Rules Applying to Dog Shows

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2. MAKING APPLICATION TO HOLD A DOG SHOW

3. DOG SHOW CLASSIFICATIONS

4. APPROVAL OF JUDGES' PANELS AND PREMIUM LISTS

5. RIBBONS, PRIZES AND TROPHIES

6. PREMIUM LISTS AND CLOSING OF ENTRIES

7. JUDGES

8. SELECTION OF SUPERINTENDENT, SHOW SECRETARY AND VETERINARIANS

9. SUPERINTENDENTS AND SHOW SECRETARIES

10.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF SHOW VETERINARIANS

11.DOG SHOW ENTRIES, CONDITIONS OF DOGS AFFECTING ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility, Section 1
Recording Fees, Section 2
Entry in the Name of the Actual Owner, Section 3
Acceptable Entries, Section 4
Conditional Entries, Section 5
Change & Cancellation, Section 6
Change in Appearance, Section 8
A Dog that Menaces or Attacks, Section 8-A
Lameness, Section 8-B
Alteration of Natural Color, Section 8-C
Special Attractions, Section 10
Unentered Dogs, Section 11
Exhibiting by Officials, Sections 12 & 13

12.THE CATALOG

13.BENCHING OF DOGS

14.MEASURING, WEIGHING AND COLOR DETERMINATIONS WHEN FACTORS OF DISQUALIFICATION IN BREED STANDARDS OR ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF A CLASS OR DIVISION OF A CLASS CANCELLATION OF AWARDS

15.PROTESTS AGAINST DOGS

16.CHAMPIONSHIPS

17.SUBMISSION OF A SHOW'S RECORDS TO AKC

18.STEWARDS

FOREWORD

CHAPTER 1 DOG SHOWS DEFINED

SECTION 2. A licensed show is a show at which championship points may be awarded, given by a club or association which is not a member of The American Kennel Club but which has been specially licensed by The American Kennel Club to give the specific show designated in the license.

SECTION 3. A member or licensed all-breed club may apply to The American Kennel Club for approval to hold a show at which championship points may be awarded with entries restricted to puppies that are eligible for entry in the regular puppy class and dogs that have been placed first, second or third in a regular class at a show at which championship points were awarded, provided the club submitting such an application has held at least one show annually for at least ten years immediately prior to the year in which application for a show so restricted is made, and further provided that there shall not have been less than 900 dogs entered in its show (or in one of its shows if the club holds more than one show a year) in the year preceding the year in which application is made for its first show with entries so restricted.
When an application for this type of restricted entry show has been approved by The American Kennel Club the only dogs eligible for entry shall be puppies that are eligible for entry in the regular puppy class and those dogs that have been placed first, second or third in a regular class at a show at which championship points were awarded held not less than sixty days prior to the first day of the show at which entries will be so restricted.
However, a club making application to hold a show restricted to entries of dogs as specified above may further restrict entries by excluding all puppies or all puppies six months and under nine months and/or by excluding dogs that have placed third or dogs that have placed second and third, provided the extent of these further restrictions is specified on the application.
Any club whose application has been approved to hold a show with restricted entries as described in this section shall indicate the extent of the restrictions in its premium list.

SECTION 4. A member or licensed all-breed club may apply to The American Kennel Club for approval to hold a show at which championship points may be awarded with entries restricted to dogs that are champions on the records of The American Kennel Club and dogs that have been credited with one or more championship points, provided the club submitting such an application has held at least one show annually for at least 15 years immediately prior to the year in which application for a show so restricted is made, and further provided that there shall not have been less than 1,200 dogs entered in its show (or in one of its shows if the club holds more than one show a year) in the year preceding the year in which application is made for its first show with entries so restricted.
When an application for this type of restricted entry show has been approved by The American Kennel Club, the only dogs eligible for entry shall be those dogs that have been recorded as champions and dogs that have been credited with one or more championship points as a result of competition at shows held not less than 60 days prior to the first day of the show at which entries will be so restricted.
However, a club making application to hold a show restricted to entries of dogs as specified above, may further restrict entries by excluding all puppies or all puppies six months and under nine months and/or by excluding dogs that have not been credited with at least one major championship point rating, provided the extent of these further restrictions is specified on the application.
Any club whose application has been approved to hold a show with restricted entries as described in this section shall indicate the extent of the restrictions in its premium list.

SECTION 5. A member or licensed show with a limited entry, at which championship points may be awarded may be given by a club or association in the event said club or association considers it necessary to LIMIT the TOTAL ENTRY at its show due to the limitations of space. The total number of entries to be accepted together with the reason therefore, must be indicated on the cover or title page of the PREMIUM LIST. A specified closing date, in accordance with Chapter 6, Section 9, must be indicated in the premium list together with a statement that entries will close on said date or when the limit has been reached, if prior thereto. No entries can be accepted, canceled or substituted after the entry is closed. The specified closing date shall be used in determining whether a dog is eligible for the Novice Classes at the show.

SECTION 6. A Group show is one restricted to the breeds and varieties of any one Group as listed in Chapter 3, at which championship points may be awarded. All references to all-breed shows and all-breed clubs shall also be applicable to Group shows and Group clubs, respectively.

SECTION 7. A specialty show is a show given by a club or association formed for the improvement of any one breed of pure-bred dogs, at which championship points may be awarded to said breed.

SECTION 8. An American-bred specialty show is a show for American-bred dogs only, given by a member club or association formed for the improvement of any one breed of pure-bred dogs at which championship points may be awarded to said breed.

SECTION 9. A sanctioned match is an informal meeting at which pure-bred dogs may compete but not for championship points, held by a club or association whether or not a member of The American Kennel Club by obtaining the sanction of The American Kennel Club.

CHAPTER 2 MAKING APPLICATION TO HOLD A DOG SHOW

SECTION 2. Each member club or association which has held a show or shows in any one year shall have first right to claim the corresponding dates for its show or shows to be held in the next succeeding year.

SECTION 3. Each member club or association not a specialty club which shall hold a show at least once in every two consecutive calendar years shall have the sole show privilege in the city, town or district which has been assigned to it as its show territory.

SECTION 4. A member club or association must apply to The American Kennel Club on a regular official form, which will be supplied on request, over the signature of one of its officers, for permission to hold a show, stating in the application the day or days upon which, and the exact location where it desires to hold such show. This official form must be sent in time to reach The American Kennel Club at least TWENTY-FOUR weeks before the closing date for entries of the show. This application will be referred to the Board of Directors of The American Kennel Club which will consider the same and notify the member club or association of its approval or disapproval of the dates and place selected.

SECTION 5. If a member club or association not a specialty club shall fail to hold a show at least once in every two consecutive calendar years, the Board of Directors of The American Kennel Club upon application may give a license to another club or association which need not be a member of The American Kennel Club to hold a show within the limits of the show territory of the member club or association which has so failed to hold its show.

SECTION 6. If a member club or association not a specialty club shall fail to hold a show within the next calendar year after a licensed show has been held within the show territory of said member club or association, The American Kennel Club will consider such failure sufficient reason to consider an application for membership in The American Kennel Club by any other club or association organized to hold shows within said territory which shall conform to the requirements and conditions of Article IV of the Constitution and Bylaws of The American Kennel Club although said member club or association so in default shall not consent thereto.

SECTION 7. Where there are two or more show-giving member clubs or associations not specialty clubs located in the same show territory, the jurisdiction of said clubs or associations shall be concurrent.

SECTION 8. The use of a club's name for show purposes cannot be transferred.

SECTION 9. A non-member club or association must apply to The American Kennel Club on a regular official form, which will be supplied on request, over the signature of one of its officers, for permission to hold a show, stating in the application the day or days upon which, and the exact location where it desires to hold such show. This official form must be sent in time to reach The American Kennel Club at least TWENTY-FOUR weeks before the closing date for entries of the show. The American Kennel Club is to be supplied with such information with regard to Constitution, Bylaws, names of the officers and members, and the financial responsibility of the applying non-member club or association as The American Kennel Club may request. A non-member club shall pay a license fee for the privilege of holding such show under American Kennel Club rules, the amount of which fee shall be fixed and determined by the Board of Directors of The American Kennel Club. The application will be referred to the Board of Directors of The American Kennel Club, which will consider the same and notify the non-member club or association of its approval or disapproval of the dates and place selected. If the Board of Directors shall disapprove the application, the license fee will be returned to said non-member club or association.

SECTION 10. A member specialty club may hold a show confined to the breed which it sponsors and such show shall carry a championship rating according to the schedule of points of the breed for which the show is given.

SECTION 11. A member specialty club may hold a show confined to American-bred dogs only in which show winners classes may be included and championship points awarded, provided that the necessary regular classes are included in the classification.

SECTION 12. A non-member specialty club may be licensed to hold a show, if the consent in writing that it may be given first shall be obtained from the member specialty club formed for the improvement of the breed sought to be shown which first was admitted to be a member of The American Kennel Club, which member club is commonly known as the Parent Club.
If a Parent Club unreasonably shall withhold its consent in writing to the holding of such show, the non-member specialty club may appeal to the Board of Directors of The American Kennel Club at any time after one month from the time when said consent was requested. A committee of said Board appointed by said Board or between sittings of said Board appointed by the President of The American Kennel Club, or, in his absence, by the Executive Vice-President of The American Kennel Club shall hear the parties who may present their respective contentions, either orally or in writing, and in its discretion may issue a license to the non-member specialty club to hold such show.

