Show Scoring
(Modified for our website from the AKC website: www.akc.org)

Becoming a "Champion"

AKC Champion (“Champion of Record”)

• two majors (wins of 3, 4, or 5 points)
• wins as necessary to total (including the majors) 15 points, awarded by at least three different judges

Championship Points
The number of championship points awarded to a winner depends on the number dogs the winner beat. The larger the “entry” (the number of dogs competing), the more points a win is worth.

• For instance, if your dog is judged the best in his or her class, but there are NO OTHER dogs competing in that class (whether or not they’re entered- absent dogs don’t count) then your dog won’t win any points.
• Insider’s Tip: Even if there are NO OTHER dogs competing in your dog’s class, smart handlers show the dog. Your dog gets experience, exposure, and the good will of a judge who didn’t travel to the show in vain.

The number of championship points awarded to a winner varies by breed.

• For instance, many Beagles compete in the AKC, so to win 2 points, a Beagle usually has to beat a certain number of other Beagles.
• However, very few Harriers compete in the AKC, so to win 2 points, a Harrier usually has to beat many more other Harriers.

The maximum number of points awarded to one dog at any show is 5 points.

 

Classes

The “Classes” are a chance for young, non-champions of the same breed and gender to compete (note: males and females compete separately).

• Showcases up-and-coming dogs who might not be as comfortable showing (“ring-savvy”) as their peers, and gives them a taste of the discipline they’ll need to become competitive.
• Enables males and females, the best of whom are each needed in the breeding program, to compete within their gender.
• Enables breeders to see the newest generation and to compare the dogs at different ages.

Puppy - dogs 6-12 months old, not yet champions.

12-18 Months – dogs 12-18 months old, not yet champions.

Novice - dogs over six months old who have not, before entries close, won three first prizes in the Novice Class, a first prize in Bred-by-Exhibitor, American-bred, or Open Classes, nor one or more points toward their championship.

Bred By Exhibitor – dogs exhibited by their owner and breeder, not yet champions.

American-Bred - dogs born in the United States from a mating which took place in the United States, not yet champions.

Open - Any dog of the breed, at least 6 months of age, champion or not.

 

Winners

After all six classes are judged, the winners in each of the six classes compete against each other. (Males and females are judged separately.)

The best male is “Winners Dog” and the best female is “Winners Bitch.” Only these two receive championship points.

Breed

The Winners Dog and Winners Bitch then compete with the champions for the Best of Breed, at which three awards are usually given:

Best of Winners - the better of the two: either the Winners Dog or the Winners Bitch.

Best of Breed - the best of the two Winners and all the Champions

Best of Opposite Sex - the best dog that is the opposite sex to the Best of Breed winner.

• If the Best of Breed is a female, then Best of Opposite Sex will be the best male. If the Best of Breed is a male, than Best of Breed will be the best female.
• Insider’s Tip: Choosing both a "Top Male" and a "Top Female" is very important because the show is all about finding the best candidates for breeding.

Group

The Best of Breed advances to compete in the appropriate Group competition.

• Every breed falls into one of seven Group classifications: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting or Herding.
• Four placements (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th) are awarded in each Group.

The first-place winner advances to the Best In Show competition.

 Best in Show

Finally, the seven group winners (the First Place in each Group) compete for Best In Show, the highest award at a dog show.

Ribbons

Each dog that receives an award is given a ribbon by the judge. The color of the ribbon indicates the type of award the dog has won. The ribbons pictured (right) are typical ribbons and scenes at a dog show- they're often the only compensation for your time, effort, travel, and entry fees!

Blue- first in a class or group.

Red - second in any class or group. 

Gold - third in any class or group. 

White - fourth in any class or group.

Can you tell which ribbon in the photo is awarded for what?

Purple - Winners Dog and Winners Bitch classes. Since these are the classes in which championship points are earned, these ribbons are highly coveted.

Purple and White - Reserve Winners: runners-up for the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch classes.

Blue and White - Best of Winners (the better of the two: Winners Dog or Winners Bitch).

Purple and Gold - Best of Breed: This is highly coveted because it allows advancement to the Group competition.

Red and White - Best of Opposite Sex. This means the best dog the opposite sex of the Best of Breed winner.

Red, White and Blue - only one of these is awarded, at the end of each show. It is given to the ultimate award winner, the Best In Show.

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