European Puppy and Handler – Expectations & Conditions

Effective Date: 22nd November 2025
Website: epahc.eu

By accessing this website, submitting an application, or participating in any European Puppy and Handler activity—including education, contests, or events—you confirm acceptance of these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please refrain from using our services.

1. About European Puppy and Handler

The European Puppy and Handler is a volunteer-led initiative that supports the identities of pups and handlers across Europe and neighbouring countries through education, community-building, and the annual European Puppy & Handler Contest.

2. Eligibility for Participation

To apply for the European Puppy or Handler title, individuals must:

Be at least 18 years old on or before the first day of the contest.
Publicly identify as a puppy, pup, handler, or related identity, and have an interest in working with and advancing the pet community, as determined by the judging panel
Consent to being photographed and filmed for documentation, media, and promotional use related to the contest.
Participate in each round of the contest to the full extent of European Puppy and Handler, which is held during the Darklands festival in Antwerp, Belgium.
Not have previously held the European Puppy or Handler title (including Mr Puppy Europe).
Have entered the contest no more than twice, and in consecutive years. A third entry requires at least a one-year gap before competing again.
You are obliged to appear as yourself and be identifiable in any clothing or gear worn, which may require your face to be visible for certain portions of the contest.
You agree to appear on stage as your authentic self. The minimum requirements include safety gear, pup mitts, knee pads, and appropriate footwear.
Due to time constraints (stage time) passed down to us by Darklands, we limit contestant numbers to ensure each contestant receives a fair amount of stage time. We therefore enforce the following restrictions:

Only 1 person per country (of residence) may compete each year
Those with a current national title will get first refusal, followed by past holders, and then non-holders (in that order)
Any conflict where 2 contestants apply from the same country will be judged on their application by an independent panel of judges in advance of the contest proper.
Where a previous applicant/contestant was prevented from competing due to unforeseen circumstances (closing of borders – during COVID, death in the family), then the team may vote to allow special entry in the interests of fairness.

Public identification may include online profiles, event participation, or community recognition, and will be assessed holistically, rather than solely based on social media presence.

3. Residency & Regional Representation

Applicants must legally reside in:

Any country on the European continent, including associated islands (e.g., Faroe Islands, Canary Islands, Cyprus).
Or a proximate country that:

Shares European Puppy and Handler’s values (consent, inclusion, visibility).
Lacks a comparable title system.
Is not currently involved in armed conflict or geopolitical instability that may endanger participants or others (at the organiser’s discretion).

Final eligibility rests with the European Puppy and Handler team. Applications may be declined at the team’s discretion if regional representation is deemed inappropriate or misaligned with European Puppy and Handler’s mission.

4. Application Review & Social Media

European Puppy and Handler reserves the right to:

Review publicly available content such as social media platforms, community reputation, and public behaviour of all applicants.
Reject applications if conduct contradicts European Puppy and Handler’s values, including:

Discrimination, harassment, or hate speech
Misrepresentation of identity
Alignment with groups promoting harm or misinformation

The goal is to ensure that all applicants embody a culture of consent, care, and ethical leadership

5. Contest Structure

Held annually at Darklands Festival in Antwerp, the contest includes:

Audience engagement, both in-person and optionally online
Private interviews
Pup & Handler demonstrations
On-stage speeches, performances, or Q&A
Persona embodiment, showcasing your identity visually and emotionally

5.1. Judging & Scoring:

A breakdown of the scoring will be provided once the candidates’ numbers are confirmed. This will include, but could be subject to change:

50% of the scoring is calculated via an Interview
The remaining 50% is broken down over the remaining categories: Lifestyle, Demonstration, Speech, Performance and Community vote.

Community vote is calculated using a Eurovision-style scoring, with decreasing points awarded as part of the voting share (starting at 100 points for the largest share).
Online votes may be filtered or discounted if vote manipulation is suspected.

Scoring categories may be adjusted annually depending on event logistics, judge availability, or programming changes.

6. Titleholder Responsibilities

Elected titleholders serve as community representatives for a term which runs approximately 1 year between Darklands editions.

Expectations for the 2026 title year include:

Attending at least six kink/fetish/pride events across Europe (outside of your country of residence). For 2026, we ask that Amsterdam World Pride in August be included, please.
Provide at the earliest opportunity a draft calendar view of their planned year (this can be subject to change, but it is good to have a draft plan)
Maintaining a visible, supportive and respectful presence in person and online
Promoting values of consent, inclusion, and education
Supporting community efforts, sponsors, partnered events and fundraising
Collaborating with their counterpart (Handler or Puppy) and the wider network of titleholders
The title should not be used for personal financial gain or profit
It must not be used to promote your own business interests
Financial assistance, including travel support, sponsorships, or accommodation, is not guaranteed. Any sponsorships provided during the title year may come with expectations or deliverables, which will be clearly communicated in advance.
Maintain a minimum visible digital presence throughout the title year, such as posting updates at least once per month on publicly accessible platforms (e.g., social media, blogs, or community pages). These updates should relate to titleholder activities, community engagement, educational work, or event attendance.

