Conformation

When people think about dog shows, they tend to think first about AKC conformation events, where dogs are examined by a judge and are placed in accordance with how, in that judge's opinion, they conform to their breed standard. To be eligible for conformation events, a dog must be at least six months of age on the day of the show, must be of a breed for which classes are offered, must be AKC-registered, must not have disqualifying faults, and must not be spayed or neutered (unless showing in the stud dog or brood bitch classes). There are three types of dog shows: specialty (limited to dogs of one breed), group (limited to dogs within a particular AKC group, such as the Terrier Group), and all-breed (open to all AKC breeds).  Most of the dogs at AKC conformation events are competing for points toward their championship (referred to as "class" dogs because they are competing in one of six regular classes: Puppy, 12 to 18 Months, Novice, Bred by Exhibitor, American Bred, or Open), and from there must be selected Winners Dog/Bitch for a chance to win points toward their championship. To become an official AKC champion of record, a dog must earn a total of 15 points. The number of dogs entered determines whether and how many points might be earned at a show.  Dogs that have attained their championship titles are often referred to as "specials" (Fanciers will "special" a champion dog for a variety of reasons, among which is an opportunity to obtain a national ranking by winning multiple awards in the show ring).  After the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch have been selected by the judge, all of the specials enter the ring for Best of Breed competition. The judge finishes the breed judging by selecting the Best of Breed, Best of Winners, and a Best of Opposite Sex to the Best of Breed. At all-breed shows, the same procedure takes place in every breed ring. Each Best of Breed winner then competes in Group competition (Sporting, Working, Hound, Terrier, Non-Sporting, Toy, and Herding). The seven Group winners are then brought back into the ring for the selection of Best in Show winner.  For more information about conformation events, visit the AKC website at http://www.akc.org/events/conformation/beginners.cfm.