What is conformation?

[alfina]

I am still new to this event but since we do have a few members who breed and show their dogs, I thought it would be nice to understand what their dogs' wins mean.

For a dog to be eligible to compete in conformation, pup has to be intact ie not spayed nor neutered and be AKC registered dog. And have no major conformation faults.

In conformation events after being examined by a judge, dogs are placed according to how well (in the judge's opinion) they measure up to their breed standard. Of course, it is very subjective since every judge is a human and has his/her opinion which dog is better than another. So, it is not uncommon to win big on one day and win nothing the next. Typically conformation events are held on a weekend and each day there is a different judge.

There are three types of dog shows: specialty, group and all-breed. Specialty shows are limited to dogs of one breed and group shows are limited to a particular AKC group. All-breed shows, as the name indicates, are for all AKC breeds. All-breed shows are more common than specialty. It is more prestigious to win at a specialty show as it usually draws more dogs of that breed.

Most show dogs are competing for points toward their championship. To become an official AKC champion of record, a dog must earn a total of 15 points, which would include 2 major wins under 2 different judges. These points are awarded based on the number of dogs in actual competition--the more dogs, the more points. However, the number of dogs required for points varies with the breed, sex and geographical location of the show. The AKC makes up a schedule of points each year to help equalize competition from breed to breed and area to area.

Dogs can earn from one to five points at a show. A win of three, four or five points is called a major. The 15 points required for a championship must be won under at least three different judges, and must include two majors won under different judges.

Dogs are entered are divided into different classes. Most used ones are puppies 6-9 months, puppies 9-12 months, puppies 12-18 months, bred-by-exhibitor ( our Beckie shows in that class), open class.

After dogs are shown in the class they are entered in and if they place first in the class, they go on to compete among the dogs in different classes in their breed for a Winners Dog or a Winners Bitch. Only one who won either of those titles gets the points, The rest go home with nothing. Hurt feelings are common.

After winning WD or WB, those two go on to compete with dogs that are already champions for Best of Variety and for Best of Winners between the WD and WB. If either the Winners Dog or the Winners Bitch is selected Best of Breed, it automatically becomes Best of Winners. (The Best of Winners gets the higher number of points, too. If the points at the show for the defeated Winner were higher than those of the Best of Winners, the Best now gets the same higher total.) The judge finishes the breed judging by selecting a Best of Opposite Sex to the Best of Breed/Variety

At all-breed shows, this process of elimination takes place in every breed. Each Best of Breed/Variety winner then competes against other Best of Breed/Variety winners within its Group (Hound, Sporting, Working, Non-Sporting, Herding, Toy, Terrier). In the Group judging, the judge's job is to pick the dog that most embodies the standard for its breed. Four placements are awarded in each Group, but only the first-place winner remains in competition. Finally, the seven Group winners are brought into the ring and a Best in Show winner is selected.

[kpm_tex]

Good info. I've been to a lot of shows but have never really put together how all the judging works.. that gives me a better understanding!

[willsana]

What a nice explanation of a rather complicated event! I have never quite understood the "points" and "majors" and "champion" thingies.

[Mack]

Thank you for taking the time to spell out the intracacies of show judging and how the points add up.

[Patt]

Thank you Olga, I appreciate the info.

[Me&DappledDuo]

What a great write-up, Olga!! I know bits and pieces of show terminology- but it really helps to have someone who knows SOMETHING about showing spell them out!

[alfina]

I ma glad you enjoyed my post. Conformation is quite complex and it is hard to fit it all in a short post. They have books about it!