Islewind started in Conformation with our dogs. So this is where most of our knowledge comes from.

Conformation is technically a beauty contest. The best dog doesn't always win though. Sometimes other aspects enter into the picture. Any of these reasons can mean the loss of the win for a dog: misbehaving, pacing, unequal presentation (grooming or handling), missed ring call, politics, etc. There are many others, but, those are the main ones.

All things being equal UKC and IKC events generally mean that dogs are judged as a dog beauty contest. Dogs are presented pretty much 'au natural'. These shows do not allow professional handlers. Nor would being a judge mean that you would win everything either. They are based on the old system of events and every owner handler has a chance to take the win.

How a Conformation CKC or AKC event works...

Each class enters the ring based on age and/or sex. Males go first starting wtih puppies and working up to adult dogs. There are many types of classes which can include but are not limited to: 6-9 month puppy, 9-12 month puppy, Bred By, Canadian or American Bred, and Open. In the US they also have breakdowns by colour as well as sex. Specialties or Nationals also include novice classes or 12-18 month classes. They can also include Altered classes (spayed/neutered), Veterans of various ages, Stud Dog, Broodbitch, Brace and Parades of Title Holders.

Anyway, back to the classes....

Each class is judged and the first 4 placements in each class receive a coloured ribbon.

Once all the male classes (or female classes) are done, the winners of each class (placed 1st) return to the ring together. Lined up with Open at the front and behind them the other classes back to puppy.

The judge again looks at these dogs and judges them for Winners dog (where you receive the points). Or Winners Bitch.

That dog receives the ribbon/rosette and steps out of the ring for a few moments. The dog that placed second in the class to the Winners comes back in and the judge again judges the winning of each class dog and the 2nd place dog behind the Winners. He/She picks a Reserve Winners now from these remaining dogs. This dog doesn't get points at this point, but, if for some reason something happens to the Winners, they go back in the ring instead of the Winners. (I've never yet seen this had to happen though).

After both males and females are done...

Winners Dog

Winners Bitch

And all the finished Champion dogs (they are the Specials Class)

Enter the Ring.

The judge judges all these dogs for Best of Breed (Best dog in that Breed that day), Best of Winners (out of Winners Dog and Winners Bitch) and Best of Opposite Sex (this dogs sex is the opposite to the Best of Breed dog).

Best of Winners and Best of Opposite sex can be the same dog.

Best of Winners can also be the Best of Breed dog.

This is what the judge decides.

Best of Breed dog is Puppy, then no further competition is required. They also receive a Best Puppy in Breed.

However, if None of the Winners are Puppies, the winning Puppies from each class return to the ring to be judged for the Best Puppy in Breed.

There are no Reserve Best Puppies in Breed generally.

Best of Breed dog will then return back to their setup, be regroomed to a degree and then return to the Ring for Group competition.

Group Competition is the Winning Breed dogs for all dogs within the Group.

Group 7 is Herding Breeds - they include German Shepherds, Cattle Dogs, Collies, Shelties, etc.

Last count there were 17 breeds in Group 7 in Canada.

Group competition is almost the same as Breed Competition, except you are competing now against other breeds. The first 4 placements in Group receive Rosettes.

Group 1st winner then goes on to Best in Show competition.

If any dogs in Group are Puppies or not there is a Puppy Group Competition.

Puppy Group is the Winning Puppy for Each breed competing for Best Puppy Group.

Winning Best Pupppy Group means you go on to compete in Best Puppy in Show.

As of this time (2005) there are only 7 competitive Groups.

So for Best in Show there are 7 dogs standing in the ring.

One is chosen to win the coveted title of Best In Show Winner.

Points:

In Canada a dog needs 10 points under 3 different judges to win. Points are based on # of dogs beaten for WD/WB, Etc.

In the US a dog needs 15 points with 3 majors to achieve their Championship. A major in the US is a 3 point win and the number of dogs beaten to acheive this varies state by state.

Acronyn's Used for Wins in Conformation:

WD - Winners Dog

WB - Winners Bitch

BOS - Best of Opposite Sex

BW - Best of Winners

BOB - Best of Breed

Group Placement

BIS - Best in Show

BPIB - Best Puppy In Breed

BPIG - Best Puppy in Group

BPIS - Best Puppy in Show

BISS - Best in Specialty Show

AOM - Award of Merit (Specialties and Nationals only)

There are probably titles I am missing above, but, this is a good starting list.