Requirements for Dog Grand Champion

The American Kennel Club (AKC) voted to establish a Grand Champion title in December 2009 and implemented the new competition on May 12, 2010. The establishment of the Grand Champion title offers an avenue of competition for show dogs normally retired once they won the Champion title. The Grand Champion title is characterized by four elements of competition.

  1. Points

    • A dog must earn 25 Grand Champion points in AKC Conformation events, or dog shows. Points may be awarded to eligible dogs winning Best of Breed or Variety of Breed, Best of Opposite Sex, and Select Dog and Bitch. The number of points awarded is determined in the same manner as those awarded for Champions, based on the total number of dogs and bitches eligible for competition. As of the publication date, the maximum number of points a dog can win at one show is five. Grand Champion points are given only to Champions of Record and dogs elevated to the Best of Breed competition.

    Majors

    • To be named a Grand Champion, a dog must win at least three "majors." A win is considered a major if the dog earns three or more Grand Champion points at a single show. In addition, the three minimum majors must be awarded by different judges.

    Fourth Judge

    • The third requirement for a Grand Champion title is earning at least one point from a fourth judge not involved with any of the original three majors won. Since more than three majors can be earned en route to a Grand Champion title, if four majors are awarded by four different judges, the dog has fulfilled this requirement.

    Defeat of Champions of Record

    • Much like the majors requirement, the final element a dog must meet to be named a Grand Champion involves wins at three shows. The dog competing for this title must beat at least one other AKC Champion of Record at three or more events. There is no requirement that the Champion of Record be a different dog at each Conformation event.

    Shows

    • All-breed, group and specialty shows all award Grand Champion points. All-breed shows feature the more than 150 breeds recognized by the AKC. Group events showcase dogs from one of the seven classifications of dogs: Hounds, Sporting, Non-Sporting, Terrier, Working, Herding and Toy. Specialty shows feature a single breed, sometimes including varieties within the breed. The Grand Champion points are awarded during the Best of Breed or Best of Variety for a specialty show.