Understanding an AKC Dog Show
Breed, Group, and Best in Show Judging Explained
By Jennifer Roland
Dog shows are an overwhelming mix of hustle and bustle, jargon, and dogs. Here are the highlights to help you understand what you are seeing on screen or in person.Know Where to Go
The first thing to do when you arrive is to stop by the show steward's desk, usually near the entrance, to pick up a schedule. All of the breeds being shown are listed alphabetically to help you find the ring and time. If you are hoping to see a particular breed, you might want to check online before the show to make sure you don't miss it. Onofrio.com, infodog.com, and raudogshows.com are the most common show stewards. Look for the show you are planning to attend, then find the judging schedule.
The judging schedule will also tell you how many dogs will be competing. Look at the ring and the time for the breed you will be watching. After the breed, you will see a list of numbers, e.g., 7-4-2-1. The list shows non-champion dogs, non-champion bitches, champion dogs, and champion bitches. Numbers added at the end of the list represent dogs in non-regular classes, such as Veterans.
Once you find the ring for the breed you want to see, find an unobtrusive place to watch. This is not the time to talk to the breeders, as they and their dogs are getting ready for the show ring. They will usually be happy to talk to you about their dogs after the judging is completed.
The dogs will be judged against the breed standard, which is created by the national group for each breed. For example, all Bernese Mountain Dogs are judged against the standard, a set of criteria that represent the perfect Bernese selected by the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America.
Breed Judging
The dogs are grouped into classes by sex, age, and experience. The first up are puppy dogs, 6-9 months, 9-12 months, 12-15 months, and 15-18 months. (These groups may be combined depending on how many dogs are entered in each class.) Next up are American Bred dogs, dogs from American breeders, and then Bred by Exhibitor dogs, who are owned by their breeders. The final class for the dogs is open, which is all males over 18 months who have not yet earned their championship. One to four winners are selected for each class.
Once all classes have shown, the first-place winner of each class re-enters the show ring to compete. The winning dog here is Winners Dog, and that dog earns points toward his championship. Winners Dog will most likely be the winner of the open class, but this is not guaranteed. Puppies do come out on top many times.
Then the bitches show, with the same groupings and procedures as the male dogs. Winners Bitch takes the points for this component of the show.
Next will be any entrants in a non-regular class, such as Veterans. Veterans are previous champions who are older. Most attendees clap for each Veteran as they go around the ring, especially in breeds that are known for their short lives. An old dog is special to these owners and friends.
Finally, the Winners Dog, Winners Bitch, winners of non-regular classes, and all Champions enter the ring to be judged for Best of Breed. The judge selects Best of Breed, Best of Winners, and Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed.
Group and Best in Show Judging
Best of Breed goes on to the Group judging. AKC categorizes dogs into eight groups: sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, non-sporting, herding, and miscellaneous. All of the breed winners in a group are judged against their respective standards. Winners from each group go to the big event, Best in Show. Group and Best in Show judging are typically what is seen on television broadcasts of dog shows, though some of the big dog shows post videos of breed judging on their website.
Confusing as it seems, once you attend a few shows, it all begins to make sense. And it is wonderful to see the best representatives of the breeds you love.