AKC Conformation Classes Explained

A lot of class descriptions and explanations of the AKC conformation classes are confusing at best, so here’s a (very) plain English version. (to see the official ones, click here) These descriptions are in the order that they are judged.

Dogs (Male Canines)

• 6-9 month, 9-12 month, 12-18 month:
  • Simple enough- dogs that are in that age range.
• Novice (rarely used):
  • Dogs that haven’t won any other classes (minus puppy classes), have 0 championship points, and have not won the Novice class 3 times
• Amateur Owner Handler
  • The owner and handler isn’t being paid to show the dog, nor have they EVER been paid to show any dogs.
• Bred By Exhibitor
  • The person showing the dog is the owner AND bred the dog. (Bred, in this case, means owned the mother at the time of whelp)
• American Bred
  • Made in the USA.
• Open
  • Anyone!
• Winners
  • Dogs that have won their class (listed above) The dog that wins this class is called Winners Dog, and advances to the Best of Breed Competition.
• Reserve Winners
  • Dogs that have won their class AND the dog that got 2nd place to Winners Dog (above)

Bitches (female canines)

• All Classes listed above, but the females this time.

Best of Breed Competition (one class)

1. Champion and Grand Champions (CH or GCH)
2. Winners Dog
3. Winners Bitch