Q&A 2026 UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP DOG SHOWS
FROM NOVEMBER 12TH THROUGH NOVEMBER 15TH, 2026 EXPO SANTA FE , MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
From November 12–15, 2026, Mexico City will welcome the international dog fancy for the premier 2026 FCM Universal Championship Dog Shows. This historic four-day event will bring together breeders, exhibitors, handlers, junior handlers, judges, and outstanding purebred dogs from around the world. Conducted in collaboration with the American Kennel Club (AKC), the event will feature four AKC-Licensed All-Breed Dog Shows offering AKC Championship and Grand Championship points, together with prestigious FCM Championship Titles awarded each day. The program will also include 20 AKC-Licensed Breed Specialties, four FCM Special Attraction Dog Shows for breeds not fully recognized by the AKC, four Three-to-Six-Month Puppy Series Shows open to all breeds—including AKC fully recognized breeds, Foundation Stock Service (FSS), Miscellaneous Class, FCI-recognized breeds, and other internationally recognized breeds—four AKC Junior Showmanship competitions, and the FCM Tournament of Champions, open to champion dogs of every breed from every country. More than a series of competitions, the 2026 FCM Universal Championship Dog Shows will celebrate excellence, sportsmanship, and the shared passion for purebred dogs that unites the worldwide dog fancy.
1. What competitions will be held during the 2026 FCM Universal Championship Dog Shows?
The event will feature:
Four (4) AKC-Licensed All-Breed Dog Shows
Twenty (20) AKC-Licensed Breed Specialties
Four (4) AKC Junior Showmanship Competitions
Four (4) FCM Special Attraction Dog Shows
Four (4) FCM Three-to-Six-Month Puppy Series Shows
The FCM Tournament of Champions
Together, these events provide opportunities for exhibitors from around the world to compete for AKC Championship Points, AKC Grand Championship Points, FCM Championship Titles, and the prestigious FCM Champion of Champions title.
2. What titles can I earn if I compete at the 2026 FCM Universal Championship Dog Shows?
Eligible dogs may earn, depending on the day of competition and the dog’s eligibility:
AKC Championship Points
AKC Grand Championship Points
FCM Mexican Championship
FCM Pan-American Championship
FCM Continental Championship
FCM Intercontinental Championship
FCM Universal Championship
ELIGIBILITY
3. Which breeds are eligible to compete in the AKC All-Breed Dog Shows, and which breeds are eligible to compete in the FCM Special Attraction Dog Shows?
AKC-Licensed All-Breed Dog Shows are open exclusively to AKC fully recognized breeds and varieties.
FCM Special Attraction Dog Shows are open to breeds recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), the Federación Canófila Mexicana (FCM), the AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS), the AKC Miscellaneous Class, and FCM-affiliated national kennel organizations.
List of breeds that are eligible to compete at each event are listed at www.akc.fcm.mx
4. If my breed is not recognized by the AKC, can it compete?
Yes. Breeds that are not fully recognized by the AKC may compete in the FCM Special Attraction Dog Shows, provided they are recognized by the FCI, FCM, AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS), AKC Miscellaneous Class, or an FCM-affiliated national kennel organization.
5. Which breeds are eligible to compete in the Three-to-Six-Month Puppy Series?
The FCM Three-to-Six-Month Puppy Series is open to all breeds and varieties, including AKC fully recognized breeds, AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS) breeds, AKC Miscellaneous Class breeds, FCI-recognized breeds, and breeds recognized by FCM-affiliated national kennel organizations.
6. Who may enter the FCM Tournament of Champions?
The FCM Tournament of Champions is open to Champion dogs of all breeds and varieties, whether fully recognized by the AKC or not. Eligible dogs must meet the participation requirements established in the FCM Tournament of Champions Regulations.
7. At what age may my dog compete?
Dogs may compete beginning at three months of age in the FCM Three-to-Six-Month Puppy Series, which is open to all breeds, whether fully recognized by the AKC or not.
Dogs six months of age and older may compete in the AKC-Licensed All-Breed Dog Shows, provided they belong to an AKC fully recognized breed or variety. Dogs of breeds not fully recognized by the AKC may compete in the FCM Special Attraction Dog Shows.
8. My dog is already a champion in another country, such as Mexico, Guatemala, or Chile. In which class should I enter?
For the AKC-Licensed All-Breed Dog Shows and AKC-Licensed Breed Specialties, only dogs that have earned the title of AKC Champion of Record are eligible to compete directly in Best of Breed competition.
Dogs holding championship titles issued by other national kennel clubs must be entered in the appropriate regular class, unless they have also earned an AKC Championship.
Dogs entered in the regular classes remain fully eligible to earn AKC Championship Points, AKC Grand Championship Points (when applicable), and the corresponding FCM Championship Titles.
FCM CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES
9. What FCM Championship Titles are offered, and how are they awarded?
During the 2026 FCM Universal Championship Dog Shows, the Federación Canófila Mexicana (FCM) will award championship titles in the following categories:
FCM Minor Puppy Champion – Awarded to the first-place male and female winners in the Three-to-Six-Month Puppy Series.
