Most competitive events held under AKC rules are confirmation dog shows, where the accent is on conformation. After being examined by a judge, dogs are placed according to how well (in the judge's opinion) they measure up to their breed standard.
To be eligible to enter, an AKC-registered dog must be at least six months old on the day of the show and be of a breed for which classes are offered in the premium list (the list of breeds being shown). Dogs that are spayed or neutered are only eligible to be shown in stud dog and brood bitch classes. Dogs with disqualifying faults as described in their breed standard are ineligible.
The Role of the Judge
Judges examine the dogs and place them in accordance to how close each dog compares with the judge's mental image of the "perfect" dog as described in the breed's official standard. These standards include qualifications for structure, temperament and movement. In short, they describe the characteristics that allow the breed to perform the function for which it was bred.
These official written standards are maintained by each breed's national club and published in AKC's The Complete Dog Book.
The judges are experts in the breeds they are judging. They examine or "go over" each dog with their hands to see if the teeth, muscles, bones and coat texture match the standard. They examine each dog in profile for general balance, and watch each dog gait, or move, to see how all of those features fit together in action. Remember this is a subjective analysis. What one judge thinks is correct may not be what another judge prefers. This is not an exact sport so don’t become disheartened.
There are three types of conformation dog shows
Specialty shows are limited to dogs of a specific breed or grouping of breeds; for example, the Mastiff Club of America Specialty is for mastiffs only.
Group shows are limited to dogs from one of the seven groups; for example, The Garden State All Terrier Club.
All-breed shows, on the other hand, are open to over 147 breeds recognized by the AKC.
Championship Points
Most show dogs are competing for points toward their championship. To become an official AKC champion of record, a dog must earn a total of 15 points, which would include 2 major wins under 2 different judges. This is indicated by "Ch." before the dog's name These points are awarded based on the number of dogs in actual competition--the more dogs, the more points. However, the number of dogs required for points varies with the breed, sex and geographical location of the show. The AKC makes up a schedule of points each year to help equalize competition from breed to breed and area to area. To find the latest schedule of points for any breed or region visit http://www.akc.org/events/conformation/point_schedule.cfm
Dogs can earn from one to five points at a show. A win of three, four or five points is called a major. The 15 points required for a championship must be won under at least three different judges, and must include two majors won under different judges.
At one show, a dog can earn from one to five points toward a championship title, depending on the number of males or females actually in competition for the breed. (Male dogs are often referred to as dogs, while female dogs are referred to as bitches.)
Once the dog is a champion, it can compete for Best of Breed without having to win in the other classes.
How Championship points are calculated is discuss in more detail later in section.
The Road to Best in Show
Dog shows are basically a process of elimination, with one dog ultimately being named Best In Show at the end of the day. Along the way, some dogs accumulate points toward the title "AKC Champion."
Types of Classes
There are six different regular classes in which dogs may be entered. There is no intersex competition in these classes; dogs compete against other dogs, and bitches against other bitches. Only one male (dog) and one female (bitch) of each breed can win points at a show. The regular classes typically are:
Puppy - Six-to-nine or nine-to-twelve months, they are not yet champions.
Twelve-To-Eighteen Months - Twelve-to-eighteen months, they are not yet champions.
Novice - Never won a blue ribbon in any of the other classes, or has won less than three ribbons in the novice class.
Bred By Exhibitor - The dog must be owned or co-owned by any one of the breeders of record or a spouse and must be shown by one of the breeders of record or a member of their immediate families.
American-Bred - Dog's parents mated in America and the dog was born in America.
Open - Any dog of that breed. (Except those already earring their championship.
Judging in every breed proceeds along the same lines. The judge begins with the Puppy Dog class. After the judge has completed that class he will proceed through the remaining classes as follows: 12-to-18-Month Dogs, Novice Dogs, Bred-by-Exhibitor Dogs, American-Bred Dogs and Open Dogs. Remember there may not be a dog entered in each class in which case that class would be skipped. In each class the dogs are evaluated and placements are made for first, second, third and fourth. Only the first-place winner in each class remains in competition; the others are eliminated.
After these classes are judged, all the dogs that won first place in the classes compete again to see who is the best of the winning dogs. The dog selected best is the Winners Dog. He is the male who receives the points at the show.
Next, the dog that placed second to the Winners Dog in his original class is brought into the ring to compete with the other class winners for Reserve Winners Dog. The Reserve Winners Dog will receive the points if for any reason the Winners Dog is disallowed by the AKC. Afterwards, only the Winners Dog remains in the competition. The other males are eliminated.
