To many people, American Kennel Club dog shows appear to be an arcane sport. Every year, the sports networks televise portions of the big shows. Conformation shows such as the Westminster Kennel Club, Eukanuba, and the National Championships show the judging of the seven AKC Groups (Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding), followed by the judging of the winners of each of these Groups for the title of Best in Show.

Speaking of Best in Show, the motion picture Best in Show is considered by most people as a comedy about dogs and dog shows, but to people who regularly show their dogs in AKC shows, it seems more like a documentary. We know those people, and we have done many of the things depicted in that movie.

What the televised dog shows do not depict is the judging of the 184 individual breeds recognized by the AKC. Each breed is judged to select a Best of Breed, who then goes on to compete in the judging of the Groups that you see on television.

The sub-topics of this menu item will include (but are not implemented yet):

• How a Dog Becomes a Champion and a Grand Champion
• Competing in Obedience and Rally
• Agility Trials
• Other AKC-Recognized Performance Sports
• List of AKC-Recognized Breeds

Click on one of the sub-topics above in the drop-down menu to learn more.

 

© 2015 by Suzanne T. Smith