Dog Shows information reprinted from the American Kennel Club
Beginner's Guide To Dog Shows

For additional information contact:
American Kennel Club
5580 Centerview Drive
Raleigh, NC  27606
(919) 233-9767

Show Results

How Dog Show Works

Specialty Vs All-Breed

Championship Points

Road To Best In Show

Ribbons & Awards

Tips For Spectators

Point Schedule By Division

The American Kennel Club was established in 1884 to promote the study, breeding, exhibiting and advancement of purebred dogs.  It is the largest not-for-profit purebred dog registry in the nation.
     AKC approves and maintains the official records of over 11,000 sanctioned and licensed events each year.  These events, which draw nearly two million entries annually, include dog show, field trials, obedience trials, lure coursing, hunting tests, herding trials, tracking and coonhound events.
     The AKC has approximately 500 member clubs and over 4,000 affiliated clubs.  These clubs are more than show-giving entities.  They are public service, educational organizations whose activities benefit their entire community.   Some AKC club activities include:  public education through school presentations, fairs, libraries, shelters, hospitals, rescue leagues, scouts and 4-H; training classes; and health clinics.
     AKC registration means a dog, its parents and it ancestors are purebred, but it does not indicate health or quality.  Dogs registered with the AKC can have their offspring registered, compete in AKC events, and use AKC's full line of education and information services.

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Helpful AKC Resources, Programs & Services

The Complete Dog Book
a comprehensive glossary of dog-related terms, pictures, histories and standards of all AKC-recognized breeds.

Purebred Dogs/American Kennel GAZETTE a monthly magazine with articles on health, breeding, training and showing.  A supplement to the GAZETTE is the Event Calendar, a listing of upcoming shows, obedience trials, tracking tests, field trails and herding events.

American Kennel Club Dog Care and Training this book shows you how to select the right dog, how to keep it healthy and looking great and how to train it in the five basic commands every dog should know.

American Kennel Club Dog Care and Training Video a video on basic care and training that complements the  Dog Care and Training book.