7. What Does It Mean to Be a Titleholder?

Becoming a European Puppy or a European Handler is more than receiving a sash— It’s about stepping into a role of community visibility, support, and leadership.

Titleholders act as ambassadors for the pup and handler community across Europe. They represent not only themselves, but the many people who find joy, connection, and identity in this space.

Each title year is different. Some titleholders travel widely, host events, or speak on panels. Others focus on education, accessibility, creativity, or local outreach. You’re encouraged to shape your title year around your strengths, passions, and the needs of your community.
What’s expected is that you:

Stay actively engaged and visible throughout the year
Represent the title with integrity and respect
Support and uplift fellow pups, handlers, and newcomers
Use your platform to promote inclusion, care, and community growth

Perfection isn’t expected—what matters is that you stay present, passionate, and committed to giving back.. The European Puppy and Handler team and past titleholders will support you along the way, and you’ll become part of a growing legacy of leaders shaping the future of the puppy and handler scene.

8. Disqualification, Resignation, and Succession

A title may be withdrawn if the winner:

Wins another conflicting title during their year
Fails to fulfil duties or attend required events
Violates European Puppy and Handler’s code of conduct
Brings the title into disrepute via their actions, both online and in person
Titleholder chooses to resign due to personal or professional reasons (ideally with notice).
Before any disqualification is enacted, European Puppy and Handler reserves the right to conduct an internal review or investigation into any allegation, complaint, or concern raised about a contestant or titleholder.

This may include speaking with relevant parties, reviewing publicly available information, and consulting community representatives or external advisors where appropriate.
During this process, we may temporarily limit or pause a contestant’s or titleholder’s participation if necessary to ensure safety, fairness, or the well-being of the community.

No disqualification will be issued without reasonable grounds.

Succession may involve:

Promotion of that year’s 1st runner-up
Selection from strong previous applicants – pending a majority vote from the organising team
Declaring the title vacant for the remainder of the term

Decisions are final and issued by the European Puppy and Handler team. The outcome of the investigation and any resulting decisions made by European Puppy and Handler are final

9. Community Conduct Policy

All participants agree to uphold:

Consent: In all interactions, on and off stage
Respect: No harassment, exclusion, or hate tolerated
Accountability: Be open to feedback, growth, and dialogue
Visibility with care: Uphold the values of the title without causing harm

European Puppy and Handler reserves the right to remove or ban individuals who breach these values.

10. Educational Resources & Website Use

10.1 Content Access
Our site features educational articles, guides, videos, event listings, and downloadable materials designed to enhance community knowledge and skills.

10.2 Licensing & Usage
Unless otherwise noted, content is under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Redistribution, modification, or commercial use without permission is prohibited. Commercial use requires written permission.

10.3 No Professional Advice
Content is for educational/community use only—not medical, legal, or psychological advice. Please consult appropriate qualified professionals when needed.

11. Liability
European Puppy and Handler is not liable for any website downtime, errors, omissions, or technical issues that may affect access to information or services.
Participants agree that European Puppy and Handler and its organisers, partners, sponsors, and volunteers shall not be held liable for:

Personal injury, loss, or damage to person or property arising from participation in any EPH activity
Travel disruptions, delays, cancellations, or costs incurred through contest attendance or related events
Emotional or psychological distress resulting from contest content, judging, feedback, or participation
Misuse or misinterpretation of educational, informational, or contest-related materials
Changes to event plans or schedules caused by circumstances beyond reasonable control, including venue issues, illness, weather, or other unforeseen disruptions

Participation is entirely at your own risk. European Puppy and Handler will take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment, but cannot guarantee absolute safety or uninterrupted event conditions.

12. External Links
The European Puppy and Handler site may link to external platforms. European Puppy and Handler does not control these sites and is not responsible for their content, policies, or conduct.

13. Media Consent and Usage
By participating in any European Puppy and Handler (EPH) events or contests, you consent to the use of your image, voice, likeness, and public persona in:

Event photography and videography
Promotional materials (digital and print)
Social media, website, and press coverage

Participants may request to review select images before publication, where possible, but final editorial control rests with European Puppy and Handler. Withdrawal of media consent must be submitted in writing and may affect participation. Requests to review images will be honoured where feasible, but cannot be guaranteed due to time constraints.

