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 purpose-bred dogs .
STANDARDS
BEST OF BREED CLASSES
DOG SHOW INFO & HOW JUDGING WORKS
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 purpose-bred dogs .
STANDARDS
Each breed has a STANDARD , which is 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 ( AKC ). 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 2025 , 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 .
18 THE WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB 2025