How Do Dog Shows Work and Who Competes

Dog shows are a thrilling way to celebrate our furry friends, but have you ever wondered how they work? The American Kennel Club (AKC) sanctions over 20,000 dog shows each year in the United States.

The AKC recognizes over 200 breeds, each with its own unique characteristics and traits. The organization has a strict set of rules and guidelines for dog shows, which ensures that all participants are treated fairly and consistently.

To compete in a dog show, you don't need to own a purebred dog. Many dog owners bring their mixed-breed dogs to participate in agility and obedience competitions, which are separate from conformation shows.

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The history of dog shows dates back to 1859 with the first-ever dog show held in Newcastle, England, organized by the Newcastle Dog Show Society.

The show was a huge success, with over 200 dogs competing in various categories, and it laid the foundation for the modern dog show circuit.

The Kennel Club, established in 1873, played a significant role in standardizing dog breeding and shows, creating the first breed standards and judging criteria.

Dog shows quickly gained popularity, with the first Crufts show held in 1886, which remains one of the most prestigious dog shows in the world.

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The history of dog shows dates back to the 19th century. The first dog show was held in England in 1859, organized by the Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria.

The first dog show was a huge success, with over 70 dogs participating. This event sparked a wave of interest in dog breeding and showing, with the establishment of the first kennel club in England in 1873.

In 1873, the first kennel club was established in England, with the goal of promoting the improvement of dogs through selective breeding. The club developed the first breed standards, which were used to evaluate the quality of dogs at shows.

The first breed standard for the English Bulldog was developed in 1873, and it remains largely unchanged to this day. This standard emphasizes the importance of the breed's physical characteristics, such as its short, easy-to-maintain coat.

The first American Kennel Club (AKC) was established in 1884, and it quickly gained popularity as a governing body for dog shows in the United States.

At its core, a dog show is an exhibition of breeding stock. It's a chance for breeders to showcase the quality and characteristics of their dogs.

Dog shows are similar to livestock shows, which is often overlooked. They're not just about looks, but about the hard work and dedication that goes into breeding dogs.

A dog show is not a beauty pageant, despite what some people might think. It's a serious event that requires a lot of effort and expertise from breeders and handlers.

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To get into a dog show like Westminster, your dog needs to be registered with the AKC and recognized for conformation show competition.

Since 2020, the AKC requires that dogs be Champions to enter, and the entry limit is capped at 2,500 dogs.

The top five dogs in each breed, based on breed points earned, and the Best of Breed winner from each breed's national specialty show, get printed invitations and can enter early.

Dogs can also enter if they have at least one "major win" and the entry limit has not been reached, up to 2,800 dogs.

There's no rule against a winner competing again in future shows, but since 1972, there haven't been any repeat winners.

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To be eligible for the Westminster Kennel Club show, dogs must be registered with the AKC and recognized for conformation show competition.

The AKC has a long history of requiring registration for entry, dating back to 1884. In 2016, there are 199 breeds and varieties eligible for Westminster.

Dogs must have already earned their breed championship before appearing at Westminster, unless they've achieved one of the two required "major wins" towards their championship titles.

The Westminster Kennel Club amended this rule, but it was later reinstated in 2020, requiring dogs to be a Champion to enter. This change also led to a decrease in the entry limit to 2,500 dogs.

Dogs that receive printed invitations by mail and are eligible for early entry include the top five dogs in each breed, based on breed points earned in AKC conformation showing through October 31 of the preceding year, as well as the Best of Breed winner from each breed's national specialty show.

Other dogs with at least one "major win" may enter after the early entry deadline, up to a cut-off entry total of 2,800 dogs.

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The classes at dog shows can be a bit confusing, but don't worry, I've got the lowdown.

Puppies are divided into classes based on their age: 6-9 month puppies, 9-12 month puppies, and 12-18 month puppies. Sometimes, the 12-18 month class is broken down further into 12-15 months and 15-18 months.

Novice Dogs/Bitches is a class for dogs that haven't won first place more than three times, and haven't won first place in other specific classes. This class is rarely entered at all-breed shows.