SECTION 13. Where a specialty club wishes to consider as its Specialty Show the breed classes at an all-breed show, written application must be made to The American Kennel Club and a fee of fifteen ($15.00) dollars sent with application. Consent of the parent member specialty club must be secured by the non-member specialty club and forwarded to The American Kennel Club.

SECTION 14. A specialty club that wishes to hold a futurity or sweepstake, either in conjunction with a show or as a separate event, must apply to The American Kennel Club on a form which will be supplied on request, for permission to hold the event, whether or not the futurity or sweepstake will be open to non-members.

SECTION 15. The Board of Directors of The American Kennel Club may, in its discretion grant permission to clubs to hold sanctioned matches, which sanctioned matches shall be governed by such rules and regulations as from time to time shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 16. American Kennel Club sanction must be obtained by any club that holds American Kennel Club events, for any type of match for which it solicits or accepts entries from non-members.

SECTION 17. The Board of Directors of The American Kennel Club will not approve applications for shows where dates conflict, unless it be shown that the granting of such applications will not work to the detriment of either show.

SECTION 18. All clubs holding shows under American Kennel Club rules must have available at each event, through their bench show committees, a copy of the latest edition of The Complete Dog Book, or a current set of the applicable breed standards, at least one copy of Rules Applying To Dog Shows, Rules Applying To Registration and Discipline, the Dealing With Misconduct booklet, and Regulations, Judging Guidelines and Guidelines For Juniors, a copy of the Show/Trial Manual, and copies of the Obedience Regulations and Obedience Guidelines For Judges, when applicable. (Effective 3/10/98)

SECTION 19. Any club holding a show for charity if requested must submit to The American Kennel Club within ninety days of date of show, a complete financial statement and receipt from the organization for which the show was held.

SECTION 20. The duration of a dog show will not exceed two days, unless permission be granted by The American Kennel Club for a longer period.

CHAPTER 3 DOG SHOW CLASSIFICATIONS

SECTION 2. No class shall be provided for any dog under six months of age except at sanctioned matches when approved by The American Kennel Club.

SECTION 3. The regular classes of The American Kennel Club shall be as follows:
Puppy
Twelve-to-Eighteen Month
Novice
Bred-by-Exhibitor
American-bred
Open
Winners
These classes shall be divided by sex.

SECTION 4. The Puppy Class shall be for dogs that are six months of age and over, but under twelve months, that are not champions. The age of a dog shall be calculated up to and inclusive of the first day of a show. For example, a dog whelped on January 1st is eligible to compete in a puppy class at a show the first day of which is July 1st of the same year and may continue to compete in puppy classes at shows up to and including a show the first day of which is the 31st day of December of the same year, but is not eligible to compete in a puppy class at a show the first day of which is January 1st of the following year.
The first day of a show is considered to be the first day on which there is regular conformation judging.

SECTION 5. The Twelve-to-Eighteen Month Class shall be for dogs that are twelve months of age and over, but under eighteen months, that are not champions. The age of a dog shall be calculated up to and inclusive of the first day of a show. For example, a dog whelped on January 1st is eligible to compete in the class at a show the first day of which is January 1st of the following year and may continue to compete in this class at shows up to and including a show the first day of which is the 30th day of June of that year, but is not eligible to compete in this class at a show the first day of which is July 1st of that year.

SECTION 6.The Novice Class shall be for dogs six months of age and over, which have not, prior to the date of closing of entries, won three first prizes in the Novice Class, a first prize in Bred-by-Exhibitor, American-bred or Open Classes, nor one or more points toward their championships.

SECTION 7. 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 section, the members of an immediate family are: husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister.

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.

SECTION 8.The American-bred Class shall be for all dogs (except champions) six months of age and over, whelped in the United States of America, by reason of a mating which took place in the United States of America.

SECTION 9. The Open Class shall be for any dog six months of age or over except in a member specialty club show held only for American-bred dogs, in which case the Open Class shall be only for American-bred dogs.

SECTION 10. The Winners Class shall be divided by sex and each division shall be open only to undefeated dogs of the same sex which have won first prizes in either the Puppy, Twelve-to-Eighteen Month, Novice, Bred-by-Exhibitor, American-bred or Open Classes. There shall be no entry fee for competition in the Winners Class.
After the Winners prize has been awarded in one of the sex divisions, the second prize winning dog, if undefeated except by the dog awarded Winners, shall compete with the other eligible dogs for Reserve Winners. No eligible dog may be withheld from competition.
Winners Class shall be allowed only at shows where American-bred and Open Classes shall be given.
A member specialty club holding a show for American-bred dogs only may include Winners Classes, provided the necessary regular classes are included in the classification.
A member club holding a show with restricted entries may include Winners Classes, provided the necessary regular classes are included in the classification.

SECTION 11. No Winners Class, or any class resembling it, shall be given at sanctioned matches.

SECTION 12. Bench show committees may provide such other classes of recognized breeds or recognized varieties of breeds as they may choose, provided they do not conflict with the conditions of the above mentioned classes and are judged before Best of Breed competition. Such additional classes shall be divided by sex.
No class may be given in which more than one breed or recognized variety of breed may be entered, except as provided in these rules and regulations.

SECTION 13. A Club that provides Winners Classes shall also provide Competition for Best of Breed or for Best of Variety in those breeds for which varieties are provided in this chapter. The awards in this competition shall be Best of Breed or Best of Variety of Breed.
The following categories of dogs may be entered in this competition:
Dogs that are Champions of Record.
Dogs which according to their owners' records have completed the requirements for a championship but whose championships are unconfirmed. The showing of dogs whose championships are unconfirmed is limited to a period of 90 days from the date of show where a dog completed the requirements for a championship according to the owners' records.
In addition, the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch together with any undefeated dogs that have competed at the show only in additional non-regular classes shall compete for Best of Breed or Best of Variety of Breed.
If the Winners Dog or Winners Bitch is awarded Best of Breed or Best of Variety of Breed, it shall be automatically awarded Best of Winners; otherwise, the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch shall be judged together for Best of Winners following the judging of Best of Breed or Best of Variety of Breed. The dog awarded the Best of Winners shall be credited with the number of points calculated for Winners Dog or Winners Bitch, whichever is greater. In the event that Winners is awarded in only one sex, there shall be no Best of Winners award.
After Best of Breed or Best of Variety of Breed and Best of Winners have been awarded, the judge shall select Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed or Best of Variety of Breed.
Eligible for this award are:
Dogs of opposite sex to Best of Breed or Best of Variety of Breed that have been entered for Best of Breed competition. The dog awarded Winners of the opposite sex to the Best of Breed or Best of Variety of Breed.
Any undefeated dogs of the opposite sex to Best of Breed or Best of Variety of Breed which have competed at the show only in additional non-regular classes.
A dog that has been defeated in any regular class or non-regular class for single dog entries in its breed or variety at the show, is ineligible to compete for Best of Breed or Variety.
A dog that has been defeated by a dog of its own sex in any regular or non-regular class for single dog entries in its breed or variety at the show, is ineligible to compete for Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed or Variety.

SECTION 14. At specialty shows for breeds in which there are varieties as specified in Chapter 3, Section 1, and which are held apart from all-breed shows, Best of Breed shall be judged following the judging of Best of each variety and best of opposite sex to best of each variety. Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed shall also be judged. Dogs eligible for Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed competition will be found among the bests of variety or the bests of opposite sex to bests of variety, according to the sex of the dog placed Best of Breed.
At an all-breed show (even if a specialty club shall designate classes as its specialty show), the judge of a breed in which there are show varieties shall make no placings beyond Best of Variety and Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Variety.

SECTION 15. A club or association holding a show may give seven group classes not divided by sex, such groups to be arranged in same order and to comprise the same breeds and recognized varieties of breeds as herein before set forth in Section 1 of Chapter 3. All dogs designated by their respective breed judges Best of Breed at the show at which these group classes shall be given shall be eligible to compete in the group classes to which they belong according to this grouping, and all dogs designated Best of Variety in those breeds with more than one recognized variety, shall be eligible to compete in the group classes to which they belong according to this grouping. All entries for these group classes shall be made after judging of the regular classes of The American Kennel Club has been finished and no entry fee shall be charged. In the event that the owner of a dog designated Best of Breed or Best of Variety shall not exhibit the dog in the group class to which it is eligible, no other dog of the same breed or variety of breed shall be allowed to compete.

SECTION 16. A club giving group classes must also give a Best in Show, the winner to be entitled "Best Dog in Show." No entry fee shall be charged but the seven group winners must compete.

SECTION 17. A club or association holding a show, if it gives brace classes in the several breeds and recognized varieties of breeds, may also give seven brace group classes, not divided by sex; such groups to be arranged in the same order and to comprise the same breeds and recognized varieties of breeds as herein before set forth in Section 1 of Chapter 3. All braces of dogs designated by their respective breed judges as Best of Breed or Best of Variety as the case may be at shows at which these brace group classes shall be given, shall be eligible to compete in the brace group classes to which they belong according to this grouping. All entries for these brace group classes shall be made after the judging of the regular classes of The American Kennel Club has been finished and no entry fee shall be charged. In the event that the owner of a brace of dogs designated Best of Breed or Best of Variety shall not exhibit the brace of dogs in the group class to which it is eligible, no other brace of dogs of the same breed or variety of breed shall be allowed to compete.

