Dog Shows for Dummies- A beginner’s guide to what dog shows are and how they work

8 min readFeb 27, 2024

In the world of canine aficionados, dog shows, also known as Conformation shows, serve as glittering exhibitions spotlighting the most stunning and genetically sound purebred dogs in the country. Yet, beyond the glitz and glamor lies a fierce sport where breeders and owners compete to earn points towards prestigious titles that represent a dog’s likelihood to produce puppies of equal perfection.

While well-known shows such as the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and the Thanksgiving Day Dog Show captivate a wide audience on television annually, many onlookers are unfamiliar with how dog shows work, why people show their dogs, and what it truly takes for a dog and their exhibitors to earn the coveted Best in Show title.

A large, black, fluffy Belgian Sheepdog dog showing at a Colorado dog show. — A Belgian Sheepdog showing at the Colorado Kennel Club Dog Show.

Starting at the Basics

The American Kennel Club (AKC) was established in 1884 to promote the study, breeding, showing, and advancement of purebred dogs. The largest not-for-profit all-breed registry in the world, the AKC boasts over 200 registered breeds categorized in seven groups and attracts over three million show entries annually. While the AKC facilitates many unique dog events, Conformation shows are what they’re best known for.

To participate in a Conformation event and start earning points towards champion titles, dogs must be purebred, AKC-registered, a minimum of 6-months-old, and meet the strict eligibility requirements for their breed. Altered dogs (dogs who are spayed or neutered) are ineligible to participate as Conformation aims to evaluate a dog’s potential to produce purebred puppies that will come closest to meeting their breed’s standard — an official record that details the way a “perfect” member of the breed should look, act, function, and move.

If you’ve ever seen a dog show, you’re familiar with the feeling of defeat when the dog you were rooting for doesn’t win in the end. You may have believed the dog you liked most was the standout beauty, so why didn’t they win? Contrary to popular belief, show dogs are not being judged based on their level of cuteness or the judge’s personal favorite. Really, they’re being judged by how much they conform to their breed’s standard. When a professional judge evaluates a dog in the show ring, they carefully assess their temperament, general appearance, tail, bone structure, teeth, ears, coat, gait (the way they move), and other unique qualities that may be specific to the breed. Dog shows are a process of elimination until a judge decides which dog in the ring is closest to meeting their breed’s standard.

If a dog meets the requirements for Conformation, they may start earning points for titles. In the show ring, a dog will be exhibited by their owner, breeder, or a paid professional handler and will be evaluated by a seasoned judge. Once a dog earns a total of 15 points or more, they may be awarded with a champion title, which comes from two major wins from three separate judges. For each show, a dog may earn a maximum of five points, so it takes time and effort for a dog to win that coveted champion title. Breeders who are passionate about preserving and advancing their breed strive for their dogs to earn titles because it shows merit of their dog’s temperament and genetics and is an indication of the dog’s ability to produce quality puppies who will also exemplify their breed’s standards.

A Standard Poodle showing at the Colorado Kennel Club Dog Show.

The Path to Best in Show

The path to winning “Best in Show” demands dedication, patience, and expertise beginning long before a dog is even born. Dogs destined for championship glory often hail from a tried and true pedigree meticulously honed over generations to closely meet the breed’s standard.

Inside the show ring, the handler’s job is to stack the dog in an aesthetic stance, listen to the judge’s instructions, and keep their dog’s focus while the judge evaluates them. The judge begins by observing and touching the dog to appraise their temperament and physical attributes against their breed standard. Small to medium-sized breeds are typically evaluated standing on a table or ramp, while larger breeds are assessed on the floor. Once the judge does their initial evaluation, they will ask the handler to trot their dog around the ring to evaluate the way in which the dog moves.

The journey to Best in Show starts in a specialty ring where dogs belonging to the same breed compete amongst one another in one of several classes: puppy, 12–18-months-old, novice, amateur-owner-handler, bred by exhibitor, American-bred, and open. After these classes are judged and a winner of each one is selected, each class winner will be shown in the same ring to determine who are the best of breed winners. The best male, known as the “Winners Dog,” and the best female, known as the “Winners Bitch,” are then assessed to determine who will win “Best of Breed,” “Best of Winners,” and “Best of Opposite Sex.”

