Judges are required to sign an Affirmation Statement. Like a dog show, judges should faithfully and impartially take on this task. Copies of the Standard will be available for judges and participants before evaluations begin. Judges are free to conduct the examination of dogs by any means they so desire and, as a means of education, should be prepared to give a verbal explanation of their decision to each handler if requested and time permits. Should a judge feel more comfortable with conducting the evaluation in a traditional show ring setting, adopting the same movement patterns, participants must be prepared to comply with this format.
Judges are free to conduct examinations as formally or as informally as they like.
However, dogs' names and breeding should remain unknown to the judge until after the event. We urge that judges keep the event casual and, if appropriate, make suggestions to handlers so they show each dog to its best advantage. Overall, this should be a less formal event than a licensed dog show. Casual clothing for handlers and judges is appropriate. When an evaluation is held in conjunction with a hunt test or field trial consideration will be given for animals that may have just performed in the field and handlers need not change clothing.