Amateur Owner-handler Dogs/Bitches is a class for dogs shown by their owner, who must never have been a professional handler, assistant, or judge.

Bred By Exhibitor Dogs/Bitches is for dogs shown by their breeder and owner/co-owner.

American-Bred is a class for dogs whose sire and dam were mated in the United States and the dog was born in America.

Open is the only class where finished Champions can compete, and it's open to any AKC registered dog with full registration.

Here are the classes in a nutshell:

Attending dog shows requires some planning. Check the Premium List and Judging Program for details on location, directions, COVID protocols, and more.

The Premium List is usually released well before the show, while the Judging Program comes out about a week beforehand. You can find these on the websites of show hosts.

Most dog shows are held at local or state fairgrounds or event centers. Be sure to check the Judging Program before heading out, as it lists show times, ring numbers, and breed entry numbers.

If you want to see a specific breed, show up at the correct time or you might miss them. Owners often pack up and leave after their dog has shown, unless it's a large show with many entries.

Dog shows are an exhibition of breeding stock, not just a showcase for pretty dogs.

Judging is a crucial part of dog shows, and it's essential to understand how it works. A conformation dog show is not a comparison of one dog to another but a comparison of each dog to a judge's mental image of the ideal breed type as outlined in the individual breed's breed standard.

Judges are certified to judge one or several breeds, usually in the same group, but a few "all-breed" judges can judge a large number of breeds. They attempt to identify dogs who epitomize the published standards for each breed.

Judging starts with the dog classes, divided by sex, with dogs showing against dogs and bitches showing against bitches. The classes are divided into puppy dogs, dog classes, and bitch classes.

The judging procedure involves evaluating how closely each dog matches the judge's interpretation of the breed standard. The dogs are not judged against each other, but rather against the judge's ideal specimen of the breed.

In theory, the dog that most closely resembles the judge's ideal specimen of that breed is the dog that wins its class, breed, group, and even Best in Show.

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Winning and points are a crucial part of dog shows. To earn points, dogs compete at shows, and the Kennel Club (UK) system is considered the most difficult to earn a title under. Fédération Cynologique Internationale sponsors international shows where dogs receive individual written descriptions of their qualities before competing.

Dogs can earn points in various ways. The AKC determines the points schedule on a yearly basis, dividing the US into geographic divisions with different points schedules for each breed and sex. The points schedule follows a typical formula, with one-point shows carrying at least one point for dogs and bitches.

To become an AKC Champion of Record, a dog must earn 15 points, with at least six of those points coming from majors. A major is a show worth three or more points, and dogs must win at least two 3-point majors or three 5-point majors to achieve this.

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Winning at dog shows is a rigorous process that requires dedication and hard work from both the dogs and their handlers. The Kennel Club (UK) system, used by the Australian National Kennel Council and other countries, is considered the most challenging to earn a title under.

To earn a championship title, a dog must receive four international Certificat d'Aptitude au Championnat International de Beauté (CACIB) ratings, with at least one won in the dog's own country and two in other countries under at least three different judges.

The Fédération Cynologique Internationale sponsors international shows with a unique judging process, where dogs receive individual written descriptions of their positive and negative qualities before competing against each other.

Here's a breakdown of the requirements to earn a championship title:

The number of CACIB ratings required to qualify for a championship title can be a significant challenge for many dog owners. However, with persistence and hard work, it's definitely achievable.

The Points Schedule is a crucial aspect of dog shows, and it's determined by the American Kennel Club (AKC) on a yearly basis.

AKC divides the US into several geographic divisions, each with its own points schedule and different points for dogs and bitches.

To determine the points schedule, AKC collects statistics from all dog shows throughout the year and does a lot of math to figure it out.

The points schedule follows a typical formula, which is based on the number of dogs competing at each show.

Here's a breakdown of the points schedule formula:

For example, in my division, the points schedule for Golden Retriever Bitches is as follows:

Understanding the points schedule is essential to knowing how to earn championship points and become an AKC Champion of Record.