The same process is repeated in bitches, resulting in a Winners Bitch (the only bitch of the breed to receive points at the show) and a Reserve Winners Bitch. As with the dogs, all bitches other then the Winners Bitch are now eliminated.
Next All dogs and bitches that are already champions enter in the ring for this class, joined by the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch, for the Best of Breed/Variety Competition. At the end of the Best of Breed Competition, three awards are usually given:
Best of Breed - the dog judged as the best in its breed category.
Best of Winners - the dog judged as best between the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch. If either the Winners Dog or the Winners Bitch is selected Best of Breed, it automatically becomes Best of Winners.
Best of Opposite Sex - the best dog that is the opposite sex of the Best of Breed winner.
Only the Best of Breed winners advance to compete in the group competition and all others are eliminated
At all-breed shows, this process of elimination takes place in every breed. Each Best of Breed/Variety winner then competes against other Best of Breed/Variety winners within its Group.
The Seven Groups in All-Breed Shows
Each AKC-recognized breed falls into one of seven group classifications. Four placements are awarded in each group, but only the first-place winner advances to the Best In Show competition. The seven groups are as follows:
Sporting - These dogs were bred to hunt game birds both on land and in the water. The breeds in this group include Pointers, Retrievers, Setters and Spaniels.
Hounds - These breeds were used for hunting other game by sight or scent. These breeds include such dogs as Beagles, Bassets, Dachshunds and Greyhounds.
Working - These dogs were used to pull carts, guard property and for search and rescue. Among the breeds in this group are the Akita, Boxer, Doberman, Mastiffs, Pinscher and St. Bernard.
Terrier - This is the largest group, with breeds including the Airedale, Bull Terrier and Scottish Terrier. Terriers were bred to rid property of vermin such as rats.
Toy - These dogs were bred to be the prized companions of royalty. This group includes little dogs such as the Chihuahua, Maltese, Pomeranian and Pug.
Non-Sporting - This diverse group includes the Chow Chow, Bulldog, Dalmatian and Poodle. These dogs share attributes but don't fit into the mold of other dog groups.
Herding - These dogs were bred to help shepherds and ranchers herd their livestock. Among this group are the Briard, Collie, German Shepherd Dog , Old English Sheepdog and Pembroke Welsh Corgis.
In the Group judging, the judge's job is to pick the dog that most embodies the standard for its breed. Four placements are awarded in each Group, but only the first-place winner remains in competition.
Finally, the seven group winners are brought into the ring where they compete for Best In Show, the highest award at a dog show.
Tips for the First-Time Spectator
Find out when the breeds you want to watch will be showing and show up early. Typically as much as a week before a particular show the show superintendents will make available what is referred to as a Judges Program. While it doesn’t give the detail about each dog showing like the catalog does it will tell you how many of each breed is showing, in what ring they are showing and at what time they will be going on. Typically you can obtain these by calling the show superintendent or downloading it from their website. The most comprehensive place to look for information about shows in your area is www.infordog.com. It will provide you with contact information about many superintendents. For a more complete listing of contact information on show superintendents point your web browser to http://www.akc.org/events/conformation/superintendents.cfm?SEARCH_BUTTON.X=11\&SEARCH_BUTTON.Y=13
Study the show's catalog or schedule, usually sold near the entrance to the show. This will tell you in which ring and at what time each breed is being judged. Catalogs provide the names of the breeders and owners of each dog entered.
If you are interested in a particular breed, plan to arrive early. In most cases, once each breed has been judged, those dogs are allowed to leave; if you arrive later, you will miss seeing them.
Dog show aisles are often crowded, and people can become separated. Pick out a meeting place in case anyone gets lost. The Superintendent's booth is a good choice.
If you miss the breed judging, you can still see the judging of the seven groups, which takes place prior to the Best In Show judging and will most likely include one representative of your favorite breed.
If open to spectators, visit the grooming area and speak with professional groomers for tips on keeping your dog looking his best.
However tempting, do not pet a dog without asking for permission first. The dog may have just been groomed in preparation for being judged.
At each dog show you will find vendors and information booths. Many club booths offer helpful information to the general public.
Wear comfortable shoes - you'll be doing quite a bit of walking. Unless you bring a chair or arrive early, be prepared to stand most of the time, as seating is usually limited.
If you are thinking about getting a purebred dog, talk to the breeders and handlers - they are experts in their breeds and can tell you all you want to know (and more) about their breeds. It is best to approach them after they have shown their dog, when they are not too busy to talk.
If you bring a stroller to a show, be careful that you do not run over any dog's tail, or that your child does not grab or poke the dogs it can reach. Avoid ring entrances, which are especially crowded.