SECTION 18. If a club or association holding a show shall give these seven group classes, it must also give a "Best Brace in Show" in which the seven braces of dogs winning the first prizes in the seven group classes must compete, but for which no entry fee shall be charged. The winner shall be entitled "The Best Brace in Show."

SECTION 19. A club or association holding a show, if it gives team classes in the several breeds and recognized varieties of breeds, may also give seven team group classes not divided by sex, such groups to be arranged in the same order and to comprise the same breeds and recognized varieties of breeds as herein before set forth in Section 1 of Chapter 3. All teams of dogs designated by their respective breed judges as Best of Breed or Best of Variety as the case may be at shows at which these team group classes shall be given, shall be eligible to compete in the team group classes to which they belong according to this grouping. All entries for these team group classes shall be made after the judging of the regular classes of The American Kennel Club has been finished and no entry fee shall be charged. In the event that the owner of a team of dogs designated Best of Breed or Best of Variety shall not exhibit the team of dogs in the group class to which it is eligible, no other team of dogs of the same breed or variety of breed shall be allowed to compete.

SECTION 20. If a club or association holding a show shall give these seven group classes, it must also give a "Best Team in Show" in which the seven teams of dogs winning the first prizes in the seven group classes must compete, but for which no entry fee shall be charged. The winner shall be entitled "The Best Team in Show."

SECTION 21. A club or association holding a show may offer Junior Showmanship competition if it so chooses.
The classes and procedure shall conform to The American Kennel Club regulations governing Junior Showmanship as adopted by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 22.The Miscellaneous Class shall be for pure-bred dogs of such breeds as may be designated by the Board of Directors of The American Kennel Club. No dog shall be eligible for entry in the Miscellaneous Class unless the owner has been granted an Indefinite Listing Privilege, and unless the ILP number is given on the entry form. Application for an Indefinite Listing Privilege shall be made on a form provided by the AKC and when submitted must be accompanied by a fee set by the Board of Directors.
All Miscellaneous breeds may either be shown together in a single class, or a separate class may be offered for any one of these breeds. In either case, the class may be divided by sex. The exact classification to be offered for the Miscellaneous Class shall be specified in the premium list. There shall be no further competition for dogs entered in this class, and if a separate breed class is offered for any breed, there shall be no inter-breed competition for that breed.
The ribbons for First, Second, Third and Fourth prizes in this class shall be Rose, Brown, Light Green, and Gray, respectively.
At present, the Miscellaneous Class is open to the following breeds:
Anatolian Shepherds
Canaan Dogs
Havanese
Lowchen
Spinoni Italiani

SECTION 23. A registered dog that is six months of age or over and of a breed for which a classification is offered in the premium list may be entered in a show for Exhibition Only at the regular entry fee provided the dog has been awarded first prize in one of the regular classes at a licensed or member show held prior to the closing of entries of the show in which the Exhibition Only entry is made, and provided further that the premium list has not specified that entries for Exhibition Only will not be accepted. The name and date of the show at which the dog was awarded the first prize must be stated on the entry form.
A dog entered for Exhibition Only shall not be shown in any class or competition at that show.

CHAPTER 4 APPROVAL OF JUDGES PANELS AND PREMIUM LISTS

SECTION 2. Premium lists and entry forms must be printed and sent to prospective exhibitors at least FIVE WEEKS prior to the closing date for entries of the show if sent by other than First Class Mail and at least FOUR WEEKS if sent by First Class Mail. Four copies of the premium list must be sent to The American Kennel Club at time of distribution.

SECTION 3. Premium lists and entry forms, in order to ensure uniformity, must conform to The American Kennel Club official size of from 51 2 x 81 2 inches to 6 x 9 inches and the entry form must conform in every respect with the official form, sample of which may be had without charge by application to the Secretary of The American Kennel Club.

CHAPTER 5 RIBBONS, PRIZES AND TROPHIES

SECTION 2. Each ribbon or rosette, except those used at sanctioned matches, shall be at least 2 inches wide, and approximately 8 inches long; and bear on its face a facsimile of the seal of The American Kennel Club, the name of the prize, and the name of the show-giving club with numerals of year, date of show, and name of city or town where show is given.

SECTION 3. If ribbons are given at sanctioned matches, they shall be of the following colors, but may be of any design or size:
First prize Rose.
Second prize Brown.
Third prize Light Green.
Fourth prize Gray.
Special prize Green with pink edges.
Best of Breed Orange.
Best in Match Pink and Green.
Best of Opposite Sex to Best in Match Lavender.

SECTION 4. If money prizes are offered in a premium list of a show, a fixed amount for each prize must be stated. All other prizes offered in a premium list of a show must be accurately described or their monetary value must be stated. Alcoholic beverages will not be acceptable as prizes.

SECTION 5. A show-giving club shall not accept the donation of a prize for a competition not provided for at its show.

SECTION 6. All prizes offered in a premium list of a show must be offered to be awarded in a regular procedure of judging for outright award to the owner and/or breeder of the dog.

SECTION 7. Prizes may be offered for outright award at a show for the following placings:
First, Second, Third, Fourth in the Puppy, Novice, Bred-by-Exhibitor, American-bred or Open Classes, or in any division of these designated in the Classification.
First, Second, Third, Fourth in any additional class which the show-giving club may offer in accord with the provisions of Chapter 3, Section 12, and in the Miscellaneous Class (at all-breed shows only).
Winners, Reserve Winners, Best of Winners, Best of Breed or Variety, Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed or Variety.
At all-breed shows only: First, Second, Third, Fourth in a Group Class and for Best in Show, Best Brace in Show and Best Team in Show.

SECTION 8. At specialty shows held apart from all-breed shows, prizes, for outright award, may also be offered for:
Best in Puppy Classes, Best in Twelve-to-Eighteen Month Classes, Best in Novice Classes, Best in Bred-by-Exhibitor Classes, Best in American-bred Classes, Best in Open Classes, Best in any additional classes which the show-giving club may offer in accord with the provisions of Chapter 3, Section 12, in which the sexes are divided.
(In breeds in which there are varieties, a prize may be offered for Best in any of the above classes within the variety.)

SECTION 9. At all-breed shows, prizes may be offered on a three-time win basis for the following awards, provided permanent possession goes to the owner and/or breeder winning the award three times, not necessarily with the same dog, and further provided such prizes are offered by the show-giving club itself or through it for competition at its shows only:
Best in Show, Best in any one group class.

SECTION 10. At specialty shows, prizes may be offered on a three-time win basis for the following awards, provided permanent possession goes to the owner and/or breeder winning the award three times, not necessarily with the same dog, and further provided such prizes are offered by the specialty club itself, or through it, for competition at its specialty shows only:
Best of Breed or Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed (where a specialty club considers the classes at an all-breed show as its specialty show, there can be no award for Best of Breed in those breeds in which there are varieties), Best of Variety of Breed or Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Variety, Best of Winners, Winners Dog and Winners Bitch, and First in any regular class or non-regular class. (Effective 3/10/98)

SECTION 11. Perpetual prizes and such three-time win prizes as have been in competition prior to September 9, 1952, and which would not be allowed under the terms of the sections in this Chapter will continue to be permitted to be offered under the terms of their original provisions until won outright or otherwise retired. Should premium list copy submitted to the AKC for approval contain such non-allowable prizes, a certification by the Club Secretary stating that the prizes have been in competition prior to September 9, 1952, must be included.

SECTION 12. Regular Specials are prizes offered by show-giving member or non-member specialty clubs for outright and automatic award at any show where the terms have been published in full in the premium list and catalog of the show. No prize may be offered for an award higher than Best of Breed or Best of Variety of Breed. It shall be the obligation of specialty clubs offering such regular specials to notify superintendents, show secretaries and show-giving clubs that said prizes may be offered provided the terms are set forth in full in the premium list and catalog of the show. The specialty club will be solely responsible for the distribution of such prizes within 60 days after the completion of a show when it has been determined that all the terms of the awards have been met. No show-giving club is obligated to accept an offering of regular specials.

CHAPTER 6 PREMIUM LISTS AND CLOSING OF ENTRIES

SECTION 2. The premium list shall contain the following: a list of the officers of the show-giving club with the address of the secretary, a list of the members of the Bench Show Committee (there must be at least five) together with the designation of "Chairman" and the Chairman s address (and "Obedience Trial Chairman" if an obedience trial is being held by a club in connection with its dog show), the names of the veterinarians (or name of local Veterinary Association) and, for an Unbenched show, whether the veterinarian will be in attendance throughout the show hours or "on call," the names and addresses of the judges, together with their assignments, and the name and address of the superintendent or show secretary who has been approved by The American Kennel Club. The premium list shall also specify whether the show is Benched or Unbenched, and shall give the exact location of the show, the date or dates on which it is to be held, and the times of opening and closing of the show.

