"Show Talk"
(need to add GrCh ...)
A simplified gude to common abbreviations used in the show world.Ch.: Champion
WB: Winners Bitch
WD: Winners Dog
BOW: Best of Winners
BOB: Best of Breed
BOS: Best of Opposite
BIS: Best in Show
BISS: Best in Specialty Show
G1, 2, 3 or 4: Group 1, 2, 3 or 4
A Guide to Showing and
Show Ring Lingo
Showing is a means by which dogs are evaluated for their excellence. They are also called "conformation" shows, as the judge attempts to select the individuals that best "conform" to the breed's standard. Each breed has a written standard which epitomizes the ideal traits for that breed, and the judges evaluate each dog against that standard. At a show, the judge typically looks at the dog's appearance, type, structure, and movement.
In order to become an American Kennel Club Champion, the dog must acquire a total of 15 points. Points are awarded according to how many dogs of the same sex were in competition that day. A dog can earn anywhere from 1 to 5 points at any single show. A show where the dog can earn 3, 4 or 5 points is called a "major". In addition to the requirement for at least 15 total points, the dog must earn at least 2 majors under two different judges in order to acquire it's American Championship.
The Point System for Earning an AKC Championship
Calculating the points earned at a show can become a complicated business. The AKC has provided guidelines for calculating points at the following website:
www.akc.org/dic/events/point.cfm
There are several "classes" for each sex at every show. The dogs competing for their championship are often referred to as "class dogs". The male classes are referred to as the "dog" classes, and the girl's classes are the "bitch" classes. The first place winners from each class then go on to compete for the "winners" for that sex (i.e., the winners of all the dog classes compete for "winners dog", and the winners of all the bitch classes compete for "winners bitch"). Only the winners dog and winners bitch will earn points towards their championships. The number of points earned depends on how many "class" dogs were beaten for each sex - in other words, the total number of dogs or bitches who competed in the classes. The judge will also select a "reserve winners dog" and "reserve winners bitch", but these dogs do not earn points - they are sort of runners-up in case the winners dog or winners bitch are later disqualified for some reason .
Where it gets complicated is if the winners dog or bitch goes on to take another win. After the "classes" are over, including the "winners" judging, the dogs then go on to compete for Best of Breed, Best of Opposite Sex, and Best of Winners. This is explained more below.
To determine how many points a dog will win at a show, there is a separate scale for each breed that differs between geographical locations, and the numbers can vary between the dogs and the bitches - in other words, the number of dogs your dog has to beat to earn points will vary depending on how many dogs of your breed tend to compete in your local area.
You can find the point schedule for a particular breed in its region at the following AKC website:
www.akc.org/dic/ptschedule/index.cfm
For example, Alaskan Malamutes in the Pacific Northwest are in region Division 8. In order to earn one point, there must be at least 2 class dogs or 2 class bitches at the show. For two points, there must be at least 6 class dogs or 6 class bitches. For a 3-point major, there must be at least 10 class dogs or 10 class bitches. For a 4-point major, there must be at least 13 class dogs or 12 class bitches. For a 5-point major, there must be at least 19 class dogs or 16 class bitches. Remember, in counting points you can only count the dog of the same sex, and you can only count dogs that actually show up to compete - a dog that is entered but is absent from the show cannot count towards the total number of dogs defeated.
Next is the "breed competition". In the "breed ring" are the winners dog, the winners bitch, and dogs that have already acquired their championship but are competing for Best of Breed. Those dogs who are already Champions of record but are competing in the "breed ring" are referred to as the "specials". (more about the "breed competition" below). The "Best of Winners" will be awarded to either the winners dog or the winners bitch. The Best of Winners then gets the most amount of points awarded between the winners dog and the winners bitch. For example, if the winners dog only got 2 points but the winners bitch got 3 points, the winners dog will earn 3 points if he wins the Best of Winners.
There is one more chance for a class dog to add more points to its win - by going Best of Breed or Best of Opposite. At every show, the judge selects one dog as the Best of Breed for that day. The judge then also picks the Best of Opposite, which is the best dog of the opposite sex from the Best of Breed winner. For example, if a bitch goes as Best of Breed, then a dog will be Best of Opposite, and visa versa.
Competition for these two positiions is very tough, and the winners dog and bitch are competing against the "specials" who are already champions of record. Usually, as the more mature and accomplished dog, a special will win the coveted prize - but a nice "class dog" certainly has a shot. If the winners dog or bitch does take Best of Breed, they can also count both the dog and bitch "specials" in the number of dogs that they defeated that day when calculating their points. If the winners dog or winners bitch win Best of Opposite, they can count the number of specials from their own sex.
