A dog show is an animal show; it is an event where dogs are exhibited. A conformation show, also referred to as a breed show, is a kind of dog show in which a judge, familiar with a specific dog breed, evaluates individual purebred dogs for how well the dogs conform to the established breed type for their breed, as described in a breed's individual breed standard.
Dog shows can be in the means of evaluating dogs for breeding purposes. A conformation championship from a recognised national kennel club is generally considered as an indication of merit. Many breeders consider championships a prerequisite for breeding. Some critics argue that the shows can encourage selective breeding of traits and lower genetic diversity.
The first modern conformation dog show was held in Newcastle Town Hall in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, in June 1859.
A conformation dog show is not a comparison of one dog to another but a comparison of each dog to a judge's mental image of the ideal breed type as outlined in the individual breed's breed standard. Dog show judges attempt to identify dogs who epitomise the published standards for each breed. Some judgments must be subjective. As an example, what exactly entails a "full coat" or a "cheerful attitude", descriptions found in breed standards, can be learned different.
Judges are generally certified to judge one or several breeds, usually in the same group, but a few "all-breed" judges can judge a large number of breeds.
Dogs compete at dog shows to earn points or certification towards championship titles.
The Kennel Club (UK) system, which is also used by the Australian National Kennel Council and in other countries, is considered the most difficult to earn a title under.
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 (CACIB) to qualify for a championship; one must be won in the dog's own country, and at least two in other countries under at least three different judges.
There are seven classes per breed in American Kennel Club dog shows:
Puppy (sometimes divided between 6–9 months and 9–12 months)
Twelve-To-Eighteen Months (those that fall in this age range are eligible)
Novice (dogs over six months old are eligible as long as they have not won any points yet, have not yet won three first place prizes in this class, and have not won first prizes in the Bred-By-Exhibitor, American-bred or Open classes)
Amateur Owner Handler (where the owner is exhibiting the dog and has not received funds for showing any other dog)
Bred-By-Exhibitor (where the person handling the dog is an owner and breeder of record.)
American-Bred (This class is reserved for dogs conceived in the U.S.)
Open (Any dog that is over six months old can enter into this class. Champions are not allowed in any of the other classes and are only permitted to enter this class, although in most cases they skip the class competition entirely and are entered directly in Best of Breed.)
The American-Bred and Open classes are mandatory for each show, while the others are optional. In some cases, one or more of these classes may be divided by color, height, weight, or coat type. A dog can earn extra points during these awards, depending on the number of dogs of its sex and the Champions that were competing against it.
In the American Kennel Club, a dog needs 15 points to become a Champion, with each win gaining anywhere from zero to five points depending on the number of dogs competing and the area where the show is held. At least two wins must be a set of three or more points ("majors") under two different judges; at least one additional win under a third judge is also required.