Dog Show Terminology
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© 2007 - 2009 Empire Samoyeds - All Rights Reserved
DISCLAIMER: Unless indicated otherwise, everything in these files is
personal opinion, not an official statement of Empire Samoyeds.
DISCLAIMER: Unless indicated otherwise, everything in these files is
personal opinion, not an official statement of Empire Samoyeds.
How A Dog Show Works
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 nine types of dog events in which Kennel Club registered
dogs can compete. Other events include tests of instinct and trainability, such as field trials or
herding tests.
At a dog show, the main consideration is the dog's conformation which is the overall appearance
and structure.
The judges examine the dogs and place them in accordance to how close each dog compares with
their mental image of the perfect dog as described in the breeds official standard. These standards
include qualifications for structure, temperament and movement. In short, they describe the
characteristics that allow the breed to perform the function for which it was bred.
These official written standards are maintained by each breeds national club and are published on
the AKC's, CKC's, & FCI's website.
The judges are experts in the breeds they are judging. They examine and go over each dog with
their hands to see if the teeth, muscles, bones and coat texture match the standard. They examine
each dog in profile for general balance, and watch each dogs gait, or movement to see how all of
those features fit together in action.
Dog shows are basically a process of elimination, with one dog being named Best in Show at the
end of the day. Along the way, some dogs accumulate points toward the title and its
championship.
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 nine types of dog events in which Kennel Club registered
dogs can compete. Other events include tests of instinct and trainability, such as field trials or
herding tests.
At a dog show, the main consideration is the dog's conformation which is the overall appearance
and structure.
The judges examine the dogs and place them in accordance to how close each dog compares with
their mental image of the perfect dog as described in the breeds official standard. These standards
include qualifications for structure, temperament and movement. In short, they describe the
characteristics that allow the breed to perform the function for which it was bred.
These official written standards are maintained by each breeds national club and are published on
the AKC's, CKC's, & FCI's website.
The judges are experts in the breeds they are judging. They examine and go over each dog with
their hands to see if the teeth, muscles, bones and coat texture match the standard. They examine
each dog in profile for general balance, and watch each dogs gait, or movement to see how all of
those features fit together in action.
Dog shows are basically a process of elimination, with one dog being named Best in Show at the
end of the day. Along the way, some dogs accumulate points toward the title and its
championship.
Championship Points
Most Dogs in competition at conformation shows are competing for points toward their
championship. It takes fifteen points, including two major (wins of three, four or five points) under
at least three different judges to become an AKC "Champion of Record." This is
indicated by "Ch." before the dog's name.
At one show, a dog can earn from one to five points toward a champion title, depending on the
number of males or females actually in competition for the breed. (Male dogs are often referred to
as dogs, while female dogs are referred to as bitches.)
Once the dog is a champion, it can compete for Best of Breed without having to win in the other
classes.
Most Dogs in competition at conformation shows are competing for points toward their
championship. It takes fifteen points, including two major (wins of three, four or five points) under
at least three different judges to become an AKC "Champion of Record." This is
indicated by "Ch." before the dog's name.
At one show, a dog can earn from one to five points toward a champion title, depending on the
number of males or females actually in competition for the breed. (Male dogs are often referred to
as dogs, while female dogs are referred to as bitches.)
Once the dog is a champion, it can compete for Best of Breed without having to win in the other
classes.