For The Love of Dogs

Now that you have a well-trained show dog, it is time to enter a show. However, there are several different classes, these are age guided, bred guided, and open class, also some are divided by color, size, or hair type within the breed. The puppy and 12 to 18 month classes are only for the younger dogs and have more flexibility as far as behavior and being perfectly still. The next classes depend on who or where the dog was bred. These classes are called Bred-by Exhibitor and American Bred. The Bred-by class will only allow the breeder handle the dog and the American Bred class only allows dog bred in America exhibit. These classes are usually used to improve your chances of competing for “winners”if you qualify to enter these classes, because it spreads out the dogs instead of all just in one class. The remaining class is Open and is open to any dog no matter age or who bred him. This is the most crowded class. Lastly, certain breeds need to be divided so the same types are competing against each other. For example Cocker Spaniels are divide by the colors ASCOB (any solid color other than black), parti-color, and black. Classes may also be divided by size like the miniature poodle, toy poodle, and the standard poodle. Lastly by hair type as in the Dachshund with short hair, long hair, and wire hair.  Classes are also split by gender. There are male (dog) classes of all the above classes and female (bitch) classes of all the options. After winning your class, you will move on to the next step in the process, going on to the “Winners” class and acquire points.

The next step in showing a dog is to compete for Winners Dog or Bitch. This class is again divided by gender and variety. However, if you win the class you receive points, which goes towards the championship title. The amount of points each breed can earn is determined by the Schedule of Points published by the AKC every year in May. This Schedule of Points is divided by divisions of states, for example division 2 are the states Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. It is also dependant on the amount of dogs or bitches shown in your breed. For instance, as of May 2007, if there are thirteen Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs shown in division 2, the Winners Dog would receive four points toward his championship. In order to become a champion a dog would need to earn fifteen points including two “majors” under at least two different judges. A major is determined by the amount of dogs in that show, and consists of three or more points, while one or two points are  known as a minor. After winning Winners Dog or Winners Bitch, you would compete for Best of Winners, which is the winner of the Winners Dog and Bitch competition. Next, the established champions will join the newly appointed Winners to try to win Best of Breed, the best of all of the dogs in the competition, and Best of Opposite Sex, which is the best dog that is the opposite gender of the Best of Breed winner. After competing for points, you will want to move on to the next step in the process. Finally, when you win Best of Breed you will want to compete in your group for Best of Group, then eventually Best in Show.

For information about getting to Best in Show, check back later.