For example, using the point system for Malamutes in Division 8, say the winners dog beat 8 class dogs for a total of 2 points. The winners bitch beat 9 class bitches, also for a total of 2 points. There are two specials competing for the Best of Breed and Best of Opposite, one dog and one bitch. If the winners dog wins Best of Breed, he can count both specials - for a total of 10 dogs beaten, earning him a 3-point major. If the winners bitch then goes Best of Opposite, she can count the specials bitch for a total of 10 dog defeated, also earning her a 3-point major.
Sound complicated? it is! but it's also logical - in the end, you are counting the total number of dogs your dog actually defeated in determining how many points he or she earned that day.
A Word on Specialty Shows
A specialty show is a show featuring a single breed. These shows often draw large numbers of excellent representatives of that breed from across the country and even outside the country. There are regional shows, and most breed clubs hold a "National", which is just what it sounds like. Winning the Best of Breed at a specialty show, especially a National, is a very high honor. Therefore, there is a special designation people often use for dogs that have taken Best of Breed at a Specialty -
"BISS", or Best in Specialty Show.
Competing for Best of Breed, Group Wins and Best in Show
The dogs in the "breed ring" are competing for Best of Breed and Best of Opposite. Earning such a win gives the dog points under a separate regional and national point system. Under this system, dogs are ranked nationally and regionally both within their breed, within their group, and between all breeds, according to how many "breed wins" they take.
The dogs who win Best of Breed then go on to compete in their respective Group - for example, malamutes are part of the Working Group. There are 7 total groups (Working, Herding, Terrier, Sporting, Hounds, Toy, and Non-sporting). First place in a group is called "Group 1", second a "Group 2", third a "Group 3", and fourth a "Group 4". Any dog that places within the top 4 spots within its group wins further points towards these regional and national rankings. The first place winners of the 7 groups go on to compete for Best of Show.
Taking Best in Show earns yet further points.
Other Championships
While the AKC Championship is the primary American championship, there are also other forms of conformation championships. Each country has it's own system, and a common championship seen is the Canadian Ch. There is also a UKC championships, and various international titles.
(need to add GrCh ...)
A simplified gude to common abbreviations used in the show world.Ch.: Champion
WB: Winners Bitch
WD: Winners Dog
BOW: Best of Winners
BOB: Best of Breed
BOS: Best of Opposite
BIS: Best in Show
BISS: Best in Specialty Show
G1, 2, 3 or 4: Group 1, 2, 3 or 4
A Guide to Showing and
Show Ring Lingo
Showing is a means by which dogs are evaluated for their excellence. They are also called "conformation" shows, as the judge attempts to select the individuals that best "conform" to the breed's standard. Each breed has a written standard which epitomizes the ideal traits for that breed, and the judges evaluate each dog against that standard. At a show, the judge typically looks at the dog's appearance, type, structure, and movement.
In order to become an American Kennel Club Champion, the dog must acquire a total of 15 points. Points are awarded according to how many dogs of the same sex were in competition that day. A dog can earn anywhere from 1 to 5 points at any single show. A show where the dog can earn 3, 4 or 5 points is called a "major". In addition to the requirement for at least 15 total points, the dog must earn at least 2 majors under two different judges in order to acquire it's American Championship.
The Point System for Earning an AKC Championship
Calculating the points earned at a show can become a complicated business. The AKC has provided guidelines for calculating points at the following website:
www.akc.org/dic/events/point.cfm
There are several "classes" for each sex at every show. The dogs competing for their championship are often referred to as "class dogs". The male classes are referred to as the "dog" classes, and the girl's classes are the "bitch" classes. The first place winners from each class then go on to compete for the "winners" for that sex (i.e., the winners of all the dog classes compete for "winners dog", and the winners of all the bitch classes compete for "winners bitch"). Only the winners dog and winners bitch will earn points towards their championships. The number of points earned depends on how many "class" dogs were beaten for each sex - in other words, the total number of dogs or bitches who competed in the classes. The judge will also select a "reserve winners dog" and "reserve winners bitch", but these dogs do not earn points - they are sort of runners-up in case the winners dog or winners bitch are later disqualified for some reason .
Where it gets complicated is if the winners dog or bitch goes on to take another win. After the "classes" are over, including the "winners" judging, the dogs then go on to compete for Best of Breed, Best of Opposite Sex, and Best of Winners. This is explained more below.
