AKC Conformation Shows

What people commonly refer to as the dog show. This is our hobby, we love showing our dogs and hanging around our handler friends.

What is AKC Conformation?

AKC conformation shows are not about tricks or obedience. Instead, they’re about how closely a dog matches the official breed standard set by the American Kennel Club. Judges look at each dog’s overall appearance, structure, and movement to see how well it represents the “blueprint” of its breed.

In simple terms, conformation is about preserving the best qualities of a breed by rewarding dogs that most closely fit the ideal — healthy, well-built, and true to what a Yorkshire Terrier is meant to be.

How the conformation show works

1. Class Competition (Dogs and Bitches are separate)

• Each breed is divided by sex (dogs vs. bitches).

• Within each sex, dogs are placed into classes (like Puppy, Bred By Exhibitor, Open, etc.).

• Dogs in the same class compete against each other for 1st place in their class.

• Once each class is judged, the 1st place winners move on.

2. Winners Dog & Winners Bitch

• All the 1st place class winners (dogs only) come back into the ring.

• Judge selects Winners Dog (WD) → earns championship points.

• Same process for bitches → Winners Bitch (WB) → also earns points.

• WD and WB are essentially the “best male” and “best female” of non-champions.

3. Reserve Winners

• After picking WD/WB, the judge also selects Reserve Winners Dog and Reserve Winners Bitch.

• Think of this like “runner-up.” They don’t get points unless it’s a big show (major).

4. Best of Breed Competition

• Now the champions (already finished dogs) enter.

• The judge calls in:

  • Winners Dog

  • Winners Bitch

  • All Champions of that breed

• From this group, the judge awards:

  • Best of Breed (BOB) – top dog of the breed.

  • Best of Opposite Sex (BOS) – best of the opposite gender of the BOB.

  • Select Dog/Bitch – honors for champions, sometimes earning Grand Champion points.

  • Best of Winners (BOW) – chosen between WD and WB, often earns extra points.

5. Group Competition

• Each BOB winner advances to their Group (e.g., Toy Group, Herding Group, Working Group, etc.).

• Judge selects placements 1st through 4th in the group.

• Group 1 moves on to the big final.

6. Best in Show

• The Group winners (all the Group 1s) compete against each other.

• Judge selects:

  • Best in Show (BIS) – the top dog of the entire show.

  • Reserve Best in Show (RBIS) – runner-up.