What is a Dog Show?
Dog shows began as competitions to evaluate breeding
stock. They were similar to farm shows and county
fairs as exhibitions of animals. Today. some of that
purpose remains, but they are also fun competitions
and a chance to meet and get to know other with
interests like your in a specific in a breed.
Types of Shows
Dog shows can be either formal or informal. Formal
Shows award points towards a Championship and may
either be shows for different breeds or dogs - an
all-breed or Group show - or a show restricted to one
breed a Specialty show.
Informal shows, called Match shows, do not award points towards a championship and are held for fun and as learning experiences for the dogs and the exhibitors. Matches can be either all-breed, group or specialties.
Shows are also divided into Conformation and Performance shows. Conformation shows, which are discussed here in detail, evaluate each dog against the written standard for the breed. Performance events vary and include Obedience, Agility and other events to evaluate the dog's ability to learn and carry out specific tasks.
Informal shows, called Match shows, do not award points towards a championship and are held for fun and as learning experiences for the dogs and the exhibitors. Matches can be either all-breed, group or specialties.
Shows are also divided into Conformation and Performance shows. Conformation shows, which are discussed here in detail, evaluate each dog against the written standard for the breed. Performance events vary and include Obedience, Agility and other events to evaluate the dog's ability to learn and carry out specific tasks.
What is Evaluated at Shows?
Each breed of dog has a written standard for the
breed determined by the Parent Club for that breed.
Within the American Kennel Club in the United States,
the Parent Club for Bulldogs is the Bulldog Club of
America. In other countries, different rules
determine which is the parent club and the breed
standards can very from one country to another. At
conformation shows and matches, each dog is evaluated
against the breed standard and placed 1- 4 in each
class.
Judging at Matches
Matches, informal shows held with AKC approval, are a
training ground for young dogs, new exhibitors and
prospective judges. They generally follow the rules
for point shows, but the minimum age for entry is
lower and no points towards a championship are
awarded. To enter a match dogs have to be over 3
months old and most dogs entered are puppies under a
year old. The classes, divided by sex, are 3-4
months, 4-6 month, 6-9 months and 9-12 months.
Different c;ub hold a variety of adult classes. Some
hold a single divided class for all adults. Others
hold additional adults classes. It is entirely up to
the club's discretion.
Judging at Point Shows
Point shows are events where non-Champions are judged
first, with dogs shown separately from bitches. The
Classes to earn points towards a Championship at
shows are set within the AKC Rules. The best
representative of each gender in each class as
evaluated by the judge is then evaluated against the
other class winners. The best dog and bitch on that
day according to the opinion of the judge is awarded
Winners Dog and Winners Bitch. These are the only two
dogs to earn points towards their AKC championship on
that day. A Reserve Winner for both dogs and bitches
is also chosen. Then the Winners Dog and Winners
Bitch compete against all the Champion dogs and
bitches for Best of Breed and Best of Opposite Sex to
Best of Breed. In addition, one of the two
non-champions competing will be awarded Best of
Winners.
Classes for Points
All classes, except for the Open class are restricted
to non-champions, and all dogs must be at least 6
months old.
The Puppy class is for dogs between 6 month and 12 months of age on the day of the show. It may be divided into 6-9 months and 9-12 month classes, if the club wishes.
The 12-18 month class is for dogs between 12 months and 18 months old on the day of the show. It may be divided into 12-15 months and 15-18 month classes, if the club wishes.
The Novice Class is for dogs that have not 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 championships.
The Amateur-Owner-Handler class is for dogs that must be handled by the registered owner of the dog. The owner must not have, at any point in time, been a professional dog handler (or anyone in their immediate family or household), AKC approved conformation judge, or employed as an assistant to a professional handler.
The Bred-by-Exhibitor Class is for dogs that are owned or co-owned by any of the breeders and the person handling the dog must be a breeder and an owner of this dog.
The American-bred Class is for all dogs whelped in the United States of America, by reason of a mating that took place in the United States of America.
The Open Class is for any dog, except in a member specialty club show held only for American-bred dogs the Open Class shall be only for American-bred dogs.
The Puppy class is for dogs between 6 month and 12 months of age on the day of the show. It may be divided into 6-9 months and 9-12 month classes, if the club wishes.
The 12-18 month class is for dogs between 12 months and 18 months old on the day of the show. It may be divided into 12-15 months and 15-18 month classes, if the club wishes.
The Novice Class is for dogs that have not 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 championships.
The Amateur-Owner-Handler class is for dogs that must be handled by the registered owner of the dog. The owner must not have, at any point in time, been a professional dog handler (or anyone in their immediate family or household), AKC approved conformation judge, or employed as an assistant to a professional handler.
The Bred-by-Exhibitor Class is for dogs that are owned or co-owned by any of the breeders and the person handling the dog must be a breeder and an owner of this dog.
The American-bred Class is for all dogs whelped in the United States of America, by reason of a mating that took place in the United States of America.
The Open Class is for any dog, except in a member specialty club show held only for American-bred dogs the Open Class shall be only for American-bred dogs.
Best of Breed and Beyond
In addition to the dogs competing for points, there
may be a Veteran Class (usually over six or seven
years old) for dogs and bitches and a Stud Dog and
Brood Bitch class where the sire and dam are shown
with their get or produce.
The final breed class is usually Best of Breed ) although at specialties there is sometimes a Best Puppy class after Best of Breed). Champion dogs recognized by the AKC, dog that have completed their championship according to the owner's records, the winner of any non-regular single dog class and Winners Dog and Winners Bitch are eligible to compete in Best of Breed. In that class, the judge chooses the best dog (of either sex) of that Breed, the Best of the Opposite Sex to Best of Breed and, from among the two Winners, a Best of Winners.
It is possible that the Best of Breed or Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed will also be one or both of the Winners. Since the number of points awarded in the classes for the win is determined by the number of dogs in competition, it is possible that a Winner can gain additional points by taking one of the other wins. Finally, if the points are different for dogs and bitches, the Best of Winners gets the larger of the number of points in the dogs or bitches.
At all-breed and Group shows, there is Group judging. The AKC place all breeds within one of seven groups. Bulldogs are in the Non-Sporting Group. The Group judge evaluates each dog against its own breed standard and places them 1 -4. At all-breed shows, there is a further judging of the Group winners for Best in Show.
The final breed class is usually Best of Breed ) although at specialties there is sometimes a Best Puppy class after Best of Breed). Champion dogs recognized by the AKC, dog that have completed their championship according to the owner's records, the winner of any non-regular single dog class and Winners Dog and Winners Bitch are eligible to compete in Best of Breed. In that class, the judge chooses the best dog (of either sex) of that Breed, the Best of the Opposite Sex to Best of Breed and, from among the two Winners, a Best of Winners.
It is possible that the Best of Breed or Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed will also be one or both of the Winners. Since the number of points awarded in the classes for the win is determined by the number of dogs in competition, it is possible that a Winner can gain additional points by taking one of the other wins. Finally, if the points are different for dogs and bitches, the Best of Winners gets the larger of the number of points in the dogs or bitches.
At all-breed and Group shows, there is Group judging. The AKC place all breeds within one of seven groups. Bulldogs are in the Non-Sporting Group. The Group judge evaluates each dog against its own breed standard and places them 1 -4. At all-breed shows, there is a further judging of the Group winners for Best in Show.