Introduction to Dog Shows
Adapted from the AKC's Beginner's
Guide to Dog Shows
How A Dog
Show Works
Each dog presented to a judge is exhibited ("handled")
by its owner, breeder or a hired professional. The handler makes sure
the dog gets into the proper ring at the proper time, keeps the dog alert
and in control, and a talented handler will know how to show off the dog's
best qualities for the judge to evaluate.
Most dogs in competition at dog 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 a Champion (indicated by a "Ch."
in front of the dog's AKC registered name). 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. These points are awarded
based on the number of dogs in actual competition--the more dogs, the
more points. The maximum number of points awarded to a dog at any show
is 5 points.
Males and females compete separately within their respective
breeds. The following classes are offered, and are divided by sex:
Puppy - dogs between 6 and 12 months of age. Usually divided
into separate classes for dogs aged 6-9 months and 9-12 months.
Twelve-To-Eighteen Months - dogs 12-18 months of age.
Novice - dogs that have never won a blue ribbon in any of
the other classes, and who have won fewer than three first place ribbons
in the Novice class.
Amateur-Owner-Handler - dogs handled by their owner, who must not be a professional handler or judge.
Bred By Exhibitor - dogs owned and bred by the handler.
American-Bred - dogs bred and born in the US.
Open - 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. The best male (Winners Dog) and
the best female (Winners Bitch) receive championship points. Winners Dog
and Winners Bitch then compete with the Champions for the Best of Breed
award. In the Best of Breed class, three awards are usually given:
Best of Breed - the dog judged the best in its breed that
day.
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.
Select Dog/Select Bitch - the next best champion of each sex, after BOB/BOS.
Best of Breed, Best of Opposite Sex, Select Dog and Select Bitch are also eligible for points towards the Grand Champion title. Points towards the GCH may only be earned after the dog has already obtained its Champion title.
The Road
to Best in Show
In an all-breed show, each Best of Breed winner advances
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 Group winners compete for Best
in Show, in which only one dog remains undefeated that day.
The Role
of the Judge
Judges examine the dogs, then give awards according to
how closely each dog compares to the judge's mental image of the "perfect"
dog described in the breed's official standard, which includes specifications
for structure, temperament and movement.
The judges examine ("go over") each dog with their hands
to see if the teeth, muscles, bones and coat texture conform to the standard.
They view each dog in profile for overall balance, and watch each dog
gait ("move") to see how all of those features fit together in action.
Since some aspects of the standard are subject to interpretation, there
is a different judge for the breed on each day of a dog show, so that
dogs have the opportunity to be evaluated by many different judges.
Junior Showmanship
The AKC offers youngsters aged 9 to 18 the opportunity
to compete with others their own age at various AKC events. Juniors competing
in conformation events are judged on how they present their dogs. For
information on competing in Junior Showmanship, see the AKC
Website.
Tips for
the First-Time Spectator
Ask for permission before petting dogs (remember
the dog may have just been groomed in preparation for being judged).
If you bring a baby stroller to a dog show, be careful that you
do not run over any dog's tail, and that your child does not grab or poke
the dogs it can reach.
Avoid ring entrances, where competitors must enter and exit on
schedule.
If you are considering getting a purebred dog or getting involved
in dog shows, talk to the breeders and exhibitors - most will be more
than happy to answer all your questions.
Next Page: Getting
Started in Dog Shows
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