Dogs in Competition, Conformation

Conformation

Video of Pugs being judged at a conformation dog show

Dogs that are eligible to compete in AKC Conformation shows are: AKC registered, at least 6 months of age, be of a breed in which classes are offered, and they cannot be spayed or neutered.

There are three types of dog shows- speciality, group, and all-breed. Speciality shows are limited to dogs of one breed and group shows are limited to a particular AKC group (herding, sporting, etc). All breed shows are open to all breeds.

Most show dogs compete for points toward their championship. To become an offical AKC champion, the dog must earn a total of 15 points. The points are awarded based on the number of dogs in actual competition- the more dogs, the more points. 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 for different areas.

Dogs can earn from 1 to 5 points at a show. A win of 3, 4, or 5 points is called a Major. The 15 points required for the championship must be won under at least three different judges, and include two majors won under different judges.

There are six regular classes that dogs seeking points can compete. These classes are Puppy (usually subdivided into 6 to 9 months and 9 to 12 months), 12 - 18 months; Novice (dogs that have no points and have not won three first prizes in the Novice class or a first prize in any but the Puppy classes), Bred by Exhibitor (the dog must be owned or co-owned by any one of the beeders of record or a spouse and must be shown by one of the breeders or a member of their immediate families), American Bred, and Open.

There is no intersex competition in these classes- males compete against other males, and females against females. Only one male and one female of each breed can win points at a show.

The judge begins with the Puppy Dog Class. In each class teh dogs are evaluated and placements are made for first, second, third and fourth. Only the first place winner in each class remains in competition- others are eliminated.

After the judge has completed the Puppy Dogs, 12-18 months, Novice dogs, Bred-by-Exhibitor, American Bred and Open Dogs, the first place winners from each class are brought back to compete against one another. This is called the Winners class. Then, the dog that placed second to the Winners Dog in the 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 th Winners Dog is dissallowed by the AKC.

The same process is repeated with the females, resulting in a Winners Bitch (The only female of the breed to receive points at the show) and a Reserve Winners Bitch.

Then Best of Breed class is judged. All the males and females taht are already champions enter in the ring for this class, joined by the Winners Dog and the Winners Bitch. The judge examines all the entries and selects one Best of Breed. Then between the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch, the judge selects a Best of Winners. If either the Winners Dog or the Winners Bitch is selected Best of Breed, it automatically becomes Best of Winners. The judge finishes the breed judging by selecting the Best of Opposite Sex to the Best of Breed.

This process of elimination takes place in every breed at all breed dog shows. Each Best of Breed winner then competes against other Best of Breed winners within its Group (hound, sporting, etc). 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 and a Best in Show winner is selected.