Entering a Paws N Music Show
Entering a Show for the first time can seem very daunting. The information on this page should answer a lot of your questions and help to make it much easier.
Getting the Schedule
All Shows have to be entered in advance. The deadline is usually about one month before the event, but the exact date will be given on the Schedule.
Paws N Music members will receive a Schedule and Entry Form with their Newsletters. They are also available on the web site in PDF format for easy printing. There is a link by the show on the Diary page.
You can also request a Schedule by post from the Show Manager at Paws n Music, 1 Woodside Park, Bordon, Hants, GU35 OEY. Please include a stamped addressed envelope.
Choosing your class
Once you have the Schedule and the Entry Form, you need to decide which Class to enter. You must enter the lowest Class you are eligible for. For your first Show, this will be Starters. Paws n Music offer the Kennel Club official classes of Heelwork to Music and Freestyle, plus two extra classes - Musical Dressage and Dances with Dogs.
You can enter more than one class, but you must have a different routine in each. Read the Schedule carefully for a full description of each Class and make sure your routine matches the requirements of the Class you choose. The Rules page gives full details of what is classed as Heelwork. A Heelwork to Music routine must contain at least two-thirds heelwork, and a Freestyle routine not more than one-third. See Is it HTM or is it Freestyle for a detailed description of what is required.
Filling in the entry form
You will need to complete one entry form for each routine you enter. You can print extra copies from the website, or photocopy the one sent with your Newsletter. Make sure you fill everything in, and sign it. Double check everything, then send it, with your payment, to the address given on the form. The closing date postmark is final, and late entries cannot be accepted.
Entering Not For Competition (NFC)
If you intend to bring a dog to a Kennel Club Licensed show and you are not competing with it, you still need to complete an entry form for that particular dog. You need to complete the boxes which ask for the dog’s KC number, name, age, breed etc.
But when you arrive at the box that asks for details of your music you just clearly write ”NFC”. You then continue to complete the entry form with your name, address, and telephone number and then SIGN THE KC DECLARATION before posting it off with you other entries to the show.
The Paws N Music Association do not charge for dogs entered not for competition. The reason you must complete the paperwork is that this binds you to the rules of the show, in the same way as for any other person entering the show, and it confirms that the dog you are bringing entered NFC has not been in contact with a contagious disease 21 days prior to the show.
KC Registration
All dogs that are entered must be registered with the Kennel Club. If your dog has a Breed Registration, then that is all that is required. If you have a Crossbreed or Rescue that isn’t on the Breed Register, you need to register on the Kennel Club Activity Register. Any dog of any ancestry may be registered in the Activity Register. It can then compete in Obedience, Working Trials, Agility, Heelwork to Music and Flyball competitions licensed by the Kennel Club.
Click here to download the Registration Form from the Kennel Club site. It includes full instructions on how to complete it.
Overseas Competitors
Dogs that are registered overseas need to have an Authority to Compete (ATC) number. You can find full information on the Kennel Club site. Click here for the ATC Application Form. More details are given on the following pages:
You will also need to comply with the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme. It takes a minimum of 6 months for this to be completed.
Before the Show
Planning your day ahead will help avoid last-minute problems. You can get a step-by-step route from either the AA or the RAC website, and you will then have an idea of how long to allow for the journey.
Make sure you have a spare copy of your music as a back-up. If you are using a computer created CD, check that it works on audio equipment as well.
Collect together everything you need to bring with you the day before, so that when you leave early in the morning you don’t forget something important.
On the day
Allow plenty of time for your journey. You can get details of roadworks and delays on the Traffic England site.
Once you arrive at the venue, book in as soon as possible. If you are unsure about anything, please ask for help. If you are early enough, you will be able to practice in the ring before the Show opens, but food must not be used.
Keep track of the competitors who should be working before you. Remember that some will not be there, so don’t rely on the Schedule. It is your responsibility to be ready to work on time.
Before you go into the ring, make sure you haven’t got any food or toys in your pockets. If you want to work a training round with a toy, that is encouraged. but food cannot be used.
And once it’s over - relax and enjoy watching the other competitors!
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