Nihon Ken Hozonkai Standard for the six native Japanese breeds

Regulations for Judge Trainees

  1. The Number Of, and Nomination Process for, Judge Trainees
    Judge trainees are nominated by the judge's department from among the qualified judge's assistants.
    The number of judge trainees nominated by the judge's department is normally 30. However, vacancies can be filled when ever necessary.
  2. Duties of the Judge Trainees
    During the nomination period, they must continue to carry out the business affairs of the judge's assistants without fail.
    They must attend the training academy given by the judge's department, and take the lectures as well as the prescribed examination.
  3. Selection Requirements for Associate Judges
    Judge trainees must serve as a judge at least four times, must attend the training academy (item b in no. 2 above) in at least twice, and must pass the prescribed examination.
  4. The Nomination Period of Judge Trainees
    From the time of accepting the nomination of the Judge's Department, it is a full three years. However, one cannot be elected to serve the third term.
    When duties are neglected without cause, or when the judge's department determines unfitness, one can be dismissed even if the nomination period has not expired.
  5. If a person spends six years as a trainee, and obtains selection qualifications for an assistant judge, the trainee's qualification can remain beyond the specified six year period.
  6. The conditions for judge's assistants also apply to judge's trainees.

(partially revised, June 1990)

Regulations for Judge's Assistants

  1. Nomination Procedure for Judge's Assistants
    As for judge's assistants, each chapter recommends qualified people from among its membership to the judge's department. [Trans note: Nippo is composed of chartered chapters. A recent Shiba yearbook listed eight regional groups and 49 chapters. Each chapter puts on its own shows plus a rotating show for each region. There is also an annual national show.]
  2. Selection Requirements for the Position of Judge's Assistant
    Those in the position of judge's assistant help with the execution of the duties of the judge in charge at the chapter shows. However, they do not have a voice in the judgment.
    After accepting the nomination of the chapter, if the judge's assistants are not in office at least two years or they have not performed the duties of their position at least four times, they have not met the selection requirements for judge trainees.
    The judge's assistants have their qualifications when they have the selection requirements given in the preceding items (a and b) and their term has elapsed.
  3. Standards for Chapter Nominations of Judge's Assistants
    Judge's assistants must have been members for at least five years.
    They must have a reliable character and be co-operative with the chapter administration.
    They should have an enthusiasm for the Japanese dog and experience in breeding and raising them.
    They should not be dog merchants, or anything related to that.
  4. The Total Number of Chapter Nominations of Judge's Assistants
    The total number of chapter nominations should be several. However, it is limited to the number necessary as assistants to the judge in charge at the chapter shows.
  5. The Term of Judge's Assistants
    It is a full three years from the acceptance of the chapter nomination. However, the chapter is not prevented from re-nominating.
    If duties are neglected without cause, or the chapter makes a determination of incompetence, the nomination can be amended and the application to the judge's department revoked, even if the term set out in the preceding item has not expired.
    The chapters that have selection requirements as in no. 2 above can also apply the preceding item (b).
  6. Verifying the Performance of the Office of Judge's Assistant
    The chapter submits a catalog of show results, stating the surname of the judge's assistant who has worked at the show and the judge in charge confirms it.

Supplementary Provision

  1. In this provision there is authority to abridge the old regulations by amendment.

Amendment in force September 1976

Judge's Assistant's Duties

  1. Judge's assistant provides the services noted below at chapter shows. The Term of Judge's Assistants
  2. Judging is done by the assistant for:
    Teeth: bites (alignment, under or over-bite)
    Missing teeth (locating confirmation, points to be deducted)
    Reproductive organs: testicles (missing one, missing both), diseases of the area
  3. Make accurate reports concerning the above areas to the judge.
  4. Assists with the chapter shows in general, and provides assistance to the judges.
  5. Confirmation of the evaluation records – upon completion of the evaluation, checks points given, placement, total number, etc. The assistant also makes sure to have the report signed by the judge(s), and submits the report to the chapter recorder.

Judge's Assistant Must Keep In Mind

  1. The assistant must strive for accuracy in reporting item 2 and 3 above. While the judge is responsible for the evaluation itself, the examination and reporting the result should be obvious and clear. Therefore, the following characteristics show that the assistant is unfit:
    Inaccurate (intended) report
    Frequent inadvertent errors
  2. If found unfit, the judging department will cite item 5b and 5c of the Regulations for Judge's Assistants, and will cancel the registration.
  3. When being assigned to a task, the assistant cannot prefer certain types of dogs. The assistant must try to gain knowledge for observation of all types. Lack of knowledge except for special cases, is not acceptable.
  4. While attending to duty, manners and dress must be appropriate.
  5. While outside of shows, moral conduct must be observed according to the Judge's "mindset, words, and behavior" in order to maintain public trust.
  6. Assistant must be the significant individual to the chapter (chapter booster), and have the leadership qualities as the person central to the chapter.
  7. While in the position, one must work whether new or experienced. If not obeyed, the chapter can apply items 5b and 5c of the Regulations for Judge's Assistants.

Supplemental Guideline for Judges

These rules apply to all classifications of judges

  1. Be enthusiastic about dogs in your daily lives.
    Keep Japanese dogs and use the experience to learn their physiology, behavior, and abilities.
    Be enthusiastic about learning judging by pursuing the advances of breeding and genetics.
    Attend shows in close vicinity, and constantly study Japanese dogs.
  2. Try to maintain the judging knowledge.
    Maintain peaceful judging at both chapter and national shows.
    Make sure no complaints or objections come from unbiased parties regarding the evaluation, and placement.
  3. Maintain physical and environmental cleanliness, and build respectable character.
  4. Must cooperate with the judging department.
    While on active duty, a set number of judging assignments must be completed.
    Must attend all judge's meetings and judge's study groups.
  5. Must be regarded as important to the chapter.
    Must be cooperative and in a leadership role for the chapter (by attending study meetings and other chapter gatherings).
    Must be a good go-between person between the judging department and chapter members (judging department's advances and communication).

The five items noted above are requirements for judges as agreed by chapters. Therefore, they must be considered at the time of appointment.

Back to Overview

Reformatted and reprinted by permission of Lynda Birmantas, USA