Difference Between an AKC Sweepstakes & a Specialty Show

Man's best friend performs many roles in life: companion, guardian and, in some cases, model and performer. If you have a show-quality dog registered with the American Kennel Club, the world of dog shows beckons. AKC breed clubs offer both specialty and sweepstakes classes, with the age of the animal the primary factor affecting eligibility for each class.

  1. American Kennel Club

    • The American Kennel Club, the governing body of breed registration and dog shows, oversees both specialty shows and sweepstakes classes. Founded in 1884, the AKC enforces rules and regulations regarding dog shows and related events such as field trials and agility shows. It maintains the official stud books of all AKC-recognized breeds in the United States. Its mission includes advancing the breeding and exhibition of dogs and maintaining breed purity.

    Specialty Shows

    • Only dogs of a specific breed may participate in a specialty show. This may include different sizes or types of the same breed, such as specialty shows including toy, miniature and standard poodles. Specialty shows judge the animal's conformation against an ideal type for its breed. Since one criteria for conformation is the indication that the dog may be able to sire or give birth to puppies meeting top standards, only "entire" dogs, those not spayed or neutered, are eligible to compete. Specialty shows range in size from small local events held by breed clubs to national shows featuring hundreds of dogs.

    Sweepstakes

    • Though sweepstakes classes are found at specialty shows, they do not include the same dogs that show in the regular breed classes. Specialty shows concentrate on dogs from 6 months old to breeding age, but the sweepstakes classes feature puppies and older dogs. Sweepstakes classes are held in conjunction with specialty shows, not on their own. They are also a training ground for experienced breeders and handlers who wish to become AKC-licensed judges.

    Showing

    • Generally, dogs competing in specialty shows are working toward AKC championship points. To become an AKC "Champion of Record," a dog must earn a minimum of 15 points, including at least two wins considered "major," with three-, four- or five-point awards given by at least three judges. The specialty and sweepstakes classes may be held in the same venue, but conditions and requirements for the sweepstakes are established by the individual club, as are class divisions. Sweepstakes winners receive ribbons, but they do not receive championship points.