SECTION 2A. A show-giving club may, at its option, use a condensed form of premium list which shall be identical with the content and format of a regular premium list, and comply with all the pertinent rules except that the listing of breed prizes and trophies offered is omitted as well as the listing of all prizes and trophies offered for an obedience trial if held by the show-giving club with its show. Such prizes and trophies as are offered for Best in Show and group placements are to be included in a condensed premium list as well as any schedule of class cash prizes that a club proposes to offer.
The conditions of all prizes and trophies offered must conform to the provisions of Chapter 5 of these rules and Chapter 1, Sections 18, 20, 21 and 29 of the Obedience Regulations. A club using a condensed form of premium list is obligated to prepare lists of the breed and obedience prizes and trophies for distribution to prospective entrants and exhibitors on request. Such lists can be printed, multilithed, multigraphed, mimeographed or typed (and photostated) on paper of any suitable size with both sides of the paper being used if the club wishes. In each condensed form of premium list there must be the notation: "A list of breed and obedience prizes and trophies offered can be obtained by writing to (name and address of club secretary and/or superintendent and address)."
A club which chooses to use a condensed form of premium list may also prepare for printing a regular premium list for other than mail distribution. The regular premium list can then be used to fill requests for a listing of breed and obedience prizes and trophies offered and no separate list of breed and obedience prizes and trophies need be prepared.
An obedience trial-giving club may, at its option, use a condensed form of premium list which shall be identical with the content and format of a regular premium list, and comply with all the pertinent rules and regulations except that the listing of prizes and trophies offered is omitted. When a condensed form of premium list is used, the same procedure is to be followed with respect to the prize and trophy list as is required of show-giving clubs and as is set forth in this section.

SECTION 3. Except at specialty club shows, the general classification of recognized breeds divided into seven groups and in the same order as set forth in Chapter 2, of the Rules Applying to Registration and Discipline, with the varieties of distinct breeds as described in Section 1 of this Chapter added thereto, in their proper groups and alphabetical position, shall be published in the premium list.

SECTION 4. If an all-breed club or association permits a specialty club to consider the classes at its show as its specialty show, the winner of Best of Breed or Best of Variety of Breed if no Best of Breed is awarded, may compete in the group classes of the all-breed show.

SECTION 5. If more than one judge has been approved to judge a specialty show held apart from an all-breed show, the premium list must designate the particular assignments of each judge as approved by The American Kennel Club, except when the specialty club has requested and received approval for the drawing of assignments at the show, in which case a statement to this effect shall appear in the premium list in place of designated assignments.

SECTION 6. A show-giving club shall assume the responsibility of collecting all recording fees for The American Kennel Club, which fact shall be stated in the premium list.

SECTION 7. Bench show committees may make such regulations or additional rules for the government of their shows as shall be considered necessary, provided such regulations or additional rules do not conflict with any rule of The American Kennel Club, and provided they do not discriminate between breeds or between dogs entered in show classes and those entered in obedience classes in the required hour of arrival and the hour of removal. If permission is granted to a club other than the show-giving club for the holding of an obedience trial in connection with a dog show, the obedience club so authorized must comply with the show-giving club's rules adopted hereunder.
Such regulations or additional rules shall be printed in the premium list and violations thereof shall be considered the same as violations of the rules and regulations of The American Kennel Club.

SECTION 8. No prizes may be accepted or offered by a show-giving club unless they are published in the premium list of the show or in the separate list of prizes if the condensed form of premium list is used; nor may any be withdrawn or the conditions thereof changed after they have been published in the premium list or in the separate list of prizes.
If the donor of a prize that has been published in the premium list of a show or in the separate list of prizes shall fail to furnish the prize, the show-giving club shall promptly supply a prize of the same description and of no less value.
The show-giving club shall be responsible for all errors made in publishing offers of prizes and shall, in the event of error, award prizes of equal value; except that if an error has been made in the premium list or in the separate list of prizes in publishing the conditions of a specialty club's Regular Specials (as described in Chapter 5, Section 12) prizes shall be awarded according to the current terms of the specialty club's Regular Specials.

SECTION 9. Every premium list shall specify the date and time at which entries for a show shall close. The premium list shall also specify the name and address of the Superintendent or Show Secretary who is to receive the entries. For all shows other than specialty shows, the specified closing date and time must be no later than as outlined in the following schedule:
For a show which opens on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, entries accepted not later than noon on the third Wednesday prior to the show.
For a show which opens on Tuesday, entries accepted not later than noon on the third Thursday prior to the show.
For a show which opens on Wednesday, entries accepted not later than noon the third Friday prior to the show.
For a show which opens on Thursday, entries accepted not later than noon on the third Wednesday prior to the show.
Whenever the closing day noted above falls on a postal holiday, entries received in the first mail only on the following day may be accepted.

CHAPTER 7 JUDGES

No Judge shall be granted a license to be an annual superintendent.
No Judge shall be eligible to judge any assignment at a licensed or member show if he or she resides in the same household with any person who does not meet the occupational eligibility requirements to judge as described in this section.

SECTION 2. The application for license to judge must be made on a form which will be supplied by The American Kennel Club upon request and when received by said club will be placed before the Board of Directors of The American Kennel Club who shall determine in each instance whether a license shall be issued.

SECTION 3. The American Kennel Club will not approve as judge for any given show the superintendent, show secretary, or show veterinarians, or club officials of said show acting in any one of these three capacities, and such persons cannot officiate or judge at such show under any circumstances.

SECTION 4. Only those persons whose names are on The American Kennel Club's list of eligible judges may, in the discretion of The American Kennel Club, be approved to judge at any member or licensed show, except that if it becomes necessary to replace an advertised judge after the opening of the show and no person on the eligible judges list is available to take his place, the Bench Show Committee may select as a substitute for the advertised judge a person whose name is not on the eligible judges list provided such person is not currently suspended from the privileges of The American Kennel Club, is not currently suspended as a judge and is not ineligible to judge under the provisions of Sections 1 and 3 of this Chapter.

SECTION 5. The American Kennel Club may in its discretion approve as a judge of any sanctioned match, futurity or sweepstake a person who is not currently suspended from the privileges of The American Kennel Club or whose judging privileges are not currently suspended.

SECTION 6. Bench show committees or superintendents shall, in every instance, notify appointed judges of the breeds and group classes upon which they are to pass, and such notifications shall be given before the publication of the premium lists.

SECTION 7. Bench show committees or superintendents shall not add to or subtract from the number of breeds or variety groups which a selected judge has agreed to pass upon without first notifying said judge of and obtaining his consent to the contemplated change in his assigned breeds or variety groups, and the judge when so notified may refuse to judge any breeds or variety groups added to his original assignment.

SECTION 8. A bench show committee which shall be informed at any time prior to TEN DAYS before the opening day of its show that an advertised judge will not fulfill his or her engagement to judge shall substitute a judge in his or her place, which substitute judge must be approved by The American Kennel Club, and shall give notice of the name of the substitute judge to all those who have entered dogs in the classes allotted to be judged by the advertised judge. All those who have entered dogs to be shown under the advertised judge shall be permitted to withdraw their entries no later than one half-hour prior to the scheduled start of any regular conformation judging at the show, and the entry fees paid for entering such dogs shall be refunded.
Since an entry can be made only under a breed judge, changes in Group or Best in Show assignments do not entitle an exhibitor to a refund.

SECTION 9. Should a Bench Show committee be informed at any time within ten days before the opening of its show, or after its show has opened, that an advertised judge will not fulfill his or her engagement to judge, it shall substitute a qualified judge in his or her place, and shall obtain approval of the change from The American Kennel Club if time allows.
No Notice need be sent to those exhibitors who have entered dogs under the advertised judge.
The Bench Show Committee will be responsible for having a notice posted in a prominent place within the show precincts as soon after the show opens as is practical informing exhibitors of the change in judges. An exhibitor who has entered a dog under an advertised judge who is being replaced may withdraw such entry and shall have the entry fee refunded, provided notice of such withdrawal is given to the Superintendent or Show Secretary prior to the start of the judging of the breed which is to be passed upon by a substitute judge.

SECTION 10. In case an advertised judge shall have judged part of the classes of a breed and then finds it impossible to finish, a substitute judge shall be selected by the bench show committee, and in that event the awards made by the regular judge shall stand, and his or her substitute shall judge only the remaining entries in the breed. No dogs entered under the regularly selected judge shall be withheld from competition.

SECTION 11. A substitute judge shall finish the judging of the breed class or group he or she is adjudicating upon if he or she has begun to judge before the advertised judge arrives at the show.

SECTION 12. Any club or association that holds a dog show must prepare, after the entries have closed and not before, a judging program showing the time scheduled for the judging of each breed and each variety for which entries have been accepted. If a substitute or additional judge has been approved Chapter 7, Section 8 or Chapter 7, Section 13, as appropriate will be quoted listing the changes. The judging program shall indicate the number of dogs entered and state the time for the start of group judging, if any. The program shall be based on the judging of about 25 dogs per hour by each judge. Each judge's breed and variety assignments shall be divided into periods of about one hour, except in those cases where the entry in a breed or variety exceeds 30. The total number of dogs assigned each judge will be indicated. Forty-five minutes to one hour must be allowed for rest or meals if a judge's assignment exceeds five hours. A copy of the program and identification slip for each dog entered shall be mailed to the owner no later than one week before the date of the event. Two copies of the program shall be mailed to the Show Plans Department at the same time they are mailed to exhibitors.
The judging program shall be printed in the catalog.
No judging shall occur at any show prior to the time specified in the judging program.

