A Guide to AKC-style Conformation Places

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ExpiredCanMayhem's avatar
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Here is a simplified break-down of AKC-style shows and their awards.

Available Classes
Open
Any and all non-championed dogs compete in the open class. They are able to win any of the breed awards. (WD/B, BOW, BOB, BOS, & JC) 
Best of Breed
This is for champion or grand champion dogs only. They are only able to win BOB and may not compete until WD/B have been chosen. Depending on the host, puppy champions (18-24 months) may compete in this category.
Puppy
All dogs under 18-24 months of age (depending on the host), which may or may not include champion dogs in that age group (again depending on the host).


Within each breed these places are awarded:

Winner's Dog
The best male example of the breed (non-champion dogs).
Winner's Bitch
The best female example of the breed (non-champion dogs).
Best of Winners
The best between the winner's dog and bitch (non-champion dogs).
**Best of Breed
The best of the entire selection; includes championed dogs and the winner's dog/bitch. - This is the dog that moves on to compete in the Group division.
Best of Opposite Sex
The best dog that is the opposite sex of the best of breed winner (can be non-champion or champion).
Judge's Choice
Could be any dog in the breed selection - often based on personality or could just be the same as best of breed.

Note**: The only way a dog earns points toward a champion or grand champion title is to place in breed. All other places do not count toward Ch/GCh; not even Best in Show.

Within each group these places are awarded:
There are seven main groups in AKC conformation, you can visit here to see which your dog(s) fall under!

Group 1st
The best example of any breed in the group - This is the dog that moves on the compete for Best in Show.
Group 2nd
The second best example of any breed in the group.
Group 3rd
The third best example of any breed in the group.
Group 4th (or Group Reserve)
The fourth best example of any breed in the group - often called a reserve in case none of the three are able to compete.

Within the Best in Show arena, these places are awarded:

Best in Show
The all-around best example of the seven Group 1st winners.
Reserve Best in Show
The second best example of the seven Group 1st winners.

Hope that helps! If you have any questions, let me know!
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Comments35
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Bafa's avatar
What if whatever breed you have is always the only one entered in shows..? Would you ever get any points that way?