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How An AKC Dog Show Works


There are three types of conformation dog shows:

All-breed shows offer competitions for over 150 breeds and varieties of dogs recognized by the AKC.  All-breed shows are the type often shown on television.


Specialty shows are restricted to dogs of a specific breed or to varieties of one breed.  For example, the Chihuahua Club of America Specialty is for Chihuahuas only, but the Poodle Club of America’s specialty show includes the three varieties of the Poodle - Standard, Miniature and Toys.


Group shows are limited to dogs belonging to one of the seven groups.  For example, the Potomac Toy Group show features only breeds belonging to the Toy Group.


To be eligible to compete, a dog must:


Spayed or neutered dogs are not eligible to compete in conformation classes at a dog show, because the purpose of a dog show is to evaluate breeding stock.


Each dog presented to a judge is exhibited ("handled") by its owner, breeder or a hired professional. The role of a handler is similar to that of a jockey who rides a horse around the track and, hopefully, into the winner's circle.

Most dogs in competition at conformation shows are competing for points toward their AKC championships. It takes fifteen points, including two majors (wins of three, four or five points) awarded by at least three different judges, to become an American Kennel Club "Champion of Record."

The number of championship points awarded at a show depends on the number of males ("dogs") and females ("bitches") of the breed actually in competition. The larger the entry, the greater the number of points a male or a female can win. The maximum number of points awarded to a dog at any show is 5 points.

Males and females compete separately within their respective breeds, in six regular classes. The following classes are offered, and are divided by sex:

Puppy - For dogs between six and twelve months of age, that are not yet champions.

Twelve-To-Eighteen Months - For dogs twelve to eighteen months of age, that are not yet champions.

Novice - For dogs six months of age and over, which have not, prior to the date of closing of entries, won three first prizes in the Novice Class, a first prize in Bred-by-Exhibitor, American-bred, or Open Classes, nor one or more points toward their championship.

Bred By Exhibitor - For dogs that are exhibited by their owner and breeder, that are not yet champions.

American-Bred - For dogs born in the United States from a mating which took place in the United States, that are not yet champions.

Open - For any dog of the breed, at least 6 months of age.


After these classes are judged, all the dogs that won first place in a class      compete again to see who is the best of the winning dogs. Males and females are judged separately. Only the best male (Winners Dog) and the best female (Winners Bitch) receive championship points. The Winners Dog and Winners Bitch then compete with the champions for the Best of Breed award. 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 the better of the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch.

Best of Opposite Sex - the best dog that is the opposite sex to the Best of Breed winner.


The Road To Best In Show


Dog shows are a process of elimination, with one dog being named Best in Show at the end of the show.

Only the Best of Breed winners advance to compete in the Group competitions. Each AKC-recognized breed falls into one of seven group classifications. The seven groups are Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding. Four placements are awarded in each group, but only the first-place winner advances to the Best In Show competition.

The Seven Groups In All-Breed Shows


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 bred for hunting other game by sight or scent. These breeds include such dogs as Beagles, Bassets, Dachshunds and Greyhounds.

Working - These dogs were bred to pull carts, guard property and perform search and rescue services. Among the breeds in this group are the Akita, Boxer, Doberman Pinscher and St. Bernard.

Terrier - This group includes breeds such as the Airedale, Cairn Terrier and Scottish Terrier. Terriers were bred to rid property of vermin such as rats.

Toy - These dogs were bred to be household companions. 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 vary in size and function, and many are considered companion dogs.

Herding - These dogs were bred to help shepherds and ranchers herd their livestock. The Briard, Collie, German Shepherd Dog and Old English Sheepdog are some of the breeds in this group.

Finally, the seven group winners are brought into the ring where they compete for Best In Show, the highest award at a dog show.


Ribbons


Each dog that receives an award is given a ribbon by the judge. The color of the ribbon indicates the type of award the dog has won.

Blue - awarded for first place in any regular class. Also awarded to the winner of each group competition, usually in the form of a "rosette".

Red - awarded for second place in each class. Also awarded for second place in each group competition, usually in the form of a "rosette".

Yellow - awarded for third place in each class. Also awarded for third place in each group competition, usually in the form of a "rosette".

White - awarded for fourth place in each class. Also awarded for fourth place of each group competition, usually in the form of a "rosette".

Purple - awarded to the winners of the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch classes. Since these are the classes in which championship points are earned, these ribbons are highly coveted.

Purple and White - awarded to the Reserve Winners; that is, the runners-up to the winner of the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch classes.

Blue and White - awarded to the dog that wins Best of Winners; that is, the better of the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch winners.

Purple and Gold - awarded to the dog judged "Best of Breed" in each breed competition. This is highly coveted because it allows advancement to the Group competition.