SECTION 13. The maximum number of dogs assigned in the breed judging to any judge, in one day, shall never exceed 175 except that a judge of a specialty show may be assigned a maximum of 200 dogs. If the specialty is held as part of an all-breed show, the increased limit will only apply if the judge is not assigned any other breed, a Group or Best in Show.
If a show-giving club so elects, it may place a limit of its own choosing lower than any of the limits provided for in the rule notifying The American Kennel Club of its intention at the time the judging panel is submitted for approval. This limit will then govern the need for additional judges if, when the entries for the show have closed, any judge on the panel has drawn more dogs than the limit set by the club.
When the entries have closed, if the entry under any judge exceeds the above limits, the Bench Show Committee must select some other judge or judges to whom sufficient breeds or varieties can be assigned, to bring the total assignment of every judge within and as close as possible to the limit. If a judge is assigned four or fewer breeds, the assignment shall be reduced first by reassigning to another judge sufficient classes from one breed to eliminate the overload, with any non-regular classes in that breed being the first removed. The same procedure shall then be followed for as many breeds as necessary until the overload is eliminated. This will apply whether or not the breed in question involves varieties.
Notice must be sent to the owner of each dog affected by such a change in judges at least five days before the opening of the show, and the owner has the right to withdraw his entry and have his entry fee refunded provided notification of his withdrawal is received no later than one half-hour prior to the start of any regular conformation judging at the show, by the Superintendent or Show Secretary named in the premium list to receive entries.

SECTION 14. A judge shall not exhibit his dogs or take any dog belonging to another person into the ring at any show at which he is officiating, nor shall he pass judgment in his official capacity upon any dog which he or any member of his immediate household or immediate family (as defined in Chapter 3, Section 7) has handled in the ring more than twice during the preceding twelve months.

SECTION 15. A judge's decision shall be final in all cases affecting the merits of the dogs. Full discretionary power is given to the judge to withhold any, or all, prizes for want of merit. After a class has once been judged in accordance with these rules and regulations, it shall not be rejudged. A class is considered judged when the judge has marked his book which must be done before the following class is examined. If any errors have been made by the judge in marking the awards as made, he may correct the same but must initial any such corrections.

SECTION 16. A judge may order any person or dog from the ring. For the purpose of facilitating the judging, judges are required to exclude from the rings in which they are judging all persons except the steward or stewards and the show attendants assigned to the ring and those actually engaged in exhibiting.

When a judge finds it necessary to excuse a person or dog from the ring under the provisions of this section, that judge shall mark the judge's book "excused" and briefly describe the reason for this action.

SECTION 17. A judge shall be supplied with a book called the judge s book in which he shall mark all awards and all absent dogs. The original judges books at shows shall be in the custody of the judge, steward, superintendent, or superintendent s assistant. None other shall be allowed access to them. At the conclusion of the judging, the book must be signed by the judge and any changes which may have been made therein initialed by him.

SECTION 18. A judge's decision, as marked in the judge's book, cannot be changed by him after filing, but an error appearing in the judge's book may be corrected by The American Kennel Club after consultation with the judge.

SECTION 19. Only one judge shall officiate in each Group Class and only one judge shall select the Best in Show.

The Board of Directors suggests that whenever possible the Best in Show be determined by one who has not already judged any breed or group class of said show.
Except in hardship cases, when an exception may be approved for a specific show, a judge will not be approved to judge a breed and, at the same show, the Variety Group of which the breed is a part and Best in Show.

SECTION 20. If a judge disqualifies a dog at any show, he shall make a note in the judge s book giving his reasons for such disqualification. In computing the championship points for a breed, said dog shall not be considered as having been present at the show.

CHAPTER 8 SELECTION OF SUPERINTENDENT, SHOW SECRETARY AND VETERINARIANS

CHAPTER 9 SUPERINTENDENTS AND SHOW SECRETARIES

SECTION 2. Any qualified person may make application to The American Kennel Club for approval to act as Show Secretary of a dog show.

While there is no numerical limit on the number of Specialty Shows that a Show Secretary may be approved to service, a person will be approved to act as Show Secretary for the show or shows of only one all-breed dog club in a calendar year.
An individual wishing to service the shows of more than one all-breed dog club in a calendar year, must hold a license from The American Kennel Club as Superintendent.

SECTION 3. Bench Show Committees will be responsible for making complete arrangements with each one of the veterinarians selected to service the show. In the event that a recognized Veterinary Association is to furnish the veterinarians, the complete arrangements shall be made with Secretary of the Association.

SECTION 4. Superintendents and Show Secretaries shall have on hand at every show the various official American Kennel Club forms for the use of veterinarians.

SECTION 5. Superintendents and Show Secretaries shall be prepared, at any show, to furnish the forms to be used by any exhibitor or handler who seeks a health examination of a dog. Upon the filing of the completed form by any exhibitor or handler who seeks a health examination of a dog, it shall be the superintendent's and show secretary's duty to see that the owner or agent of the dog takes his dog to the "Veterinarian Headquarters" for the examination.

SECTION 6. At Benched shows and at Unbenched shows if the club elects to have a veterinarian in attendance, Superintendents and Show Secretaries will be responsible for providing a suitable space which will serve as the Headquarters of the Show Veterinarians. At an indoor show the space will be marked off in some adequate way and a sign "Veterinarian Headquarters" must be prominently displayed. At an outdoor show, the Headquarters must be arranged so that the veterinarians are afforded protection from the weather.
At unbenched shows, with a veterinarian "on call," the Superintendent's or Show Secretary's Office shall serve as "Veterinarian Headquarters."

SECTION 7. At benched shows and unbenched shows if the club elects to have a veterinarian in attendance, Superintendents and Show Secretaries are required, with their report of a show, to list the names of all veterinarians who served at a show and give the hours that each veterinarian was present.

SECTION 8. Superintendents and Show Secretaries shall have the sole authority to enforce the rules having to do with the benching of dogs.

SECTION 9. Superintendents and Show Secretaries shall have the sole authority to excuse a dog from being shown on the recommendation of the veterinarian under Chapter 10, Section 3 (c) and to release dogs from a show prior to the published time for the releasing of dogs, except in the event that a dog has been dismissed from a show by a veterinarian under Chapter 10, Section 3 (b).

SECTION 10. Bench show committees and superintendents of dog shows shall be held responsible for the enforcement of all rules and regulations relating to shows and must provide themselves with a copy of The American Kennel Club rules and regulations for reference.

SECTION 11. The Bench Show or Obedience Trial Committee will be held accountable for the maintenance of clean and orderly conditions throughout the precincts of the show during all hours when dogs are permitted to be present.

SECTION 12. Any reputable person or superintending organization in good standing with The American Kennel Club may apply to said Club for license to act as Superintendent of a Dog Show, which application must be made on a form which will be supplied by said Club upon request. When the application is received by The American Kennel Club, its Board of Directors shall determine whether the applicant is reasonably qualified from training and experience to act as Superintendent of a Dog Show and whether a license shall be issued to said applicant.
The fee for being granted a yearly license to be a Superintendent and the fee for renewal of said license each year shall be determined by the Board of Directors of The American Kennel Club. The fee for being granted a license to superintend one show and/or one field trial only shall be determined in like manner.
No yearly license will be issued to any person or superintending organization until having superintended at least three dog shows.

No annual superintendent shall be granted a license to be a judge.
A Superintendent, an individual licensed to superintend events as an employee of the Superintendent, any other employee of the Superintendent, any individual with an ownership interest in a superintending organization, or any person residing in the same household as any of the foregoing, shall not exhibit or act as agent or handler at any show held thirty days before or after a show which the Superintendent has been approved to service by The American Kennel Club.
Dogs owned wholly or in part by a Superintendent, an individual licensed to superintend events as an employee of the Superintendent, any other employee of the superintendent, any individual with an ownership interest in a superintending organization, or any person residing in the same household as any of the foregoing, shall be ineligible to be entered at any show held thirty days before or after a show which the Superintendent has been approved to service by The American Kennel Club.
For the purpose of this section, the employees of a Superintendent would include only those individuals who represent the Superintendent or superintending organization at dog shows.

CHAPTER 10 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF SHOW VETERINARIANS

SECTION 2. Every club that holds a licensed or member show shall employ one or more veterinarians who are qualified as described in Section 1, to serve in an official capacity. At Benched shows at least one of these veterinarians shall be in attendance during the entire progress of the show, except that at Unbenched shows the club may elect to have a veterinarian "on call." The duties of the veterinarians shall be to give advisory opinions to Bench Show Committees when requested, to examine the health of dogs at the request of exhibitors and handlers and to render first aid to dogs in cases of sickness or injury occurring at the show.
Show veterinarians are not to be called on to treat dogs for physical conditions that existed before they were brought to the show.

SECTION 3. Veterinarians serving a show will have complete authority to:
(a) Reject any dog at the entrance to a show's premises which he considers may endanger the health of other dogs;
(b) Dismiss any dog that has been admitted to a show which he considers may endanger the health of other dogs;
(c) Recommend to the superintendent or show secretary the excusing of any dog from being shown or from the show premises provided he considers that the showing of the dog in the ring or its remaining within the show premises would impair the dog's health.
In all cases where a dog is rejected, dismissed or recommended for excusing from judging or the show premises, the veterinarian shall complete a form, which will be provided, giving the basis for his decision, or opinion, and shall file the form with the superintendent or show secretary.

