Every issue of Showsight Magazine contains articles on judging the various breeds within all seven AKC Groups plus Miscellaneous breeds and Foundation Stock Service (FSS) Breeds. We are fortunate to work alongside parent clubs and judges to create a better awareness of each breed and how it should be viewed in the dog show Conformation ring.
The purpose of conformation shows (also known as dog shows) is to evaluate breeding stock. Judges select winners based on their ability to contribute and improve the next generation of dogs.
The fact that each dog is judged on how he or she compares to the breed’s AKC standard rather than how the dog directly compares to the other dogs in the ring is a common source of confusion for the uninformed.
For instance, a judge is not directly comparing the Airedale Terrier to the Scottish Terrier while evaluating the Terrier Group. Actually, the comparison is between the Airedale Terrier and the Airedale Terrier breed standard and the Scottish Terrier and the Scottish Terrier breed standard. A winner should better reflect their standard than the other dogs do.
Each breed was developed for a specific purpose; for example, many Toy breeds were developed as lap dogs, whereas Working Dog Breeds are excellent in jobs like property guarding, pulling sleds, and conducting water rescues because they were developed to help people. These purposes established each breed’s standard, or ideal for how the breed should behave and look. A judge in the show ring rates dogs according to how closely they conform to their standards.
Learn how to expertly assess German Shepherd dogs with the loose leash temperament evaluation ...
Explore the Basset Fauve de Bretagne Club's 2023 event in Villeréal, France. Witness quality ...
Explore the Terrier enthusiast's paradise at Montgomery County Kennel club. Discover top-quality dogs and ...
Mastering the art of Ibizan Hound presentation: expert tips and insights for showcasing their ...
Insights from Faye Strauss, a seasoned working group judge, on breeding and the talents ...
Unlocking the art of Bulldog judging: discover the unique silhouettes and key elements evaluated ...
Explore the vibrant world of Japanese Chin colors! From black & white to red ...
Exploring the judging criteria for Golden Retrievers, emphasizing coat, color, and temperament based on ...
Learn the Ins and Outs of Judging Toy Breeds! Discover unique challenges when judging ...
Unlock the secrets of judging the Basenji breed with our comprehensive guide. Learn about ...