To determine how many points a dog will win at a show, there is a separate scale for each breed that differs between geographical locations, and the numbers can vary between the dogs and the bitches - in other words, the number of dogs your dog has to beat to earn points will vary depending on how many dogs of your breed tend to compete in your local area.
You can find the point schedule for a particular breed in its region at the following AKC website:
www.akc.org/dic/ptschedule/index.cfm
For example, Alaskan Malamutes in the Pacific Northwest are in region Division 8. In order to earn one point, there must be at least 2 class dogs or 2 class bitches at the show. For two points, there must be at least 6 class dogs or 6 class bitches. For a 3-point major, there must be at least 10 class dogs or 10 class bitches. For a 4-point major, there must be at least 13 class dogs or 12 class bitches. For a 5-point major, there must be at least 19 class dogs or 16 class bitches. Remember, in counting points you can only count the dog of the same sex, and you can only count dogs that actually show up to compete - a dog that is entered but is absent from the show cannot count towards the total number of dogs defeated.
Next is the "breed competition". In the "breed ring" are the winners dog, the winners bitch, and dogs that have already acquired their championship but are competing for Best of Breed. Those dogs who are already Champions of record but are competing in the "breed ring" are referred to as the "specials". (more about the "breed competition" below). The "Best of Winners" will be awarded to either the winners dog or the winners bitch. The Best of Winners then gets the most amount of points awarded between the winners dog and the winners bitch. For example, if the winners dog only got 2 points but the winners bitch got 3 points, the winners dog will earn 3 points if he wins the Best of Winners.
There is one more chance for a class dog to add more points to its win - by going Best of Breed or Best of Opposite. At every show, the judge selects one dog as the Best of Breed for that day. The judge then also picks the Best of Opposite, which is the best dog of the opposite sex from the Best of Breed winner. For example, if a bitch goes as Best of Breed, then a dog will be Best of Opposite, and visa versa.
Competition for these two positiions is very tough, and the winners dog and bitch are competing against the "specials" who are already champions of record. Usually, as the more mature and accomplished dog, a special will win the coveted prize - but a nice "class dog" certainly has a shot. If the winners dog or bitch does take Best of Breed, they can also count both the dog and bitch "specials" in the number of dogs that they defeated that day when calculating their points. If the winners dog or winners bitch win Best of Opposite, they can count the number of specials from their own sex.
For example, using the point system for Malamutes in Division 8, say the winners dog beat 8 class dogs for a total of 2 points. The winners bitch beat 9 class bitches, also for a total of 2 points. There are two specials competing for the Best of Breed and Best of Opposite, one dog and one bitch. If the winners dog wins Best of Breed, he can count both specials - for a total of 10 dogs beaten, earning him a 3-point major. If the winners bitch then goes Best of Opposite, she can count the specials bitch for a total of 10 dog defeated, also earning her a 3-point major.
Sound complicated? it is! but it's also logical - in the end, you are counting the total number of dogs your dog actually defeated in determining how many points he or she earned that day.
A Word on Specialty Shows
A specialty show is a show featuring a single breed. These shows often draw large numbers of excellent representatives of that breed from across the country and even outside the country. There are regional shows, and most breed clubs hold a "National", which is just what it sounds like. Winning the Best of Breed at a specialty show, especially a National, is a very high honor. Therefore, there is a special designation people often use for dogs that have taken Best of Breed at a Specialty -
"BISS", or Best in Specialty Show.
Competing for Best of Breed, Group Wins and Best in Show
The dogs in the "breed ring" are competing for Best of Breed and Best of Opposite. Earning such a win gives the dog points under a separate regional and national point system. Under this system, dogs are ranked nationally and regionally both within their breed, within their group, and between all breeds, according to how many "breed wins" they take.
The dogs who win Best of Breed then go on to compete in their respective Group - for example, malamutes are part of the Working Group. There are 7 total groups (Working, Herding, Terrier, Sporting, Hounds, Toy, and Non-sporting). First place in a group is called "Group 1", second a "Group 2", third a "Group 3", and fourth a "Group 4". Any dog that places within the top 4 spots within its group wins further points towards these regional and national rankings. The first place winners of the 7 groups go on to compete for Best of Show.
Taking Best in Show earns yet further points.
Other Championships
While the AKC Championship is the primary American championship, there are also other forms of conformation championships. Each country has it's own system, and a common championship seen is the Canadian Ch. There is also a UKC championships, and various international titles.