The Real Shows

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There are three types of conformation dog shows:
  - All breed shows (which consist of all the breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club)
  - An indiviual breed club or group, which may have Specialty shows, involving just that particular breed or group and made up by a chosen, interested dog show breeder.
  - The group dog shows that are for dogs belonging to only a specific group like for example working group. ( but, this is not a made-up club like the one above...)

Inorder to exibit your dog in a all breed point show he/she must be registered with AKC and at least six months of age.

*Your dog must not be spayed if it is a female or neutered if its a male.*

The Judge:

As the judge examines your dog the first thing he or she looks at the dog's presentation. Then your dog is examined on the table and this is where the judge looks for the dog closest or the best representation to the standard. We must not forget that if your dog is a male he must have two testicles.  If you view the AKC website as mentioned earlier they have an Official standard for each breed which describes the characteristics  , temperament and structure.


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. .

How a Dog Show Works

In each breed there are different classes you may enter your dog in depending on what your dog qualifies in. There is puppy class, novice class , 12-18 months ( if your dog is an older puppy but not quite matured enough to go against the open dog class,bred by exibiter( must be breeder owner handled), open class (for adults or very matured and well trained puppies) and last Best of Breed (if your dog is already a champion you may enter it in this class). The winner of each per sex will last compete against the champions for the Breed.At the end this is how it should look in the ring, the best male competing against the best female and the specials or chamions. Then the judge decides who best represents the breed.

The class dogs excluding the champions are competing for points. The number of points given to the  dog depends on the amount of dogs in each indivual ssex entered. The maximum points your dog may receive per show is 5 points. You must attain 15 points and two majors which consist of at  least three points per show.
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

After, all the Breed winners proceed to the next ring ancompetes with the dogs of the same group. Laater the group winners compete against each other for the grand finally Best IN Show.
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 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.

How Do I Get Started Showing My Dog?
The best place to get started is by contacting the local clubs which you may find the number in the local dog magazine called the "ILIO"if you from the island of Hawaii. The magazine offers dates of the shows as well as  handling classes.
Junior Showmanship
This class is very good for children since they only compete against other children and not adults. Also, the judge does not evaluate the quality of your dog but the performance of the child. Inorder to enter, the child must be between the ages of 9 and 18 years old.

Tips for the First-Time Exhibitor

• Make sure your dog is registered with the AKC.
• Be sure your dog is current on all inoculationsvisit  your veterinarian on a regular basis  
• Learn the proper techniques for grooming and for presenting your dog in the ring from a professional or someone who knows what to do and what not to do
• Join your breed's Parent Club, or a Local Specialty and/or All-Breed club in your area. They are the best to get in contact with to receive informative information. 
• Become familiar with AKC's regulations.
• Attend some dog shows to observe your breed being judged and how others present your breed. Get a Judging Program at the show to find out ring number and judging time.
• Use the knowledge of your breeder.
• Don't be afraid to ask questions.
• Attend handling classes with your dog.