JUDGING AND STANDARDS

Each breed ’ s parent club creates a STANDARD , a written description of the ideal specimen of that breed . Generally relating form to function , i . e ., the original function that the dog was bred to perform , most standards describe

SPORTING Breeds and Varieties ( 34 )

Barbet Brittany Lagotto Romagnolo Nederlandse Kooikerhondje Pointer Pointer ( German Shorthaired ) Pointer ( German Wirehaired ) Retriever ( Chesapeake Bay ) Retriever ( Curly-Coated ) Retriever ( Flat-Coated ) Retriever ( Golden ) Retriever ( Labrador ) Retriever ( Nova Scotia Duck Tolling ) Setter ( English ) Setter ( Gordon ) Setter ( Irish ) Setter ( Irish Red & White ) Spaniel ( American Water ) Spaniel ( Boykin ) Spaniel ( Clumber ) Spaniel ( Cocker ) Ascob Spaniel ( Cocker ) Black Spaniel ( Cocker ) Parti-Color Spaniel ( English Cocker ) Spaniel ( English Springer ) Spaniel ( Field ) Spaniel ( Irish Water ) Spaniel ( Sussex ) Spaniel ( Welsh Springer ) Spinone Italiano Vizsla Weimaraner Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Wirehaired Vizsla

general appearance , movement , temperament , and specific physical traits such as height and weight , coat , colors , eye color and shape , ear shape and placement , feet , tail , and more . Some standards can be very specific , some can be rather general and leave much room for individual interpretation by judges . This results in the sport ’ s subjective basis : one judge , applying his or her interpretation of the standard , and giving his or her opinion of the best dog on that particular day . Standards are written , maintained and owned by the national breed

club or “ parent club ” of each breed and are approved by the American Kennel Club .

BEST OF BREED CLASSES

For 2021 , The Westminster Kennel Club is once again a Championsonly competition . To become an AKC champion , a dog must win a total of 15 points at a number of AKC-sanctioned dog shows . All champions will be entered in the Best of Breed competition at Westminster in its corresponding breed or variety .

SANDRA DUKES