Conformation Guide
Most competitive events held under AKC rules are dog shows, where the accent is on conformation. After being examined by a judge, dogs are placed according to how well (in the judge's opinion) they measure up to their breed standard.
Types of Shows...
There are three types of dog shows: specialty, group and all-breed. Specialty shows are limited to dogs of one breed and group shows are limited to a particular AKC group. All-breed shows, as the name indicates, are for all AKC breeds.
Classes...
There are six regular classes in which dogs seeking points may compete. (Dogs that are competing for points are frequently referred to as class dogs.) these classes are :
Puppy (frequently subdivided into 6 to 9 months and 9 to 12 months)
12 to 18 Months
Novice (dogs that 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 breeders of record and must be shown by one of the breeders of record or a member of their immediate families)
American Bred
Open (which may be divided according to weight or color).
There is no intersex competition in these classes; dogs compete against other dogs, and bitches against other bitches. Judging in every breed proceeds along the same lines. The judge begins with the Puppy Dog class. In each class the dogs are evaluated and placements are made for first, second, third and fourth, etc. Only the first-place winner in each class remains in competition; the others are eliminated.
Winners Class...
After the judge has completed the Puppy Dogs, 12-to-18-Month Dogs, Novice Dogs, Bred-by-Exhibitor Dogs, American-Bred Dogs and Open Dogs, the first place winners from each class are brought back to compete against one another. This is called Winners class. The dog selected best is the Winners Dog. Next, the dog that placed second to the Winners Dog in his original class is brought into the ring to compete with the other class winners for Reserve Winners Dog.
The same process is repeated in bitches, resulting in a Winners Bitch and a Reserve Winners Bitch.
BOB/BOV competition...
Next, the Best of Breed/Variety class is judged. All dogs and bitches that are already champions enter in the ring for this class, joined by the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch, the judge selects one Best of Breed/Variety. 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 a Best of Opposite Sex to the Best of Breed/Variety. (A Variety exists when there are two or more varieties of a breed such as the rough and smooth Collie, 15" and 13" Beagle, etc.)
Grp and BIS...
At all-breed shows, this process of elimination takes place in every breed. Each Best of Breed/Variety winner then competes against other Best of Breed/Variety winners within its Group (Hound, Sporting, Working, Non-Sporting, Herding, Toy, Terrier). 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.
Credit: American Kennel Club
