What Are Limit Shows for Dogs?

What makes a Limit Show different

A Limit Show is a type of dog show with restricted entry. Unlike Open Shows, where any dog and handler can enter, Limit Shows require membership of the organising club or society. Some clubs also accept entries from members of affiliated clubs or those within a particular geographical area, but non-members cannot take part.

All dog shows held in the United Kingdom must be licensed by the Kennel Club, and Limit Shows are no exception. They are organised by registered breed clubs or general show societies, and follow Kennel Club rules and regulations just like any other licensed show.

Membership of the organising club or society is required to enter a Limit Show, setting them apart from Open Shows. Some handlers join multiple clubs specifically to access more Limit Shows throughout the year, while others prefer to support their local or breed specific society.

Why Limit Shows became more common

The number of Limit Shows has increased over recent years for several reasons. Changes to Kennel Club licensing rules played a part, with show societies facing restrictions if their Open Show attendance figures fell below certain levels. Cost considerations and shifting attendance patterns have also contributed to clubs reassessing their show programmes.

Rather than lose events entirely, many societies chose to replace cancelled Open Shows with Limit Shows. This allowed them to continue offering show dates to their membership without needing to meet the same attendance thresholds. Entry fees at Limit Shows are often lower than at Open Shows, making them attractive to exhibitors. For club members, it meant their regular events stayed on the calendar.

Smaller regional societies and breed clubs with modest membership numbers found Limit Shows gave them a practical way to keep running events for their members.

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How classes are organised

The structure of classes at a Limit Show depends on whether it is run by a breed club or a general show society.

At a breed club Limit Show, classes will focus on that specific breed. You can expect the usual range of classes based on age and experience level, such as Puppy, Junior, Graduate, Post Graduate, and Open. Some general Limit Shows may also offer breed specific classes where Kennel Club rules permit and the society considers it appropriate.

At a general show society event, classes cover a wider range of dogs but are not split by individual breed. Instead, entries are grouped by the Kennel Club's seven breed groups:

• Gundog
• Hound
• Pastoral
• Terrier
• Toy
• Utility
• Working

Within each group, classes are offered at different levels. A typical schedule might include AV Puppy, AV Graduate, AV Post Graduate, and AV Open for each group. AV stands for Any Variety, meaning any breed within that group can enter the class.

After judging, awards such as Best AV Hound or Best AV Puppy in Group are usually declared. The best dogs from each group may then compete for overall honours, depending on the schedule.

Entering a Limit Show

To enter a Limit Show, you will first need to join the organising club or society. Membership fees vary but are often modest, particularly for local or regional clubs. Some handlers find it worthwhile to join several societies to have more showing opportunities throughout the year.

Once you are a member, you can request a schedule from the show secretary or find entry details through the Kennel Club's online events calendar. Entries are usually submitted by post or through online entry systems, with the club's preferred method listed in the schedule.

Your dog must be registered with the Kennel Club to enter any licensed show, including Limit Shows. Registration options include breed register, activity register, and other categories depending on your dog's background. If your dog is not yet registered, you will need to arrange this before entering. Details on registration are available on the Kennel Club website.

Limit Shows can suit those newer to showing. The smaller, members only atmosphere tends to be more relaxed than larger Open Shows or Championship Shows, giving handlers and dogs a chance to gain ring experience without the same level of competition.

For full details on show types, regulations, and how licensing works, the Kennel Club website provides guidance on all aspects of competing in the UK.