SECTION 4. Veterinarians may request exhibitors and handlers to open dogs' mouths, but when they consider it necessary may do so themselves, provided however that in the latter instance they wear rubber gloves and take proper sanitary precautions.

SECTION 5. Upon the presentation at the "Veterinarians Headquarters" of a dog whose health has been questioned by an exhibitor or handler, it shall be the duty of one of the show veterinarians, as soon as practical, to make an examination of the dog. If he considers that the dog should be dismissed from the show, he will ask the superintendent or show secretary to see that the dog is removed.

SECTION 6. At benched shows, and unbenched shows if the club elects to have a veterinarian in attendance, veterinarians will be expected to make full use of the area provided for them as a Headquarters. Where practical, at least one veterinarian should be in attendance at the Headquarters during the entire time that the show is in progress.

CHAPTER 11 DOG SHOW ENTRIES, CONDITIONS OF DOGS AFFECTING ELIGIBILITY

SECTION 2. At every show held under the rules of The American Kennel Club, a recording fee not to exceed 50 cents may be required for every dog entered. This recording fee is to help defray expenses involved in keeping the show records, and applies to all dogs entered. If a dog is entered in more than one class at a show, the recording fee applies only to first entry. The Board of Directors shall determine, from time to time, whether a recording fee shall be required, and the amount of it.

SECTION 3. Every dog must be entered in the name of the person who actually owned the dog at the time entries closed. The right to exhibit a dog cannot be transferred. A registered dog which has been acquired by some person other than the owner as recorded with The American Kennel Club must be entered in the name of its new owner at any show for which entries close after the date upon which the dog was acquired, and application for transfer of ownership must be sent to The American Kennel Club by the new owner within seven days after the last day of the show. The new owner should state on the entry form that transfer application has been mailed to The American Kennel Club or will be mailed shortly. If there is any unavoidable delay in obtaining the completed application required to record the transfer, The American Kennel Club may grant a reasonable extension of time, provided the new owner notifies the Show Records Department of The American Kennel Club by mail within seven days after the show, of the reason for the delay. If an entry is made by a duly authorized agent of the owner, the name of the actual owner must be shown on the entry form. If a dog is owned by an association, the name of the association and a list of its officers must be shown on the entry form.

SECTION 4. To be acceptable, an entry must be submitted with required entry fee, on an official American Kennel Club entry form, signed by the owner or his duly authorized agent, and must include all of the following information: Name of the club holding the show; date of the show; breed; variety, if any; sex; full description of the class or classes in which entered; full name of dog; individual registration number or AKC litter number or for a dog entered in the Miscellaneous Class, ILP number; name and address of the actual owner or owners. For a dog whelped outside the U.S.A. that is not AKC-registered, the entry form must show the individual foreign registration number and country of birth. In addition, an entry in the Puppy, Twelve-to-Eighteen Month, Novice, Bred-by-Exhibitor, or American-bred Class must include the place of birth; an entry in the Puppy Class and the Twelve-to-Eighteen Month Class must include the date of birth; and an entry in the Bred-by-Exhibitor Class must include the name or names of the breeder or breeders.
No entry may be accepted unless it is received by the Superintendent or Show Secretary named in the premium list to receive entries prior to the closing date and hour as published in the premium list, or in the case of a limited entry, prior to the time the limit is reached. All the requirements of the foregoing paragraph and all other specific requirements printed in the premium list must be met before an entry can be considered acceptable.

SECTION 5. No entry shall be made and no entry shall be accepted by a Superintendent or Show Secretary which specifies any condition as to its acceptance.

SECTION 6. No entry may be changed or canceled unless notice of the change or cancellation is received in writing or by telegram by the Superintendent or Show Secretary named in the premium list to receive entries, prior to the closing date and hour for entries, except that a correction may be made in the sex of a dog, or a dog may be transferred from one division of the Puppy Class to another or between Puppy and Twelve-to-Eighteen-Month Class at a show prior to the judging, and except that dogs which according to their owners' records have completed the requirements for a championship after the closing of entries for a show but whose championships are unconfirmed, may be transferred from one of the regular classes to the Best of Breed or Variety competition, provided this transfer is made by the Superintendent or Show Secretary at least one half-hour prior to the scheduled start of any regular conformation judging at the show. No dog may otherwise be transferred to another class. Owners are responsible for errors in the entry forms, regardless of who may make such errors. (Effective 3/10/98)

SECTION 7. No entry shall be made under a kennel name unless that name has been registered with The American Kennel Club. All entries made under a kennel name must be signed with the kennel name followed by the word "registered." An "exhibitor" or "entrant" is the individual or, if a partnership, all the members of the partnership exhibiting or entering in a dog show. In the case of such an entry by a partnership every member of the partnership shall be in good standing with The American Kennel Club before the entry will be accepted; and in case of any infraction of these rules, all the partners shall be held equally responsible.

SECTION 8. A dog which is blind, deaf, castrated, spayed, or which has been changed in appearance by artificial means except as specified in the standard for its breed, or a male which does not have two normal testicles normally located in the scrotum, may not compete at any show and will be disqualified except that a castrated male may be entered as Stud Dog in the Stud Dog Class and a spayed bitch may be entered as Brood Bitch in the Brood Bitch Class. A dog will not be considered to have been changed by artificial means because of removal of dewclaws or docking of tail if it is of a breed in which such removal or docking is a regularly approved practice which is not contrary to the standard. Neutered dogs and spayed bitches would be allowed to compete in Veterans Classes only at independent specialties and/or those all-breed shows which do not offer any competitive classes beyond Best of Breed.
When a judge finds any of these conditions in any dog he is judging, he shall disqualify the dog marking his book "Disqualified" and stating the reason. He shall not obtain the opinion of the show veterinarian.
When a dog has been disqualified at a show as being blind, deaf, castrated, spayed or changed in appearance by artificial means except as specified in the standard for its breed, any awards taken by such dog at that show shall be canceled by The American Kennel Club and the dog may not again compete unless and until, following application by the owner to The American Kennel Club, that owner has received official notification from The American Kennel Club that the dog s show eligibility has been reinstated.
When a dog has been disqualified under the standard for its breed, or when a male has been disqualified as not having two normal testicles normally located in the scrotum, on three separate occasions, by three different judges, such dog may not again be shown. When a dog has been so disqualified at a show, any awards taken by the dog at that show shall be canceled by The American Kennel Club.

When the judge of a sweepstakes or futurity finds that a dog is ineligible to compete under this section, the dog should be excused. A dog may only be disqualified in a sweepstakes or futurity under the provisions of Chapter 11, Section 8-A.
A dog is considered changed in appearance by artificial means if it has been subjected to any type of procedure that has the effect of obscuring, disguising or eliminating any congenital or hereditary abnormality or any undesirable characteristic, or that does anything to improve a dog's natural appearance, temperament, bite or gait.
Even procedures which are absolutely necessary to the health and comfort of a dog shall disqualify that dog from competition if the former had the incidental effect of changing or even improving the dog's appearance, bite or gait.

Procedures that would in and of themselves be cosidered a change in appearance by artificial means and make a dog ineligible for shows include, but are not limited to:
1. The correction of entropion, ectropion, trichiasis, or distichaisis
2. Trimming, removal or tattooing of the third eyelid (nicitating membrane)
3. The insertion of an eye prosthesis
4. Correction of harelip, cleft palate, stenotic nares, or an elongated soft palate resection
5. Any procedure to change ear set or carriage other than that permitted by the breed standard
6. Restorative dental procedures, the use of bands or braces on teeth, or any alteration of the dental arcade
7. The removal of excess skin folds or the removal of skin patches to alter markings
8. Correction of inguinal, scrotal or perineal hernias
9. Surgery for hip dysplasia, O.C.D., patellar luxation and femoral head resection
10. Alteration of the location of the testes or the insertion of an artificial testicle
11. Altering the set or carriage of the tail

SECTION 8-A. A dog that in the opinion of the judge menaces or threatens or exhibits any sign that it may not be safely approached by the judge or examined by the judge in the normal manner shall be excused from the ring. When the judge excuses the dog, he shall mark the dog "Excused," stating the reason in the judge's book. A dog so excused shall not be counted as having competed.
A dog that in the opinion of the judge attacks any person in the ring shall be disqualified. When the judge disqualifies the dog, he shall mark the dog "Disqualified," stating the reason in the judge's book. When a dog has been disqualified under this section, any awards at that show shall be canceled by The American Kennel Club, and the dog may not again compete unless and until, following application by the owner to The American Kennel Club, the owner has received official notification from The American Kennel Club that the dog s show eligibility has been reinstated.

SECTION 8-B. A dog that is lame at any show may not compete and shall not receive any award at that show. It shall be the judge's responsibility to determine whether a dog is lame. He shall not obtain the opinion of the show veterinarian. If in the judge's opinion a dog in the ring is lame, he shall withhold all awards from such dog and shall excuse it from the ring. A dog so excused shall not be counted as having competed. When a judge excuses a dog from the ring for lameness, he shall mark his book "Excused-lame."

