AKC Dog Show Rules & Points

Competitors at American Kennel Club shows are judged based upon an ideal standard for their individual breed. Dogs are judged on looks, movement and temperament with the winner awarded to the dog that best personifies the breed. The AKC sponsors other events based on skill -- such as agility or obedience -- but dog shows focus on physical appearance or conformation.

  1. Eligibility

    • In order to compete at a dog show, an animal must be registered with the AKC and be at least 6 months of age. Since AKC shows evaluate breeding dogs, spayed or neutered canines are ineligible. Individual breed clubs affiliated with the AKC might have their own eligibility requirements, so you must be familiar with those particulars. Dogs must be current on all vaccinations to show, as well as groomed according to the breed standard.

    Shows

    • The AKC offers three types of dog shows. The specialty show features one breed or varieties of the breed. The AKC classifies each breed into one of seven groups: working, sporting, nonsporting, hounds, terrier, herding and toy. A group show contains classes for dogs in that specific category. At all-breed shows, dogs from the 150-plus AKC breeds compete. At all shows, male and female dogs compete separately.

    Classes

    • The AKC offers seven classes at a show. Optional classes are for puppies -- between the ages of 6 months and 1 year -- who have not received a championship; dogs 12 to 18 months of age who have not received a championship; novice, for dogs older than 6 months who have not won three first prizes in this class, or first prize in the subsequent types of classes; amateur-owner handler, for nonchampion dogs shown by their nonprofessional owners and bred by exhibitor, nonchampions shown by their owner/breeder. The mandatory classes are the American-bred, for nonchampions bred and born in the United States, and the open class. The latter is open to any dog older than 6 months. After the initial judging, the winning dogs compete again for the "best" titles.

    The Best Dogs

    • At the specialty show, one male and one female dog win the title of Winners Dog or Winners Bitch, which gains them each championship points. These two then compete with other champions for the Best of Breed title. This winner goes on to compete at the group show. There is also the Best of Winners title, awarded either to the Winners Dog or Winners Bitch. The Best of Opposite Sex award goes to the top dog of the different gender of the winner of Best of Breed. The winners of Best of Breed at the group show compete against each other at the all-breed show, where one lucky dog wins the prestigious Best in Show award.

    Champion

    • In order for a dog to become an AKC champion, he must obtain 15 points with two major wins -- those worth three to five points, with different judges awarding the majors. Other points must be awarded by at least one other judge, so any champion dog has been judged by a minimum of three people. Points going toward the championship are awarded to the winners dog and bitch depending on the numbers of canines competing at the show. Any dogs disqualified or otherwise excused are not counted in competition.

    Grand Champion

    • To become a grand champion, a dog must have 25 points and three major wins under three distinct judges, with other points awarded by at least one other judge. That means the dog must win under at least four judges. In addition, the dog must beat a canine with a champion title at a minimum of three of the shows.