Categories: Breeding |  Competitions | Conformation Shows  | Dogs | Judging |

Conformation Shows

Bait: The food or object that an exhibitor uses to get a dog's attention or to have it look alert in the ring. The term bait or baiting can also be used to describe the action of getting the dog's attention using food or an object.

Bench show: A dog show at which the dogs are kept on assigned benches when not being shown in competition so that interested people can view and learn more about them.

Best in Show: At an All-Breed show, the only dog left undefeated at the end of all judging on that day.

Best of Breed: Dog selected by the judge as the best representative of a particular breed on that day.

Best of Opposite Sex: The best dog that is of the opposite sex to the Best of Breed winner.

Best of Variety: At an All-Breed show, the award that is given in lieu of Best of Breed for those breeds divided by varieties. At specialty shows, the Best of Variety winners are judged in the Best of Breed competition. There are nine breeds that are divided into varieties: Cockers, Beagles, Collies, Dachshunds, Bull Terriers, Manchester Terriers, Chihuahuas, English Toy Spaniels, and Poodles.

Best of Winners: The dog judged as best between the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch.

Bitch: A female dog.

Breed standard: A word picture describing how the perfect dog of a breed should look, move, and behave. The breed standard is owned by the parent club, with full use extended to the AKC.

Championship AKC: title conferred on dogs after meeting requirements. Conformation Champion is noted as a Ch. In front of the dogs formal AKC registered name.

Conformation show: Dog show where the dogs are judged on how closely they adhere to the breeds standard. Also known as All-Breed, Group, or Specialty shows.

Fancier: A person especially interested and active in some phase of the sport of purebred dog shows.

Judge's book: Book in which the judge records the results from the event being officiated.

Junior Showmanship: AKC-sponsored class that evaluates the abilities of the young handler, not the quality of the dog.

Miscellaneous class: Transitory class for breeds desiring to advance to full AKC recognition.

Wicket: Device used to measure the height of a dog at the withers.