Championship (dog) - Conformation Championship Requirements

Conformation Championship Requirements

A dog earns a championship with wins at a specified number of conformation shows, where a judge evaluates a dog's breed type and how closely the dog approaches the ideal represented in its breed's standard. Often there are requirements as to the number of dogs of the same breed that must be in competition at a show for championship requirements to be met. Each kennel club has its own criteria to follow in qualifying for a championship.

Examples:

• For the Kennel Club (UK) championship, a dog must gain 3 Challenge Certificates (CCs) from three different judges, one of which must be awarded when the dog is over 12 month old. There must be a sufficient entry of the breed at a Championship Show for the CC to be awarded.

• In Australia, dogs must accumulate 100 points, the maximum earned at any one time is 25 and the minimum is 6, according to the Australian National Kennel Council

• For the Canadian Kennel Club championship (Can. Ch), 10 points are needed for a championship, with wins under at least three different judges, and at least one "major" (a win over a specified number of dogs of that breed), totaling at least 2 points. The point schedule is the same across the country.

• For the American Kennel Club championship (Am. Ch), a dog attains its championship (Champion of Record) after earning fifteen points. Included in the fifteen points must be two "majors."

In New Zealand, a Challenge Certificate is given to the Best Dog and the Best Bitch. Dogs older than 6 months are eligible. You must attain 8, 5 of which must be under different judges, and 1 must have been attained when the dog reaches 1 year of age.

• For the United Kennel Club (US) (UKC Ch), a combination of points (for example, winning the class earns 10 points in non-variety breeds, 5 in variety breeds) and competition wins (including group placements and Best In Show/Reserve Best in Multi-Breed Show) are required. In UKC a dog must receive 100 points with at least three competition wins under three different judges. A competition win is a when a dog defeats at least one other dog and receives points. A UKC Grand Champion (GRCh) title is earned by winning in competition with other champions of the breed in at least five shows under at least three different judges.

• The Fédération Cynologique Internationale sponsors international shows that differ from other shows in that dogs first receive individual written descriptions of positive and negative qualities from the judge, and only dogs with high ratings go on to compete against other dogs in the class. A dog must receive four international Certificat d'Aptitude au Championnat International de Beauté to qualify for a championship; one must be won in the dog's own country, and at least two in two other countries under at least three different judges.

The above are representative of the policies of the major show-giving bodies, but any individual or group may offer championships and devise their own requirements.