14. Accessibility & Inclusion Commitment
Clarifies your position and can help set expectations for applicants with specific needs.
European Puppy and Handler is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment.
We will strive to:

Offer accessible formats of application materials
Accommodate disabilities at events where feasible (e.g., mobility, sensory needs)
Provide communication support (e.g., translation, subtitles, visual aids)

Participants are encouraged to notify organisers of any accessibility needs at the earliest opportunity. While we cannot guarantee all accommodations, we will make reasonable efforts to support participation.
For more information on website accessibility, go to: https://epahc.eu/accessibility/

15. Anti-Doxxing & Privacy Protection
This is particularly useful for participants who have safety concerns about online exposure or harassment.
We value participant safety, especially in contexts where kink visibility may lead to discrimination.
European Puppy and Handler commits to:

Not sharing personal addresses, legal names, or contact details without explicit consent
Using stage or pup names publicly unless otherwise agreed
Allowing participants to request anonymity in published materials
Personal information shared with organisers will be stored securely and only for the duration necessary for contest administration.
Participants engaging in harassment, doxxing, or breaching another’s privacy may be disqualified and banned.

For more details on our privacy guidance, go to: https://epahc.eu/privacy-policy/

16. Withdrawal of Application
Clarifies how someone can withdraw and what happens if they drop out.

Applicants may withdraw from the contest at any stage by emailing the European Puppy and Handler team. Withdrawals made after official announcements (e.g., social media or website posts) will be acknowledged publicly for transparency but handled respectfully.

Any sponsorships or accommodations already paid for may not be refunded unless agreed in advance.

Withdrawals must be made via the email provided: Info@epahc.eu

17. Intellectual Property
Useful if you host performances or creative work as part of the contest.

All original performances, art, or presentations shared during the contest remain the intellectual property of the participant.

By entering, participants grant European Puppy and Handler a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use, share, and archive these works for educational or promotional purposes.

Participants retain the right to reuse and display their work freely.

18. Dispute Resolution Process
Establishes how serious complaints are handled fairly.

If a participant has a grievance related to the contest process, judging, or conduct of others, they may file a written complaint to the European Puppy and Handler team (email to: Info@epahc.eu)

The complaint will be reviewed in a confidential and impartial manner. European Puppy and Handler commits to responding within 14 days.

Where appropriate, European Puppy and Handler may bring in an external advisor or mediator to ensure fairness.

Decisions are final and issued by the European Puppy and Handler team. The outcome of the investigation and any resulting decisions made by European Puppy and Handler are final.

19. Judging Panel & Final Decision Clause
All scoring and feedback will be conducted by a panel of judges appointed by European Puppy and Handler. The judges’ decisions are final and binding.

While feedback may be provided, contest results will not be open to appeal unless procedural misconduct is proven.

20. Use of AI or Edited Content
European Puppy and Handler is committed to authenticity, accessibility, and ethical creative practices. As such, the following policy applies to all applicants, titleholders, volunteers, team members, collaborators, and any individuals or organisations we work with:

AI-generated or AI-enhanced images, videos, or avatars are not permitted in any official contest submissions, promotional materials, or event documentation. All visual media must reflect the genuine identity, appearance, and creative effort of those involved.
Written content (such as biographies, speeches, or applications) may incorporate the use of assistive tools, including AI-based spelling, grammar, structure, or accessibility supports—particularly to support those with dyslexia, dyspraxia, or other learning differences. This helps ensure equity between neurodivergent and neurotypical participants.
All written work must reflect the personal voice, values, and intent of the individual, even when support tools are used.

This policy is part of our general Terms & Conditions and applies to all parties engaged with European Puppy and Handler. If you have questions or uncertainties about acceptable tools or practices, we encourage you to communicate with the organising team early for clarification. European Puppy and Handler supports neurodivergent inclusion and recognises the importance of accessible communication. Any questions about acceptable tools or support methods can be directed to the organisers in advance.

21. Force Majeure

European Puppy and Handler shall not be liable for any failure to perform obligations under these terms if such failure is caused by events beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, war, strikes, pandemics, or changes in legislation.

In such cases, European Puppy and Handler reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or modify events as necessary.

22. Changes to These Terms

Terms may be updated periodically. Significant updates will be posted on our site and, where relevant, shared with registered participants. Continuing to use the site or participate in activities implies acceptance of all updates.

23. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of Belgium, and any legal disputes will be handled within that jurisdiction.

24. Contact
Email: Info@epahc.eu
Website: epahc.eu