TERMINOLOGY
HOW JUDGING WORKS
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 .
TERMINOLOGY
Variety : A division of a breed based on coat , color , or size . For example , Poodles ( size : Standard , Miniature , Toy ), Cocker Spaniels ( Color : Black , Parti-Color , ASCOB ), and Collies ( coat : Rough , Smooth ).
Breeder : The owner of the dam ( mother ) when she was bred to produce this dog . Breeder-Owner-Handler : An individual who bred , owns , and handles a dog . Owner-Handler : Someone who handles a dog that they also own . Judge : Someone licensed by the American Kennel Club to judge dogs . Breeder-Judge : Someone licensed by the AKC to judge dogs of their breed . All Rounder : An individual licensed by the AKC to judge every breed and variety , which numbers 213 . Professional Handler : Someone who handles a dog for a fee . Conformation : The structure and physical characteristics of a dog . Stack : The pose itself in its natural stance or the posing of the dog by a handler .
Gait : The action of movement of the dog . Generally speaking , sound and balanced gait usually indicate proper conformation and structure .
Breed Type : The manifestation of those unique traits and characteristics of a dog that distinguish it as a particular breed .
HOW JUDGING WORKS
Competition at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show consists of three levels . At each level , each competitor is compared to that breed ’ s Standard . Judges select their winners based on how close , in their opinion , the dog meets this ideal as described in each breed ’ s written Standard .
At Westminster , the first level of competition is in the Best of Breed or Best of Variety competition . There , one judge officiates over an entry that consists of dogs of only one breed . The entry may be only one dog or more than fifty dogs . All Champions are entered in the Best of Breed Class . The judge selects their winners ( BOB or BOV , BOS , SEL , and AOM ), and the BOB ( or BOV ) winner advances to the next level of competition , the Group .
Currently , 213 breeds and varieties are recognized by the American Kennel Club , which are divided into seven groups ( Sporting , Hound , Working , Terrier , Toy , Non-Sporting , and Herding ). The respective Group judge examines all the dogs and chooses four placements , first through fourth , with only the Group winner advancing . This process takes place in each of the respective Groups so that seven Group winners advance into the final round of the competition — Best in Show .
In the Best in Show competition , the judge will examine all seven finalists , first naming the Reserve Best in Show winner and then revealing their selection for the ultimate prize , Best in Show .
WESTMINSTER . There ’ s only one ® 19