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Judging
Dog-show judges attempt to identify dogs who epitomize the
published standards for each breed. This can be challenging,
because some judgements must necessarily be subjective. For
example, what exactly entails a "full coat" or a "cheerful
attitude", which are descriptions that could be found in the
breed specifications.
Strictly speaking, a dog show is not exactly a comparison of
one dog to another, it is a comparison of each dog to a
judge's concept of the ideal specimen as dictated by the
breed standard, containing the attributes of a given breed
and a list of conformation points. Based on this, one dog is
placed ahead of another. All-breed judges should therefore
have a vast amount of knowledge, and the ability (or
inability) of humans to retain all these details mentally
for hundreds of breeds (and to maintain their objectivity
despite their personal preferences) is the subject of
intense debate, particularly from the fanciers of working
dogs. Politics in the purebred dog world can be as vicious
as in any other arena; there have been charges of
favoritism, nepotism, bribery and even drugging of
competitors' animals.
The judge is supposed to remain free from bias on several
counts. A canine judge must, for example, disregard personal
or public notions about what a cute or good-looking dog is,
and judge strictly to the standard. Judges must also assess
specimens of all breeds objectively, regardless of personal
favorites. In some breeds, the males and females of the
breed have decidedly different appearances, and it is often
the males who have the quintessential look of the breed. The
judge must set personal preference aside and decide
objectively whether the dog is a better example of the
female of the breed than the dog is an example of the male.
In practice it is widely claimed that all-breed judges are
more likely to "put up" the dog who has been widely
"campaigned," who is presented by a well-known professional
handler, whose photograph appears in full-page
advertisements in monthly dog magazines, and whose record of
previous wins is known by all. Such a dog is said to
represent a safe and unassailable choice even though a
superior but less well-known dog may be present. Similarly,
the dog that either through his innate behavior, his
training, or his handler's skill, appears in the ring to
embody what is called "showmanship" (flashy gait, alert
expression, always standing in a correct "show stack"), is
claimed to be quite likely (at least in the U.S. and Canada
though it may be less so in Europe) to win over a less showy
specimen who actually conforms more closely to the breed
standard. "Judging the wrong end of the lead," putting up
the professional handler or the attractive young lady owner,
is also perceived to be a not-uncommon outcome. Thus the
stated ideals of objective assessment, of judging strictly
to the breed standard, are thought at times to be honored
more in theory than in practice. When asked, however, judges
assert that they award the win to the dog they feel is the
best example of the breed, and so accusations of ring
politics remain unsubstantiated and, at times, unfounded.
Winning
Dogs compete at dog shows to earn points towards the title
of Champion. Each time a dog wins at some level of a show,
it earns points towards the championship. The number of
points varies depending on what level within a show the win
occurs, how many dogs are competing, and whether the show is
a major (larger shows) or minor (smaller shows). As well,
the number of points needed to attain a Champion title
varies by country.
Dogs compete in a hierarchical fashion at each show, where
winners at lower levels are gradually combined to narrow the
winners until the final round, where Best in Show is chosen.
At the lowest level, dogs are divided by breed. Each breed
is divided into classes based on sex and, sometimes, age.
Males (dogs) are judged first, then females (bitches).
Dog shows in Australia
Within one breed, there are puppies (dogs under a
certain age), mature male dogs (subdivided by age into
junior, limit (or intermediate) and open); bitches (female
dogs) have corresponding classes.
The winners of all classes in each sex (called Puppy Dog,
Limit Dog etc.) compete for Challenge (best) Dog and
Challenge Bitch; the individuals who will challenge each
other for the accolade Best of Breed Except Dogs that are
entered in "The import Register" or "Any Variety Not
Separately Classified" classes, in these classes the dogs
compete for "best import" or "best A.V.N.S.C." The remaining
class winners are joined by the runner-up from the class
from which the challenge winner was selected and there are
competitions for second place in each gender, called Reserve
Challenge Dog and Reserve Challenge Bitch. This is for
fairness, as one class may contain a stronger field of
specimens of the breed. If the judge believes that this is
the case, the Challenge Dog and Reserve Challenge Dog, for
example, may both be from the same class.
From the two finalists (Challenge Dog and Challenge Bitch)
is selected Best of Breed, best import or best A.V.N.S.C.The
runner-up is deemed Best of Opposite Sex (or Runner-up to
Best of Breed). There is then a run-off in which the second
best individual in the gender of the winner (the Reserve
Challenge) is brought back to stand against the Best of
Opposite Sex (the Challenge who did not win) for the title
of Reserve Best of Breed. So, if the Best of Breed is the
Challenge Bitch, the Reserve Best of Breed may be the
Challenge Dog or the Reserve Challenge Bitch.
In multi-breed and all-breed shows, the winners of all
breeds within the kennel club's breed groupings then
compete. So, for example, all the Terrier Group breed
winners compete to determine Best Terrier the winner of
"best import" is not allowed to compete for best in group,
but is allowed a lap of honour around the main ring before
group judgeing starts (sometimes called Best in Group).
These are known as the General Specials.
