BRED-BY EXPLAINED

- Sari B. Tietjen

There are basically six regular classes (not counting winners class) for each sex at conformation dog shows. These are Puppy (which may be divided: 6-9 mos, 9-12 mos.), 12 - 18 mos., Novice, Bred-by-Exhibitor, American-Bred and Open (which may be divided by color and/or weight). Of these regular classes, the one which causes the most problems in terms of understanding eligibility is the Bred-by class. More awards have been disallowed due to ineligibility in this class than in any of the other classes. Why is this? Probably due to a basic misunderstanding of the eligibility requirements. Chapter 3, Section 7 of the American Kennel Club Rules Applying to Dog Shows states:

The Bred-by-Exhibitor Class shall be for dogs whelped in the United States of America or, if individually registered in The American Kennel Club Stud Book, for dogs whelped outside of the United States that are six months of age and over, that are not champions, and that are owned wholly or in part by the person or by the spouse of the person who was the breeder or one of the breeders of record.

Dogs entered in this class must be handled in the class by the breeder or one of the breeders of record or by a member of the immediate family of the breeder or one of the breeders of record.

For purposes of this second, the members of any immediate family are: husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister.

In an effort to clear-up any misunderstandings regarding the eligibility of dogs to compete in this class, AKC’s Board of Directors issued a clarification statement last year:

To exhibit in this class both conditions must be met.

1. The dog must be owned or co-owned by any one of the breeders of record or a spouse.

2. The handling of the dog is restricted to any one of the breeders of record or a member of the breeder’s immediate family.

In any subsequent classes for which a dog from the Bred-By-Exhibitor class becomes eligible, there are no restrictions as to who may handle.

In its simplest form, in order for a dog to be shown in Bred-By, it must be owned or co-owned by its breeder(s) or breeder’s spouse; and can only be shown in that class by its breeder or a breeder’s immediate family member. The dog may subsequently be handled by anyone else in any other competition.

Bred-By-Exhibitor class is an opportunity for breeders to shine by showing what they have been able to accomplish in their breed. It serves as a testament to a breeder’s knowledge and ability. It is a very special class for the dog’s owner-breeder and/or spouse, shown by the breeder or immediate family member. It is a class for all who are eligible to compete in to be proud of such particiaption.

[8/03/98]