SECTION 8-C. No dog shall be eligible to compete at any show and no dog shall receive any award at any show in the event the natural color or shade of natural color or the natural markings of the dog have been altered or changed by the use of any substance whether such substance may have been used for cleaning purposes or for any other reason. Such cleaning substances are to be removed before the dog enters the ring.
If in the judge's opinion any substance has been used to alter or change the natural color or shade of natural color or natural markings of a dog, then in such event the judge shall withhold any and all awards from such dog, and the judge shall make a note in the judge's book giving his reason for withholding such award. The handler or the owner, or both, of any dog or dogs from which any award has been withheld for violation of this section of the rules, or any judge who shall fail to perform his duties under this section, shall be subject to disciplinary action.

SECTION 8-D. Any dog whose ears have been cropped or cut in any way shall be ineligible to compete at any show in any state where the laws prohibit the same except subject to the provisions of such laws.

SECTION 9. No dog shall be eligible to compete at any show, no dog shall be brought into the grounds or premises of any dog show, and any dog which may have been brought into the grounds or premises of a dog show shall immediately be removed if it:
(a) shows clinical symptoms of distemper, infectious hepatitis, leptospirosis or other communicable disease, or
(b) is known to have been in contact with distemper, infectious hepatitis, leptospirosis or other communicable disease within thirty days prior to the opening of the show, or
(c) has been kenneled within thirty days prior to the opening of the show on premises on which there existed distemper, infectious hepatitis, leptospirosis or other communicable disease.

SECTION 10. A club may engage dogs not entered in its show as a special attraction provided the written approval of The American Kennel Club is first obtained.

SECTION 11. Only dogs that are eligible to be shown under The American Kennel Club rules shall be allowed within the show precincts, except that dogs engaged as a special attraction with American Kennel Club approval may also be present.
There shall be no benching, nor offering for sale or breeding, nor any displaying of unentered dogs. These dogs shall be subject to all rules relating to health and veterinarians. The owners or agents shall be responsible for the care and safety of such dogs.
If, because of space consideration or other reason, a club wishes to restrict the presence of unentered dogs from some part or all of the show precincts, such restriction shall be stated in the premium list.

SECTION 12. Any person acting in the capacity of Superintendent (or Show Secretary where there is no Superintendent), at a show, or any person residing in the same household with the Superintendent or Show Secretary shall not exhibit, act as agent or handler at the show, and dogs owned wholly or in part by him or by any person residing in the same household with him shall be ineligible to be entered at that show. The official veterinarian shall not exhibit, act as agent or handler at the show, and the dogs owned wholly or in part by him shall not be eligible to be entered at that show.

A Superintendent, an individual licensed to superintend events as an employee of the Superintendent, any other employee of the Superintendent, or any person residing in the same household as any of the foregoing, shall not exhibit or act as agent or handler, at any show held thirty days before or after a show which the Superintendent has been approved to service by The American Kennel Club.
Dogs owned wholly or in part by a Superintendent, an individual licensed to superintend events as an employee of the Superintendent, any other employee of the Superintendent, or any person residing in the same household as any of the foregoing, shall be ineligible to be entered at any show held thirty days before or after a show which the Superintendent has been approved to service by The American Kennel Club.
For the purpose of this section, the employees of a Superintendent would include only those individuals who represent the Superintendent or superintending organization or dog shows.

SECTION 13. No judge or any person residing in the same household with a judge shall exhibit or act as agent or handler at a show at which he is officiating as judge and dogs owned wholly or in part by such judge or any member of his household shall be ineligible to be entered at such show. Subject to the foregoing, members of a judge's immediate family as defined in this section who no longer reside in the same household may enter or handle a dog at a show if the judge is not officiating over any competition, including a group class or Best in Show, for which the dog is entered or may become eligible.
No entry shall be made at any show under a judge of any dog which said judge or any member of his immediate household or immediate family has been known to have owned, handled in the ring more than twice, sold, held under lease or boarded within one year prior to the date of the show.
For the purposes of this section, the members of an immediate family are: husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister -in-law.

The above will apply to judges of sweepstakes or futurities held with licensed or member shows exactly as it does to judges of regular competition at shows.

SECTION 14. Any show-giving club which accepts an entry fee other than that published in its premium list, or in any way discriminates between exhibitors or entrants, shall be disciplined. No show-giving club shall offer to any one owner or handler any special inducement, such as trophies, reduced entry fees, rebates, additional prize money, or any other concession, for entering more than one dog in the show.

SECTION 15. A Bench Show Committee may decline any entries or may remove any dog from its show for cause, but in each such instance shall file good and sufficient reasons for so doing with The American Kennel Club.

CHAPTER 12 THE CATALOG

SECTION 2. Every catalog must bear on its cover or title page "This show is held under American Kennel Club rules."

SECTION 3. If the show shall be given by a club or association not a member of The American Kennel Club the words "Licensed Show" must be plainly printed on the title page of the catalog.

SECTION 4. The catalog shall be in book form from 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 inches to 6 x 9 inches in size. It shall contain the names and particulars of all dogs entered in the show, arranged as follows: catalog number; name of dog; AKC registration number, or litter number or "ILP" number of an unregistered dog, or foreign registration number and country for an unregistered imported dog; date of birth; name of breeder; names of sire and dam; name of owner; name of owner's agent if any. The catalog shall either give the address of the owner immediately after the owner's name under the identifying information for each dog entered, or shall include a separate alphabetical list of exhibitors' names and addresses. The entries shall be catalogued by groups, breeds, varieties, and regular classes, in the order given in Chapter 3. The information on dogs entered in any additional classes shall appear following the space provided for recording Winners Bitch and Reserve Winners Bitch followed by the particulars of those dogs entered for Best of Breed, except that the entries in Brace, Team, Stud Dog, Brood Bitch, or any other classes in which the judge's decision is based on the merits of more than one dog shall appear following the list of dogs entered for Best of Breed, and the space provided for Best of Breed, Best of Winners and Best of Opposite Sex awards. The particulars of those dogs entered for Exhibition Only shall appear following all other entries in the breed or variety.
Additional requirements for format and contents of the catalog may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 5. The schedule of points toward championship governing each breed in the show shall be published in the catalog.

SECTION 6. All prizes offered in the premium list of a show or in the separate list of prizes if the condensed form of premium list is used, shall be printed in the catalog, and no change shall be made in the descriptions or conditions of these prizes, nor shall any prize or trophy be added that was not offered in the premium list or in the separate list of prizes.

CHAPTER 13 BENCHING OF DOGS

SECTION 2. The provisions of Section 1 also apply to a dog under 12 months of age except that it need not be benched until after the judging of the breed classes for which it is entered or becomes eligible and it may be in its crate until the judging of those classes. At a two day show it is required to be present only on the day it is to be judged.

SECTION 3. Failure to comply with these rules may cause cancellation of the dog's winnings, and subject the owner, handler, and Superintendent or Show Secretary to a fine and suspension of license and privileges.

SECTION 4. No signs shall be displayed on a bench except the plaque or emblem of a show-giving specialty club to which the dog's owner belongs, and signs not over 11 x 14 inches offering dogs or puppies for sale, or giving the kennel name and address of the owner, or the dog's name and a list of awards won by it at that show, or the name of a show-giving specialty club of which the dog's owner is a member. No prizes or ribbons shall be displayed on the bench except those won by the dog at that show.

CHAPTER 14 MEASURING, WEIGHING AND COLOR DETERMINATIONS WHEN FACTORS OF DISQUALIFICATION IN BREED STANDARDS OR ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF ACLASS OR DIVISION OF A CLASS CANCELLATION OF AWARDS

SECTION 2. Any club or association giving a dog show must provide arm cards and shall see that every person exhibiting a dog wears, when in the ring, an arm card containing thereon the catalog number of the dog being exhibited; but no badges, coats with kennel names thereon or ribbon prizes shall be worn or displayed, nor other visible means of identification used, by an individual when exhibiting a dog in the ring.

SECTION 3. In those breeds where certain heights are specified in the standard as disqualifications, or in any class the conditions of which include a height specification, the judge shall have the authority to make a determination as to whether any dog measures within the specified limits, provided such a determination has not been made previously during the competition at the show.
If, in the opinion of a competing exhibitor or handler then in the ring, the height of a dog under judgment appears not to be in accord with the breed standard or the conditions of the class, such exhibitor may, before every dog in the class has been individually examined and individually gaited, request that the judge make a determination as to whether the dog measures within the specified limits, and the judge shall comply with the request, provided such a determination has not been made previously during competition at the show.
In all cases, the judge shall use equipment that meets AKC requirements.
If the judge finds that the dog's height is in accord with the breed standard or the conditions of the class, he shall mark his judge's book "Measured in."
If the judge finds that the dog's height is not in accord with the breed standard, he shall disqualify the dog, marking his judge's book "Measured out-disqualified." A dog that has thus been disqualified by three different judges may not again be shown.
If the judge finds that the dog's height is not in accordance with the conditions of the class, he shall declare the dog ineligible for the class, marking the judge's book "Measured out-ineligible." A dog thus declared ineligible for its class shall be considered to have been wrongly entered and cannot be transferred to any other class at the show. A dog that has thus been found to be ineligible by three different judges may not again be shown in that class. However, the owner of such a dog may enter the dog in subsequent shows in another class, provided that he is satisfied that the dog measures within the height limit of that class.