FCM Puppy Champion – Awarded to the first-place male and female winners in the 6–9 Month and 9–12 Month Puppy Classes during both the AKC All-Breed Dog Shows and the FCM Special Attraction Dog Shows.
FCM Junior Champion – Awarded to the first-place male and female winners in the 12–15 Month and 15–18 Month Junior Classes during both the AKC All-Breed Dog Shows and the FCM Special Attraction Dog Shows.
FCM Champion – Awarded to Best of Breed (or Variety), Best of Opposite Sex, Select Dog, and Select Bitch during both the AKC All-Breed Dog Shows and the FCM Special Attraction Dog Shows.
FCM Veteran Champion – Awarded to the first-place male and female winners in the Veteran Class during both the AKC All-Breed Dog Shows and the FCM Special Attraction Dog Shows.
FCM Champion of Champions – Awarded to the dogs qualifying for the Final Round of the FCM Tournament of Champions.
10. Which FCM Championship Titles are awarded each day?
Thursday, November 12 – FCM Pan-American Championship
Friday, November 13 – FCM Continental Championship
Saturday, November 14 – FCM Intercontinental Championship
Sunday, November 15 – FCM Universal Championship
All four days – FCM Mexican Championship
Each championship is awarded, as applicable, in the following categories:
FCM Minor Puppy Champion
FCM Puppy Champion
FCM Junior Champion
FCM Champion
FCM Veteran Champion
11. Are FCM Championship Titles available at both the AKC All-Breed Dog Shows and the FCM Special Attraction Dog Shows?
Yes. Eligible dogs competing in either the AKC-Licensed All-Breed Dog Shows or the FCM Special Attraction Dog Shows may earn the corresponding FCM Championship Titles, subject to the applicable eligibility requirements.
12. Can a dog earn both AKC points and an FCM Championship Title on the same day?
Yes. Dogs competing in the AKC-Licensed All-Breed Dog Shows may earn AKC Championship Points or AKC Grand Championship Points, while also qualifying for the corresponding FCM Championship Titles offered that day.
13. If I earn an FCM Championship Title, how do I receive my certificate?
All FCM Championship Titles are offered free of charge.
Certificates must be collected at the FCM booth on the same day they are awarded and will not be mailed after the event.
AKC RULES
14. Does my dog need an AKC registration to compete?
No. Dogs may be entered using the official registration number issued by their national kennel club. However, dogs wishing to accumulate AKC Championship Points or AKC Grand Championship Points must obtain an AKC Foreign Registration. This registration may be completed online before the event or at the AKC booth during the event for the special promotional fee of US $50. Applicants must provide a copy of their three-generation pedigree.
15. How many AKC Championship points are required to become an AKC Champion?
A dog must earn 15 AKC Championship Points, including two major wins (three or more points each) under two different judges, in accordance with AKC Rules and Regulations.
16. Which AKC Schedule of Points will be used?
The AKC Schedule of Points – Division 12 will apply to all AKC-Licensed All- Breed Dog Shows and AKC-Licensed Breed Specialties.
17. If my breed has an AKC-Licensed Breed Specialty, will my dog compete twice on the same day?
Yes. Twenty (20) AKC-Licensed Breed Specialties will be offered during the event (five per day). If your breed has a Specialty, your dog may compete in:
The AKC-Licensed All-Breed Dog Show
The AKC-Licensed Breed Specialty
A separate entry must be submitted for each competition.
AKC JUNIOR SHOWMANSHIP
18. May my child compete in AKC Junior Showmanship?
Yes. The event will feature four AKC Junior Showmanship Competitions, open to handlers 9 through 18 years of age.
Qualifying wins count toward invitation-only AKC events, including the AKC National Championship and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
The Best Junior Handler each day will receive an automatic qualification for the AKC National Championship Junior Showmanship Competition, subject to AKC eligibility requirements.
19. Is a special registration required for Junior Showmanship?
Yes. Junior Handlers must obtain an AKC Junior Handler Number before competing. There is no charge for this registration.
Applications must be submitted directly through the American Kennel Club.
ENTRIES
20. How much does it cost to enter the event?
Entry fees are published in the official Premium Lists available at:
21. Where and how do I submit my entries?
Entries for the AKC-Licensed All-Breed Dog Shows and Breed Specialties must be submitted through Onofrio Dog Shows.
Entries for the FCM Special Attraction Dog Shows, Three-to-Six-Month Puppy Series, and the Tournament of Champions must be submitted through www.akc.fcm.mx.
22. When do entries close?
Entries close on October 14, 2026.
AT THE SHOW
23. Will armbands be mailed to exhibitors?
No. Armbands for the AKC-Licensed All-Breed Dog Shows and AKC-Licensed Breed Specialties must be picked up at the steward’s table outside the assigned ring.
Armbands for the FCM Special Attraction Dog Shows, Three-to-Six-Month Puppy Series, and the Tournament of Champions must be picked up each morning at the FCM Control Desk.
24. May I reserve grooming space in advance?
Yes. Grooming spaces measuring 3 × 3 meters (10 × 10 feet) may be reserved by contacting: cesardelgado@fcm.mx
Complete information regarding fees and reservations is available in the Onofrio Premium List and at www.akc.fcm.mx.