The primary purpose of dog shows is to facilitate the evaluation of breeding stock for use by responsible breeders in preserving and producing the next generations of purebred dogs .
ELIAS FRIEDMAN
STANDARDS
Each breed has a STANDARD , a written description of the ideal specimen of that breed . Standards are written , maintained , owned by the national breed club or “ parent club ” of each breed , and approved by the American Kennel Club . These written descriptions generally relate form to function , i . e ., the original function the dog was bred to perform . As a blueprint , Standards describe the desired general appearance , movement , temperament , and specific physical traits such as height and weight , coat type and colors , eye color and shape , ear shape and placement , foot shape , tail carriage , and more . Some standards can be precise , and some can be rather general , leaving room for individual interpretation by judges . The human element results in the sport ’ s subjective basis : one judge applies their interpretation of the Standard and gives their opinion of the best dog on that particular day .
BEST OF BREED CLASSES
For 2023 , The Westminster Kennel Club is once again a Champions-only competition . To become an AKC champion , a dog must win a total of 15 points at AKC-sanctioned dog shows . Accumulating these points may require exhibiting at several dog shows . All Champions will be entered in the Best of Breed competition at Westminster in its corresponding breed or variety .
In the Best of Breed competition , the following awards are made by the judge :
Best of Breed ( BOB ) or Best of Variety ( BOV ): the dog awarded as the best in its breed or variety . This dog advances to the Group competition .
Best of Opposite Sex ( BOS ): the best dog that is the opposite sex to the BOB winner .
Select Dog and Select Bitch ( SEL ): After the judge awards the BOB and BOS winners , the champion dog and champion bitch judged next best are awarded Select Dog and Select Bitch .
Awards of Merit ( AOM ):
At the discretion of the judge at Westminster , Awards of Merit may be made to recognize the quality of outstanding entries that are not judged to be either BOB / BOV , BOS , or SEL .
Grand Championship Points ( GCH ):
Wins at Westminster awarded by the breed judge ( Best of Breed , Best of Opposite Sex , Select Dog , and Select Bitch ) will earn points toward the AKC ’ s Grand Championship title . For details , see akc . org / grandchampionship
SHOWS
DOG
WESTMINSTER There ’ s only one ®