Dog show

A dog show is an animal show, an event where dogs are exhibited.

A conformation show, also referred to as a breed show, is a kind
of dog show in which a judge, familiar with a specific dog breed,
evaluates individual purebred dogs for how well the dogs conform
to the established breed type for their breed, as described in a
breed's individual breed standard.[1]

Dog shows can be in the means of evaluating dogs for breeding

purposes. A conformation championship from a recognised
Handlers set up their dogs for
national kennel club is generally considered as an indication of
judging so that their stance is
merit. Many breeders consider championships a prerequisite for
perfect when the judge views them;
breeding. Some critics argue that the shows can encourage this is known as hand stacking
selective breeding of traits and lower genetic diversity.

The first modern conformation dog show was held in Newcastle Town Hall in Newcastle upon Tyne,
England, in June 1859.[2]

Judging
A conformation dog show is not a comparison of one dog to
another but a comparison of each dog to a judge's mental image of
the ideal breed type as outlined in the individual breed's breed
standard. Dog show judges attempt to identify dogs who epitomise
the published standards for each breed. Some judgments must be
subjective. As an example, what exactly entails a "full coat" or a
"cheerful attitude", descriptions found in breed standards, can be
learned different.
A handler prepares a Silky Terrier to
Judges are generally certified to judge one or several breeds,
be presented
usually in the same group, but a few "all-breed" judges can judge a
large number of breeds.

Winning
Dogs compete at dog shows to earn points or certification towards championship titles.

The Kennel Club (UK) system, which is also used by the Australian National Kennel Council[3] and in
other countries, is considered the most difficult to earn a title under.
Fédération Cynologique Internationale sponsors international shows that differ from other shows in that
dogs first receive individual written descriptions of positive and negative qualities from the judge, and
only dogs with high ratings go on to compete against other dogs in the class. A dog must receive four
international Certificat d'Aptitude au Championnat International de Beauté (CACIB) to qualify for a
championship; one must be won in the dog's own country, and at least two in other countries under at
least three different judges.[4]

United States
There are seven classes per breed in American Kennel Club dog shows:[5]

1. Puppy (sometimes divided between 6–9 months and 9–12 months)

2. Twelve-To-Eighteen Months (those that fall in this age range are eligible)
3. Novice (dogs over six months old are eligible as long as they have not won any points yet,
have not yet won three first place prizes in this class, and have not won first prizes in the
Bred-By-Exhibitor, American-bred or Open classes)
4. Amateur Owner Handler (where the owner is exhibiting the dog and has not received funds
for showing any other dog)
5. Bred-By-Exhibitor (where the person handling the dog is an owner and breeder of record.)
6. American-Bred (This class is reserved for dogs conceived in the U.S.)
7. Open (Any dog that is over six months old can enter into this class. Champions are not
allowed in any of the other classes and are only permitted to enter this class, although in
most cases they skip the class competition entirely and are entered directly in Best of
Breed.)
The American-Bred and Open classes are mandatory for each show, while the others are optional.[6] In
some cases, one or more of these classes may be divided by color, height, weight, or coat type. A dog can
earn extra points during these awards, depending on the number of dogs of its sex and the Champions that
were competing against it.[7]

In the American Kennel Club, a dog needs 15 points to become a Champion, with each win gaining
anywhere from zero to five points depending on the number of dogs competing and the area where the
show is held.[8] At least two wins must be a set of three or more points ("majors") under two different
judges; at least one additional win under a third judge is also required.

The rules for the United Kennel Club (UKC) use a different points system. A championship requires a
combination of points and competition wins. Points are awarded at breed level for each win; for example,
winning the class earns 10 points in non-variety breeds and 5 in variety breeds, even if there are no other
dogs to beat in the class. Competition Wins are wins over at least one other dog, whether in their own
breed (such as going Best Fe/male or Best of Winners) or higher level (placing above at least one other
dog in the group or Best/Reserve Best in Multi-Breed show). A championship requires a total of 100
points and three competition wins.[9]

Canada
Canadian Kennel Club shows are nearly identical to American Kennel Club dog shows, with the
exception of a "Canadian-Bred" class replacing the AKC's "American-Bred". The main difference is the
number of points required for a Championship, and the way those points are calculated.

Under the Canadian Kennel Club rules, 10 points are needed for a Championship, with wins awarded by
at least three different judges and at least one "major" win of two or more points. Once a Championship is
completed, dogs may earn points toward their Grand Championship.

