Events

Conformation Class Eligibility:

It is the Exhibitor’s responsibility to make sure their Leonberger is entered in the correct class.

• Failure to enter the Leonberger in the correct class may result in disqualification from competition at the event. There is no further penalty for this error.
• No class shall be re-judged to accommodate a Leonberger who has been entered in the incorrect class. However, if the error is discovered before competition begins in the affected classes, the Leonberger may be moved to the correct class.
• If a Leonberger is disqualified after being placed in a class, the next placed Leonberger will assume the higher placement.
• Questions regarding class eligibility should be directed first to the Event Chair for any given event. Exhibitors may also consult any member of the LCA Show Committee. However, the Show Committee, Event chair, or any other individual shall not be held responsible for advice of eligibility based on inaccurate or incomplete information given by the exhibitor.
• Exhibitors should read the class definitions carefully before entering any show.
• A Leonberger may not be moved to a champion class without notification of eligibility to the exhibitor by the LCA Points Secretary.
• A Leonberger will be considered ineligible for conformation competition if it has been subjected to any type of procedure that would change, disguise, correct or eliminate a congenital or hereditary defect or undesirable characteristic with the exception of the removal of rear dewclaws.
• All Leonbergers competing in regular conformation classes or special adult classes must be intact (except as noted in veteran class). Male Leonbergers must have two normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum (except as noted in veteran class).

Grooming:

In order to avoid confusion among those familiar with grooming other breeds for conformation showing, owners and handlers please be advised that the LCA insists upon strict adherence to the following language from the AKC Standard: "Leonbergers are presented naturally and untrimmed. No scissoring is allowed with the exception of trimming excess hair on toes for neatness. Any other trimming or shaping of the coat is penalized to the extent that it is effectively eliminated from competition."

General Conformation Guidelines:

• No badges, clothing with kennel names, or other means of identification may be worn or used while exhibiting in the ring. No collars with ID tags on Leos while being exhibited.
• Handlers shall not use pinch collars in the ring.
• If a dog/bitch is owned either wholly or in part by a judge at an LCA Sanctioned Event, the Leonberger shall not be exhibited under said judge.
• Exhibitors and their Leonbergers are not to fraternize with judges immediately prior to an event.

Conformation Classes:

Regular Youth Classes:

• Youth Dogs/Bitches 6-9 months: Open to all Dogs/Bitches between 6 and 9 months of age.
• Youth Dogs/Bitches 9-12 months: Open to all Dogs/Bitches between 9 and 12 months of age.
• Youth Dogs/Bitches 12-18 months: Open to all Dogs/Bitches between 12 and 18 months of age.

Leonbergers must be moved to the next age class on the “anniversary” of their birth, as per the following example:

• A puppy born on January 1st will be eligible to compete only in the 3-6 month non-regular class as of April 1st, and until June 30th.
• At any show held on or after the next anniversary, which constitutes a new age class (6, 9, and 12 months) that puppy will be eligible to compete only in the next age class.
• At any show held on or after the 18-month anniversary of birth, that puppy will be considered an adult, and will be eligible to compete only in the appropriate adult class.

Regular Adult Classes (Non-Champion):

• Novice Dog/Bitch: Open to any Dog/Bitch 18 months or older who has NOT won 3 first place awards in Novice, or won 1 first place award in any other adult class (Bred by Exhibitor, Foreign Bred, Open, or Veterans), AND who has earned NO points toward an LCA Championship.
• Bred By Exhibitor Dog/Bitch: Open to any Dog/Bitch 18 months or older who is exhibited by his or her breeder where the breeder is either the sole or part owner of the Leonberger being shown.
• Foreign Bred Dog/Bitch: Open to any Dog/Bitch 18 months or older who is from a kennel domiciled outside of the United States.
• Open Dog/Bitch: Open to any Dog or Bitch 18 months or older. Dogs/Bitches that are eligible for the Novice, Bred by Exhibitor, or Foreign Bred classes may be entered in this class instead, at the owner’s discretion.

Special Adult Classes:

These classes do not compete for LCA Championship points, but the winners of both champion classes and veteran classes compete for Best of Breed and Top Leo points.

• LCA Champion Dog/Bitch: Open to any Dog/Bitch who has attained an LCA Championship.
• Veteran Dog/Bitch: Open to any Dog/Bitch who is 7 years of age or older, including LCA Champions, and who is either intact or has produced offspring.

