AKC CONFORMATION

There are two types of AKC shows -- All-breed and Specialty. All-breed shows are generally open to all recognized AKC breeds. Specialties are limited to one breed only.

Judging is done within the breed and within the sex. Classes for each sex are: 6-9 months of age, 9-12 months, 12-18 months, Novice, Bred By Exhibitor, American Bred and Open. The male classes are run first and the class winners then compete for  Winner's Dog. That dog is awarded points towards the title of Champion (see below). Then the female classes are run and the Winner's Bitch is selected. The Winners dog and Bitch then compete against any Champions entered and the Best of Breed is selected, followed by the Best of Opposite Sex (if the Best of Breed is a male, this would be the best female, and vice versa). 

If the show is an All-Breed show, the Best of Breed winners then meet the other Best of Breed winners within their group (the GSD is in the AKC Herding Group) and the Group winner is selected. The winners of all of the 7 AKC groups then compete again and the Best in Show is awarded. It is not unusual for the Best in Show winner to defeat 2500 dogs.

TITLE: Champion. Indicated by CH in front of the dog's Name.

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.

The requirement of 2 majors makes it imperative that the dog have wins at large shows with large entries. This makes the title difficult to obtain and much cherished.

AKC