As of January 1, 2013, to reach a Grand Championship, 20 points are needed with two "majors". Next is
the Grand Excellent Championship which may be awarded to dogs who accumulate 100 points and have
won at least one Best in the show. Region is not a factor in determining points for a win in Canada—the
point schedule is the same across the country.[10]

Colombia
In Colombia, dog shows are maintained and organised by the Association Colombian Kennel Club
(Asociacion Club Canino Colombiano). Their conformation shows follow the rules of the International
Federation of Kennel Clubs. (Fédération Cynologique Internationale). According to the ACCC, only
purebred dogs recognised by the FCI are allowed to participate. Purebreds of Colombian origin must be
registered with the ACCC, and therefore they must hold an LOC number (Number in the Colombian Book
of Origins).[11]

Notable dog shows

Crufts
In the United Kingdom, the international championship show
Crufts was first held in 1891. Since its centenary year in 1991, the
show has officially been recognised as the world's largest and most
prestigious dog show by Guinness World Records, with a total of
22,991 dogs being exhibited that year.[12] 22,964 dogs were Judging at the 2019 Westminster
Kennel Club Dog Show
exhibited in 2008, 27 short of the previous record.[13]

World Dog Show

The World Dog Show is sponsored by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale for international
championships in conformation and other dog sports. The location rotates between member countries.[14]
The 2008 show was held in Stockholm, Sweden; the 2009 show in Bratislava, Slovakia; and the 2010
show in Herning, Denmark.[15]

Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is an all-breed conformation show, historically held in the New
York City area. It is one of a handful of benched shows in the United States.
It is often compared to the World Dog Show; the World Dog Show is considered a bit more valuable
reputation-wise.[16]

Criticism
Some critics state that conformation shows lead to the selection of breeding dogs based solely upon
appearance, which is seen by some as detrimental to working qualities and, at worst, as a promotion of
eugenics.[17] The shows have been criticized for encouraging breeding of traits that are harmful to the
dogs; for example, the Pekingese dog who won at Britain's most prestigious dog show in 2003 had to be
photographed while lying on an icepack after winning the show because the dog could not breathe well
enough to efficiently cool his own overheated body.[18] Breeding selective traits reduces genetic diversity,
which can create some health problems in dogs.[18]

In the United States, some working dog breed organisations, such as the American Border Collie
Association and the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America, have tried to fight to keep their breeds from
being recognised by the AKC and some other kennel clubs,[19] as they thought that the introduction of
their breeds to the show ring would lead to decreasing numbers of working dogs with adequate qualities.

In August 2008, BBC1 televised a documentary film titled Pedigree Dogs Exposed, which investigated
the subject of health issues affecting pedigree dogs in the United Kingdom, with a particular emphasis on
dogs bred for showing. The programme provoked criticisms of kennel clubs. Following the broadcast, the
BBC withdrew its television coverage of the Crufts dog show from 2009, with other sponsors and
partners also withdrawing support, including Pedigree Petfoods, the RSPCA, PDSA and the Dog's Trust.
In response to the programme, the Kennel Club in the UK announced a review of all breed standards.
They stated that they will impose a ban on breeding between dogs that are closely related and will impose
greater monitoring to prevent unhealthy dogs from being entered.

Bench show
A bench show is a show which requires dogs to be on display in an assigned location (show bench)
during the entirety of the show, except when being shown in the ring, groomed for showing, or taken
outside to eliminate. The purpose is for spectators and breeders to have an opportunity to see all the
entered dogs. In the more common unbenched shows, dogs are required to be present only at assigned
ring times.[20]

In the United States, benched shows used to be the norm, but now there are only six left, including the
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show,[21] and the National Dog Show.[22]

Among field trial participants, where dogs are judged on their performance and not their looks, the term
bench show refers to any conformation show.[23]

See also
Championship (dog)
 Conformation (dog)
List of dog diseases
List of dog sports
List of individual dogs
Junior showmanship
Specialty show
Dog health
Dog type
Canine reproduction
Purebred dog
World's Ugliest Dog Contest