Conformation Classes:

Non-Regular Classes:

Non-regular classes compete in conformation-type exhibition events, but no championship points are awarded for placement in these classes.

• Puppy Dog/Bitch 3-6 months: Open to all puppies between 3 and 6 months of age. Leonbergers must be moved to the next age class on the “anniversary” of their birth, as per the following example: A puppy born on January 1st will be eligible to compete only in the 3-6 month non-regular class as of April 1st, and until June 30th.
• Spay/Neuter: Open to any Neutered Dog or Spayed Bitch who is 6 months of age or older.

Junior Showmanship:

These classes are an opportunity for our members ages 9 to 18 to learn and/or practice sportsmanship, ring procedures, techniques for grooming and showing their dogs, and bond with their dogs through participating with them.

• Junior Class: Children ages 9 to 13 years old can compete.
• Senior Class: Ages 14 to 18 years old can compete.

Pee Wee Showmanship:

Up to age 8 years. Just for fun, and to encourage our youngest members to participate in the show and enjoy joining their dogs in the ring.

Event Rules:

Cleaning up After Your Leo

There will be a $25 fine if you are observed not cleaning up after your dog.

LCA Safety Policy For Dogs At All LCA Events:

• Dogs must be crated or on leash at all times.
• When on leash, the length must not exceed 6 feet and may not be retractable.
• When on leash, dogs must be under control at all times.
• Dogs showing uncontrolled or aggressive behavior may be asked by the event chair, a board member, or other official to leave the site promptly or be crated for the duration of the event.
• Current rabies certificates are required.
• There will be occasions when a dog will be allowed off leash when approved by the event chairperson.
• Failure to meet these conditions may result in a disciplinary hearing.

LCNW Additions To LCA Safety Policy:

• Excessive barking or aggressive behavior will not be tolerated. The judges have been advised to disqualify dogs exhibiting such behavior in the ring.
• Continued aggressive behavior will result in being asked to remove the dog from the grounds. If your dog tends to be aggressive, please keep him/her out of the main area and under control at all times.
• If your dog likes to bark in their pen at passers-by, please set up away from the flow of traffic.
• If your bitch is in heat, please set up in the designated area.
• Failure to pick up after your dog may result in a $25 fine. Please scoop!!
• Please be sure your children are mindful of other dogs.

Park Rules:

Things to remember

Please observe State Park rules so that all park visitors may enjoy their visit. Please note that the following general park rules are not customized for each individual park, so not all rules will apply to all parks (for example, “campsites cannot be held for someone who might arrive later” only applies to parks with campgrounds).

• Please report disturbances to park rangers; they are trained to help you resolve issues and concerns.
• Discover Pass: Beginning July 1, 2011, visitors to state parks will need to display the Discover Pass on their vehicles when visiting state recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The fine for not displaying the pass is $99. For information and exemptions, please visit the Discover Pass website
• Park hours vary depending on weather and season. However, all day-use areas close at dusk. Campers may enter parks until 10:00 p.m.
• Campground check-in begins at 2:30 p.m. Check-out is at 1 p.m.
• Campsites cannot be held for someone who might arrive later.
• Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., unless otherwise noted at the park. Engine-driven electric generators may be operated only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
• From April 1 through Sept. 30, the maximum length of stay in any one park is 10 days. From Oct. 1 through March 31, the maximum stay is 20 days.
• One camping party is allowed per site, with a maximum of eight people per site.
• Please use the trash cans and dumpsters to help keep parks clean. Recycling is encouraged in all Washington state Parks. In parks with a pack-it-in/pack-it-out program, visitors must carry out everything they have brought in.
• Please do not harm wild plants or animals. Feeding of wildlife is strictly prohibited.
• Wildlife, plants and all park buildings, signs and tables and other structures are protected; removal or damage of any kind is prohibited.
• Horses are allowed only in designated parks.
• Pets are allowed in most state parks, but must be under physical control at all times on a leash no more than eight feet long. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets. Pets are not permitted on designated swimming beaches.
• Pets are not allowed inside vacation houses, but are permitted in designated yurts/cabins.
• Smoking is not allowed inside vacation houses, yurts, cabins or other rustic structures.
• Glass bottles or metal cans are not allowed on swimming beaches.
• Alcoholic beverages are permitted only in designated campground and picnic areas.
• Fireworks are prohibited on all state public lands, including state parks and beaches that front state park lands.
• All Washington state laws are enforced in Washington state parks.