Red and White - awarded to the Best of Opposite Sex. This means the best dog of the breed that is the opposite sex of the Best of Breed winner.

Red, White and Blue - only one of these is awarded, at the end of each show. It is given to the ultimate award winner, the Best In Show.


Taken from the AKC web site.   http://www.akc.org/events/conformation/beginners.cfm

Point Schedule for California Effective May 13th, 2009

1 point, 2 points, 3 points, 4 points, 5 points

Long Coats 2-2, 5-7, 7-11, 9-13, 14-18

Smooth Coats 2-2 4-4 5-6 7-9 10-14

Dogs are listed first and then bitches

Example in order to get a 3 point major for a long coat dog you must have 7 long coat dogs entered and shown.  For a long coat bitch you must have 10 long coat bitches entered and shown.


AKC Dog Show Progression

How A Dog Becomes A Champion In Canada


Conformation championship points are awarded at Conformation Shows. To become a Conformation Champion, your dog must earn at least 10 points under at least three different judges and have earned at least one “Major”win of two or more points, either at the breed or group level. Your dog must also be individually registered with the CKC or have an Event Registration Number.   Region is not a factor in determining points for a win in Canada - the point schedule is the same across the country.


How To Become A Champion In Various Countries


Letter of Understanding Between the AKC and FCI


International Champion

A CACIB Award will be given to the best male or female of every breed during a CACIB show. All Excellent 1 dogs in the Open-Intermediate and Champion Class can compete.  One needs 4 CACIB Awards in 3 three different countries, two of these Awards has to be given by the country of origin of the specific breed.


Belgian Champion

One has to have 4 CAC Awards.  The CAC Award is given just like the CACIB. The show in Brussels gives double Awards.  There must be 1 year and 1 day between the first and the 4th CAC Award.


Denmark

One needs 3 CAC Awards in the youth-intermediate or open class. Not in the Champion Class.  There is no time-limit.  In the Champion Class one can only get the CACIB Award.


German Champion

There must be 1 year and 1 day between the first and the 4th CACIB Award.


German PSK Champion

In every class one can get the CAC Award by having 1 Excellent

One needs 5 CAC Awards for KSA or VDH given by 4 different judges and the SA, which one can get once a year –with Excellent in the “Jahressieger-Auslese” show or 6 CAC Awards for KSA or VDH given by 6 different judges between the 1st and the 5th/6th CAC Award the specific dog has to be 1 year and 1 day old.


German VDH Champion

In every class one gets the CAC Award for 1 Excellent. Except in the youth class.

One needs 5 CAC Awards of which three are given during a CACIB or National show.  Awards on a “Bundessieger and Europasieger show in Dortmund count double.  Between the 1st and the 5th CAC Award the specific dog has to be 1 year and 1 day.old


France

One needs 4 CAC Awards which are given like CACIB Awards.

One needs 1 CAC Award during a “Special” or during a special club show.


Hungary

One needs 4 CAC Awards given by 3 different judges to become a Hungarian Show Champion.  One needs 6 CAC Awards, 3 during a CACIB Show en 3 during a CAC National show moreover with 1 Best of Breed the title of Great Champion will be given.


Luxembourg.

Youth Class 1 Excellent means Youth Champion.  1 Excellent in the Youth Class means Luxemburg Champion 2 CAC Awards mean Luxemburgs Champion.


Netherlands

One needs 4 CAC Awards which are given like CACIB. The specific dog has to be 27 months old after the last Award is the specific dog younger then 27 months and he has already 4 CAC Awards one must have another res. CAC when the dog is 27 months and 1 day.  The Winner Show in Amsterdam and the Champion show of the Netherlands Schnauzer Club give double CAC Awards provided there are sufficient dogs registered and shown.


Austria

One needs 4 CAC Awards for a specific dog of 1 year and 1 day old.

Only in the open Class one can get the Youth Championship provided there are already 3 Excellent 1 and 1 CAC Award.


Spain

One needs 3 CAC Awards and 1 “Obligatore” during the Madrid Show,


Sweden

When the specific dog is already champion one needs another CAC Award but not in the Champion Class or: 3 CAC Awards in the Youth-Intermediate or Open Class.  The specific dog must be 24 months old.  Registered in the Champion Class one can only get the CACIB Award.


World Champion

Youth World Champion: 1U in the Youth Class.  Senior World Champion : 1Excellent in the Senior Class.  World Champion: 1 Excellent in the Intermediate-Open or Champion Class can compete.




2009 Westminster Kennel Club  Breed Judging Video’s


Smooth Coat Chihuahua


Long Coat Chihuahua

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