Dog Show Rules

Several organizations sponsor dog shows. The largest and most well known is the American Kennel Club (AKC), which puts on the annual Westminster Dog Show. Although dog show rules seem confusing, they make sense when you understand their purpose.

  1. Breed Standard

    • Purebred dogs must conform to a breed standard. The standard is more than just looks. An ideal dog is structurally and temperamentally sound and healthy.

    Purpose

    • The original purpose of dog shows was to find the best examples of the breed and use them for breeding purposes. This is why dogs and bitches must be shown intact and neither neutered nor spayed.

    Types

    • The Westminster Dog Show is an all-breed show. Specialty shows allow only a single breed or type. Group shows are for a single group such as Toy or Herding breeds.

    Eligibility

    • Eligible dogs must be at least 6 months old, registered with the sponsoring organization and without disqualifying faults. A dalmatian with no spots or a poodle with an incorrect bite would be ineligible because these are disqualifying faults.

    Winners

    • Winners are those dogs the judge deems the most ideal example of the breed. Each win counts as points toward a champion title.