take any part in judging When they are not actively engaged in their duties, they should place themselves in such part of the rings as will not interfere with the view of those watching the judging, and should not permit persons to crowd about the ring entrance and interfere with access to the ring.

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SECTION 15 JUDGES GUIDELINES / CODE OF ETHICS

SECTION 15.1: Official NMDC Guidelines/Code of Ethics for Conformation Judges

• NMDC Judges are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with these Guidelines set forth by the National Miniature Dachshund Club Board of Directors. Failure to comply with these guidelines subjects a judge to possible disciplinary action by the NMDC Board of Directors, including the possible revocation of NMDC Judging privileges.

• NMDC Conformation Judges carry a tremendous amount of responsibility. They function as a guiding voice of the Miniature Dachshund and should represent the highest ideals in terms of honesty, integrity, impartiality and knowledge of the sport and the breed.

• The approval to judge NMDC events is a privilege and is not a right or reward. Suspensions in other registries relevant to the task of judging will be a consideration in the approval and maintenance of judging privileges.

• All Judges and applicants must agree to abide by the NMDC Judges Code of Ethics.

• NMDC has the right to refuse, suspend or revoke the NMDC judging license of any person in violation of NMDC rules, or for the failure to comply with the guidelines set forth in the NMDC Judges Code of Ethics. Failure to comply with these guidelines, or any NMDC rules, subjects a judge to possible disciplinary action by the NMDC Board of Directors, including the possible revocation of NMDC Judging privileges. Judges will be notified if such action is being considered, the reason for its consideration, and given the opportunity to reply.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• NMDC Judges should have thorough breed knowledge, understanding of the Breed Standard and full comprehension of the rules concerning NMDC Conformation Program. They are expected to demonstrate efficient ring procedure and control. It is their responsibility to keep up to date with current changes in both the program rules and Breed Standard.

• Judges are expected to continue the education process throughout their career.

• Judges are to be professional in carrying out their duties and must not allow personal preferences to interfere with the stated guidelines upon which they judge animals.

• It is essential that exhibitors have complete faith in the impartiality of their judges. A judge’s actions and decisions should leave no doubt that they were made based solely on the merits of the dogs presented to them on that day.

CONDUCT:

• The general conduct of judge, both inside and out of the ring, should be above reproach. Judges should avoid conduct and casual remarks that might be misconstrued or misinterpreted such as expressing favoritism or specific criticism of dogs or exhibitors.

• Prior to the completion of a judging assignment, a judge shall not act as a spectator at the same conformation event at which he is scheduled to judge.

• When officiating at a show, the judge shall not:
  1. Discuss the merits or faults of the dogs with the stewards, attendants, or spectators during the assignment.
  2. Address handlers or dogs in the ring by name
  3. Hold, have control of, or groom any dog on the show grounds during his assignment that is not wholly owned or co-owned by the judge
• While officiating, a judge should not ask individuals who owns the dog; from whom the dog was purchased; or what bloodlines the dog is out of.

• A judge shall not personally exhibit a dog in Conformation in the same state as his assignment four (4) days prior to his assignment.

• When attending social functions organized by the event-giving club where exhibitors are present, a judge is expected to exercise particular discretion in discussing individual exhibitors, dogs or breeders.

• A judge or his family members should never solicit or promote assignments on the judge’s behalf.
  1. Solicitation is the repeated contact and/or the use of influence, persuasion or coercion in an effort to obtain a judging assignment.
  2. Promotion is a judge’s or their immediate family member’s attempt to sell or popularize the judge or their judging assignments through verbal or written advertising and/or publicity.
• Although a judge cannot directly control who enters under him, he should advise potential exhibitors not to enter under him when he feels there is a possible conflict of interest to avoid improprieties or perceived improprieties. Examples of such conflicts might be an employer or employee; a relative; a person with whom the judge co-own dogs; a person with whom the judge is traveling or housing with.

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