MENTOR REQUIREMENTS:

1. Individuals must have a minimum of 12 years’ experience breeding and exhibiting Saint Bernards
2. Individuals must have bred five Saint Bernard litters resulting in five champions as a sole breeder, not co-breeder, unless the co-breeder resides at the same premises. 
3. Mentors must be SBCA members in good standing with the SBCA and AKC
4. Mentors must have attended an AKC or SBCA Judges Seminar
5. Mentors must apply and be approved by the Judges Education Committee with final approval by SBCA Board
6. MEANINGFUL MENTORING is required reading

APPLICATION INFORMATION
GENERAL INFORMATION:

1. Name, contact information and location
2. Date of SBCA membership
3. How many local Specialties have you attended?
4. How many National Specialties have you attended?
5. How many Judges Education Seminars have you attended and or conducted and where?

BREED EXPERIENCE:

1. Number of Saint Bernard litters bred
2. Number of Saint Bernard Champions bred
3. Professional handler or owner handler (or both)

JUDGING EXPERIENCE:

1. Saint Bernard Sweepstakes
2. Saint Bernard Specialties
3. All Breed shows
4. Saint Bernard Match shows
5. Stewarding

MENTOR GUIDELINES:

1. A Saint Bernard breed Illustrated Commentary, trifold and laminated breed card shall be a part of every mentoring
2. If mentoring at a show the Mentor shall not mentor in the sex which they are exhibiting at the show at which mentoring takes place and must follow AKC guidelines for mentoring at a show
3. Hands-on with multiple dogs shall be a standard part of mentoring. The following demonstrations shall be a standard part of each mentoring:
   a. Show proper examination of the bite
   b. Proper way to examine a Saint
4. Record of each ringside mentoring and/or kennel visit shall be sent to the Judges Education Committee (JEC) with the mentor’s comments on the mentoring or the kennel visit
5. Mentor must promote the Saint standard and not the mentor’s or any other person’s breeding program
   a. Mentor from a positive viewpoint
   b. Always discuss the good points of each dog before its weaknesses
   c. Never say you don’t like a dog instead indicate what you would like changed

Additional criteria considered by the JEC for becoming a Breed Mentor include:

1. For purposes of educating prospective Saint Bernard judges, candidates should possess an in-depth understanding of the Standard as demonstrated by all or some of the following:
   a. Has shown skills as an approved, provisional or sweepstakes judge at specialties.
   b. Has consistently bred and shown dogs of excellent quality.
   c. Has demonstrated an ability to recognize type while informally observing dogs
   d. Is willing to demonstrate ability to critique a Saint Bernard in front of a group 
   
   
2. Candidate should have objectivity which includes the ability to recognize that, while there is only one correct type, there may be many acceptable styles. 
3. Candidate should possess good communications skills. 
4. Willingness to travel to make presentations at judges’ study groups.