An orange Chow Chow showing at a Colorado dog show. — The Chow Chow showing at The Colorado Kennel Club Dog Show.

The “Best of Breed” winners of all 201+ breeds then compete in group shows. The seven groups consist of AKC recognised breeds classified on their shared characteristics and functions. These groups include:

Herding
Hound
Non-Sporting
Sporting
Terrier
Toy
Working

A specially trained group judge evaluates all the “Best of Breed” winners within a group and chooses the top four dogs they believe best conform to their breed standard. All four winners receive ribbons, known as rosettes, but only the first place dog moves on to the Best in Show competition. Once there is a winner for all seven groups, the final show may begin!

When most people think of dog shows on television, Best in Show competitions are likely what come to mind. Competing in Best in Show is what all handlers, breeders, and their dogs dream of achieving. In order to crown the Best in Show winner, only the most experienced and knowledgeable judge is elected to assess the final seven stunning dogs to determine who is closest to representing the “perfect” member of their breed standard. The judge carefully assesses each dog’s physical features, observes their temperaments, and then asks each dog-handler team to walk around the ring. Typically, they ask the entire group to go around the ring for one final look before making their final decision. Finally, the judge will choose the “Reserve Best in Show Winner,” who is awarded the runner-up, and the “Best in Show Winner,” who is the overall winner of the show. Both awards are highly sought after and allow the dog to compete in other shows amongst other champions.

A red Irish Setter, light gold Golden Retriever, a black and rust Gordon Setter, a white and orange English Setter, a white and tan Pointer, and a tan Vizsla at a dog show. — The best of breed Sporting group at the Scottsbluff Kennel Club Dog Show.

Tips for First-Timers

Dog shows are a hidden gem in the world of pet lovers. Most people are unaware that dog events and Conformation shows are held regularly within their communities and are often free to attend! Here are some tips for first-timers interested in attending a dog show:

Comfort is key: Be prepared to stand for long periods of time and plan on wearing your good walking shoes, as most small dog shows do not provide seating for spectators. Consider bringing your own lawn chair to ensure comfort throughout the show.
Pack your snacks and water bottles: Dog shows are typically all-day events, so pack a few snacks and plenty of water to keep you sustained throughout the day.
Cash out: While many dog shows are completely free to attend for spectators, some may require an entry fee. Bring cash, as many do not accept card. Check the show’s website before attending to see if they have an entry fee or online ticketing options.
Explore the vendors: Take advantage of visiting information booths and vendors that sell pet products and goodies for humans.
Plan for a full day of fun: Dog shows are notorious for running behind schedule and spanning a full day. If you want to see all a dog show has to offer and stay for Best in Show, plan on staying for multiple hours, half a day, or a full day.
Explore the grooming area: Grooming areas are designated for exhibitors to groom their dogs and prepare them for the show ring, but they’re open to all attendees. It’s a paw-some opportunity to observe the different breeds and engage with fellow enthusiasts.
Always ask before petting a dog: While it’s always courteous and best practice to ask before petting an unfamiliar dog, this is especially imperative at dog shows because of how long it takes some groomers to prepare their dog’s coat for showing. If a handler is available and not about to head into the ring for show, take the opportunity to speak with them and learn more about their breed. If you’re lucky, they may just let you say “hello” to their special pup!
Discover “Meet the Breeds”: Interested in getting up close and personal with your favorite breeds and learning more about them from experts? Keep a lookout for “Meet the Breeds” sessions, where breed fanciers and seasoned breeders allow you to interact with their dog and ask questions about their breed heritage, temperament, and care. It’s a chance to learn and network with breeders!
Access the program schedule: Find detailed information about the show and the show schedule by visiting infodog.com, the hosting Kennel Club’s website, or the American Kennel Club website. This ensures you’ll catch your favorite breeds in action!
More events await: Beyond Conformation events, some shows host a variety of other events simultaneously such as rally, obedience, agility, dock diving, fly ball, barn hunting, and more.
Finding a show nearby: Do you want to go to a dog show but don’t know where to start looking? Search infodog.com, onofrio.com, or the AKC events calendar to find shows near you and all around the country.