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Find an event near you on our Regional Events Calendar
Up-to-date listing of all events in your area are listed at the AKC website.
March 2018
Updated information on the 2019 Nationals
February 2018
Take a look at the Hall of Fame Nominations
Keep up with the information for the 2018 Nationals
Check out the information for the 2018 NGDC
December 2017
Chairs and Schedule of Events for 2018 NCSE
Results of 2017 NFT
November 2017
First details on 2019 Nationals
October 2017
NFT Run Order
August 2017
Check out the wonderful raffles being offered by the 2017 NFT People. Something for everyone.
June 2017
Newest information on 2017 NFT
AKC release on Canine Influenza
May 2017
2017 Photo Contest Images
and Photo Contest Results
Results for 2017 Nationals
April 2017
Video Streaming for 2017 National Specialty
March 2017
Donate to the Frank Lacko Memorial Cancer Research Fund
2017 National Gun Dog Championships
February 2017
Online 2017 Specialty Reservations is now live
January 2017
2017 NGDC Premium is posted
Additional Information on 2017 NFT
2017 NS Merchandise order form is posted
Special Catalog Ad Information for NGDC
Newest information on 2017 National Specialty
Preliminary information on 2017 National Field Trial
Conformation is a competitive dog sport that involves presenting purebred dogs to be judged against the respective breed standards in appearance, temperament, and movement. These judging events are called dog shows. Dog shows measure purebred dogs against the ideal characteristics of the breed, as determined by the purebred dog association.
The real goal of conformation shows is to maintain and improve each breed so that the breed's future is maintained with the highest quality with regard to the breed standards, temperament and type.
At the events, the dogs are judged by knowledgeable and experienced purebred experts. These judges look at the dogs' physical characteristics, movement/gait, and temperament to determine which dogs measure up most closely to the breed standard.
(source: www.AKC.org)
Each dog presented to a judge is exhibited ("handled") by its owner, breeder or a hired professional. The role of a handler is similar to that of a jockey who rides a horse around the track and, hopefully, into the winner's circle.
Most dogs in competition at conformation shows are competing for points toward their AKC championships. It takes fifteen points, including two majors (wins of three, four or five points) awarded by at least three different judges, to become an American Kennel Club "Champion of Record."
The number of championship points awarded at a show depends on the number of males ("dogs") and females ("bitches") of the breed actually in competition. The larger the entry, the greater the number of points a male or a female can win. The maximum number of points awarded to a dog at any show is 5 points.
Males and females compete separately within their respective breeds, in seven regular classes. The following classes are offered, and are divided by sex:
After these classes are judged, all the dogs that won first place in a class compete again to see who is the best of the winning dogs. Males and females are judged separately. Only the best male (Winners Dog) and the best female (Winners Bitch) receive championship points. The Winners Dog and Winners Bitch then compete with the champions for the Best of Breed award. At the end of the Best of Breed Competition, three awards are usually given:
Dog shows are a process of elimination, with one dog being named "Best in Show" at the end of the show.
Only the Best of Breed winners advance to compete in the "Group" competitions. Each AKC-recognized breed falls into one of seven group classifications. The seven groups are Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding. Four placements are awarded in each group, but only the first-place winner advances to the Best In Show competition.
Most breeders feel that champion dogs (CH) are considered more appropriate for breeding than non-champion dogs. The advanced title is Grand Champion (GCH).
More information about conformation competition (dog shows):