Great Lakes Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, Inc.
To Represent, Protect, and Promote the Cavalier in Greater Michigan
AKC’s Beginners Guide to Dog Shows
Showing dogs is a great sport where the thrill of competition is combined with the joy of seeing beautiful dogs. Dog shows are one of many types of AKC dog events in which AKC-registered dogs can compete.
Dog shows (conformation events) are intended to evaluate breeding stock. The size of these events ranges from large all-breed shows, with over 3,000 dogs entered, to small local specialty club shows, featuring a specific breed. The dog’s conformation (overall appearance and structure), an indication of the dog’s ability to produce quality puppies, is judged.
Types of Conformation Dog Shows
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 American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club National Specialty is for Cavaliers only.
Group shows are limited to dogs belonging to one of the seven groups. For example, the Great Lakes Toy Club show features only breeds belonging to the Toy group.
Which Dogs May Participate
To be eligible to compete, a dog must:
•be individually registered with the American Kennel Club
•be 6 months of age or older
•be a breed for which classes are offered at a show
•meet any eligibility requirements in the written standard for its breed
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.
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.
The standard describes the characteristics that allow the breed to perform the function for which it was bred. These standards include specifications for structure, temperament and movement.
The official written standard for each breed is maintained by the breed’s national club and is included in the The Complete Dog Book published by the AKC.
The judges are experts on the breeds they are judging. They examine (“go over”) each dog with their hands to see if the teeth, muscles, bones and coat texture conform to the breed’s 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.
How a Dog Show Works
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 seven 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 (optional class).
Twelve-To-Eighteen Months – For dogs twelve to eighteen months of age, that are not yet champions (optional class).
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 (optional class).
Amateur-Owner-Handler – For dogs that are at least six months of age that are not champions. Dogs must be handled in the class by the registered owner of the dog and is limited to exhibitors who have not, at any point in time, been a professional dog handler, AKC approved conformation judge, or employed as an assistant to a professional handler (effective January 1, 2009) (optional class).
Bred By Exhibitor – For dogs that are exhibited by their owner and breeder, that are not yet champions (optional class).
American-Bred – For dogs born in the United States from a mating which took place in the United States, that are not yet champions (mandatory class).
Open – For any dog of the breed, at least 6 months of age (mandatory class).
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 Cavalier, 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.
Pictured below Great Lakes CKCSC Members dogs who have achieved Major Wins at AKC Conformation Shows or Placement wins at a AKC CKCSC Specialty Show.
(Click the thumbnail below to see the image full size and in proportion)