Obedience in the UK started as an off-shoot of Working Trials (as it did in the USA), but soon became the more popular dog sport. Competition entries can have 70+ dogs entered and as a judge is limited to how many dogs they are allowed to judge per day, some classes have to be split. The more popular shows can have classes split as many as 4 times such are the entries.

We are lucky in the UK that our Kennel Club will allow any breed - or cross-breed to compete in obedience and have the chance to gain the title of Obedience Champion. Dogs have to be registered with the Kennel Club to enter shows, but if they are cross-breeds or pure bred dogs with no papers, they can be put on the "Working Dog" register and they are then allowed to compete in Obedience, Agility or Working Trials.

There are three levels of competition:
LIMITED - usually limited to club members, but sometimes limited in other ways.
Obedience Champions are not allowed to compete at these shows.

OPEN - any dog can compete at these shows because as the name suggests, they are "open" to all dogs.

CHAMPIONSHIP - These shows are the same as open shows, except that they have a special class for dogs who have qualified, the winner being awarded a Challenge Certificate. Three of these "CCs" (or Tickets as they are often called) gives a dog the title of Obedience Champion.
Ticket classes are always seperate for dogs and bitches, sometimes the lower classes can be mixed sexes.

Classes available at Obedience shows are graduated by difficulty and a dog may only enter two classes at any one show.
PRE-BEGINNERS - is the lowest class, not all shows hold this class.

BEGINNERS -

NOVICE -

'A' -

'B' -

'C' -