The Royal Kennel Club has approved changes to its competitive-obedience regulations, including a revised introductory class from 1 January 2027. For people planning their first competitions, the changes affect how elements of the class are organised and scored. They are the club’s competition rules, not a change in UK law.

What changes in the introductory class

The club’s published amendments replace the former separately scored engagement element with an overall teamwork element. The revised breakdown includes a heelwork set-up, heelwork on lead, recall and teamwork, for a total of 35 points. Teamwork accounts for five points and considers how the handler encourages and supports the dog through the ring experience, including the appropriate use of praise and rewards before and between exercises.

The document also sets out revised heelwork patterns and a recall exercise. The recall starts with the dog in a sit or down at the handler’s left; after being called back, the dog returns to the front before being directed to heel. Competitors should read the detailed marked-up regulation and the show’s instructions rather than relying on a short summary when preparing. The introductory-class amendments in the document are effective on 1 January 2027.

Entries and withdrawals need separate attention

The same amendment document adds a rule for withdrawals after the entry closing date. From 1 January 2027, it states that no refund of fees is due where a dog is withdrawn after entries close. The entry closing date and a show’s published schedule therefore matter before a competitor submits an entry. This is a competition regulation; it should not be confused with a general statement about every booking or consumer contract.

Another amendment clarifies what happens when competitors are tied and a run-off is offered. From 1 January 2027, a handler who declines or does not present for the run-off keeps a placing but accepts a lower place in an order decided by the judge. A handler who presents for the run-off takes the higher place or places. The full amendment explains the context and should be read alongside the relevant regulations.

A practical way to check a show

Start with the date of the competition: some amendments in the club’s document have different effective dates. Then check the exact class, the current rules, the organiser’s schedule and the entry closing date. If a detail is unclear, contact the show organiser rather than assuming an earlier year’s exercise or entry condition still applies. This article summarises selected amendments; it is not the complete rulebook or a prediction that a particular show will run a class.

Our guide to checking dog-sport schedules and results explains why an announced event, a running order and a completed result are different kinds of information. For a different discipline, see our 2027 rally rules explainer.

Source: Royal Kennel Club, “Changes to Competitive Obedience Regulations for 2027”, checked 5 November 2026.