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Eva Berg reflects on her judging experience at the 2024 AKC National Championship, sharing insights on breed quality and show trends.
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Eva Berg: Thank you, SHOWSIGHT, for inviting me to comment on my experience of judging at the 2024 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin.
Eva Berg: It’s an honor, it’s thrilling, and it’s exciting. I had three-plus years of great anticipation from the time I received the invitation to the show date.
I expected depth of quality in all six breeds (167 total entries), but what I experienced exceeded expectations. The largest entry was 40 Bichons. The sight of the 25 snow-white Specials against the blue carpet was breathtaking. Choosing my Best of Breed came down to details, and his cheerful attitude and temperament was reminiscent of a bright circus pony. The next largest entry was 37 Bulldogs. I was thrilled with the overall quality and delighted to find my Best of Breed and Best Opposite with exquisite breed type, including correct size, beautiful outline standing and moving, and typical head.
Eva Berg: I am concerned with the decreasing entries at most shows. Entries are Special-heavy with very few Puppies and Class Dogs being shown. This is discouraging for the future. Regarding this very special AKC National Championship show, I believe this should be the only show in the US on this weekend.
American Kennel Club (AKC)
The AKC has released the judging panel for the 2026 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin in Orlando this December.
