What do the classes mean at a dog show? Back to Interactive Dog Show
AKC Dog shows start out at the "class" level. Classes are divided by sex. Males compete before females. Other than the sex division there is no difference in how males and females compete.
The first class is puppies over 6 months of age and under 9 months.
The next class is puppies is over 9 months and under 12 months of age.
Next are puppies 12-18 months of age.
Dogs that are older than 18 months can no longer compete in the puppy classes.
American Bred class is for dogs that were born in the
Bred-by Exhibitor are dogs that were bred and shown by the owner. No one else but the breeder/owner of dogs entered in bred-by-exhibitor can show a dog entered in this class.
Most breeds do not have a weight division. Dachshunds however do, and in AKC shows miniature and standard dachshunds compete together for championship points.
There is one class for open standard which is dogs over 11 lbs.
There is one class for miniature which is for dogs 11lbs and under.
Each of the classes will have placements from 1st through 4th.
Only the 1st place dog in each class will move on to compete for
"Winners"
After "Winner's dog" is chosen the female dogs compete for
"Winner's bitch".
"Winners" is what everyone wants to win because this is when championship points are awarded.
"Winner's Dog" and "Winner's Bitch" move on to compete for Best of Breed or "Best of Variety". One of them will also be chosen "Best of Winner's.
Best of Breed means the best of all the dogs (male and female) of a breed competing at that show. “Winners Dog” and “Winners Bitch” compete with “Specials” (animals that already have a championship) for Best of Breed. For some breeds, such as dachshunds this is called “best of variety” because there are three varieties of dachshunds: Wire haired, longhaired and smooth. In an all breed show all three varieties compete in the group.
© Nicole Guidry 2007