The audience at a dog show is expected to be participatory
and vocal, and often applaud the silkiest, fluffiest or more
popular breeds while ignorant of the breed requirements.
Those who are owners and breeders may cheer for a popular
handler or a sympathetic favourite from a particular
breeding kennel; the judge is supposed to ignore all
attempts to influence the decision.
Finally, the winners from each group compete for Best in
Show.
Dog shows in the UK
There are several types of show in the UK. The smallest are
the Companion Shows, where there are usually a few
conformation classes for pedigree dogs, and several
"novelty" classes, such as waggiest tail and handsomest dog,
which are open to any dog including crossbreeds. These shows
are usually held to support a charity or other good cause.
Then there are Open shows, which are open only to dogs
registered with the Kennel Club. There are many Open Shows
that are held all around the country. Here the dog & handler
can gain experience and the dog can gain points towards a
Junior Warrant award or a Show Certificate of Merit.
There are also Limited shows, which are open only to members
of the Society or Club running the show, and Challenge
Certificate winners (see below) cannot enter.
Finally, there are the huge Championship shows, where dogs
can gain points towards a Junior Warrant and compete for the
highly coveted Challenge Certificate (CC). If the breed is
sufficiently numerous, the Kennel Club awards a Challenge
Certificate for the Best Dog and Best Bitch. A dog needs
three CCs from three different judges to be awarded the
title of Champion one of which must be awarded when the dog
is over 12 month old. The most prestigious Championship show
is Crufts, and each dog entered at Crufts has had to qualify
by certain wins at Championship or Open show level.
The Kennel Club also operates a separate show open only to
mixed-breeds, Scruffts, which judges its contestants on
character, health, and temperament with people and other
dogs.
Dog shows in the US (AKC)
There are seven classes per breed in AKC dog shows: Puppy
(sometimes divided between 6-9 Month and 9-12 Month),
Novice, 12-18 Months, Bred By Exhibitor (where the person
handling the dog is an owner and breeder of record),
American-Bred, Novice (not used in all breeds), and Open. In
some cases one or more of these classes may be divided by
color, height, weight, or coat type.
First through fourth place are awarded in each class. The
winners of all classes in each sex compete for Winners
(best) Dog and Winners Bitch. These wins are awarded points
toward a Championship, based on the number of dogs in each
sex competing in the classes. The remaining class winners
are joined by the runner-up from the class from which the
Winner was selected and there are competitions for second
place in each sex, called Reserve Winners Dog and Reserve
Winners Bitch. If for any reason the Winner is determined to
be ineligible for the points on that day, they would instead
be awarded to the Reserve Winner (a bit like the First
Runner-Up in the Miss America pageant).
Once the Winners and Reserves are chosen, the Best of Breed
competition begins. This group consists of any dog or bitch
that has finished its Championship, plus the Winners Dog and
Winners Bitch. The dog or bitch that the judge feels best
represents the breed standard on that day is awarded Best of
Breed; the best animal of the opposite gender is awarded
Best of Opposite Sex; and the better of the Winners Dog or
Winners Bitch is awarded Best of Winners. (The Winners Dog
or Bitch can be awarded Best of Breed or Best of Opposite
Sex, as well.) In a Specialty show, the Best of Breed is
also called Best in Specialty.
In multi-breed and all-breed shows, the winners of all
breeds within the kennel club's breed groupings then compete
for Group placements. So, for example, all the Terrier Group
Best of Breed winners compete for Group First, Group Second,
Group Third, and Group Fourth. Finally, the seven Group
First winners compete for Best in Show.
In the AKC, a dog needs 15 points to become a Champion, with
each win gaining anywhere from zero to five points depending
on the number of dogs competing and the area where the show
is held. At least two wins must be a set of three or more
points ("majors"), under two different judges; at least one
additional win under a third judge is also required.
Additional points may be awarded to the Best of Winners, or
a class dog that goes Best of Breed or Best of Opposite Sex,
again depending on the number of dogs competing.
Dog shows in Canada
Canadian dogs shows are nearly identical to AKC dog
shows, with the exception of a "Canadian-Bred" class
replacing the AKC's "American-Bred". The main difference is
the number of points required for a Championship, and the
way those points are calculated.
In Canada, 10 points are needed for a Championship, with
wins awarded by at least three different judges, and at
least one "major" win of two or more points. Region is not a
factor in determining points for a win in Canada - the point
schedule is the same across the country.
Prestigious dog shows
Dog shows take place all year in various locations. Some
are small, local shows, while others draw competitors from
all around the country or the world. Some shows are so large
that they limit entries only to dogs who have already earned
their Championships. Therefore, winning Best in Breed or
Best in Show can elevate a dog's, a breeder's, or a kennel's
reputation to the top of the list overnight. This greatly
increases the price of puppies bred from this dog or at the
dog's kennel of origin. On the down side, these prestigious
wins can sometimes also increase the popularity of a breed,
as many people decide they want a dog "just like that cute
one I saw winning on TV".
Probably the two best-known, largest, and most prestigious
annual dog shows are the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in
the US, and Crufts in the UK. |