SECTION 4. In those breeds where certain weights are specified in the standard as disqualifications, or in any class or division of a class the conditions of which include a weight specification, the judge shall have the authority to make a determination as to whether any dog weighs within the specified limits, provided such a determination has not been made previously during competition at the show.
If, in the opinion of a competing exhibitor or handler then in the ring, the weight of a dog under judgement appears not to be in accord with the breed standard or the conditions of the class or division in which it is competing, such exhibitor or handler may, before every dog in the class has been individually examined and individually gaited, request that the judge make a determination as to whether the dog weighs within the specified limits, and the judge shall comply with the request, provided such a determination has not been made previously during competition at the show.
In all cases, the judges shall use scales that meet AKC requirements.
If the judge finds that the dog's weight is in accord with the breed standard or the conditions of the class or division in which it is competing, he shall mark his judge's book "Weighed in."
If the judge finds that the dog's weight is not in accord with the breed standard, he shall disqualify the dog, marking his judge's book "Weighed out-disqualified." A dog that has thus been disqualified by three different judges may not again be shown. If the judge finds that the dog's weight is not in accord with the conditions of the class or division in which it is competing, he shall declare the dog ineligible for the class, marking his judge's book "Weighed out-ineligible." A dog thus declared ineligible for a class or division of a class shall be considered to have been wrongly entered and cannot be transferred to any other class or division at the show.

SECTION 5. Bench Show Committees shall be responsible for providing suitable equipment for determining eligibility with respect to height and accurate scales at every show.

Bench Show Committees for all-breed shows, or superintendents, if given this responsibility by the show committees, shall be required to have five large (17"-30") wickets and three small (10"-17") wickets available at every all-breed show. Show committees for specialty shows, or superintendents, if delegated this responsibility by the show committees, shall be responsible for having one wicket or the one set of wickets applicable to that breed, available at every show.
Clubs located in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico, as well as those clubs in the continental United States that have less than 1,000 entries at their events, will be exempted from this requirement.

SECTION 6. In those breeds where certain colors or markings are specified in the standard as disqualifications, or in any class or division of a class where a certain color, or colors or combinations of colors are required by the conditions of the class or division thereof, it shall be the judge's responsibility to determine whether a dog is to be disqualified or declared to be ineligible for the class.
If, in the opinion of the judge, the dog's color or markings are such as to require disqualification, the judge shall disqualify the dog, making note of the fact in the judge's book.
If, in the opinion of the judge, the dog's color or markings do not meet the requirements of the class or division of a class in which the dog is competing, the judge shall declare the dog ineligible to compete in that class or division of class, making note of the fact in the judge's book.
If, in the opinion of any competing exhibitor or handler then in the ring, the color or markings or combinations of colors of a dog under judgment are such as to disqualify under the standard or are such as not to meet the requirements of the class or division thereof, such exhibitor or handler may, before every dog in the class has been individually examined and individually gaited, request the judge to render an opinion of the dog's color(s) and markings. Before proceeding with the judging, the judge must write his opinion on an AKC form that will be supplied by the superintendent or show secretary for that purpose, and shall disqualify the dog if its color or markings are such as to require disqualification under the breed standard or shall declare the dog ineligible if the color or markings do not meet the requirements of the class or division thereof in which the dog is competing, in either case making note of the fact in the judge's book.
Any dog thus disqualifed by three different judges under the standard may not again be shown.
Any dog thus declared by the judge to be ineligible for a class or division thereof shall be considered to have been wrongly entered in the class and cannot be transferred to any other class or division at that show.

SECTION 7. If an ineligible dog has been entered in any licensed or member dog show, or if the name of the owner given on the entry form is not that of the person or persons who actually owned the dog at the time entries closed, or if shown in a class for which it has not been entered, or if its entry form is deemed invalid or unacceptable by The American Kennel Club under these rules, all resulting awards shall be canceled by The American Kennel Club. In computing the championship points, such ineligible dogs, whether or not they have received awards, shall be counted as having competed.

SECTION 8. If the catalog and/or the judge's book of any show shall by error or mistake set forth any information contrary to the information which appears on the entry form of the dog for that show, the Bench Show Committee and/or the Superintendent of the show, upon request of the owner or handler of said dog prior to the judging, shall correct the entry in the judge's book and in the marked catalog to be sent to The American Kennel Club and said dog properly may compete in all classes and for all prizes for which its entry form discloses it was properly entered.

SECTION 9. If an award in any of the regular classes is canceled, the dog judged next in order of merit shall be moved up and the award to the dog moved up shall be counted the same as if it had been the original award. If there is no dog of record to move up, the award shall be void.

SECTION 10. If the win of a dog shall be canceled by The American Kennel Club, the owner of the dog shall return all ribbons and prizes to the show-giving club within ten days of receipt of the notice of the cancellation from The American Kennel Club. The show-giving club shall in each instance of failure to comply with this rule notify The American Kennel Club of such failure and The American Kennel Club, upon receipt of such notice forthwith shall suspend the exhibitor so in default from all privileges of The American Kennel Club and notify the exhibitor so in default that it has done so, and said suspension shall continue until The American Kennel Club is notified that restitution has been made.

CHAPTER 15 PROTESTS AGAINST DOGS

SECTION 2. Any person who is handling a competing dog in the ring in any conformation competition may then verbally protest to the judge before every dog in the class has been individually examined and individually gaited, alleging that a dog being shown in the competition has a condition which makes it ineligible to compete under Chapter 11, Section 8, or Chapter 11, Section 8-C, of these rules or a condition requiring disqualification under the standard for the breed; except that a verbal protest alleging that the height or weight or natural color and markings of a dog requiring its disqualification under the breed standard or a determination of its ineligibility under the conditions of its class must be made under Chapter 14, Sections 3, 4 or 6.
When such a protest is made, it shall be the judge's responsibility to examine the dog for the alleged condition. If, following the examination the judge determines that disqualification is required under Chapter 11, Section 8, or under the breed standard, he shall mark the book "disqualified" stating the reason. If the judge finds that the protest is not sustained, he shall note in the judge's book the condition protested and his findings. He shall not obtain the opinion of the show veterinarian.
If the judge determines that the dog is ineligible to compete because of violation of Chapter 11, Section 8-C, he shall withhold any award to the dog and mark the judge's book "Ineligible to compete-award withheld," stating the reason for his decision.
A dog determined by a judge to be ineligible to compete under Chapter 11, Section 8-C, unless such determination is based on the use of a substance only for cleaning purposes, may not again be shown until an official record has been made by The American Kennel Club of its true color or markings. If the color and markings of the dog as recorded are such as not to be a disqualification under the standard of its breed, the dog's show eligibility will be reinstated.

CHAPTER 16 CHAMPIONSHIPS

SECTION 2. A dog which in its breed competition at a show shall have been placed Winners and which also shall have won its group class at the same show shall be awarded championship points figured at the highest point rating of any breed or recognized variety or height of any breed entered in the show and entitled to winners points in its group, or if it also shall have been designated Best in Show, shall be awarded championship points figured at the highest point rating of any breed or recognized variety or height of any breed entered and entitled to winners points in the show. The final points to be awarded under this section shall not be in addition to but inclusive of any points previously awarded the dog in its breed competition or under the provisions of this section.

SECTION 3. At shows in which the winners' classes of certain breeds are divided into recognized varieties of those breeds as specified in Section 1 of Chapter 3 of these Rules and Regulations, the procedure for computing championship points shall be the same as if each recognized variety were a separate breed.

SECTION 4. Any dog which shall have won fifteen points shall become a Champion of Record, if six or more of said points shall have been won at two shows with a rating of three or more championship points each and under two different judges, and some one or more of the balance of said points shall have been won under some other judge or judges than the two judges referred to above. A dog becomes a champion when it is so officially recorded by The American Kennel Club and when registered in the Stud Book shall be entitled to a championship certificate.

SECTION 5. Any dog that has been awarded the title of Champion of Record may be designated as a "Dual Champion," after it also has been awarded the title of Field Champion. Any dog that has been awarded the titles of Champion of Record, Obedience Trial Champion and Field Champion may be designated as a "Triple Champion."

CHAPTER 17 SUBMISSION OF A SHOW'S RECORDS TO AKC

SECTION 2. After each licensed or member club dog show, a catalog marked with all awards and absent dogs, certified to by the Superintendent or Show Secretary of the show, together with all judges' books and a report of the show, must be sent to The American Kennel Club so as to reach its office within seven (7) days after the close of the show. All original entry forms must be maintained by the Superintendent or Show Secretary for a period of 6 months after the show, and these original entry forms must be available to The American Kennel Club upon request during this 6 month period. Penalty for non-compliance twenty-five ($25.00) dollars, and five ($5.00) dollars for each day's delay beyond the deadline, and other such penalties as may be imposed by the Board of Directors of The American Kennel Club. All recording fees shall be paid to The American Kennel Club within seven (7) days after the close of the show.

CHAPTER 18 STEWARDS

The American Kennel Club Incorporated
RULES APPLYING TO DOG SHOWS

The italicized portions of this book are not rules but are either regulations or explanations.

The Rules Applying to Registration and Discipline, and forms for the registration of pure-bred dogs may be obtained by writing to or calling in person at the AKC offices.