References
1. "Dog show | Description & History | Britannica" (https://www.britannica.com/sports/dog-sho
w). www.britannica.com. 2024-01-03. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
2. "History of the Kennel Club" (https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/our-resources/about-the-ken
nel-club/history-of-the-kennel-club/). Kennel Club. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
3. "Regulations Part 5 Show" (https://web.archive.org/web/20230414110737/https://ankc.org.a
u/media/9305/5-ankc-ltd-reg5_shows_june-18v3.pdf) (PDF). Australian National Kennel
Council. October 2010. Archived from the original (http://ankc.org.au/media/9305/5-ankc-ltd-
reg5_shows_june-18v3.pdf) (PDF) on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
4. "Regulations" (http://www.fci.be/reglements.aspx). Fédération Cynologique Internationale.
Retrieved April 6, 2011.
5. "Rules, Regulations & Policies" (https://www.akc.org/rules/). American Kennel Club.
Retrieved 20 June 2021.
6. "A Beginner's Guide to Dog Shows" (http://www.akc.org/events/conformation/beginners.cf
m). American Kennel Club. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
7. American Kennel Club. "Counting Points at Dog Shows" (http://www.akc.org/events/conform
ation/counting_points.cfm).
8. American Kennel Club. "Points Schedule" (http://www.akc.org/events/conformation/counting
_points.cfm).
9. New FAQ (http://mail.ukcdogs.com/UKCweb.nsf/9256478a18e74b25852570ce006f68a4/bfd
1cebf8b3dd945852570ce006cfecb?OpenDocument) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/
20080420075749/http://mail.ukcdogs.com/UKCweb.nsf/9256478a18e74b25852570ce006f6
8a4/bfd1cebf8b3dd945852570ce006cfecb?OpenDocument) April 20, 2008, at the Wayback
Machine
10. Canadian Kennel Club. "Championship Points Earned at Canadian Dog Shows" (https://we
b.archive.org/web/20060909235733/http://dogbiz.com/dog-shows-can/show-win-pts-ckc.ht
m). Archived from the original (http://www.dogbiz.com/dog-shows-can/show-win-pts-ckc.ht
m) on 2006-09-09. Retrieved 2006-09-22.
11. "Reglamento de Exposiciones – ACCC" (https://web.archive.org/web/20030812035552/htt
p://www.accc.com.co/regexposiciones.asp) [Show Regulations – ACCC] (in Spanish).
Asociación Club Canino Colombiano. March 2011. Archived from the original (http://www.ac
cc.com.co/regexposiciones.asp) on 2003-08-12. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
12. "Crufts – Highest Entry For Three Years" (https://web.archive.org/web/20150906162805/htt
p://www.bestinshowdaily.com/blog/crufts-highest-entry-for-three-years/). Archived from the
original (http://www.bestinshowdaily.com/blog/crufts-highest-entry-for-three-years/) on 2015-
09-06. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
13. "Pooches parade for Crufts" (https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2008/03/05/pooches-pa
rade-for-crufts/). 2008-05-03. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
14. "Championships" (https://web.archive.org/web/20110720082526/http://www.fci.be/champion
ships.aspx). Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Archived from the original (http://www.fc
i.be/championships.aspx) on July 20, 2011. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
15. "World Dog Show 2010" (https://web.archive.org/web/20110901231215/http://www.worlddog
show2010.dk/?GB.aspx). World Dog Show 2010. Archived from the original (http://www.worl
ddogshow2010.dk/?GB.aspx) on September 1, 2011. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
16. Gingold, Alfred (8 February 2005). Dog World: And the Humans Who Live There (https://boo
ks.google.com/books?id=ILHu81VHrGcC&pg=PA162). Harmony/Rodale.
ISBN 9780767920216.
17. Westminster Eugenics Show (http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=OTYyM2Y4YzEyNDJmY
WIzNjNmYjE0M2NlY2MzYzlkMDA=) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2009073114011
6/http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=OTYyM2Y4YzEyNDJmYWIzNjNmYjE0M2NlY2MzYzlk
MDA=) 2009-07-31 at the Wayback Machine National Review Online
18. Keith, Christie (2009-02-03). "Are dog shows hurting dogs?" (https://www.sfgate.com/pets/y
ourwholepet/article/Are-dog-shows-hurting-dogs-2481938.php). SFGATE. Retrieved
2021-06-30.
19. "Jack Russell Terrier Club of America – JRTCA" (http://www.terrier.com/jrtca/noakc.php4).
Jack Russell Terrier Club of America. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
20. "What is a Benched Show?" (http://westminsterkc.tripod.com/benched.html).
westminsterkc.tripod.com.
21. Reznik, Allan (March 6, 2019). "Engaging Positively With the Public at Dog Shows" (https://
www.akc.org/expert-advice/sports/allan-unleashed-engaging-positively-public/). American
Kennel Club.
22. "Judging" (https://nds.nationaldogshow.com/event-info/judging/). The National Dog Show.
23. "About Bench Shows – Show Format" (http://www.akccoonhounds.org/akc-events/bench-sh
ow-format/). AKC Coonhounds.

External links
New direction for kennel club regulations and breed standards (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.go
v/pmc/articles/PMC1950109/) – Canadian Veterinary Journal

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