Dog Shows

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

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.